Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Vacation from Cooking

Usually, when I haven't blogged for a while, I'll start writing by promising that I've still been busy cooking and gardening even though I haven't written about it.  But this time that isn't true-  I think yesterday was the first time I cooked anything or made it into my garden in weeks!

The past two and a half weeks have been odd and things are just now starting to get back to normal.  First, I went to Texas to visit my family.  My grandfather had been very sick, and I really wanted to get to see him again before he passed.  I'm so thankful that I was able to get a trip planned and time off of work on such short notice [My grandpa passed away last night, so the memories from this trip are even more important to me now]. Also, I hadn't seen my little niece in nearly a year and she's been busy growing up.  I had a great time with my family and ate some really fantastic food!

Fried avocado lettuce wraps from Matt's Tex-Mex.  Yep, fried avocado!

Spinach and mushroom enchiladas with salsa verde (they made them special with no cheese!  Yay Matt's!) and the best drunken beans ever.

My mom's home cooking!  Fried okra, yellow squash with cornmeal, fresh tomatoes, corn on the cob, fresh lima beans and chow-chow (pickled veggies)

But after all this amazing food, visits with family and a road trip back to Minnesota with my mom, I was left with the most horrible stomach pain!  I didn't eat anything THAT unusual while on my trip (okay, maybe fried avocado...) and I've never had too much of an issue with heartburn before...But for 8 days after my trip I couldn't eat anything without unbearable burning pain in my abdomen.  Plus, I had a fever, lethargy and no appetite.  Needless to say, I wasn't cooking much last week!  It was basically just veg. broth, bananas and crackers for a while there.  

My garden, meanwhile, was growing out of control with the heat we've been having here.  I made it outside to water a couple of times, but, honestly, I barely recognized my garden!  Everything grew up while I was away and I didn't have any energy to weed or harvest!  

But, now, today, I've had 3 square meals, no stomach pain and no fever.  I'm feeling very normal again and I'm happy to be munching on some oven-baked kale chips as I type.  I'm hopeful that this bout with severe heartburn (?) is over. 

And now I can think about food again and get back to sharing it with you!


9 comments:

Jackie Smith said...

I'm sorry about your grandpa, and glad that you got to make special memories with your family. <3

gucci outlet online said...

looks very delicious, hoping i could cook the snacks like as yours

Catherine Weber said...

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better!

I wonder if it's too late to go strawberry-picking . . . are you busy this weekend? :) Care to join me?????? I know it's supposed to be deathly hot, but maybe if we go early enough we will survive????? ;) Email me if you want to try and work something out!

Stephie Y. said...

Yes so sorry to hear about your grandpa. I JUST found your page yesterday and have been hooked since! your blog is a COMPLETE inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. My grandpa isn't doing so well either, so I completely understand and I hope I can get away soon to spend some time with him too.

I am glad you are feeling better!

Kris said...

Condolences on the passing of you grandfather and I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, but be cautious about that. Heartburn pain isn't in the stomach or abdomen, it's the chest area (usually right in between "the girls" or a little higher).
On a happier note, would you/your mom be willing to share that squash with cornmeal recipe? It looks ever so tasty.

Prada handbags sale said...

wow.......so great food list. looks very delicious.....i cant wait to have try them

KK said...

So sorry about your loss. I have lost most of my close family now and am down to my dad, brother, my 'ol man (bf is a biker) and my little autistic son, Dalton.

It takes quite a while, but eventually you will find yourself just liking to talk about the people you called family...the people you lost. I miss mine so much...it sounds like you have a lot of family left. Enjoy them.

Liz said...

Kris- here ya go! This squash is amazing.

http://foodsnobberyhobbery.blogspot.com/2010/07/nonnies-crookneck-squash.html

Catherine- So sorry I didn't get back to you! I'm sure strawberries are long gone now, but maybe some raspberry picking???

Wow gucci outlet online and prada handbags sale. You are my biggest fans now. ha!