tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 4993

MASTER GARDENER TIPS Getting the most out of those late garden peppers

Peppers are able to be stored fresh much longer than tomatoes. They can usually keep in a crisper drawer of a refrigerator for several weeks if kept moist but not wet. For longer storage, freezing works well. Though mushy when thawed, the flavor still comes through in cooked foods. Try dicing them into small pieces and then freezing on a cookie sheet. The frozen pieces can then be poured into a plastic bag for later use. Measuring is much easier as the pieces are not frozen together in a clump. This method works equally well for hot peppers but be sure to wear gloves when handling.

What’s in your chimney?

Every fall, when we start seeing the starlings and blackbirds gathering in big groups that swirl and dance across the sky, I think about this adventure Joyce and I had one hot, steamy summer evening years ago.

Acting like cranberries

This week in the grocery store I was delighted to see the first fresh cranberries of the season. I bought a bag and will make cranberry bread with it soon. It might seem odd in Kansas but, for me, those cranberries are one of the surest signs of fall and a reminder of home.

Colorado visit worth the drive

Colorado has always been a favorite place for me. For some reason my dad loved Colorado, and also my mom had family in Colorado so that was really the only place we would travel to and visit when I was growing up. Obviously, the eastern part is not as attractive but it was always worth the drive to see the mountains.

A most important vote in history

November is the month of elections in America. What is peaceful and unique process we enjoy, which was so wisely written into our United Stated Constitution over 400 years ago as “we the people” exercise their right to vote?

Conversation keeps us from being strangers

While we sat waiting at a bus stop in Pruhonice, Czechia, I thought the man sitting next to me might speak English, so I addressed him in my native tongue. His name was Daniel, from Taiwan, and he spoke perfect English.

The driver’s reward

I was getting a load of Kubota that was heading to Oklahoma. My dispatcher told me that after I was loaded, for me to head to the Kansas City dealership. They had parts for my truck. What? I thought my truck had all its parts since I had the bunk heater installed.

Scarecrows elicit fun times for Thursday night shopping event downtown

A dozen scarecrows, decorated by downtown Pratt business owners, added extra smiles to shopping fun Thursday at the Fall Flannel Fest Ladies Night Out event in Pratt. A retail committee for Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce members handed out face and wooden body kits to participating businesses earlier this month. But creative limitations from there were few as shop owners were responsible for their own finished product.