Sunday night we celebrated Jonah's last day as a three year old. He has been so excited leading up to his birthday, which was actually today, that I wanted to commemorate every little moment. We love celebrations if you can't tell, no matter how big or small, we like to mark it with a point. As if to say, this happened and we are so proud. So, as much as we are celebrating Jonah this week, we are also celebrating the fact that four years ago, we became parents and our lives were permanently changed. We became a family. Something larger than just ourselves. We had more of a reason and purpose driving us. We started thinking about a way of life that would guide and mold children into people we could be proud of. We began our journey to make the next generation better than our own by incorporating tradition, knowledge, love and wisdom into our daily conversations.
Before Ezra came along, I made it a point that we sat down at the table and ate our dinner together as a family. Since Ezra, it has been much more difficult to make this happen. Someone is almost always not at the table. The needs are doubled, as is the chaos of the evening routine. However, every once and a while, we make it work, each of sitting together for at least a few minutes. Thankfully, that worked out this night.
I made one of Jonah's favorites, that everybody loves, Spaghetti. He asked for meatballs, but I'm just not there yet, so he settled for meat sauce. Settled is a little strong though, he loved it.
The special part for Wesley and I though, was the Bruschetta. I was so inspired by The Bertolli Cooking School. Everything looked so beautiful and delicious. I decided to attempt to bring a little Tuscany to our table.
As I was reading, I came across Bertolli's five F's. Food, Fresh, Friends, Family and Fun. Wouldn't it be amazing if we all took their lead and planned our meals around those five principles? While we are too busy to make too much from scratch, we can find time to put quality meals together while having fun with our family and friends. After dinner, we headed outside for a fire in our fire pit to finally enjoy the crisp Fall air.
Bruschetta Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 loaf Italian bread [or French bread]
- 2 cloves garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 jar Bertolli® Riserva: Porcini Mushrooms & White Truffle Oil
- Toppings could include: Olives, Feta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, Basil, Mushrooms (I used Kalamata Olives, Feta, and Parm and mixed and matched a little).
DIRECTIONS
- Cut loaf diagonally into slices. Rub on garlic. Broil bread slices until golden, but not too crunchy, then brush with Olive Oil. Spoon Sauce over bread, then top with your favorite Bruschetta Toppings and enjoy!
Bertolli suggested these as possible toppings: Sliced fresh mozzarella with chopped fresh basil. Sauteed sliced portobello mushrooms and fresh basil. Sliced fresh mozzarella with prosciutto and fresh basil. Sliced cooked chicken, feta cheese, olives and fresh thyme. Sliced fresh mozzarella with sliced or chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes and chopped fresh basil.
The great thing about Bruschetta is it's so simple, yet makes a big impression. Especially when you have guests. You can please almost everyone with the little Bruschetta and Antipasto. This way guests are sure to find something to snack on while they await the main course.
Here he is, my boy on his last night as a three year old. May he grow to know tradition and love and family. May he always love coming home to Mama's table for a good plate of Spaghetti.
Before I leave you for tonight, I want to share a little about No Kid Hungry and their partnership with Bertolli for #MyTuscanTable. For each photo shared on social media using the #MyTuscanTable in October, Bertolli® will make a $1 donation to help end childhood hunger in America through a partnership with No Kid Hungry. With that $1 donation, No Kid Hungry can provide 10 healthy meals to kids in need, up to a half a million meals. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring kids have the healthy food they need, every day. I encourage you to look at the information No Kid Hungry can provide regarding hunger right here in our own city and state or your own city or state. Every child deserves to start their day with a healthy filling meal and maintain that opportunity through the Summer months when providing those meals can be so hard on their parent's budgets. That's where No Kid Hungry steps in.
For more ideas to help you bring a little Tuscany to YOUR table, visit Bertolli's cooking school, Tumblr Page, and follow them on Facebook! You may just find some great savings along the way!
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