Sweet tooth

By Natalie

I think I was having a bit of a sweet tooth this past week. I saw strawberry basil sorbet in my feed this week. I promptly printed it out, ran out to the garden to pick some basil and whipped up this sorbet.  It is delish!

I made grapefruit margaritas on many occasions over Memorial Day weekend. It has been my drink of choice lately. I had left over basil simple syrup from the sorbet.  If you don't have simple syrup, or don't want to make it, just add some sugar. Don't worry, if you don't feel like squeezing grapefruits, just buy a jug of grapefruit juice. 

Today I made a pecan pie, which is a belated birthday pie for Micah's 30th. He wanted me to wait until he was finished training for all of his race events. Micah loves the bourbon flavor.

I found blackberries at sprouts for 77 cents. 77 CENTS! So I decided to make these buttermilk berry muffins. For some reason this recipe only makes 9 muffins. Go figure. I'm not smart enough at math to add 1/3 to the recipe.

Photo Credit: Foodnetwork.com

Open Water Swim

Yesterday, Micah and I went to Eagle Mountain Lake. I've been putting off swimming in open water my entire training.  I was pretty nervous, and it wasn't even race day. The water was so cold. I probably spent about 10 minutes whining and just standing knee deep in the water on the boat ramp. I couldn't make myself get in. Then I decided to climb on an extra spidery ladder and go into the water that way. I eventually made it in the water, after much prodding from Micah. I decided to swim out a little bit in the cove, but I was pretty nervous. I didn't want to get hit by a boat that wasn't expecting a swimmer. It is Memorial day weekend after all. I swam a little bit and even put my head in the water for all the strokes. I was pretty proud of myself. I did better than I've ever did with putting my head in the water. I was pretty anxious but I got through it.  Because of my anxiety I'm going to have to be sure to swim at a normal pace, and not wear myself out.  I felt like I was swimming at little bit too fast.

I have a plan now for next Sunday. I'm going to get in the water before the race, have a freak out moment, and then I'm hoping I'll be much better. In the past races I've always hung back so that I don't get kicked in the face at the start. I think I'm going to stay closer to people so that I don't have to spot as much. I'll just follow the crowd.

Oh, dear I hope I don't drown.

Deep Thoughts during Spin Class

• Why am I not in yoga class right now rolling around on the floor?
• This instructor is brutal, he doesn't even let us take a break at the end of each song
• This instructor did the Iron Man last weekend, I'm NOT an Iron Man
• 45 minutes more to go, I'm going to die
• I'm really hungry.
• Ewwww, who farted?! 
• 43 more minutes to go.
• This instructor could be handsome for an older man, but he has no personality.
• Ahhh the yoga class is downward facing dog, I love downward facing dog. Why am I not in the yoga class?
• Maybe no one will notice if I just take a nap here on the bike.
• 1 more song, then I get to go....run
• Legs, legs, legs!!!!!!!
• Damn you, man for making me do 1 more sprint song.
• Finally cool down, I can at least ace the stretching part.

What we are eating this week

Monday:
BBQ pork loin, quick and easy!

Tuesday:
Sandra Lee's Creole Shrimp Stroganoff

Wednesday:
Home-made pizza

Thursday:
Chicken Pot Pie

Friday:
Turkey Pitas

Happy Mother's Day

I have so much admiration for my mom. She has a myriad of talents. She can sew, cook, remodel homes, paint, has a green thumb, etc. The list goes on and on. When I was growing up most of my clothes were home-made. I loved my one of a kind clothes. She would make me dresses for high school dances that my friends loved. If you need something painted, she'll paint you a picture. Most of the paintings in my house are painted by my mom. If you need all of your wood paneling taken off your walls, she'll bring the hammer. If you need someone to support you, she'll defend you to the end.

She is a very caring person, especially for her students. I entered into the field of education because of her love for teaching. She taught me that you can teach anyone no matter the disability.  She would give the shirt off her back if her students needed it. She's generous with her time to help students.

My mom loves her family, and would do anything for them. She's selfless and spends her free time organizing a family get together or doing her mom's "honey-do" list. If anyone needs anything, she helps them, and expects nothing in return.


She's one of the smartest people I know, and will always help you spell a word or proof-read essays. She's a worthy opponent on Words With Friends. She loves books, and passed this on to me. My love of books came from watching my mom read in her spare time. We would take trips to the library during the summer time, and make lists of the books we read over the summer.



When we were growing up she was tough on us to be the best that we can be.  She cooked many nights of the week, and tried to serve healthy dinners. She would refrain from serving too much red meat. She cooked for so many years without onions because I hated them. When we were growing up, I was only allowed to watch an hour of TV per day. We didn't even have cable until I moved out of the house! She taught me that it's not okay to wear jeans to church.  These are important values that I hope to pass on to my family.

She's not afraid to be silly, and very adventurous. She'll jump off waterfalls in Hawaii, while Dad & I watch on. She doesn't like to follow rules, which is the opposite of me! She likes to play with her nieces and nephews.

 

My mom raised me to be an independent woman just like she is. Thank you mom for shaping me into the person that I am today. I love you!