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" 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.
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.
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.
A fast, sweet heat shrimp dish tossed in a silky mango chipotle sauce. Bright, bold, and ready in minutes. Perfect for rice bowls, weeknights, and anyone who loves big flavor with no fuss.
A warm bowl of angel hair tossed with pesto butter and topped with sweet slow-simmered cherry tomatoes — simple, glossy, and deeply comforting.
A silky, comforting chicken soup made with sweet pepper purée, Liquid Gold, farro, parmesan rind, spinach, and a splash of balsamic. Finished with cherry tomato oil, this bowl delivers chicken-noodle comfort with deeper, richer flavor.
A walk in the woods turned into a rare pulse of life. Two days later the same trail was silent again. A reminder that beauty in nature comes and goes on its own terms, which is exactly why I keep showing up.
A warm, silky bowl of pastina cooked in Liquid Gold — the simple comfort our grandmother made when we were kids, still carrying that same quiet healing today.
A silky, smoky chowder made with hominy, Caballero beans, honey ham, Hatch chiles, miso, and Liquid Gold. Finished with spinach, heavy cream, and fresh lime juice.
A rainy Saturday, a full house, and a pot of minestrone built from what was already in the fridge — Caballero beans, mushrooms, spinach, and a good 28-ounce can of tomatoes. This fall version is hearty, deep, and comforting without being heavy. Perfect for when the weather turns and everyone’s coming over.
A comforting tortilla soup layered with fall flavors: hominy, beans, greens, roasted garlic, and a squeeze of lime. Built from leftovers, tastes like you cooked all day.
This is the pot of gold I turn to every winter. A whole chicken, a pile of vegetables, and a slow simmer create the most comforting stock you will ever taste.
What happens when shrimp and grits take a trip to Italy: saffron, pesto, and slow-simmered cherry tomatoes meet buttery, comforting hominy.
Soft, simple cherry tomatoes gently simmered in olive oil — an easy way to upgrade beans, grains, vegetables, and everyday meals.
A cozy, fall-ready skillet built from the week’s batch cooking — smoky, hearty, and layered with Hatch chiles, Caballero beans, and a spoonful of leftover tomato sauce. It’s part meal prep, part nostalgia, and 100% comfort.