A bit of magic of the summer season integrated into my photographic lens from this past month. I have truly enjoyed the simplicity of the photographic blog posts each month that I began earlier this year. Photos do tell their own story. July, it’s been a warm month… in memories and temperatures. Thanks for tagging along with me!
I have linked a few other blog posts from this month in here as well. Take your time with this one folks and find all the other blog posts within, coming back to them as you can. I so appreciate your continued support! I hope you enjoy these special July memories in photographic form.
A Walk Around Kerr Scott
ReflectionsPeaking ThroughA Walk By the Lake … If you didn’t get a chance to read Rooted in Wilkes yet, I hope you will get a chance to do so soon!
Home
Contradictions in the SkyTime to BlossomBlue Skies and BloomsYoung BloomsJust Like LaceBusy Bee 🐝In Full BloomAngel TrumpetA peak inside a blooming Crepe MyrtleSimplicity of a trailing vinePeaceful, Easy Feeling… Morning SunriseBarely ThereRising to the OccasionNight skySeeking Raindrops
Friday Flower Fun at Wilkes County Hardware
First Flower Friday… success! See you again August 9th!!!
North Wilkesboro Greenway
Growing Field of DreamsWildflower Dreams
Blue Ridge Parkway
Where the Wildflowers GrowBlue Ridge HorizonBlue Ridge Skyline
The highest compliment a Southern cook can receive from someone is the request of their recipe after the meal. It means the dish was deliciously prepared and well received by those who ate it.
I must admit, when I have gotten a request for a recipe, I feel very honored. Today, I’m sharing a few of our family favorites from the summer BBQ grilling season. These side dishes are not revolutionary, but simple favorites that my family enjoys each July 4th.
So to celebrate the grilling season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the classic sides that have become proven favorites. We usually select Hamburgers and hotdogs each July 4th. Having great side items to accompany the best grilled burgers… well, that simply goes without saying. Happy grilling y’all!
A great rub can elevate your July 4th burgers to a new level. We sprinkle a bit of this one at home often to add a little extra touch of flavor. Yes, Wilkes County Hardware has this available in store! Keegan recommends to add a splash of Sauce to your hotdog!
Baked Beans
My Mama spoiled me. I didn’t realize that fact, but these baked beans have been a staple cookout food ever since I was younger. I am not accustomed to baked beans without meat. Baked beans without hamburger, well that’s just a plain old seasoned bean!!! Like I stated before, my Mama spoiled me with this recipe, so all other baked beans haven’t measured up to Mom’s.
My Mama always made the easiest, and the best baked beans that we all loved, and we still do! Leftovers are rare. The recipe, in the mind. Not written down at all, because it’s a simple recipe to make, using pantry staples. I hope you enjoy!
Mom’s Baked Beans
Ingredients List
1/2-3/4 lb hamburger (cooked)
1T Dried onion
2T Worcestershire sauce ( I adjust the amount I use based on hamburger, making sure all the hamburger is coated with the Worcestershire sauce)
2 Cans Pork Beans
2 T Pancake syrup (depending on how much sweetness you prefer)
1c Ketchup
Simple Steps to A Great Side
1. Fry and crumble hamburger meat well in the skillet, as the hamburger cooks, add dried onions (1 T)
2. Drain hamburger grease prior to adding additional ingredients.
3. Add Worcestershire sauce to hamburger meat once the hamburger meat has browned. Stir well.
4. Turn heat down on skillet/ sauce pan and add pork and beans. Combine the hamburger and beans evenly.
5. Add pancake syrup for a bit of sweetness. Stir well.
Stir the syrup into the bean/hamburger mixture prior to adding the ketchup
6. Add ketchup. Simmer until beans are warmed and tender (20-30 minutes)
I adjust ketchup level to change the color ratio from a pork bean color to a more traditional baked bean color… adding more as needed I typically just squeeze in the ketchup and stir until I’m satisfied with the color. Note the difference between the two photos
Larry Patterson’s Hot Dog Chili
This recipe was gifted to Mom years ago by her friend, Larry. It was an instant family favorite after she made it the first time. Mom shared it with me several years ago and it has become a staple of our summer cookouts. It does require a bit of time to simmer on the stove top, but it’s worth the wait!
