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I Live In Rural America. I Like That You Consider It Fly Over Country.

We are reaching a point in America's social fabric where soon 70% of the population will live in an urban area.  Boy, if that's not a statistic that makes you think we are all followers, I don't know what is.  7 in 10 Americans will soon not know where their food comes from, they will not know what a farm or ranch looks like, they will not understand what sense of community and strength of personal character it takes to live isolated from large crowds, Walmart, Target and....gasp....dare I say Starbucks! (I mean that too, being away from decent coffee can wear you down real quick.) And that's okay, no really it is.  I don't want more people living near me.  You don't pack up your bags, head to the upper Midwest in your early twenties and find yourself living in Brule County, South Dakota, and not love the wide open space.  More people aren't going to move here, but I would sure like to keep the one's we have.  

More importantly, I would like for people to look at rural communities, and small towns and see that there is opportunity, if you want to live the lifestyle.  I don't want people to crave small town living, but never come to it because they don't see opportunity.  The latter is what worries me.   It worries me to see moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents tell their children to leave, to go some where they can 'spread their wings' or 'make a difference,' because you know what, you can make a difference no matter where you are.  Size does not matter.

We have been our own worst enemy.  Change has to start from within, and frankly small towns across this country, but particularly in the Midwest, have done a terrible job of keeping our youth.  We have raised them, educated them, given them sense of community and understanding of responsibility.  And then lined them up and pushed them out on the first ticket towards what we view as opportunity.  After all, big dreams can't happen in a small town can they?  Surely no one wants to raise a child that wants to stay back in the family business, or that wants to open a local small town store.  Or, heaven forbid, teach at a small rural school.  See, that's where I think the problem starts.  We all want our kids to be succesful, and I ask, successful against whose measuring stick?  Is it success to move to the huge urban centers in America and follow the same path as well over half of all other American's?  Is the only way to success working for big box companies, living in standard cookie cutter housing?  Success to not only not understand but not even know where your food sources come from? There is no doubt that it is for some people, and I respect and support their life choice.  I am happy we have large cities and I love to visit them.  But purposefully pushing our children from rural hometowns and not just supporting their choices but convincing them that no matter what, no matter how much they miss us, love us, want to be part of our community - it's just not the successful choice.  That's plain silly.

This sounds absurd, that a small close knit community wouldn't want to grow it's own, keep those that want to stay.  Sociologists study it, they've written books, lots of books in recent years, around the drain rural America is seeing.  "Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America" (http://www.amazon.com/Hollowing-Out-Middle-Rural-America/dp/0807006149) is a great read- heavy read but enlightening none the less.  We know we like to push the young people out of the community and we know we aren't really friendly to outsiders that want to come into our community.  That sounds like a winning formula and we keep allowing it to happen.

We have to stop it right now.  We have to find a way to connect early and effectively with kids.  I'm not talking about teenagers, I am talking about 7 and 8 year olds.  That's when we need to start to make the strong connection that the small town they are growing up in needs them just as much or even more than the big world beyond.  I'm not saying the big world beyond doesn't need experienced - because believe you me, it does.

It is time that small towns and rural communities change their thinking.  We can teach our children that they can live big in a small town.  We can stop telling them they need to live some where else to live their dreams, because, frankly that is just not true.  Let's start showing our young children, as early as we can, that being part of a small community is important.  That we need them, we need their ideas, their hands, their hearts.  Embrace the opportunity we have to work side by side and hand in hand with our future and stop the cycle of telling our children we aren't good enough.

A Fifth.

Every Friday I will share five things.  Five things I love, five thoughts I have, whatever it might be.  I will share five.

This week:  Five Baby Girl (and maybe bigger girl too) dresses for Easter.
Easter is early this year - we need to be thinking about these things....


1.

2.

3.

                    4.

5.

                                       

Every one of these could come and live at my house...

