Another year. Another 365 days of "what did I do with all that time?" I do recall many moons ago an older person said to me that time goes by faster when you are older. I didn't quite get it, but now that I am older, I see that it is true. But I still don't get it. Time flies by quicker now. But how? But why? Is it because as adults we wish for the weekends to come so we can have some rest? Only to find out that we have cleaning and laundry, errands and bills to attend to. Is that why time blows past us? Who knows, except, here it is the end of 2017 and I am still wondering what happened to March!! What have I done with all that time?
I have accomplished some things but will readily admit that I wasted too much time. 2018 will be about making more of each moment. Well, that was the goal of 2017, so wish me luck... again.
As the year comes to a close some of you will host big parties. Great. But if you are like me, and don't make such a huge deal out of New Year's Eve, or feel pressure to do something, or maybe you feel sad because nothing special is happening. Please remember it's just another night like the one before it and the one after it. You can choose to how to honor it or not. You can use it to ump start a fresh beginning. But if you don't have big plans, so what. You can do what JC and I like to do. Sit quietly, rejoice in what we have now and make a list of our wishes for the coming year. Without pressure but just gentle reminders of what we would like to reach for.
As we wrap this year, that was filled with tons of emotion for most of us, let me share some moments of just how lovely a year can be. (Lots of photos, so keep scrolling for another message from me.)
January
Shared time with my sister Jill and nieces, Nikki and Gabrielle, as we cooked together making the original "something from nothing" recipe, Zucchini Orzo Pie and an old family tradition, stuffed breads.
February
Starting the month with an invite from our family friends, the Marzullos, to kick start a month of eating well.
Celebrated my birthday with my parents in Miami showing them cool restaurants for them to visit, like Prohibition. Then back home to celebrate another Pisces birthday with my 'niece', Lauren, serving up a traditional Spanish tapas lunch.
March
Stirring it with love with Gabrielle at her workplace, Traditions, in Charlotte, NC promoting my Think...then Jump™ children's book series and reading to the kids. Back home, taking in nature with a walk through our favorite local spot, Rockefeller Park.
April
Another trip to Italy, because... Well, it's Italy and you can never get enough. And let's not forget this is the land of beauty, love and of course...pasta. All things I hold dear.
My own fresh pasta made in the Tuscan Hills. Recipe here
My hubby, falling in love with Cortona in the Tuscan region of Italy.
May
JC's birthday, celebrated as usual with good food and wine.
June
A full month of gatherings with family and friends, both in NY and Miami.
Us and the Nardolillo Family. Finally, after many dates were thrown around, we found one in June!
Always love visiting Miami for sun and the warming of my soul.
Miami gang, Marta and Me with JC to celebrate Emilce's Birthday.
Krista and Me. I babysat for her. Yes, I did and now she is getting married!
July
Spent the 4th sharing good times, good food and good fun with dear friends Emily and Lorne at their Bay home.
Rocked a successful event aboard a NYC nighttime cruise that Despaña co-sponsored. Boy, was I tired after that one.
A NYC visit from my bestie, Dominique, ending a perfect girl's day with her daughter, Lauren.
Despaña Gang AKA Chicas Poderosas = Powerful Girls!
Dominique and Lauren. Don't you love those smiles!
August
Too many photos to even think about sharing from our trip to Northern Spain, but the highlight was spending time with our dear friends, Marcos and Angelica, at their home in Amieva, Asturias.
Amieva, a beautiful view
Marcos, Angelica and JC
Angelica and me
September
How do you celebrate fall with Cuban in-laws? Roast a pig.
How do you celebrate a friend's birthday? Call and say "I'm coming over with food and cake!"
How do you celebrate a life? By honoring it with memories, laughter and love. Sharing as a family a most beautiful memorial to rejoice in life of my dear Aunt Catherine.
Porky the pig in La Caja China, the Chinese roasting box
I made a gluten free cake to celebrate Carl's birthday.
Alla familia
Aunt Catherine's favorite hat and her corn cob pipe. No button nose here.
October
Thanks to my sis, Alys and Mastercard, we got to visit the Chiluly exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens.
Then had a wild production experience as Team Despaña, Angelica and Master Carver Jaume Guerra were slicing up jamón on The Untitled Action Bronson Show appearing on Viceland TV.
Angelica & Jaume showing how it's done.
Action Bronson checking out the jamón
November
NYC Marathon with my amazing sis, Alys.
Stats that make her cream of the crop.
Family support after 26.2 miles. Ready for a meal.
December
That time of year when spending time with flour, butter and sugar is how I pass my time, baking up a storm. Thankfully, I had one brave soul to help me, my niece, Gianna to the rescue.
Gianna, directly home from college and before seeing friends, helped me make cookies... all day.
I also had to say ciao for now to my nephew, John, as he moved away to Colorado.
So as we close the books on 2017, I wish for you all the health and love life has to offer... And there is an abundance of it. There truly is no end to that well. You can continue to tap it and unearth it's riches.
May you find the path you were searching for.
May the passions you dream of become realities.
May the struggles you have be released and resolved.
May good friends, good food find their way into your home.
May each day bring a wonderful mixture of laughter and smiles, inner peace and joy, satisfaction and accomplishment, confidence and strength.
May you step closer to knowing and loving your true self and rejoice in your essence.
I wish all these and so much more for you.
Happy New Year