Honestly, it’s hard to go back to a canned hot dog chili once you have had a good homemade chili. This recipe is even better on day two… the longer it sits, the spices have a chance to simmer and get into the chili. I love this one on BOTH hamburgers or hotdogs! it freezes well and I half this recipe often.
What are your favorite “must have” items that you put on a hotdog? 🌭
Ingredients
2lbs. Ground hamburger
2t chili powder
2t black pepper
1T Texas Pete
1/2c Ketchup
1c water
Simple Steps to Chili
1. Crumble raw hamburger into large saucepan.
2. Add all spices and Texas Pete to raw hamburger
3. Add Ketchup and water.
4. Stir well and simmer 3-4 hours stirring occasionally.
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
This recipe is based on my pitcher size I typically use.
3 large lemons
1 cup boiling water
1 cup sugar
2 cups ice
4 cups water
Steps to Making Sweet Lemonade
1. Boil 1 cup water. Add sugar to dissolve into water. Allow to cool.
2. Extract juice from 3- 4 large lemons.
3. Once sugar syrup is dissolved and cooled, add to pitcher with lemon juice.
4. Add 4 cups cold water. Stir in 2 cups of ice. Add a few lemon slices to the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Lemonade, a refreshing summer beverage!
Whether you are enjoying the July 4th holiday cookout or just grilling out for the weekend, I hope you find these simple recipes a great addition to your BBQ fun!
My grandparents grew up during the Great Depression. The one thing I learned from them was never to be wasteful with food. Granny always saved the smallest portion of food and they used leftovers at the next meal often as a new side dish. It wasn’t always a “reheat and eat” type of side dish… They also used leftovers as a soup or even made a casserole. Waste wasn’t part of growing up during the Great Depression. Everything was used to the fullest extent.
I must admit, leftovers do get away from me sometimes, and they end up not being eaten before the expiration. I created this recipe out of necessity, using what I had on hand in the refrigerator and using up my leftovers.
Leftovers are a great opportunity to experiment with pantry staples and mixing in your leftovers. Challenge accepted!
As you review my recipe, please feel free to add your leftover veggies, pantry staples, and spice blends into this recipe to make it your own. This would be similar to a Taco Soup flavor profile or Mexican Chicken Soup as far tasting and key ingredients. Enjoy!
-Chili powder, red pepper, black pepper, salt (1/2 tsp each ) I used these to make a blend of spices to sprinkle over pork chops
– Canned salsa or Rotel (I had 1/2 can salsa left so I used it)
– 3/4 c Button Mushrooms diced (sauté in soup pot with dried onion and dash of Italian seasoning)
– Shredded carrots (1/4 c)
– Beef bullion cube- see note below
– Water 2 cups ( Note: 2 cups of beef stock can replace water and beef bullion)
– 1 can dark red kidney beans (drained)
– 1 can White beans (drained)
– Tomato sauce (1 small can)
– Handful of Frozen corn (leftover roasted or grilled corn would definitely add to the dimension of flavor)
Prepand Make: Easy Stove top recipe or even Crockpot
1. Sauté mushrooms in spices (dried onion and Italian seasoning) in your large soup pot.
2. Add shredded carrots and sauté for a few minutes. Add the diced leftover pork chops, add black pepper/chili powder spice blend. This spice blend will give it a nice kick. Reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/4 tsp to reduce spice.
3. Pour in salsa or Rotel. Stir well. Add water and beef bouillon cube or beef stock (see note above)
4. Add tomato sauce, all drained beans and a handful of frozen corn. Stir well. Simmer on low until vegetables are cooked.
5. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and cornbread.
April, preparing her “green traffic light”… April, a month when Spring moves from a quiet, slow, slumber to a full blown reality. The trees fill out with abundant green leaves almost overnight, and the grass greens up. The last of the cooler nights are a short- lived phenomenon and the warmth of a lasting Spring has arrived.
“The Greening” of the GreenwayNo Fooling Around… April 1st sunrise was absolutely stunning. Early Morning Storm Clouds Solar Eclipse sunrise… lots of clouds in view Solar Eclipse Sunrise
April 12th… This series of 4 photos were taken the morning after the brief tornado touchdown in our neighborhood. We are fine, no damage to our home. The skies were dramatic this quiet Friday morning.
