Early Summer Salsa

I am not a natural cook in any way. I have to follow a recipe to the word, and if I'm out of something, I have little to no instinct for substitutions. Salsa, however, I can just make (and so can you). Aside from making it too salty, you just can't mess it up. And it is so delish! I've put more exact measurements in parentheses, but this really is a garden recipe where you just use what you have!

Early Summer Salsa

tomatoes, chopped (8 large)

onions, to taste, finely chopped (2)

cilantro, huge handful, finely chopped
garlic, chopped (3 cloves)

jalapeno, finely chopped (1)

splash of red wine vinegar

juice of 1 lemon

cumin (1T)

red pepper flakes, a couple shakes

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, stirring with each addition. Chop ingredients to the size you like - my kids will eat this as long as the flavorful elements are chopped small. Remember, salsa will be more tangy/salty/spicy on day two. Serve with chips and enjoy! xo

Summer starts Monday!!

I decided earlier this week to just claim that our summer would officially begin again on Monday! We just haven't been ourselves over here as I've already explained over and over (and over...yowsa...). So please check in Monday when Goodness Recycled is back as a business, creative and family blog. I have a great tutorial and some fun news about my journals!

For you locals, sad news. Paste is closing its doors. But they're having a sale - everything 50 percent off, so stop in, give some well wishes and stock up!

Just being careful not to "under-do"

1. This is the last post where I will mention throwing my back out and all the pain and inconvenience this has caused me and my fam in these past two weeks. Yeah! However, I do want to mention that after this experience (not the first time it's happened, but definitely the worst), my grandchildren will be thankful that I went through it. I learned that I am a horrible horrible person when I am not "all in". My physical limitations took a toll and (while I was laying flat not able to do anything else) I had a big think about what kind of older person I want to be (someday), how many people I know who have persevered through so much more (so so so so so much more), and how it was time to hang up the medical martyr hat and try something new.

 2. So while my loved ones have encouraged me not to overdo it, I'm realizing the advice I really need to follow is to not under-do it. I can do plenty and today the kids and I had a big powwow about doing a little bit each day - fun and work. So today we cleaned the deck - planted small plants for color, shop-vac'ed the deck and furniture, fluffed all the very-ugly-but-still-comfortable cushions and wiped down everything.

 3.  Did I mention that grapes grow no matter what? So now we can sit on our deck as our grapes grow and watch our kids play.

4. And the kids love to be out here too. Daily. Reading always. Glorious.

5. It's not perfect, but it's a project off our list. Just one step closer to the summer we imagined. Yeah... 

Studio Tour Thursdays resumes next week! xo

e+k

My beautiful cousin Erin married my now-cousin-in-law Keith this past weekend in Santa Fe. It was a wonderful celebration of so many things: about Erin and Keith, their marriage, their (our) families. The weekend was very touching and so so so fun!

I'm still not comfortable posting pics of other people without their permission, so I'm only attaching this one, somewhat blurry (artsy?) photo. The weather, as you can see, was perfect.

This post though is to let  you know that in addition to a wonderful weekend, Erin included lots of DIY goodness in her day and I will have some tutorials for you very soon. We're still getting settled over here. I know, I know...

Oh, did I mention the wedding?

Details soon! xo

Kids, like beans...

 ...will continue to grow, even if you neglect them.

 Ok, I'm exaggerating a tad, but while I'm worlds better, I'm not all better over here.

My family and my garden are paying the price. And without being too much of a drama queen, I just need to tell you that I have to be away from blogging for a bit longer. If I made blogging a priority right now, with our summer starting the way it is, it would be the wrong choice. A bad choice actually.

So I'm off for a bit. Sorry for the unexpected hiatus - I'll be back here as soon as possible. Rejuvenated. Healed. And happy (always) to be blogging. xo

P.S. That last pic is our very new and already neglected peach tree...the lawn actually looks pretty there, huh? Trust me...it's an illusion. ;)

I'm baaaccckkk....(no pun intended)

My back is significantly better - not all better, but significantly better and I'm not complaining.

I feel like we totally lost our first week of summer and are thrashing around a bit trying to find some balance in our days. We'll get there.

I'm still not lifting much, but here is a little sneak peek of my magnetic chalkboard wall. The kids love it! And the green on my accent wall - it's beautiful as a color, but I'm a little worried it's too much for this space. We'll see.

Faith asked last night if she could sleep in today. This is the first time she's done this..ever! And she wrote the quote above - this quote was on the tshirt she received from her new middle school. Isn't it lovely? In all my years of working with teens but never parenting them (I'm oh-so-humbled, believe me) may we walk the walk as we welcome you (adolescence) with open arms.

Happy Monday! xo

Trouble in Paradise...

I'm sorry to report that I threw my back out on Saturday and have been almost helpless ever since. Yesterday I did run some errands and attend a picnic that we've been looking forward to...but I overdid it and will be taking it easy yet again today. Our air conditioner is also broken on the first floor. And our road trip to Oklahoma and Texas was cancelled - which is now working out for the best because I don't think I'll be ready to drive long distance by Friday. Our youngest is struggling with all the Harry Potter talk over here and acting out because of it (see photo). Plants are dead in my yard because they haven't been watered enough and I've learned that I haven't actually taught my kids the gardening basics they need. My garden isn't planted - I don't think I've waited this long (and it will be even longer) to plant tomatoes in our whole marriage (when gardening started). We're still thankful over here, but certainly not starting the summer as planned.

Sigh. Just wanted you to know why I wasn't here. I'm hopeful I'll be back by Monday. Thanks always for checking in! xo

P.S. My art room looks great - I was moving furniture on Friday night to make room for the painter. Lesson learned, but the painting does look so terrific - can't wait to show you!

A little poster plug

A very generous group of very talented artists is selling posters to raise money for the people of Joplin.Click here to see! It's supposed to be dangerously hot in the midwest this weekend. Please take good care - of yourself and a neighbor! xo