This Could Be Life Changing

HOW TO CLEAN A GAS RANGE TOP

January 20, 2016

Get yourself on over to Jones Design Company for this post.  I know it's super hip and sexy to post about cleaning a gas range, but gosh darn it, I need this information.  Because, duh, I have a gas range and I need things clean, like 'need them clean or my mind is not at rest.'  I know it's a problem, and I am working on it.

A Pick Me Up

I need warmer weather.  

There I said it.  And now I will channel it through pictures.

Ok, this last one was over Christmas, it's not really there to channel warm weather thoughts.  But she's just too cute not to put on here.  Rory + Rosie.  Besties.

Own It. Not Because I Said So, but Because You Can.

I need to work at placing my thoughts on here more often.  Not because I am looking to gain followers - I could really care less who sees this.  I am not looking to impart my thoughts, beliefs, or lifestyle on you.  Frankly, I think that's the problem with media (social or otherwise), blogs and lifestyle show hosts -- no one really cares. I mean they say they care, we say we care, we read it, we watch it - but when it comes down to it, we aren't reading and watching to change.  It didn't make some kind of an impact.  Someone's blog on their beliefs and ideals rarely gives a profound enough impact that we actually change.  And most lifestyle bloggers and TV personalities live in some ideal world where they THINK they do make a difference.  Want to make a difference?  DO something.  Don't write about what you think about it.

Yes, I said DO something.  And here I am, ranting that lifestyle bloggers and television personalities like to get on their soap boxes, about to hop right on up on mine.  Some how, in the world of social media and internet blog posts we've let ourselves get lost in a fantasy world.  One where we think pretty writing pieces that preach about how we should all be living makes us better.  I am going to say it, because it's been bothering me for awhile -- they do not.  Reading is important, fiction or non fiction; a murder mystery, romance, sci-fi thriller or documentary is something that I love and I value.  Reading news, blog posts, even digital print from any source also provides great entertainment.  But if you are looking to make a difference in the world, looking to find self worth, looking to do something in your life that you can reflect back on and think - I did something good - please do not start by writing about how wonderful you are.

Celebrities like to do this, you see them, those lovely actresses we've all enjoyed on a great TV show or movie.  And pretty soon, if you watch closely you can see they are working hard, in all sorts of shows and all over the silver screen.  Next thing you know, they can't get their bucket full from just acting.  Nope.  They want to share their life with the world, show how living the 'right way' can make  you a successful actress.  I am going to tell you - no matter how much you read their blog, no matter how much you watch their cooking show - you will not have their success.  Celebrate their success - read their posts and cook the shit out of their recipes because they are fun and awesome and clever, but please remember you will not have their success.

We are unique, we all have great talents and great misgivings.  I love that about humans, we need to lift up imperfection.  I don't want people telling me how much better they are than me, and I doubt you do either.  I am so sick and tired of reading how life is a bowl of cherries, how if you love God, and you love your family, and you dress really cute and you eat only whole grains and fish you will feel so much better.  That's a lie too.  I love God, I love my family, heck I even volunteer and exercise a lot (it is not for health reasons, if I didn't run I would go crazy) and sometimes my life is still crappy.  Oh, who am I kidding, there are a lot of times that I don't catch the break I think I deserve.

My point is this - don't read things or watch things because you want to be those people.  Do not feel bad about your life because it isn't what others think it should be.  Own your happiness and please don't read my posts to find it.

23 hours of car ride bliss and this is what I have to show for it....

We made it from South Dakota to Mississippi and back, all in one piece, present and accounted for, smiling most of the time.
I don't know that we will try it again until 1-year-old Rory is a little older, but all in all it was a great trip!

We Rocked It

Valentine's completed and they were a success.  Memphis really enjoyed this project, though he was getting tired of writing his name (I will neither confirm nor deny that a certain Daddy helped out in this department).

It should be noted, the 4 year old says the pink ones are only for girls....

The End of the Day

What more can I say...

