Simple Things: Backyard Beauty

Simply Delicious

Black Bean and Corn Salad: A Simple Recipe

(courtesy of Rachael Ray)

Ingredients*

1 can (14 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups frozen corn kernels

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, half a palm full

2 teaspoons hot sauce, just eyeball the amount (recommended: Tabasco)

1 lime, juiced

2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, eyeball it

Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand at least 15 minutes for corn to fully defrost and flavors to combine, then toss and serve. The corn will also place a quick-chill on this easy side-salad as it defrosts -- no need to refrigerate!

(*I adapted this recipe to what I had on hand and it was just as good! I omitted the red pepper and used a can of corn instead of frozen corn. And I didn't really measure anything. I recommend making it to your taste!)

Simple Things

{Simple}

easy to understand, deal with, use; not elaborate or artificial; not ornate or luxurious; unaffected, unassuming, modest; not complicated.

I enjoy the simple things in life.

Things like cool, fall weather and open windows. Cozy blankets and a candle burning.

Things like homemade apple desserts, filled with cinnamon, sugar and a scoop of ice cream.

Things like having conversations on the phone with friends in Uganda.

When you hear their voice, it's like a piece of home.

Things like answered prayers, especially when those prayers seem so small. Two prayers sent up at the same time from two different hearts for a stranger's key to turn over so their car would crank.

(God doesn't think they are small. He cares about every detail.)

Isn't it funny how we as humans complicate things so much, make things so much harder than they have to be? We rush around from here to there, doing this and doing that. Our minds race from thought to thought. We wear ourselves out and stretch ourselves thin. I know I'm guilty.

What would it be like if simplicity were the norm?

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