See the Beauty in the Ordinary

Peppernuts: Tiny Bites of Christmas

Peppernuts are a Christmas tradition in our family. These tiny, little cookies came to our area with the Mennonite immigration in the 1870's. Imagine generations of people grabbing a handful or two of peppernuts and munching away and you have a tradition worth continuing.

The buffet is now missing a pull on the top drawer.

Nobody picked it out or purchased it especially for our family. It was simply there in the first house my parents purchased in 1963. The previous owners had not wanted to take the dining room table and buffet to their new home and had offered to leave it. My parents were happy to accept. With four children and a new mortgage, they wouldn't be buying a new dining room table any time soon. Thousands of happy meals were eaten around that table along with a few not-so-happy moments with someone who didn't want to eat his green beans. The buffet never held dishes, but seemed to be a catch-all for papers and table games. When we left the bungalow to move to the simple farmhouse on my dad's family farm, the table and buffet came along. The table was finally replaced years after we all grew up and left home, but the buffet remained, sitting stately in the living room.

The buffet stood in a corner in my parents' farmhouse for many years. Here it serves as background to a Christmas gift distribution by their grandchildren.

Several years after my mother lost her battle with cancer, my elderly dad remarried and brought a brave lady to the farm. She came with a piano. The only place it fit was where the old buffet still stood. The buffet needed a new home. And so I took it home with me.

It is still a catch-all, although I have filled the buffet with dishes and china as was its original purpose. No, what it catches and displays are memories. Over the years I have accumulated far too many sentimental keepsakes. Rather than leaving them tucked away, I bring out different things according to the season and arrange them on the buffet. Is this a good thing? Or a little too mushy? Maybe kind of silly?

Christmas brings memories of our sons' childhood with their old blocks, a Disney music box and casual photographs from Christmas through the years. The clock was purchased to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversa

After the excitement of Christmas, I love to get out my white and clear glass things. It seems peaceful and calm. The photograph is of both sets of my grandparents and the faux marble clock comes from my paternal grandparents.

In the spring, I get out the pink and green dishes. Many of the pink dishes come from my grandmother. I'm not sure that I ever saw them as a child. Grandma liked to keep her nice things nice and as a result these these things were seldom (never?) used. I try go ahead and use them while they are easily available.

My parents were married in 1954. Some of their wedding gifts were the red that was so popular in that era. Some aluminum coffee pots, an old fan and canning jars round out the red, white and blue colors for summer.

When you only see it for a few months each year, it becomes even more precious. The wall hanging was embroidered by my mother for me. It is a treasure.

A Puritan Prayer of Thanksgiving

Over 300 years ago a pious Puritan wrote a prayer of thanksgiving. The Puritans often wrote out prayers that read like poetry. It would seem that there would be few similarities between the life of this Puritan and me. Yet as I look through the list of things for which he (or she) is thankful, it's hard to think of anything to add. I, too, wish to give thanks for those things. Here then, is the Puritan Prayer with photos both recent and bygone.

I thank Thee for the temporal blessings of this world—

the refreshing air,

the light of the sun,

the food that renews strength,

the raiment that clothes,

the dwelling that shelters,

the sleep that gives rest,

the starry canopy of night,

the summer breeze,

the flowers' sweetness,

the music of flowing streams,

the happy endearments of family, kindred, friends.

Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort. My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies.

Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil.

Photo by Monica Warren

I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces,
the full warmth of faith,
the cheering presence of Thy Spirit,
the strength of Thy restraining will,
Thy spiking of hell's artillery. Blessed be my sovereign Lord!

Pick a Peck of Peppers!

Ah, the scents of fall. Wafting from the kitchen is the spicy scent of cinnamon and apples, or perhaps a Sweet Potato cake. Outside the air is crisp and there is the musty scent of fallen leaves with a touch of smoke in the air from a bonfire or fireplace. And yes, there is another scent as well. It's the distinct and pungent smell of roasting peppers.

Roasting peppers has become a part of my autumn ritual. As the garden winds down, peppers continue to thrive and add fruit to the plant. Overshadowing the season is the knowledge that it will not last long. Frost is coming and then the plants will be done. And so I'm picking peppers! Pecks of peppers.

Roasted peppers are a great addition to many recipes. If you have peppers, roast them and try this simple, but outstanding recipe for a great dip. Feel free to use any pepper. My favorite is the Annaheim which has a kick but is not overwhelmingly hot. Bell peppers would be milder and chili or jalapeno would be hotter.

Please don't be afraid of roasting peppers. It's not difficult and while it involves a little time, it goes relatively fast. I'll share my directions for roasting peppers after the recipe.

Here are the four simple ingredients needed to make the dip:

Monterey Jack and Cream Cheese, Mayonnaise and Peppers--that's all you need. Oh, and something to dip in it!

Roasted Pepper Dip
For a printable recipe click here.

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup diced roasted peppers (about 4)

1/4 cup mayonaise
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: 1/2 cup caramelized onions

Mix together. Serve warm or at room temperature with crackers. This is a recipe where measuring is not of the upmost importance. A little more or less of any of these ingredients will still make a very good dip.

How to roast peppers:

1.--Fire up the grill. A gas grill works great. No grill? This can also be done in your oven.

2.---Place washed peppers on the grill. As peppers char on one side, turn over to the other side. Often there is a popping sound as the pepper air inside the pepper heats up. Turn when they begin to char. Please note that there is a difference between charring and burning to a crisp! That's what happened to my peppers when I tried to fix supper while roasting peppers. Don't get too far away when your roasting peppers! I usually just turn them once.

3.--When the peppers are cooked and have some charring on both sides, remove from the grill and place in a paper sack. Fill the sack about half full and roll the top down. This allows the peppers to steam and cool.

4.--When peppers are cool, remove from bag, slit open and remove seeds and membrane. Turn pepper over and remove skin. It should just slip off. If your peppers are very hot, you may wish to wear plastic gloves to prevent your hands from feeling very warm.

5.--Roasted peppers can be used immediately or frozen for later use. I usually freeze the peppers in a single layer on a tray and then break up and bag when frozen. I don't think it is possible to have too many roasted peppers on hand.

Other ideas for roasted peppers:

egg dishes
chili (outstanding!)
other soups, think potato or vegetable
pizza topping
Baked Potato Soup with Sausage and Roasted Peppers

A Kansas Country Garden: The Month of September

Autumn Joy Sedum line the front sidewalk.

Autumn Joy Sedum does bring joy. It's autumn floral display is the peak of its many good attributes, but from the moment the little round balls peek from the ground in early spring, through the heat of the summer and on into winter when its dried flower stalks add interest in the garden, it's always a great plant. Right now its the bees, butterflies and insects who may be singing its praises the loudest. They love this plant, too. Maybe more than I do.

I have placed Autumn Joy Sedum in many places throughout the garden,

There is a lot to love about fall. The cooler weather revives some of the plants. Others begin their bloom. As the leaves begin to change color, it's a poignant reminder of the temporary nature of the garden. Cherish these days of color and warmth. They will not last forever.

No longer on my "wish list", this bench was an anniversary gift.

Sweet Autumn Clematis is worth waiting for with its lovely scent and bloom.

Twining on the bridge, Morning Glories have a vibrant purple bloom.

As it ages, the bloom of the rose colored gomphrena elongates,

I have had volunteer Sweet Autumn Clematis plants come up and have placed them around the garden.

A lone rose blooms on this bush.

I have enjoyed this lantana this summer. I just learned that my mother-in-law overwinters her lantana inside. Should I bring this in? Maybe I'll take a few slips.