make your own pasta bar + a blogging break
I’ve got a lot of feels for today’s post, so bear with me. Part of the feels comes from the excitement I have over this make your own pasta bar with alllll the yummy pasta sauces. I’ll admit it — I’m a pretty routine jarred pasta sauce buyer.
I know, I know. I’m ashamed of it. Especially because whenever I make a homemade pasta sauce and take even one bite, I do a jig in the kitchen, slap my knee and say, “By George, I should be making this all the time!” Or something to that effect (I promise I’m not so weird that I say things like “By George!” At least not often. Ahem).
ANYWAY, I’ve got not one, but three delectable sauces here — including a roasted red pepper sauce, a creamy Parmesan chive mushroom sauce and a garlic alfredo sauce, all made in the blender! — for you to choose from for your next pasta dinner. Or, if you’re in the pasta bar partying mood, you can make all three at the same time along with a big spread of cooked pastas and have your guests go crazy on adding their own sauce and toppings to their pasta bowls. Serve it all up with lots of bread and wine and by George, you’ve got a great party going. AHEM.
You can find all three easy recipes on the KitchenAid blog here!
The other part of today’s feels comes from the fact that I’ve decided to take a bit of a break from the blog. It’s been a long time coming and very, very needed, but I’m conflicted.
You see, I’ve been blogging quite regularly for nearly six years now (holy cannoli.), and except for that one time I had a baby, I haven’t taken a real break. Not even on vacation. So it’s time, it’s definitely time.
I’m only planning to be away for a month, and by “away” I mean I won’t be posting anything new here for the entirety of July (but I’ll still probably hang out a bit on Instagram, but you guys, that’s hard for me. I feel like this space has become a weekly gathering of all my favorite people (i.e., you, my dear readers) at the table with all of my favorite foods, and I’m deeply going to miss that, if even for a few weeks. But I’m finding myself so burned out, so tired, so uninspired and so hungry to live a little bit of life offline that I need some time to step back completely, re-prioritize, re-energize, relax, restore and rediscover who I am and who I want to be — for myself, for my family, for this blog and in turn, for you.
I feel my fingers going rigid even typing this post because the perfectionist in me is freaking out over the lack of routine and regularity I’m going to have by not showing up here for a while. But I have hope that this hiatus will be so good and so healthy that it’ll wash away that growing sense of dread and exhaustion and overall “meh”-ness I’ve been feeling lately whenever I open WordPress. Gah. I’m hesitant to admit that, because I don’t want you to think I’ve been a fraud over here. I haven’t been. Everything I’ve written is honest and sincere and comes from the heart, and that’s why I’m taking a break. Because that fire in the belly is dwindling and I feel like a break is the best way to get it back.
In the meantime, you can find some of my recipes to tide you over here. I’ll also be popping in on Instagram, as I mentioned, from time to time. I might even work on some recipes during this month (because who am I kidding if I think I won’t be in the kitchen because cookies) and I’ll show some sneak previews there.
Thank you all for being here. Thank you for making this my happy space. Thank you for allowing me this gift of much-needed time away. I’ll be back, promise! Until then, lots of love and carbs to you all.
So proud of you for taking a break! Enjoy every single second and don’t even think twice. You’ll never look back and regret spending more time with your family. Ever. xoxo
High fives to you for taking some well deserved time off! Enjoy your summer and your family and some time offline – we’ll all be here when you get back. And I for one have plenty to explore in the archives while you’re away.
Enjoy your break! Everyone needs one from time to time and I just know you’ll be back with some amazing food inspiration ๐
You’ll find me firmly in your camp. I have always advocated blogging whenever it suits you, not tied to a rigid schedule. After all, it is your blog! Have a wonderful July and enjoy your family (and yourself!)
1) Your baby is gorgeous, 2) I’m majorly craving pasta with ALL the sauces now, and 3) good for you! We all need a break, and I think it’s wonderful that you’re taking some time off to destress. I’m about to hit 5 years of blogging, which is crazy, and I totally respect you taking a step back when you need to! You’ll come back better than ever ๐ have an amazing July!!
We’ll miss ya, but have fun! I know how hard you work lady, so if anyone deserves a break it’s you. And a drink, come to think of it. Treat yo’self and we’ll all be ready and waiting for you come August!
LOVE your honesty and I hope you very much enjoy this season away! Soak it up and we’ll all be here to greet you when you get back!
I think it is a FABULOUS idea. While I will miss your posts, I know that you will love the time away so you can focus on that cute baby and reenergize! I often feel myself needing the same thing–it is so hard to commit to actually doing it. Enjoy and I look forward to your return!
1-omg pasta bar!!!
2-ENJOY your break-I think we all need them sometimes even though we all have a hard time feeling ok with it. It’ll be fine though! go have some fun and enjoy that sweet little girl!
I’m all for blogging breaks whenever you need them – whatever it takes to keep the passion alive! Enjoy your time away from the computer and have a great summer with Miss A!
Love the pasta bar, and love that you’ve got the bravery to know when it’s time for a break. Don’t worry – it will be right here waiting for you. It’s kind of like going on a trip from home – it’s so good to get away, it’s so good to get back. <3
First of all: how do you have the cutest baby ever?! Secondly: pasta bar?! I need a non-stop pasta bar in my life at all times. Thirdly: Take a break!!! It’s okay, we will all still be here when you get back. Have a great month off!!
Uhhhhhh, so this is the best idea … like ever! You definitely deserve some time off! I think that we all need to step back once in a while!
Guuurrrlll, we will miss you, but YOU DO YOU. Love and hugs!!
I really hope this is not one of those one month breaks that turns into three months that turns into forever!! I really love your blog. I had tried a few recipes to make bagels, and none were quite right until I tried your french toast bagels. Now I make a batch at least once a month. I really want to try the cranberry walnut ones, too, but the french toast ones are so darn good I cannot give them up. All this is yo say enjoy your well deserved break, but please, come back soon!