And.....we're back!

That probably had to be the longest commercial in blogging history. All kidding aside, no we aren't going to talk about planting peonies in this post. That sort of blew by as life hit the acceleration pedal this fall. Pictures will be posted of the planted peonies this summer.

The winter has been kind. Soft snow, not too bad temperatures, and lots of sun! It is only the not quite middle of February, but so far it appears that El nino has been working some mojo over the Upper Great Lakes area. Can Spring be far behind? (Don't answer that. A poodle can dream can't he?)

Pictured above is the last jar of pepper sauce used for a delicious dinner last evening. The peppers are picked fresh in the fall (a mixture of green/red bells, rista, and a few habernero), rinsed & cleaned, then heated in a large pot with a little water in the bottom. They are cooked long enough to be slightly past blanched, but not soggy, just so their color is vivid. Next they are placed into a blender with some of the reserve water from the pot & whirred until they become a thick sauce. Can them hot using the appropriate techniques. Walking into the house at this point one is almost overcome by the fragrance of spice and piquant aromas. Summer in a jar.....how I miss the earthy scent of the warm ground and the utter intoxication of being in a garden, wrapped & surrounded by the voluptuousness of nature in her ripeness.