Good morning, dear ones! 🙂

I fell asleep last night to the lulling sounds of rain pouring on my roof and the delicious scent of homemade meatball soup lingering in the air. Needless to slay I slept like a rock and woke with my heart full of gratefulness for this crazy, good week.

I’ve had pain – lingering car accident issues – but I have an amazing chiropractor who not only massages and adjusts but also cheers, supports and encourages. I daresay every patient feels like she’s their biggest fan.

I’ve been stressed – so much work to do – but have been experiencing the amazing peace you get when you breathe deep, let it all go, and just focus on one thing at a time, urgent things first. I keep thinking of The Tortoise and the Hare and smiling. 🙂 “Slow and steady” really does win the race.

I’ve been hurt – painful emotional situations – but oh, this is the part that makes me happiest, I didn’t get CRUSHED!! 🙂 Instead of being overwhelmed by pain and the accompanying false guilt and pressure to fix everything, I could simply acknowledge the hurt, weep a bit if necessary, then step back and remind myself: “Send them love, send them light, then let them go.” I love Elizabeth Gilbert for teaching me that. What a beautiful way to deal with crushing folks. 🙂

Once I started thinking of things I was grateful for, I couldn’t stop!!

  • The Belgian restaurant, Chambar, my friend Drea took me to in Vancouver. Oh! If you ever get to Vancouver, please go to this restaurant and order, well, anything! I had the Grilled Ostrich appetizer with Prunes and Sweet Onions, Braised Lamb Shank Tagine with Honey, Figs and Cinnamon for entree, Blackberry Tart with Lemongrass Coconut Ice Cream for dessert, and a foamy Latte after dinner. I also had the best beer of my life, a Belgian Trapiste: Rochefort 10. That meal took all my fun money for this month and the tastes, the atmosphere and the company made it worth every penny. 🙂
  • I had one guest post and one article run this week!! The post on a Rainier Cherry Tart with Maple Cream is here at Lazaro Cooks, and the article on The Country Escape of Marie Antoinette is here at The Travel Belles. If you have a moment, I’d love it if you’d stop by, have a read and leave a comment letting us know what you think. 🙂
  • My dishes are all done!!! Seriously – that makes me really, really happy. 🙂

How about you, dear ones? How has your week been? What are you celebrating as you look back?

Since it’s Friday, I’m starting my day with something special: a Blueberry Plum Smoothie. Mmm, it’s so creamy and scrumptious filled with red plums, plump blueberries, peach Greek Yogurt, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and a spoonful of lemon-flavored fish oil to fill it full of healthy Omegas.

As we all start this weekend, I raise my smoothie glass to you and thank you for your comments, your emails, and even just your presence. I love getting to know you and hearing about your lives and hopes and struggles. I’m so glad you’re in my life. 🙂

Blueberry Plum Smoothie
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries
2 red plums, pitted and sliced
1 small container peach Greek yogurt
juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbsp lemon-flavored fish oil

Directions:

  1. Add everything to blender or food processor and whir until smooth.
  2. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.