Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Bad Blogger!

I have been a very bad blogger lately.  Life has just gotten in the way.  Hopefully, things will smooth out pretty soon, and I can get back to my normal routines.  I have been keeping busy.  Spending lots of time in the yard and garden.  Today I harvested all of my cilantro.  It was about to bolt with the heat, and I didn't want to lose any of it, so I harvested all of it.
I also brought in my first zucchini and yellow squash today.
It smelled so good in my kitchen!  I washed it all up, and then got busy making several batches of Pesto.  Not your usual pesto, made with basil.  I love to make it with cilantro!  In fact, I prefer it over the basil pesto. 
I got my Cuisinart out and got busy.  Bunches of cilantro leaves, fresh garlic cloves, handful of parmesan cheese, and large handful of nuts of choice.  I made one batch with walnuts, and two batches with sunflower seeds...which is my favorite!!  Pulse until incorporated. 
Then while machine is on, pour a steady stream of olive oil into Cuisinart.  Also, season with salt and fresh cracked pepper at this time.
When you reach the desired consistency, turn off, and enjoy over pasta, or on pizza (like we did), and you can also freeze it, to use later.  I used three ice cube trays, and put it in my freezer.  Tomorrow I will pop the cubes out into  ziplock bags, making it easy to take out and use in the future, when I no longer have any cilantro growing in my garden.
Then I took one of the batches I made, and put it on fresh pizza dough and made pizza for dinner.
Pesto, fresh mushrooms, tomato, yellow squash from the garden, mozzarella cheese, and black olives.
Mmmm!  It was delicious! 
We had a pretty busy weekend.  The daughter of good friends of ours got married on Saturday in Palm Desert.  It was a 5 o'clock wedding on a beautiful golf course.  It was quite warm, but it turned out so nice.  And the the reception that followed was lovely.  I did not take my camera.
On Sunday, Mother's Day, I was treated to a nice lunch on the lake with my family.   Afterwards, Greg and I went out to visit with my Mom and Nana.
I have experimented with drying some apples in the dehydrator.  I made cinnamon apple chips.
These were SO good!  They disappeared in a matter of minutes!  I need to make more!
I sprinkled them with a mix of cinnamon and sugar, and a sweet spice mix I have from Santa Fe.  Oh my!!!
I find myself looking around for what else I can dehydrate!!!  Bananas are next.
We have been having some pretty extreme heat here.  Crazy weather, really!  Just last week, we were having fires in the evening, it was so cold.
The chickens are not laying as much, and I have found several broken eggs in the coop.  Yesterday, I found this shell-less egg on the lawn.
These are sometimes laid, for no known reason.  It feels like a water balloon.  The egg inside, is fine. 
I have been blessed with the love and support of my family, in this recent few months of going through a difficult time.  As well as many friends, who lift me up, and make me smile.  My friend Jane dropped these beautiful flowers at my door the other day.
Along with this angel.
I am so fortunate to have so many special people in my life. I have also spent a lot of time thinking about how lucky I am to have my Mom.  A lot of people I know, have lost their parents.   Although we have lost our dear Dad, and miss  him every single day, I am blessed beyond measure to have my Mom.  She has been incredibly comforting, and supportive to me during this rough patch of my life.
In just a little while, I am leaving here to meet my friend Jae at Glen Ivy Spa.  My little piece of heaven on earth.  I will float, read, talk with my best pal, eat lunch, nap, and enjoy the entire day, pampering myself.
One last picture of something pretty.  They are not mine, they are Erika's.  Her sister Gennifer gave them to her for Mother's Day, but I am enjoying them too.
I hope that if you are going through something hard in your life, that you can find a little bit of happy in every day.  It is there.....keep your eyes open, and look, it is there.
XO  Kris

31 comments:

priscilla said...

Thats a ton of cilantro ! I have planted some this year for the first time :) Your squash looks great ! Glad you had a nice mothers day and are being pampered today :)

Patty said...

Hi Kris. I love reading about what you have been up to. Sorry you are going through a rough time. It looks like you have many people who love you surrounding you. Wish I could be there but just know you have a friend in Indiana thinking of you.

Taci simmons said...

Hi Kris, your cilantro looks wonderful and it looks like you get plenty of veggies.
I'm so glad you have your Mom and that you get to spend a great day with friends and relaxing. Whatever you are going through I hope you know you have many people thinking about you and hoping this "difficult fase" passes through you fast...I'm thinking and praying for you :)

Kelli said...

Homemade pesto is the best! Your pictures are so good I could almost smell everything in your kitchen :) I may need to make pizza for dinner tonight after seeing your pizza.

I am so sorry you are having a hard time right now and am happy that you have friends and a wonderful mother there for you. Keeping you in my thoughts Kris.

Hope you have a happy day....

Bethany said...

I hope whatever's going on clears up soon.

Linda said...

Have a great relaxing time with your Pal...
Things will be fine...
They always turn out ok in the end...

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Holly said...

The cilantro looks wonderful and I'm sure smells great. Honey, I'm so sorry you're going through a tough time. I'll give you some time to spend with your friend and I'll call you soon to check on you. Know that I love you and think about you all the time.

Deb~in~Denver said...

Kris, you are in my daily prayers, I know thing will get better for you. I'm so glad you had a good weekend, you are surrounded by love. Enjoy your day with Jae, it sounds heavenly!
I can't believe how much cilantro you harvested! That pizza looks delish!! It's finally warm enough, here, to start planting. I can't wait for everything to start growing.
Relax and soak in all of the love and support around you. And remember.....just breathe.

xo

Teresa Kasner said...