Best Friends

Memphis loves Jessie and Kenzie, but if pushed he'd tell you Jess is his favorite dog. They are buddies, and she gives him 'morning kisses' each day.

Rounding Out The Summer

Yep, summer is about to leave us. It's gone so fast. We welcomed Rory Lucille, learned how to travel to Missouri via Lincoln, and watched Memphis grow up a little bit more. Time flies when you're raising kids (and perhaps having fun from time to time).

Rory's growing every day.....

And Memphis is as busy as ever!

Black beans and goat cheese are a great combo...

...this summer I ran across a recipe for black bean quesadillas with goat cheese. They were delicious and they inspired me to try something a little different.

I call it black bean pizza, but really it's much more Southwest inspired than it is Italian.

What you need (this makes enough for 2 people who are somewhat hungry OR one really hungry person):

1 flour tortilla
goat cheese (unseasoned)
2 tablespoons asiago cheese, shredded
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 large sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
3 small green onions, minced
1/4 cup sliced raw mushrooms
1/4 thinly sliced summer squash or zucchini (any variety of summer squash will work)
1/3 cup canned black beans
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Italian dressing with roasted red peppers and parmesan (I used Kraft)

Before you begin the dish, turn the oven broiler on high.

Combine the red pepper slices, green onions, and garlic. Pour olive oil in a skillet, then add pepper combination. Saute over medium heat until the peppers just begin to soft (they should not be soggy or completely cooked). This should be about 3-4 minutes.

Add dressing, and mix through out.

Add mushrooms and continue to saute until mushrooms start to soften. About 2-3 minutes.

Add summer squash and saute until squash becomes translucent. About 3 minutes.

Add black beans, and saute until they are warmed through.
Sprinkle oregano, and remove skillet from heat.

Place tortilla on a cookie sheet, spread a thin layer of goat cheese (or thick...if you really like goat cheese and you are looking for an extra tang) all over the tortilla. Scoop the vegetable mixture from the skillet onto the tortilla, placing it as though you would pizza toppings. Sprinkle the asiago cheese all over the top.

Broil the tortilla until the cheese is melted and the edges of the tortilla start to turn light brown.

This would be a great as a side dish, with any meat or alone. Makes a great lunch. I just ate one.

Pasta!

If you love Gorgonzola and prosciutto, you will love this recipe.

You will need:
3-4 cups Gorgonzola tortellini
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup asiago cheese shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
3-4 slice prosciutto, chopped
3 tablespoons basil
3 teaspoons oregano
OR use provincial spice (typically basil, oregano, sage, and lavender) I use the Archer Farms brand from Target


Cook tortellini until firm, but not mushy.
In a large skillet, warm olive oil and spices over medium heat. Add pasta, and saute until pasta starts to brown.
Add prosciutto and let it begin to crisp.
Turn heat to low.
Add cream and cheeses and let simmer until cheese is melted.

You won't be disappointed!

Start your motors...

We love our balance bike, it's so much fun. Watching Memphis learn how to ride has been the highlight of our outdoor activities this summer.

Rub A Dub Dub

This is our equivalent of a swimming pool around here...hold your breath...

Summer Sliding

We tried out the slip n' slide...thank goodness summer is here!

It's a bird...it's a plane...

It's Super Batman!

Aunt Cindy and Uncle Chisum got Memphis a super hero mask and cape for his birthday. Here is what we spend most of our evenings doing at the Peterson house:

Super Batman agreed to have a few photos taken too.

He Has Risen!

Happy Easter! We had a wonderful Easter Sunday celebrating Christ's Resurrection and enjoying family.

Everyone looked sharp in their Easter best and the Peterson kids enjoyed playing and egg hunting at Grandma Wendy's.

Delaney hunting eggs

Memphis and Kendall talking over strategy

Pretty girls...


Silly boy...


Examining the goods:




Happy Easter from The Peterson Families!

Knock You Off Your Feet French Toast

I am telling you, this is the absolute BEST french toast you will ever eat.


