Starting Classical Guitar at 48 — Why I’m Learning Something New (and Hard)
At 48 years old, I decided to learn classical guitar — not because I needed another hobby, but because I missed the feeling of being a beginner again.
Embracing Enough: Welcome to Lou LaMedica’s Personal Blog
"Embracing Enough" is my exploration of a life well-lived—where gratitude meets growth. From mindset and parenting to small business insights, easy family recipes, and personal finance, this blog shares practical wisdom on appreciating what we have and finding fulfillment in the everyday.
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Living Well Within Our Means
We’ve learned that living well isn’t about having the biggest house or the flashiest things. It’s about shaping what you have into enough, planning with purpose, and choosing experiences that last longer than stuff ever could.
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Apple Spice Behind the Scenes
Asian-Inspired
Beans
Books
Breakfast
Business
Grilling
Chautauquas
Coaching
Comfort Food
Communication
Cooking
Emotional Health
Fall Recipes
Family
Gratitude
Grief
Habits
Health
Holiday Traditions
Italian Inspired
Kid Friendly
Kool Collectibles
Leadership
Leftovers Remix
Light Vibes
Meal Prep
Mindset
Music
My Story
Nature
nature
Nostalgia
Parenting
Patience
Personal Finance
Process
Purpose
Quick Meals
Reflections
Sales & Strategy
Sandwiches
Seafood
Seeing People
Slammin’ Sides
Slow Living
Soups
Sports
Sunday Funday
Sweets
Vegetarian
Winter Recipes
The Good Chair: Sharing Music, Vinyl Records, and Memories With My Daughter
Every Saturday morning, my daughter and I sit in the "good chair" and listen to records. A reflection on vinyl, music appreciation, parenting, and how the albums we love become memories passed from one generation to the next.
Making Room for the Future: Letting Go of the Past
Moving a catering business after 20 years forced me to sort through old manuals, drums, and memories. A reflection on letting go of the past and making room for the future.
Rancho Gordo Golden Split Pea Soup with Ham Hock and Korean Sweet Potato
Make this Rancho Gordo split pea soup with ham hock, bacon, Korean sweet potatoes, and zucchini. A rich, golden comfort food recipe ready in about an hour.
Learning How to Carry Stress: Healthy Ways to Cope When Life Feels Overwhelming
A business owner reflects on stress, stoicism, and the healthy coping mechanisms that have helped him navigate fifteen years of entrepreneurship. From meditation and music to walks in the woods and time with family, these are the tools that make stress easier to carry when life feels overwhelming.
Cedar Plank Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze (15-Minute Recipe)
A simple cedar plank salmon recipe with maple syrup, horseradish mustard, charred lemon, and cedar smoke. Fifteen minutes on the grill delivers a restaurant-worthy dinner.
Why Administrative Work Is So Exhausting
A reflection on why administrative work feels so exhausting, and how to keep paperwork, bureaucracy, and maintenance from consuming your life.
Stop Staring at the Highway: How to Break Down Big Goals Into Small Steps
A driver waiting to merge onto a busy road revealed a lesson about goals, momentum, and problem-solving. Sometimes the answer isn't a giant leap. It's learning to use the merge lane already in front of you.
Grilled Sausage with Burst Campari Tomatoes and Polenta
Grilled hot and sweet Italian sausage served with burst Campari tomatoes, smoky grilled eggplant, and creamy polenta. A simple Italian-inspired comfort food dinner packed with flavor.
Sleep Is Still the Medicine: My Adult Sleep Routine for Better Rest
My kids fall asleep in minutes. I need vinyl, dim lights, and a few rituals to get there. A reflection on sleep, aging, parenting, and creating peace at the end of the day.
Italian-Style Hummus on Grilled Bread (Rancho Gordo Chickpea & Potato Purée)
Creamy Italian-style hummus made with Rancho Gordo chickpeas, potato, olive oil, and red onion. Served on grilled bread, this simple appetizer or side dish pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
Residency Before Citizenship: What Vinyl Records Taught Me About Patience
I almost gave up on a famous jazz record after the opening track felt cold and distant. Then one song later, everything changed. A reflection on vinyl listening, patience, and depth in a world built for skipping.
Simple Tomato Rancho Gordo Chickpea Soup with Pasta (Easy Pantry Dinner)
This simple tomato chickpea soup with pasta is cozy, affordable, and packed with flavor from slow-simmered tomatoes, Rancho Gordo chickpeas, ditalini, and leftover eggplant cutlets.
Made with Bullet