Life is a whirlwind.

SWEET SUMMERTIME!

It is here! 

Much of the last few weeks has been filled with activity. 

We have had dance recitals and piano recitals.

Each day complimented with fresh flowers.  

First tulips then

Peonies front and center.  Just can't get enough.

I am a happy girl when the flowers start to bloom. 

We have had ball games and more ball games.

It is small town America in all of it's glory.

Ice Cream if you win.... sad if you don't.

The garden is mostly planted.  

 We just have to put in a few pumpkin seeds.

We have Potatoes, Tomatoes,  a variety of Peppers , Zucchini, Cucumbers,

Green Beens,  Sugar peas,  Red cabbage, onions,  sweet potatoes, kale.

More than enough to keep me busy.

I love the food that summertime brings.

I tried planting my own cilantro several years ago. 

It has been a bit of a learning experience. 

The first year it basically went to seed.

It doesn't seem to be as hardy and bushy as the bunches

 you buy in the store but tastes just as amazing.

I cut as much as I can until it gets hot and then I let it go to seed.

It is in my flower bed so when it starts to look kind of dried out and sad 

I cut everything off.  Harvest the seeds. 

 Then in the fall chop the soil 

with a rake a little bit, sprinkle the seeds on the soil, 

 you  don't have to worry about covering 

the seeds, I just tap it down with the rake,

  then wait and dream until next spring....  

 when you will have YUM YUM Cilantro all over again. 

It will reseed itself if you just let it go as well, I just don't like looking at the dried stalks and

want to make sure the seeds get to the ground before the snow flies.  

After I cut the fresh cilantro , I rinse it  shake off as much water as you can,

and put it in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel.

It will stay fresh for a couple of weeks. 

If you want a yummy recipe for Black Bean Salsa just let me know.

It is Deliciousness in a bowl !!

It could be my lunch everyday in summertime. 

It is my favorite way to use Cilantro. 

I am trying a few new herbs this year,

lemon basil and marjoram.  

With all the garden activity ... planting and keeping the weeds and bugs under control

and Grand children activities, I have not had much time for sewing.

I did make up this little 16'' quilt from scrappy blue and white squares 

and hope to have fresh flowers on my table as much as possible this summer.

The wooden bowl was a gift for Mother's day.  

The sewing for my Splendid Sampler blocks is on hold.

On a sad note one of our little dogs was given a sad diagnosis of cancer.

We thought he was going to die last week but he has amazingly bounced back 

to his perky self...

We will see what happens in the next few weeks.

The vet thought he could live any where from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months.

He is a sweet little dog and there has been a few tears shed mostly by me.

I feel so bad for him.   The kids do love him. 

We took some memory pictures just in case he goes to doggy heaven.

Harley is my daughter's dog who has taken up residence with us because she lives in an apartment. 

I never thought I would be attached to a dog... but he is part of our family. 

Happy JUNE, JULY and AUG...

Summertime always flies by !!!

Janita