Hello, my friends! Spring is here, and perhaps with it, a little pep added to our step. I know I’ve been a bit quiet here on Substack, but it’s only because I’ve been slowly adjusting to life as a mother of two. People like to ask which is harder, going from zero to one or from one child to two, and my answer is easily and unequivocally going from one to two. I’ve never really felt as if I had such little time to myself; even with the first baby, I still felt I had some space to be creative, as once I got him down for a nap the time was mine. The thing with more than one child is there’s always someone awake who needs you. Also, it’s a lot simpler to pawn one child off on family for a few hours than it is to hand over two!
But as we settle into more of a routine, I’m finding ways to steal a few minutes here, a few seconds there, to do the work that fills me up, like write for you. I plan to get back into a steady routine with these posts, as well as my podcast, “Bella Figura—The Tradition of Living Beautifully.” (I’ve already begun booking amazing guests for Season 5!)
I’ll tell you the truth, when I do the things that fill my cup, I find I’m a better mother and wife. When I don’t, I feel more negative, perhaps even bitter, and I think this is fairly common for mothers. So making sure we take time to do what we love really benefits not only ourselves, but the people we love.
With all that said, it’s obvious that reading and watching the screen aren’t high on my priority list, but I’ve been slipping in some creative nourishment here and there with the below titles. I always love hearing what people are reading and watching, which is why I love, in turn, sharing with you.
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz—Well-known for his hugely successful book, The Four Agreements, Ruiz writes from the Toltec tradition about how to heal our emotional wounds and, in so doing, our relationships. It’s been a very long time since I read a book that gave me such hope that I could change and be better to myself, my husband, my children and by extension the world around me. This book is written in simple, clear language, and for someone like me with little time on her hands, it’s a perfect easy read that feeds the soul and gives usable guidance.
Let's Eat Italy!: Everything You Want to Know About Your Favorite Cuisine by François-Régis Gaudry—I’ve had this book for several years now, but it’s so full of information, it requires being picked up again and again. This book is a must-have for any lover of Italian culture and cuisine. It highlights the history of foods and drinks, from amaro to pizza and back again, as well as the regional differences in iconic dishes like caponata. There are a slew of great recipes and a breakdown of quintessential Italian foodwares like the moka pot, among many other traditional Italian culinary treats. I highly recommend adding it to your bookshelf if you don’t have a copy already.
“Northern Exposure”—I remember this show fondly from my younger years and was thrilled to see Amazon Prime offering all the seasons in excellent quality. It’s witty, creative, lighthearted and just fun to watch. There’s so much heavy content on television these days (is it me, or is every other show on Netflix about a serial killer?) that having something to turn to that’s just good writing, great acting and light storylines is a breath of fresh air. Plus, it’s set in Alaska, so the scenery is just beautiful.
Tom Waits—I’ve been listening to Tom Waits’ music for over twenty-something years now and am a huge fan, but recently I’ve revisited his work. When I listen to him life takes on a great vintage feel. I seem to slip past the reality of our current society, into a separate one where Levi’s and cowboy boots and coffee shops with the old leather topped stools exist alongside pompadours, long cigarettes, notebooks and red-door phone booths. He sparks a deeply creative part of me.
I think one of the marks of a great artist is when they give you the sense that they’re writing or singing just for you. Waits definitely does that for me, and anytime I get back into listening to him, I feel like I’m the only one who knows him and I’m the only one he knows. But in reality, he’s been a pretty big name in the music world for decades, a Grammy winner, Oscar nominee and inductee into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. He’s a poet, a true creative, and his songs continue to help me feel alive and inspired.
To Be Magnetic—I first came across this podcast several years ago, and I’ve recently revisited it as well. It’s definitely on the woo woo side of life, but its founder, Lacy Phillips, has created work that’s also rooted in science and sensibility. When we retrain our neuro pathways, we open new possibilities. This show, coupled with Ruiz’s book, is a great way to revisit the stories we tell ourselves about what we can and cannot do, who we are and who we aren’t. If you want to improve your life, make a long-held dream come true, the first step is looking into the things that prevent you from doing so. To Be Magnetic offers formulas for manifestation, moving out what blocks us so that we can bring in what we desire.
Let me know if you check out any of these titles and what you think of them!
And thanks for being here with me, truly.
xoxo,
Dolores
Will be Checking out "Let's Eat Italy!" Thank you for the recommendation. Somewhat related, I am reading "Chewing the Fat: An Oral History of Italian Foodways from Fascism to Dolce Vita" by Karima Moyer-Nocchi.. so eye opening. Have you read it?