Back on track

Two weeks, umpteen suitcase moments, a monster blizzard coupled with a three day nor'easter, two huge holidays, lots of delicious food, lovely family and company... and yes, very limited internet gave my blog its own holiday! Like the cheeks on my mom's overfed chipmunks, I have so much to share.

Here are a couple of pix...I have scads!

Little stovetop tree decorated with shells, crab claws, driftwood and pinecones gathered and returned to the beach

Santa's in the house!

Family smiles

Some of our food 

Thar she blows! 

and blows!

Peace returns for a day

And now, on to other things for a minute...While not much of a football fan (I grew up with soccer) there was a very profound comment during last night's Sugar Bowl. Lou Holtz said this: "If you have a poor self image, be certain...you will live up to that." Got me really thinking.

This is a new year. "Higher" resolutions are always in order. What self-fulfilling image am I putting out there? How "high" can I go? What does it take...really...to keep getting better, stronger, fuller? For me, it boils down to this...knowledge. I always want to be learning something, learning how to apply that "something" to my life and then learning how to share it with others who are interested.

There was a beautiful little stream on the property of my daughter's MF. Deep in the Catskills, there were so many beautiful images, but the stream caught my eye as a special "New Year's moment".  Water rushed down the rocks and there were rocks of all sizes and shapes. I imagined each one had a story to tell, perhaps even with another chapter of the tale hidden beneath the moss or in the near-frozen mud.

This is the message I got...I have to keep turning over rocks. To see what's there...to see what story each rock holds, how they all fit together, how all the pieces of rock make up the peaces of life. I have "put it out there" that I am on a journey to peace. According to Lou Holtz, I am certain I will live up to that.

To give my body a little peace, I am back to my morning shakes. They are a certainly a rock solid foundation for each day of this fabulous New Year! I got a new blender for Christmas...the mother of all blenders and this is a recipe that came with it, rocks and all.

Nutty Fruit Smoothie (from Vitamix)

1/2 cup spring water
1/4 cup yogurt of choice 
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 medium banana, frozen
2 tablespoons walnuts ( jagged rocks!)
1 tablespoon blanched almonds (smooth rocks!)
1 tablespoon local honey or 2 dates
1/2-1 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until consistency desired.