Dogwood Trees and a Recipe


May.  May is the month of Mary.  May is the month of true spring blossoms, Holy Communions, Confirmations, Mother's Day and Memorial day.  There is so much to celebrate during this transitional month and each year that it rolls around I love it more.


My grandmother (my dad's mom)  celebrated her birthday in May and for some reason I think of her, she loved when family visited for her birthday and for Mother's day.  Her gardens were teeming with spring bulb blossoms and the air was sweeter while sitting on her porch swing suspended on bouncy springs.  We would swing and bounce, swing and bounce.


Dogwoods are my favorite flowering spring tree, I think.  I love their airy blooms and the way each flower tilts up to the sky saying hello to the sun.  Luckily, I have many of these trees sprinkled throughout my property that were placed by mother nature with the help of breezes.


On Wednesday, I fully recovered from my NYC trip.  I confess that I did take one teeny nap and that little nap restored me.  I tend to stay awake no matter what because naps ruin a night's sleep for me.  Losing seven hours of sleep though did require some dozing.

Have you been eating lots of salads?  I sure have!  But I'm not sharing a salad recipe.  I've got my favorite (only) risotto recipe:

My favorite Risotto recipe:

one container of mushrooms your choice sliced and stir fried in 3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 1/8 cups of arborio rice
4 cups of vegetable broth or chicken broth
2-3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese

after you stir fry your mushrooms, add the rice and half of the broth and boil on medium heat with the lid off, stirring often.  When most of the liquid is absorbed then add the rest of the liquid and repeat the process.

when the rice is done add your parm cheese and serve.  maybe sprinkle some parsley??  I've also done this with celery or near the end adding some frozen peas.  Anything goes!!

Are you looking for more recipes?  then head over to Tracey's blog Clover for some new ideas.  Maybe share a blog post with a recipe as well.

I wish you all a fun weekend!!

Comments

  1. Tracey ~ CloverMay 8, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    Hi Karen, I do have power today and sun! My papaw's birthday was May 1, and I sat and looked at old photos, I really do miss him.
    Your recipe looks amazing and I can't wait to prepare it. Mike and I both love mushrooms so I know it will be a hit. Thank you for joining in.
    Happy Mother's Day to you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. margeneMay 8, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    I have much the same memories of my grandmothers house (also a May birthday, often on Mother's Day) and the flowers in her garden and on her trees. Thank you for the recipe. I adore risotto and it's been a long time since I've made it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. tamknotsMay 8, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    I share your love of Dogwoods! We lived in Knoxville for ten years, and they have the most lovely Dogwood Arts Festival in mid-April. Thanks for the recipe, I will try it! I am also participating in Tracey's recipe swap at: tamknots.com. Happy Mother's Day! xo Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnkeMay 8, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    I love risotto and since it's been a while since I made some, I'll have to give your's a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I do love May! It's my mom's birthday this month, the end of the school year, beautiful days, sunshine, what's not to love? Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. DonnaMay 8, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    I had risotto last night when we went out for dinner and I forgot how much I enjoy it. Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  6. debby emadianMay 8, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    scrumptious. I love risotto but haven't made any rice ones this year, only barley ones. Such pretty flowers so delicate looking with their pretty pink tips and green centres. I'm glad that you've recovered from your trip it looked great fun. Sometimes a sneaked little nap can do wonders.
    Have a happy Mother's Day,
    debx

    ReplyDelete
  7. AndiMay 8, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    Happy to hear that you have recovered from your NYC trip. It takes some time to find balance after NYC, right?
    Thank you for the lovely risotto recipe. Sounds so good that I want it for breakfast right now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. mamasmercantileMay 8, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    Hope you have a wonderful Mothers day, we celebrate it here in the UK in March. Sometimes a little cat nap is what is need to restore balance. The dogwood is looking wonderful.

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  9. stephMay 8, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    sounds yummy!!! (hee hee.....I bet I could cut up a few radishes and throw in!)

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  10. MonicaMay 8, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    I love dogwood too. They are about finished flowering here. WOnderful memories of grandmas! Hope you have a great Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. kathy bMay 8, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    Dogwoods are so pretty. Im always up for new recipes. thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. KimMay 8, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    I love dogwoods too-and lilacs. The other evening we had a little Spring sprinkle of rain breeze by right around dusk. As I got out of my car to go into the house, I took a deep breath and oh, did the air smell sweet..all mixed with the smell of a rain you get after not having rain for many days, and the lilacs and other sweet things blooming, and it was then I remembered, I do like Spring! (side note: Fall and Winter are my favorite months as I am a homebody and love being all tucked up in my house).
    Your risotto recipe looks yummy and easy and I might try it for lunch today! Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of your Grandma-I lost my last living Grandma 2 years ago and we still miss that spunky little old lady. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!
    xoxoxo

    PS: In case you are interested, here is a link to my Dogwood Tree post-- http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2015/04/pink-beauty.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. elnsMay 8, 2015 at 1:42 PM

    Happy Weekend, the pictures are inspiring and make me wish us all a good one too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. the habit of beingMay 8, 2015 at 2:07 PM

    I'm with you on the nap front. A short 20 min. siesta and I'm still awake at 2 a.m.

    Hope you have a very lovely Mother's Day! I'll be at Mass for the crowning of Mary & to hear the Red Bean singing in the choir ;-)

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  15. YanicMay 8, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    How I love dogwood. Your blooms are lovely. We don't have many around here, but I love watching them bloom when we visit the botanical gardens.

    Happy Mother's Day! xo

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  16. Kim May 8, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Lovely blooms Karen.

    So with you on the naps, I can't do it, and if I do, I am up all night long.

    Have a wonderful weekend, Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Judy S.May 8, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    Great dogwood photos, Karen. Our dogwood out front never blooms, but our Korean dogwood always has lots of blossoms. It's in the backyard and gets more sun, I guess. Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mama Gone GreenMay 9, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    I love dogwoods too. Glad you are recovered!

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  19. JaneMay 9, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    What a lovely post, Karen. I love the memories you shared of your grandmother, how wonderful. Your recipe sounds delicious! Wishing you a happy weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. GraceMay 9, 2015 at 6:21 PM

    It so happens that I adore both dogwoods and risotto so this is the perfect post for me! What gorgeous shots, Karen, I am so jealous that you have so many dogwoods on your property! xo

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  21. Deb J. in UtahMay 9, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    Yes, May is a wonderful month. I love your pictures and your memories. What a great recipe. Sounds like one my family would love. Happy Mother's Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. NicoleMay 9, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    May is one of the most beautiful months of the year! I love all the flowering trees that are in bloom right now. And yes, there are many exciting things in May, the first being Mother's Day! I hope you have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. TannaMay 10, 2015 at 7:41 AM

    We have lots to celebrate in May... and your photos are just perfect for such a beautiful time of the year! We've been eating salads... but, that risotto sounds way better! Ha! Have a wonderful Mother's Day, Karen. blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
  24. ericaMay 10, 2015 at 9:30 AM

    i love may too... I'm glad you've recovered from NYC and thank you for the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Annie CholewaMay 14, 2015 at 12:05 PM

    I said to my husband just the other day, we should try a different risotto recipe ... and here one is!

    ReplyDelete

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