It's like a cinnamon roll, caramel roll and french toast all in one!


Take a loaf of french bread. Slice 6 pieces of bread about 1 inch thick. Set the slices aside.

French toast custard:
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

Whisk the custard ingredients together, until well blended and brown sugar is dissolved.

Place the bread slices in a large casserole dish, pour the custard over the bread. Let the mixture soak into both sides of the bread.

While the bread is soaking, you can make the bottom layer of caramel for the french toast.


In a small skillet or medium saucepan, heat 3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp cream, 1/8 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. You will constantly stir the mixture until it becomes thick and bubbly.


Remove the mixture from the heat, and pour it into the bottom of a baking dish.

Remove the bread from the custard mixture. Place the bread on a flat griddle on medium-low heat. Brown both sides of the french toast, it is done when the bread begins to firm up.


Place the cooked French Toast on top of the caramel sauce in the baking dish. Top the french toast with 1/8 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Watch it closely, or you will have burnt toast!

While the french toast is baking, you will want to make another batch of caramel sauce (as described above).

Serve the french toast with the caramel sauce drizzled over the top. No need for syrup.

Intimidation Conquered

I have always wanted to make palmiers...they look so delicate, so deliciously flaky and buttery. They will not disappoint.

The surprising silver lining is that these 'cookies' are surprisingly easy to make.

The goods:

1 package of frozen puff pastry dough (cheating is what makes this easy, I've tried making puff pastry and and I am going to tell you, it's worth your time to just buy the frozen dough)

1 jar of chocolate hazelnut spread. (Nutella can be found in the Chamberlain, South Dakota, grocery store. So, no excuses on where to find this!)

Hazelnuts -- about 1/2 cup

You have to thaw the puff pastry dough. This is that part that takes a little time and planning on your part. If you are going to make these, put the puff pasty in the fridge after you buy it from the grocery, or set the dough out on the counter for about 45 min to 1 hour before you plan to make these.

I had a little dilemma when I decided to test out this recipe. We were invited from an impromptu dinner at neighbor's house last Sunday night. I didn't decide to work on these until...well....let's just say the 45 minute thaw time was not an option.

You can thaw the puff pastry in the microwave (though the package doesn't suggest it). Set your microwave on the lowest setting, pop in the pastry for a couple of minutes and check the pastry after the two minutes go by. Then repeat the process, as the dough becomes more and more thawed, be careful with how long you leave it in the micro. You don't want to start to cook this stuff.

Okay, so now onto the recipe. Enough about the proper thawing of puff pastry.

Once your dough is thawed, lay it out on a floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, about 9 X 11 (this is a rough measure, just don't make the dough to thick).

Now for the yummy stuff. Take a knife (an offset knife works the best) and spread the chocolate hazelnut spread over the entire surface of the pastry dough. Don't spread it too thick, keep it no thicker than a piece of paper.

Chop up your hazelnuts, sprinkle them on top of the chocolate spread.

Start from long side of the rectangular pastry dough and roll the dough (much like you are rolling cinnamon roll dough) up to the center of the pastry. You will be looking a piece of dough that has one half rolled up and the other half still laying flat. Then you repeat and roll up the other side of the dough.

There will be a space in between each side that you just rolled up, pinch it shut (use water to seal it).

Take a serrated knife and slice the pastry no thicker than about 1/4 inch. With each slice you have another cookie. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 425 for about 10 minutes.


Oh, these are so tasty with a cup of coffee.



Now, that is the standard version, courtesy of "Chocolate and Baking".

Here's what I am going to do next time I make these:

Instead of the hazelnuts, I am going to use the chocolate hazelnut spread or pure dark chocolate and top it with a caramel sauce.

1 tbsp cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

Put all of this into a saucepan, on medium heat melt it together. Make sure you stir this constantly and don't leave it unattended. You will scorch it.

Chocolate Caramel Palmiers, Mmmmmmm