Kris.. into each life some rain must fall.. we all go through things that make us sad.. but you are doing great, soldiering through and being productive. You know I'm here for you if you need me. I'm sad today too.. but I'm off for lunch with my sisters and then to a nursery, I am sure I'll feel better later.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

NanaNor's said...

Hi sweetie, Oh what heavenly pesto you made. Hubby doesn't like cilantro but I sure do. We love basil and put it in ice cubes too and then transfer it to baggies. Love that you are pampering yourself. You are blessed to still have your mom; I can't even imagine having someone who loves you and cares for you so much. I just figured out that mine has been gone for 40 yrs now.
Hope you have a glorious week Kris.
Hugs, Noreen

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Kris, First of all don't be so hard on yourself.....you are definitely not a bad blogger. You are wonderful and one busy woman : ) Love the way you make pesto, I would be a fan of that recipe. I love cilantro. That pizza is so delicious looking, I could eat the whole thing.
I hope you are feeling better and so happy you have so many friends and family to lift you up. You will be in my prayers, xoRobin

45th Parallel Quilter said...

Prayers and wishes that things for you turn around soon; keeping you in my thoughts at this tough time. I, too, have our mom (living near me) and spend as much time with her as I can ... it is precious! DH isn't a big cilantro fan but I like it; might be worth a try instead of basil for the pesto. We love, love, love pizza but I make a HORRIBLE crust ... do you have a recipe to share sometime? It looked SO good!! Enjoy you day ... you are a VERY busy and productive woman ... you deserve today! You ARE special ....

Linda

Mereknits said...

I think we would all like to come over for lunch, yum! Okay I hope you are doing okay,love your advice, are you taking it?
Meredith

Gloria Baker said...

oh dear Kris, dont worry I know you are really busy this time, love your cilantro (what amazing idea) and love your pizza. In the summer happens me I dont want last any apricots LOL
Send you loads of love my friend!!

Gracie Saylor said...

Sending you hugs, Kris. Thanks for sharing your busy good life with us. Your frozen cube pesto and dried fruit slices are great ideas! It is always interesting to hear what is new with your feathered friends as well :-)
I'm asking God's blessing on you and yours, too.
xx,
Gracie

Joline said...

Hang in there Kris! :) You are such an amazing and inspiring person.

Your homemade pizza looks amazing-my mouth is watering right now!

Betsy said...

I'm so glad to hear com you. I've missed your writing. I will keep you in prayer over whatever is troubling you.
Blessings,
Betsy

my4lilgirls said...

Amazing looking pizza, would never have thought to use cilantro (over here we call it coriander) like that, I use loads of it for curries, but this pesto is def one to try.
Will be praying for you dear friend, Knowing that all things become more bearable with time, thank God you really treasure what you have, such a blessing
Lots of love Karen x

Pam said...

Are you okay??????

The cilantro pesto is an excellent idea and I love the idea of making it with sunflower seeds. The pizza looks super tasty too.

Sending love & hugs your way.

Lynne said...

Glad to see you posting! There is nothing like fresh made pesto. I can't wait for my tomatoes to start producing. Take it easy Kris!

Linda said...

I love reading your posts, but I am so sorry to hear you are having a rough time...I hope all will be well soon. Your garden is doing well I see...we haven't had much but lettuce, radishes and lots of herbs...tomatoes and squash will be ready soon I think. Have a wonderful day!!

Unknown said...

I just love what you do in the kitchen, you make it sound so easy! If only it was.

Hugs to you, wish I was there to give them to you in person....hang in there. We love you!

podso said...

It seems like a lot of people have been busy with things other than blogging. Tis the season I think. Time to be outside and to get things done with the renewed energy of spring. That is fascinating about the shell less egg! And your pesto looks great as does your pizza! Yum.

Astri said...

I make a lot of pesto with basil but never thought of trying cilantro - I love cilantro so as soon as ours is ready I'm in!

Oh goodness, I am sorry to hear you are going through some tough times. I hope all gets better. Lots of love to you Kris!

Nicolle said...

Hi sweet friend! I'm salivating over the fresh cilantro, and those dried apples. I wish I could come over for a visit. :) Sorry life has been rough lately. I'm sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers. I've been thinking of you! Love you bunches.

Sinta Renee said...

I am so glad that you found some time to share. I have been missing you and sending good thoughts your way. Last year was my rough patch... fighting to keep my hubby alive. But this year has been easy--a blessing. I hope your silver lining comes soon.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, I don't want to pry, but I have been worried about what you are going through. You don't need to share, but just know that you are in my prayers. You just reminded me that I need to plant my cilantro. If I do it too early it's gone before I have tomatoes. I have never had pesto made from it. I know I would love it. Your pizza looks delicious! Hope it cools down and your girls start laying.
hugs,
Jann

Cathy said...

What a lovely post, Kris. It sounds like you had a very nice Mother's Day. I have never used cilantro in pesto and have to say that it sounds delicious, especially with all those yummy veggies and cheese. There are so many things this time of year that compete with blogging time. We just have to balance it the best we can. Have a great weekend.

Lindz said...

The fresh fruit and fresh veggies you always have inspire me to want a garden of my own! :) It all looks amazing and I love the idea of freezing the pesto in ice cube trays! Thank you for all your sweet comments you leave on my blog....I hope that things start getting back to normal for you guys!! :)

Tania said...

Lovely post Kris, spoken from the heart :)

Sending you love and best wishes from across the miles xx

Grammy Staffy said...

You never cease to amaze me with all that you do. I've never made pesto but it looks great. I'm sorry that you have been going through a rough patch. I wish that I could help. I would still like to go to lunch when you feel up to it. Until then I am sending hugs.

I made a cute little grad gift today.Hop over and take a look. I am starting to feel a little more like sewing again.
Have a great weekend.