Spicing Up Your Life

Fall is here an we are beginning to clean up the garden. Come along with us and see what it looks like.

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 This is an old post from 2007 but I feel it is a good addition to the feeling of abundance that is coming into our lives.

The Bounty of Life

My life is always overflowing with blessings but I am more aware of it at this moment than at almost any time of my life. Right now I am blessed most by my garden. It has gone above and beyond this summer. Even with the heat it has proved to be most bountiful. Not only has it looked great all summer it has provided bushels of cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans and peppers, but the herbs and flowers also came through like champs.

The Flower Side

The Vegetable Side

The results of all that came out is seen in the picture below. Most of this weekend was devoted to canning peppers, tomatoes and salsa along with freezing the grape tomatoes. Most of the fruits of my labor are exhibited below. I probably have at least enough peppers on the vines to duplicate the work I did this weekend. You see, I vowed that I would not run out of hot sauce again this year and I think I’m on schedule to exceed my quota.

I planted Cayenne, Tai chili and kung pao chili, and jalapeno; all very flavorful and very hot. I wanted to experiment so I made some with mango and peach as well as mint and tarragon. I have no idea how they will taste, past the intense capsaisin rush but am excited to sample, after a little aging. I combined all 4 chilis in one batch and then canned each chili hot sauce alone for maximum flavor testing (I canned most of the jalepeno). As you can see I am a little crazy about my hot sauce.

You know, I never got, as a child, why my mom always had a hot pepper on her plate for almost every meal , but as I matured and began to experiment with chili peppers I now put my hot sauce on almost everything I make. I am counting on it extending my life… and if it doesn’t, I shall die happy!

The Little Jars are the Hot Sauce (33 in all)

After all of my labors there is sense of fulfillment, of completion and a deep gratefulness for what a little peice of soil and a few seeds can do. All it took was some preparation, a little water, a little sun, a little tending and a lot of love. I am grateful to my father for giving me the love of gardening and to my mother for my love of cooking. There is a great connection to the earth in each endeavor and I am happy doing each whenever I can.

Amongst all my kitchen work this weekend I had the priviledge of sharing my loves with Sandy’s three high school friends and I think they all had fun. Just another example of the bounty in my life. Thanks girls for allowing me to brighten your time together.

 

 

     

   Copyright 2007 CramGroup.com

 

 

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 The last few weeks have been an interesting ride. It almost feels like the whole planet is getting ready to spin off its axis, non-the-less, we keep moving ever faster and faster yet until some cruel joke of life stops you in your tracks.

 For my family that joke was the passing of my brother Dr. David L. Cram Sr. he was the second oldest, yet only 75. For me he was almost unknown. I know this because we are almost a generation apart and for most of the last 25 years, a continent apart. Had I made the effort, I am sure he would have welcomed me right in. I now wish I had made more effort to be with him.

 This past weekend we had a memorial service for him in La Crosse Wisconsin. Almost everyone was there. This was a time to slow down… a time to be still. His son and oldest daughter acknowledged that they had not yet had time to grieve.

 So we took some time and we were still and we took the time to remember. We had everyone there, except for my nearest sister. It seems she has separated herself from us and from the love we would shower on her if she were to show up.

 The words were moving and the music was magical and the energy that emanates from our family when we get together is something to marvel in. There is so much love, beauty and talent among us that we are almost magnetic. I am so grateful that I happened upon this particular family.

 Leaving the weekend with new found energy I now know that I am still moving, but with a feeling of reinvention.. looking forward to a new beginning.

I don’t know if I can convey any of this with what comes next but I hope you can catch a glimpse.

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