A Small Room Filled With Love and A Tuna Sandwich

On Sunday I was so excited to plan my menu for this week. It was going to be fettucini alfredo Monday...kale and lentil soup tonight...pita pizzas Wednesday and veggie soup and dumplings for Friday. Well last night it was an unexpected time change for my adorable niece Marley's birthday party and I was not able to get home in time to make dinner. But it was more than ok because last night in a small two bedroom apartment about 25 people gathered...all to share in the celebration of this cute, hyper, "team Jacob" loving little girl. Family, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and new acquaintances all squished together to be part of this day.

It was really a night to appreciate. Sitting in a room with all of my family, my brothers, my sisters, my nephew, my nieces and my parents...wow...I really have to say that this was a first. Never have we all been together, in the same place, and all so happy...taking this time to look back on that night it still leaves me with this feeling of such joy...such appreciation...such happiness. So what started off as a night of fettucini turned into a night of seven layer dip and family.

As for tonight's planned meal...well my parents are up in Victorville watching Tim's kids and it is just not worth it to make a large pot of soup for myself. But I do have some last minute company in which I am ready to serve my new planned meal that I had set for myself...a tuna sandwich. A tuna sandwich and some tots was what was on the new menu, and though it does not come from a fun new recipe that I found online, nor do any of the ingredients come from my wonderful Farm Fresh to You box...I am so happy to be having a humble tuna sandwich because again, it is not only about the fact that I have been craving tots for the past month, it is that I get to share this little meal with my guest.

Nick...my best friend...my boyfriend...my true soul mate! This man is by far the best person I know and my favorite person! I don't think that I can even go on a rant of some sort explaining how much he means to me...and that is what made this little tuna sandwich so great. This little half sandwich was such a reminder...such a symbol...of how much Nick means to me...how much I value and appreciate our relationship...this humble meal was the centerpiece of a room full of laughter...excitement...and true genuine love.

These past two nights have been great reminders...reminders of how it really is "The Simple Things." There are so many articles out there that give you "10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress" or "8 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier"...and don't get me wrong...I am the one clicking on these links and sharing them on facebook. And as often as I find myself reading these articles and blogs it is always a treat...a blessing...when you catch yourself present in one of those "simple" moments. So that's what I am grateful for today...that is what I am taking from these past two days...and that is making me really happy right now and a little less stressed...ha! :)

Today Sounds Like:

Everlasting Light - The Black Keys

Thank You - Led Zeppelin

Just Breathe - Pearl Jam

By Your Side - The Black Crowes