Rekindling old hobbies
Hi! How’s your day going so far?? We’ve been relaxing around the house -Liv is feeling much better!- and having a blast because the nanas are here!
They flew in yesterday, and needless to say, we’ve been pretty happy to have them around. The Livi Show is in high gear, and she was so excited she didn’t sleep last night. This means I didn’t, either. Thankful for caffeine today 😉
Since madre and nana got in a little later yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a beautiful dinner here at home.
I made a turkey bolognese in the crockpot, with a large can of whole tomatoes, one large can of crushed tomatoes, two fresh diced tomatoes, a chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, a splash of red wine, oregano, fresh basil, salt and pepper:
and added in browned turkey sausage.
It cooked on high for about 3-4 hours, and we had it atop pasta with sautéed zucchini. It was perfection!
Oh, and this happened, too….
(props to Joe the Trader for your delicious baked goods)
Thank you so much for your awesome comments on this morning’s Mountain Trek post and for sharing your fave inexpensive red wines. I have a list of new ones to try!
So today, I had something kind of random I wanted to ask you guys about: rekindling an old hobby.
One of the girls and I were talking about this last week, and she was telling me about how she played flute for her entire youth (up until college) and quit while she was in med school. She hadn’t played the flute for more than 10 years, and picked it up again. She takes lessons every week now and really enjoys being back into it.
I told her about our piano, which I lovingly painted this olive green color,
and how I haven’t really touched it. I played for quite a while growing up and always loved to play/sing, and then stopped. I tinkered with it a little while we were in Valdosta, and since then, it’s just something else to dust. It’s also in desperate need of some tuning love. I was thinking about picking it up again, because while I can still read music, I don’t remember ANY of the songs I used to have memorized. It would be fun to start back up again and use it with purpose, instead of just decor. It’s crazy to think that it’s traveled the US with us -to Fayetteville, to Valdosta, to Tucson, to here- and it hardly gets played. We always moved it ourselves, too. In Fayetteville, we were bundled up in coats and beanies, cursing, laughing, and inching the piano across the parking lot. Good times.
Has anyone picked up a hobby they used to enjoy, but let it slip by the wayside? I’d love to hear about how you got back into it!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day <3
xoxo
Gina
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Your piano is cute green! I am so sad my mom gave away my childhood piano… I wish she had of told me so I could have taken it! I played all through childhood but haven’t had anything to play in 10 years… trying to find a way I can aquire one with military life that will be practical. You should start playing again!
I played the piano growing up and the flute and piccolo in high school. I wish I had never quit, and I’ve never gone back to try again. I don’t think I could read music as well anymore, so it would be tough. Enjoy the family visitors! 🙂
I played tennis as a kid but let it go and I just got back into it as an adult. I took some lessons and absolutely love it now! Plus, a lot of my friends have gotten into it as well making it even more fun!
I used to play the piano too, but alas it has fallen a bit by the wayside. One old hobby I have been spending time on lately is reading. I have always been a reader but found as I have gotten older it takes me longer and longer to finish books. Now I am really working on at least one a month!
Where did you hear of MountainTrek, by the way? I feel like there’s no other place in the world like it!
they invited me to check it. i had never heard of it, either, and agree that it seems like there’s no other place like it
I played the piano too for at lesst ten years growing up but have not played in many yes. My parents have my piano in their basement and its a honker. It wil stay their until the end of days.
I used to play the violin growing up until college and just recently started playing it again… Your friend is smart to take lessons, I might look into that once I am in the habit again.
I played piano too – for 12 years actually – and I never play anymore! I also used to be really into art, especially painting. I would love to get back into both these hobbies again. It is hard to make time for everything!
I also played the piano growing up. I started when I was three and continued throughout high school. It’s a skill I miss so much! I gave it up in college. I wish I could pick it up again one day. I also played the flute a little bit in elementary school. I also figure skated competitively and I would love to get back on the ice again one day.
Got your newsletter today! The decorated pumpkins were lovely. I especially like the one that mimicked henna. What is Livi going to dress up as this Halloween? A princess 🙂
I always played the guitar growing up but then let it go later and when I tried to pick it up again I found that the fingers on my ‘chord hand’ were no longer as flexible as they used to be and I really couldn’t play any more. Because I really wanted to get back into music I decided to fulfill a lifelong ambition and learn to play the piano, so at 60 I’m learning to play the piano from scratch and I’m absolutely loving it – BUT it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done! Wish I’d done it when I was younger!
