Tuesday's Song: I Just Had Sex

I came across this song because I've been watching this new tv show, Lip Sync Battle.  In this episode, Julieanne Hough battled against her brother Derek Hough and lip synched "I Just Had Sex." Apparently, the song is a parody, sung by Lonely Island (which consists of Andy Samberg) and features Akon.

Now, this song is totally not meant for little kids, but it's so darn catchy (seriously, listen to it and you'll be humming to yourself, "I just had sex . . .  .").  You have to watch the original video AND Julieanne Hough lip synching this song (so hilarious)!!!  I love her choreography to this song -- just so fun (of course, you also get to watch Derek Hough's hilarious choreography to "Chandelier").

So, if you're wanting to lighten up your mood, feeling a bit lonely, or just want a laugh, then go check out these videos and listen to "I Just Had Sex.".  It's such a lighthearted song and might put you in a great mood (even if you hadn't just had sex).  Let me know what you think of these videos and the song.

Cilantro Pesto

I love cilantro and I had a boatload of cilantro that my mother had brought to me in May.  This cilantro was special because it came all the way from California and from her own garden.  She may not realize it, but her cilantro is so very tasty.  Not wanting to waste all of the cilantro and wanting to make something meaningful with it, I took to the internet.  

I came upon this recipe and tweaked it a little bit.  I used only the juice of one (1) lime, instead of two because I found that one lime was plenty enough acid for 1 1/2 cups of cilantro.  I also omitted the jalapenos because I didn't have any good looking ones on hand (plus, I was making accommodations for people that didn't like to eat hot and spicy pesto).  The blogger at Fresh Bites Daily froze her pesto in baggies while I froze mine in little jars.  I actually opened one up today, and it smelled and tasted just as fresh (SO YUMMY).  I love using this cilantro pesto as a sauce on pasta, as a spread on sandwiches, eating it with just cheese, etc. (Really you can do anything with this pesto!)

Cilantro Pesto

1 1/2 Cups of chopped cilantro (both leaves and stems)
4 cloves of garlic
1 lime, juiced
1/2 Cup of olive oil

1. In a food processor (or blender), put in the garlic cloves.  Pulse the cloves for about 15 seconds or until the cloves are in small pieces.

2. Add the cilantro and lime juice.  Pulse for about 15 seconds or until cilantro is broken down.

3. Add the olive oil and pulse until the mixture comes together (maybe another 15-30 seconds).  The pesto should be smooth, but not turned into a liquid.

4. Store in small bags or containers and freeze.

When using, salt could be added to the pesto after it's been thawed.  Just remember to add a little and taste before adding more.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think of this recipe if you try it.

My Own Peonies

Yesterday at a store, I balked at the cost of a bunch of cut peonies.  I couldn't believe that a bunch, which contained five peonies, cost $13.  They were quite beautiful, but I don't know if I would have paid $13 for five peonies.

I'm so glad and blessed to be able to grow some at home so that I didn't have to buy it at the store (I actually cut three of the white peonies to put in my home).  It took a lot of patience, waiting for the plant to get bigger and be able to bloom.  This year, one of the plants has finally established itself and has put forth a lot flowers.  I love the smell of the peonies and I really appreciate the fact that I'm able to grow my own.

What would you like to grow, rather than pay for at the store?

Have a Seat

After the Rain

A torrential rainstorm came through last night.  The rain banged so hard on my roof, it sounded as if someone was running on it.  I wonder what it would've sounded like if I had a metal roof. Would it have clanged or be very melodic?

The rain also left my garden very well watered (just perfect for today's hot weather) and with obvious tell-tale signs in the morning to let everyone know it came through.  My garden really loves all the water it's getting.  It didn't enough snow this past winter and there wasn't enough rain either.  Regardless, it will be happy with what it can get.

Have you gotten a lot of rain in your neck of the woods?

Friday's Quote: Gertrude Jekyll

"A garden is a grand teacher.  It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust."---Gertrude Jekyll

My William Baffin rose bush is just as tall as me.

When I first moved into my home, I planted my William Baffin rose bush on the southern side of my house, right next to my driveway and right up onto the birdhouse post.  As the years passed by, I added a couple more plants to the area.  I recall adding several more rose bushes and then planting some peonies.  Then the last two years, I added some oriental lilies.

Some of my favorite oriental lilies growing and preparing to bloom.

This area wasn't really my ideal spot to grow some of my favorite flowers.  Yet, I kept adding more flowers to this spot because it received a lot of sunlight, and the ground was one where I could garden and grow my favorite flowers. With each passing year, I noticed what plant did well and what didn't (of course I did neglect this area for a year to two). This year, I gave more attention to it and added some chives (taken from someone else's yard), more roses, and two oriental poppy plants.  This spring also I put in some used pavers that I salvaged from my Mr. Man's former home to create a partial walkway.

The raspberry bushes, on the right, provide a nice "wall" from the driveway and garage.

Somehow, this spot has become one of my favorite places to be and I often find myself heading to this little patch to dig out the weeds. When my cousin was here recently, she asked if I was going to put in a bench (I guess she must have also felt how special this spot was too).  I've never thought to, but she's made a great suggestion.  This spot is a bit "untidy" and many of the plants have so much more growing to do (it really is teaching me patience); yet, when I'm near it or walking on my little walkway, it makes me feel very happy.  I'm going to trust that when this little spot have matured even more, it will be even more beautiful and make me even happier.

Do you have a favorite spot on your property?

At Last . . .

Lots of baby Morello cherries (notice the long stems).

This is the first year that I've seen my Morello cherry tree put forth so many cherries.  I know I won't have enough to make a pie with, but I hope I'll have a handful to make some maraschino cherries.  

Mount Royal plums in the making.

As for my plum tree, I actually have lots of little fruit.  This is the first year my tree put forth fruit. Now lets see if I might be able to harvest something in a couple of months (I'm noticing little green caterpillars eating away on the foliage and on top of the fruit).

What's growing in your garden?

My Nuptials

Tuesday's Tune: Party Rock Anthem

It's been some time since this song came out, but I have to share this song.  Like I said, my family members and I are a bunch of dancers.  Our affinity for this song started out with some of us teasing and testing one another about our abilities to do the shuffle and other dance moves in the video.  Then it became a contest, where we had a dance off at a club.  Unfortunately, some of my siblings didn't make it to the dance floor (one was pregnant, the other was too drunk, one was too cool to be seen with us, and the youngest was underage).  Those that did make it to the dance floor (siblings and non-siblings) had a blast and we found out who the ultimate dancer was in the family.

So, this past weekend, I dedicated this song to my family to dance to.  All of my siblings, their spouses, and children did me proud, went onto the dance floor and danced like there was no tomorrow.  I love my family.  We're an awesome bunch and this song will remain as our "family" song for a very long time.

What do you think about this song?  Do you and your family have your own "family song?"

Tree Hugger

Front to back: Lapins, Stella, and Kristin.

I like to think that I'm a tree hugger and not a tree hoarder. I love trees. I really do. I especially love fruit trees.  

This spring I ordered three more cherry trees:  a Lapins, a Stella, and a Kristin cherry tree (yes, I've planted a Lapins and a Stella in my yard before, but it's a long story as to what happened to those trees).  All three of these trees will produce sweet cherries and hopefully survive our harsh winters. It will probaby be at least four more years before I get any fruit, but it's best to plant my trees now rather than wait.  Five years will fly by quickly and before i know it, it will be time to harvest my cherries.

Do you have any favorite fruit trees?