High Drama Clouds Dramatic Sunrise Heavy Clouds Life in Full Color
Blooming in the Garden during the month of April
Peony buds are beginning to show signs early this year. Normally my peonies are in full bloom around Mother’s Day.In full bloom by the end of April!Solidarity among the purple blossomsIn full bloom along the front sidewalkMy Roses are beginning to bloom Simply Lovely!
New Recipe Alert 🔔
Pork Stew and cornbread on a rainy April Sunday afternoon view complete recipe here… Pork Stew
In the Wild
Wispy Wildflowers along the GreenwayFirst signs of strawberries 🍓 beginning to ripenThese sweet horses walked up to have picture taken near Shiloh General Store
Finished Creative Pieces
Poppies are glazed and ready to enjoy!
Happenings inside the hardware store in the Month of April
There’s simply nothing better like the smell of dinner cooking as you walk through the front door.
Welcome home!
After a long day at work, the aroma welcomes you back home. But wait… Dinner is really almost ready??? You have been gone all day… yes, the Crock-Pot has magically been slowly simmering your dinner nonstop and the smell of a delicious dinner yet to come is wafting throughout your home. The aroma is welcoming you back, like two little, happy puppies wagging their tails anxiously awaiting to greet you as you enter the front door.
These two are waiting for their favorite humans to come back home!
Crock-Pot recipes are a mainstay in the playbook of comfort foods 101 in my opinion. The advantages of using a crock-pot or a slow cooker are plentiful. For one, the crock-pot will use less electricity than cooking a full meal on your stovetop.
Baked potatoes in crockpot??? Try it if you haven’t done that before. Yes, save electricity by using your crockpot and cook on high for 2-3 hours instead of using your oven. I brush mine with olive oil and salt pepper and cover it and walk away for a few hours.. dinner success!
Another advantage of using a crock-pot, Family evening meals can be prepared ahead of time… meaning that it can save you time, and of course, less dishes to clean up after the meal! If you are a meal planning cook, the crock-pot is for you! That’s a definite win in the family meal game plan!
This creamy chicken crock-pot recipe is one of the most versatile dishes that I make that can be used as a base for chicken pie, chicken casserole, or served over pasta. The leftovers can make a creamy chicken soup.
The last advantage of using a crock-pot is simply the monetary savings from each grocery storetrip. When you slow cook in the crock-pot, you can buy a tougher cut of meat ( saving a bit of money) and it will come out tender after cooking low and slow all day long. Crock-pots are designed to tenderize and add complexity of flavors to your protein as it simmers low and slow.The slow cooking process helps to preserve the nutrients. In a higher heat setting, those nutrients can be rapidly broken down, reducing the flavor profile.
As I write this blog post, I realize that some are probably rolling their eyes saying, “good grief girl, get in the 21st century and buy an instant pot”. Here’s my reply… Well, honestly I don’t want one. I love the idea of prepping before I leave for the day, and simmering my food low and slow all day long… nothing beats spaghetti sauce that’s been cooking all day long in the crock-pot and we love it. I’m the “set it and forget it until later” meal game planner.
I don’t think of a crock-pot meal as a “boring meal” that is often repetitive… week after week… “Mom, we are eating the same old stuff” type meals… that’s the whole point of “Crocktober”. Thinking outside of the usual crock-pot mindset and experimenting with new ways to use the traditional slow cooker.
SO…. Here’s a sampling of some of the amazing products that Wilkes County Hardware has to offer you that could add some extra flavor to your favorite proteins or vegetables slowly simmering away in your crock-pot. Hopefully you can find a bit of inspiration for some new “Crocktober Recipes” to make for your family.
This rub is a great addition brings flavor to any type of steak, or beef roast in your crock-pot! Hand choppers are great for making quick work of a large cooked pork lion, or even chicken as you make chopped BBQ or tacos in the crock-pot The best BBQ sauce… AND it’s locally made!Traeger sauces and rubs can add extra flavor to your crock-pot meals Pick your favorite! Use your imagination and available ingredients from your pantry and refrigerator and get cooking in your crock-pot for October! The options are endless!!! It’s Crocktober
Let’s celebrate the month of October with the Crock-pot… and get the slow simmer going … it’s Crocktober time!
FYI: Two recipes are linked in this blog post if y’all are curious… Happy slow cooking!
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 