Where is your special place?

Martha-your island continues to amaze me in your beauty, mystify me in your secrets, and free me from my walls! You are a home in your familiarity yet each time I visit, I find a new treasure. Thank you for today. Love, Amy

Where is your special place? I think most people have a place where they feel speaks to them. A place they can be themselves, relax, and be timeless. *Thanks, Mary, for the beautiful picture

Mine is Martha's Vineyard. 

It is the place where I can totally breathe and be on island time. Chappy is named after Chappaquiddick Island and he turned 2 this past week!! I cannot believe how much joy he has brought to our lives. I never thought it was possible to be so attached to a dog but, yet here I am!! I love him so......

In my search for finding simple moments again in my life, I decided to take a breather from social media - no Facebook, no blogs, no anything. I found that after the addiction to look at it passed, after awhile I didn't miss it very much. I have spoken about this before but I find that so much emphasis is on documenting life that you don't end up living it as much. I mean, I love connecting with my friends near and far on Facebook but taking some time away is not often a bad thing.

So much time is taken in just running through the motions of life and stress can get in the way. Everyone has stress. Everyone struggles. As someone reminds me often, Buddha said that it is the struggle that binds us, connects us. There is nothing wrong with you that makes you struggle. You struggle because you are human. You are human therefore you struggle. I used to think that this was a pessimistic viewpoint of life but now I find great comfort in it. Struggling is a part of life. Just a part. It doesn't define you necessarily but it certainly makes you stronger and it lets you know you aren't alone in life. The key is to find a simple moment where you can just be. It doesn't have to last longer than 10 seconds but it is a time where you take a moment and find the present instead of focusing on the past or the future. Trust me, this isn't easy. But it is possible, if you are open to looking for it.

Now, put on Mess is Mine by Vance Joy and let's get cooking.

Weeknight Bolognese or as my sister in law likes to call it to her kids, bowl a crazy. It is the easiest Bolognese sauce and a perfect meal to make during the week when you don't have much time. Sosie and Sage like it because you get to use the pasta that look like little hats - orecchiette.

Weeknight Bolognese - Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That
2T good olive oil, plus extra to cook the pasta
1 lb lean ground sirloin
4 tsp minced garlic (4 cloves)
1T dried oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/4 dry red wine, divided
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
2T tomato paste
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 lb dried pasta, such as oreccheiete or small shells
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin and cook, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes, until the meat has lost its pink color and has started to brown.  Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 more minute.  Pour 1 cup of the wine into the skillet and stir to scrape up any browned bits.  Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon salt (I omit), and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt, a splash of oil, and the pasta, and cook according to the direction on the box. While the pasta cooks, finish the sauce.  Add the nutmeg, basil, cream, and the remaining 1/4 cup wine to the sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. When the pasta is cooked, drain and pour into a large serving bowl. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan and toss well.  Serve hot with Parmesan on the side.

Yum!! Enjoy!!!!