Friends | All Things Gwen

Posts Tagged ‘Friends’

Breaking Bread Together

December 6, 2010

[These bottles of Srirachi were our wedding favors! We picked these because it was fun, colorful, something people could use, something we love and enjoy. My plan is to send a recipe card (that includes Srirachi as an ingredient) with my wedding thank-you notes. You know, when I finally write and send them!]

I can’t remember when I started to love cooking. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with how I was raised. Growing up, my mom cooked a lot. We barely went out to eat. In fact, we went out so few times that I can remember exact meals and restaurants. (I never had Dunkin Donuts until I was probably in third of fourth grade!)

Cooking role models
When we were little, my cousins from Canada would come and the moms would cook CONSTANTLY … rolling out dough for awesome desserts and cooking meals to feed an army. It was the best!

For my birthday parties and our family gatherings, my mom would cook so much food people would be raving about it. For our engagement party, people loved our big roasted pig (my mom and mother-in-law did it up big!!) — and were blown away by the lamb chops, gigantic shrimp and overflowing food at our wedding.

Me in the kitch
I realized early on how cooking and food brings people together, and I’ve always loved that. One of my favorite things to do is host pot luck parties with my friends. It’s so much better than going out! And, whenever we’re invited to someone’s house party, I’m always excited to try a new dish and bring it.

I really started to get into cooking when I was unemployed. It was great cooking for my hubs (then fiancé). My initial goal was to cook one new meal a week. Now I’m up to three or four. We have a rating scale too — he’s supposed to give the meal a score of 1 to 10 — and I STILL haven’t gotten a 10! I guess I can’t compete since his mom is a phenomenal cook!

Anyway, I love sharing recipes too. So, here are two of my current favorites: Wild Rice and Beef Casserole and Jello Pretzel Salad. ENJOY!

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Creating Moments That Last Forever

December 2, 2010

The best things in life are so simple — to me, it’s moments and memories with family and friends. No one can take them away. They keep us forever tied to those who mean the most to us.

Family first
Some of the closest people to me are my cousins. Although half of us are in NJ, and the other half is in Canada, we are like brothers and sisters. My aunts and uncles are like parents to me as well. We spent weeks together in the summers and over holidays — travelling to Virginia, the Jersey shore, camping — and used to stay up all night playing cards, coloring and laughing. We’re the only ones that can laugh about how I flew off the see-saw, into the air and pretty much knocked myself out … how we found some of Uncle Paul’s (real) Easter eggs the following year … and how Sarah used to wear bright red lipstick.

Now that we are older, our time together has shaped how we want to raise our own children. I want my (future) children to have what I had … what I have. A close-knit family is something that my husband and I can always provide — no matter what the economy looks like or whatever else is going on in our lives. It’s a gift that’s free and lasts a lifetime.

Saying goodbye and moving on
A few weeks ago, we buried one of our youngest “sisters” — Margaret. It was a sad, sad day. So unbelievable, especially since we had just been together a few weeks before. She read at my wedding and was glowing — so beautiful, wise and grown up. It was something so unexpected, but the opportunity for me to grow and be strong. In my saddest moments, Margaret helped me do the things I was afraid of … and I did things for her that I am proud of. I spoke at her viewing, touched her hand, shoveled dirt on her grave and visited the place where she passed away.

Margaret’s death taught me to live life with no regrets, to be thankful for family, memories and moments. It reminded me how precious and short life is, and to live it to the fullest. During that time, I also learned how to let go and forgive.

I’m so thankful that shared moments together that will stay with me forever.

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Back and Better Than Ever

November 22, 2010

Wow, it’s been a looooong time. Too long. Sorry.

Well, I have good news. I’m back and better than ever. Why/How? I’ve had so many life-changing experiences since the last time I blogged. There were so many that I was really distracted and had to find myself again.

I lost my job. It was a good thing, actually. I was free from the stress, toxic environment and immoral leadership that I didn’t agree with. It was an emotional roller coaster. When I got let go, I questioned myself, my abilities, the next step. I went through stages of letting go and acceptance, but I also needed to regain faith. I stopped doing things I loved — I stopped writing.

I got married. After our 10-month engagement, I had the best day of my life. Things were exactly how I wanted it. I was surrounded by family and friends. It was amazing. However, it was really stressful … but all worth it.

My cousin passed away. Three weeks after she read at our wedding … after we were all together as a family … she passed away. I never felt so devastated before. Never experienced grief, pain, forgiveness like that before. She was such a beautiful 22-year-old.

Life now
I’m back and I’m happy and feeling great. I’m so thankful for the people I have in my life. My husband, my parents, my brother, my cousins, my friends …

My goal now with my blog is to be even more personal. Honestly, I started it because I needed to force myself to be positive. My old job was really draining me emotionally, and I tried to smile and make the most of it. But, I’m human. I have bad days. I question myself, and I have doubts. I used to write all happy things, lessons and inspiration. But now, I’m going to be even more real. I’m going to talk about the pain of losing a cousin, about letting go of the past, forgiving people, things that scare me. I truly believe that the more open you are with yourself and with others, the more rich your life will be. People love you. They will love you at your best and worst times.
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