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And just like that, September is over and we are already a few days into October. It seems that every year I realize more and more that time flies whether I am having fun or not, so may as well try and make the fun bits last and just grit my teeth and know that the not so fun bits will eventually also come to an end.
If you read my last blog entry, or follow my Instagram account, you know that I just very recently celebrated my thirty-fourth birthday! Boy did I celebrate!
First I spent the weekend before my birthday in Las Vegas for the Life is Beautiful Music Festival with Ashley. Then spent a day at the Disneyland parks acting like giant kids with Dustin. Then picked up one of my oldest and very best friends, Erin, from the airport for the entire weekend! All of that with kids and work mixed in probably explains why I was the epitome of the "netflix and tuck myself in by nine" meme earlier this week.
I really did have an amazing week (and then some) though. I feel so extremely lucky to have so many people in my life who make the time to spend time with me. It's not easy. Everyone has different schedules, kids of various ages (all in different activities), other friends that want to spend time with them, significant others, pets, life events, jobs... the list goes on and on, and these are all very valid reasons to let plans go. Some how though, stars aligned and this last Friday night I had a kitchen and living room full of some of my very favorite people.
We talked and laughed comparing our enneagram personality numbers while we stuffed ourselves on grilled shrimp and tri-tip with chimichurri, bacon potato salad, coleslaw, and pickled onions. With so many kids running around the noise level was high, but so was the quality of company! I couldn't help but think about how fortunate I am to have so many people who make our friendship a priority.
In my kitchen I had people who want to spend time with me with or without kids climbing all over us. They are people who have babysat so that I could spend adult time with other people. They are people who text me back and answer their phones when I call. They come to backyard birthday parties, dance recitals, pool days, and even offer extra help when I've got three sick kids. To top it all off, these were just a handful of all the people that do the same!
With our busy lives it's more than easy to let friendships slip here and there. Miss this, skip that, make an excuse. I know so many parents that feel isolated and alone outside of their households, and I have felt that way too. It wasn't until I realized that I needed to start making my friendships a priority and insert myself back into them, that I felt other people reciprocating.
So, I guess the long story short is that when I started making time for other people, other people started making time for me. I also make margaritas for people who make time for me (how'd you like that segue?)
I served Maple Jalapeño Margaritas friday and I'll give you the loose recipe I followed. I made a pitcher of margarita concentrate to be served with a fresh pour of club soda in each glass because I like some fizz... this made about six servings.
Salt
Ice
1/2 to 1 Jalapeño pepper
1 Large grapefruit (juiced)
20 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice (about 10 limes)
12 oz Silver Tequila
6 oz Organic maple agave syrup (adjust to taste)
Club Soda
First rim your glass (if you don't know what this is I can't help you) with salt and fill with ice. Then deseed and thinly slice up the jalepeño, put half of it into your pitcher and muddle it a bit, save the rest in case you want more spice or to garnish later. Next add your syrup, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and tequila. Give the pitcher a good stir. Lastly fill your glasses half full with margarita mix and top with club soda. Enjoy!
To be honest, I completely winged this recipe and have no idea if anyone enjoyed it so if you try it be sure to let me know!
Photo Credit to Erin Dodd, check out her Instagram here!