Simplify.

Christmas is coming in just 10 days. Presents still need to be purchased. There is wrapping to do. And we still have to get a tree for the living room (that’s deliberate … We’ll do that on Tuesday). Only the mini kitchen tree is up so far.

I’ve decorated the kitchen and the porch. There are twinkling lights, a wreath, garland and spots of cheer all over. But it still doesn’t feel quite like Christmas. Getting in the holiday spirit is so uplifting — and I need that right now. So badly. How about you?

As much as I try to keep Sarah’s Cucina Bella about the food, life isn’t always perfectly poised on a plate with a dipping sauce nearby. No way. Sometimes, real life is messy — full of roadblocks and downed trees and detours.

Recently, I’ve been facing a lot of that messiness — literally and figuratively. It’s not fun. But as an astute friend recently told me, sometimes life sucks. And it will suck for a bit, but you will get through it and you know that at some point it will be better.

And I know that better is coming. I can’t wait.

In the meantime, I am focusing on simplifying — cleaning out the closets, cutting out excess and just living more simply. There’s a lot of peace to be found in simplicity. That’s a good thing.

Don’t worry — we’re okay here. I just wanted to share these very real things that sometimes — often times — I gloss over in favor of a great recipe or a fun story. Being real is important too.