I briefly started playing the piano again too after years of a hiatus. I highly suggest you do because I think anyone that once learned how to play music forgets how peaceful and grounding it is. I’m not great by any means, but it’s a wonderful hobby especially now that technology is in yo face everywhere
Pretty piano! Do you plan on lessons for Livi? Sometimes I think about taking piano lessons but then I’m like, would it be weird since I’m a grown up? Lol
Hi Gina! I’ve been reading your blog for several years but didn’t know you played the piano! I also used to play…I’m 23 now and hadn’t played since I graduated from high school, so five years or so, and just started taking lessons again. I love it! I decided to go back to it because I always felt myself gravitate toward tinkering around when I had free time. I also found a website called MuseScore that has sheet music for lots of different pieces…classical music, popular, you name it…for all levels! You should check it out.
I used to be so into yoga but fell out of the habit of catching a class after work. One of my goals this fall is to get back into it!
Oh gosh I used to play the piano! that brings back old memories- that is a cute color! Mine was bland and boring! those cupcakes look delicious…especially the frosting!
I love how often you get to see your family! That’s something I really miss.
I let playing the violin go by the wayside. I still have my violin but haven’t opened the case since high school. :/
Old habits – yes, tennis! I played recreationally, not competitively, as a kid, and just picked it back up a few years ago. Best thing I ever did! I started with weekly group/semi-private lessons, and now I’m in a doubles league. I’ve met so many nice people, added another workout/variety into my exercise routine, and found something that challenges me and has instilled a real sense of pride. I have something totally fun and just for me every week to look forward to. The fun I have playing tennis is unlike any other workout or activity I do. 🙂
Oh yes, I have a piano too and never play!! And I seriously think I have to accept it, at least with my current schedule. Maybe one day….
Every once and a while I pull out my drawing pad and kit, open the windows, have a beer (it helps the creative process 😛 ), sit on the floor and just draw. My skills are lower than low but it makes me happy to be creative in that way. 🙂
Trader joe’s does have AMAZING baked goods. I almost always pick some up when Im there!
I would looove to get a piano, perhaps when the kids get older and can handle lessons. I played growing up, too. But now blogging is the hobby I can handle at the moment!
French was my favorite class in high school and I’ve always regretted not continuing to study it in college. About 2 years ago I started taking classes again! So fun! And my daughter is learning French now, too.
Maybe you could have Liv take piano lessons and take some refresher lessons along with her?
I also played flute for about 9 years and haven’t played since my senior year in high school. Maybe once a year I pick it up and play something. It would be fun to pick it up again someday. I also played piano and we have one as well that we refinished instead of painting. I fiddle around with it sometimes, but mostly it’s just the kids banging around on it. I’m looking forward to having them take piano lessons someday, though!
Are those the peanut butter chocolate cupcakes? I bought those for my daughter’s birthday last year. So good!
yes- the best!!
I took a recurve archery class in college and loved it but never pursued it. Six years later my early Christmas present was my own beautifully hand crafted wooden traditional recurve bow. I have a blast shooting it in my backyard and finding my form again 🙂
I was an avid horseback rider as a young girl and when I went off to University I was able to keep it up through a club we had at the University. Once I started nursing full time, I couldn’t afford OR find the time. That was until I started volunteering at a therapeutic riding school. I was able to exercise the horses (FOR FREE) and also be a ‘walker’ for the riders during their classes. It was such a great way to reconnect with my passion. I”m hoping to get back into it ‘some day’ which I hope is soon! Good luck!
I used to really enjoy writing when I was in school, but definitely let it slip to the way side until lately. I’ve enjoyed getting back into it and find it as a nice way to be able to express myself.
Knitting…my Grandma taught me when I was young. Gave it up for a long time and just started again after my oldest was born…love making the kids stuff
Writing is my big one.
Is this Turkey Bolognese recipe on your blog anywhere?!
that’s it! i don’t really measure anything and it changes each time haha. so not really a recipe