I Pomodori | Keeping traditions through Generations

     Every year, we buy bushels of tomatoes and begin the process of i pomodori. We wash, cut, fill, and squish the tomatoes in jars and then cook them for hours in a large saucepan over a flame outside. 

     For me, it's really special because I grew up with the women in my family surrounding a table and recounting stories and laughing as we cut the tomatoes for hours. That first bowl of pasta with fresh tomato sauce is unlike anything else. And so I'd like to keep this tradition through the years and continue it with my future children and grandchildren someday. Here a few photos I took this year! 

27

Today I'm 27. 

This year has been a whirlwind of events, some anticipated, some joyous, and 

some totally unexpected. 

But I'm grateful for all of the moments. 

All of the little details and mishaps and laughs.

God surrounded me with His love by giving me such amazing people to love.

Ahh I'm so excited and slightly anxious for the upcoming year. 

I have a new job which was such a surprise!... But I know God is faithful, and He placed me exactly where He needed me to be.

27 is going to be a great one... I just know it. 
 

Cities of Clouds

I wrote this when I was flying back home from Florida. The sky was an array of changes that day... all beautiful in their own likeness.

As I write this I cant help but feel so small. I'm thousands of feet up in the air in a small seat crunched between by arm rest and little table with my Dunkin' Donuts coffee on it.
 

What I see out the window: cities of clouds. So calm and beautiful. And it's so incredible.  

Twenty minutes ago the lightening below these clouds lit up the ground and shook the earth. 

We were delayed twice. And yet here I am.

The same clouds but can do two opposite things. They can be powerful and destructive when lightening strikes... and then beautiful and calming.

And just seeing how magnificent all of this is... God who created it all must be so much more amazing.

I feel small because sitting here literally thousands of feet up, I have nothing else to do but marvel and put my trust and life in this grand God that created all of this and me.

It's hard not being scared. And I get scared easily, but knowing God is there all along... I can't help but say He is all of the marvelous words and more. 

He is wonderful, magnificent, powerful, marvelous, triumphant, beauty, calm, love. 

Even these can't encompass just how great you are.

Your presence is greater than any fear I will ever encounter.

Beach Getaway | Estero Island, Florida 2016

Summertime is always the best time to unwind and get away for a bit. My family and I traveled to Estero Island which is a small island off of Fort Meyers Beach in Florida.

We had never been to the western part of Florida, so we decided to venture there. It turned out to be beautiful, with warm water, soft sand that felt like flour, palm trees, and a cute town called Times Square nearby. 

The hotel was located in a great area that we could easily take a walk to the restaurants, and local shops. I would definitely recommend going there if you're looking for your next vacation. Here are a few of my photos I took while I was there... enjoy! 

 

Pageants, Dr. House, and Being True to Yourself

When I was in college, I had a friend who had participated in numerous pageants. She was beautiful and her photographs made me want go pick up a silky long gown and join one myself. 

So I did. 

I dragged my Mom along on another wild idea of mine into the Pageantry world, convincing her that I too could walk the walk and talk the talk. 

Little did I know that it wasn't just all pretty dresses, makeup, and glam. 

So I attended the various interviews and scheduled photo-shoots. It was all great. Until I got to the questions round. 

I heard my name being called, silently walked into the room alone as I turned to see my Mom's face before they closed the large office doors.

"What's your favorite show?"

Ahh.... ahem WHAT?

I panicked knowing that my favorite show at the time was The Hills (because of their fashion, obvs)... but no way could I say that. That wasn't a smart enough show.

So I lied. 

I opened my mouth and let out a small crack and squeak... "I love House". 

HOUSE?!?! I couldn't believe those words had just slipped out of my mouth. The only thing I could say that I loved about it was that it was cool he was a doctor and solved cases. 

Oh and his name... I remembered his name, which also happened to be the show's title. 

I walked out feeling like my lie was written all over my body. And I failed.  

I still got to participate in the pageant, I didn't win... but looking back I can't help but laugh. 

I was so embarrassed of what I actually loved and who I was, that I lied and created a whole other me. And I actually thought people would buy it.  

If I could tell my 19 year old self one thing, it would be this:

Don't be afraid to show the world what you love and how you were created. Those things that make you different, weird, quirky... make you incredibly beautiful.

And I say the same to you. Don't deny the world of your true self... it's the greatest gift you can give. 

 // To be nobody but yourself in a world

 which is doing its best day and night 

to make you like everybody else

 means to fight the hardest battle

 which any human being can fight

 and never stop fighting. // e.e. cummings