Crunchy Mama Contest!

One of my favorite blogs, MamaNatural, had a contest for the best smoothie recipe, and I thought I'd share mine.

 

Here's the link from Mama Natural: http://shar.es/BjVLu

 

In an attempt to dream of summer (it's still winter where I live) and the ice cold refreshing smoothies, I picked my favorite summer smoothie.  

 

Berry PB Energizer:

*Frozen mixed berries (I used Sam’s Club)
*Roasted, salted peanut butter (adjust amount depending on how much pb taste you prefer…I use a local brand from a co-op)
*Whole milk (adjust amount… the more pb you used, the more milk you will need)
*banana
*touch of cinnamon 
See more at: http://www.mamanatural.com/blendtec/#comment-74689

a whisper or a megaphone

Over the weekend, the family and I were on a retreat - not as participants but as leaders. During one small group exercise, we began to have a conversation about consciences. Although we talked about many things, the main idea kept coming back to one point our consciences are not megaphones, but rather they are tiny little whispers coming from within. Of course, those little whispers are easy to ignore at first, but slowly and steadily, like The Tell Tale Heart, they become impossible to ignore.

That being said, I think I was there on that retreat for a reason. Like I said, I was there as a leader, not a participant, but I ended up getting answers to a question that had been nagging me for quite some time.

And I had the answer all along... I only had to listen.

Theme song

What's your theme song for life? 

I always have a theme song ... even my photo business has one! 

http://trudeauphotography.net/theme-song-launch-party/

High dives and low depths!

This weekend was all about high and lows- literally! 

First the low's: we went spelunking 16 stories underground! Out in the valleys, we traveled to Howe's Caverns ( http://howecaverns.com/) It was surreal with creeks, colored stalagmites, and my favorite part: a boat ride! Yes, a boat on a river 160 feet underground! Baby seemed to enjoy it in the Moby wrap! We got some great photos. We touched a glowing heart for luck and love. It was a whitish stone that glowed red. The put a red lightbulb under the rock to show the luminosity of the rock... imagine a light shining through feet of rock!! We went through the winding tunnels. Ari got a crazy, koosh-haired monkey that we named Cav, after the caves haha. Then, we had dinner at a seafood restaurant. That's proof alone the hubster loves me! 

Sunday was all about the heights: the high dive! I conquered my fear thanks to the hubster, who of course went first. Thanks babe! I was so scared the first time- my heart was beating so fast! Free- falling was fun but scary. The most terrifying part is standing on the edge of the board, looking down.... Knowing its 10(?) feet til the top of the water and the 13 feet til the pool floor! That's 23 feet!! Ahhh!! Anyway, fear- conquered! 

Other highlights from the pool:

1. Dana running down the board and bruising his foot while falling (not jumping.....but falling) into the pool. Mysteriously, Dana does not remember even running. Hilarity ensued.

2. Me. Trying to dive without holding my nose. Results: flailing limbs, poor posture , chest flop, laughing under water. Hilarity ensued. Good thing I wasn't trying to play it cool!  

My adventure buddy is the best. No one "dives" into life quite like the Trudy's!!! 

Oh and we ended the weekend with the rare sighting the elusive half-baby half-sock puppet! 

Parenting 101

You learn a lot during your first year as a parent. Like how to change a diaper on the trunk of your car. Or how to clean up projectile fluids off a wall. Or how to soothe a crying overtired baby. Or how a certain baby likes to cuddle at night. 

Also you learn not to set your high chair tray on the stove top that hasn't finished cooling off.... You know, just those everyday parenting things.

Sunday morning

Nap time on a lazy Sunday. Perhaps we'll hit up the kiddie pool after nap time :)

Lake George

Sunday was spent in the sun at Lake George. We jumped off the dock, ate tuna sandwiches on the beach and made sand castles. Little man fell asleep in my arms as we bobbed in the water. 

When we came home, I made strawberry rhubarb pie.

Life. Ahh sweet life!