end of summer- tomato chutney

6-7 good sized tomatoes (roughly chopped)...you can use green tomatoes also!
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 apples (peeled & chopped)
1 small cucumber (peeled & chopped)
3/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 red wine vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp garlic powder OR 3 cloves finely chopped
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cumin

combine all ingredients into a large sauce pot...heat to a boil...reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour (until reduced and thickened)...stir to prevent sticking...pour into prepared canning jars...process jars for 10 minutes in boiling water.
*i did not peel the tomatoes...i did pick out any really large pieces of peel that floated to the surface.*

lots of tomatoes and a bee update...

"black krim" heirloom

i have been waiting all summer for my tomatoes and they are finally ripe!! we have had weird weather this summer...only a few really hot days, several weeks of just rain, and alot of days in the 70's or 80's...i grew a few different varieties this year, and my fav is the "black krim"! they have a deep red/ purple skin, and a really strong flavor. i really love slicing them up for tomato sandwiches...toasted bread, mayo, tomatoes, salt...perfection!

in bee news...all 4 hives are doing well! here is a video of hive #2 "washboarding"...they are dancing forward & back. no one knows why they do this "social activity", but it is really cool to watch!

barn cats...

i am a definate "cat" person...i like dogs, think they are adorable...but i LOVE cats. at any giving time in my life, i have had at least 2 cats. right now we have 4...all were rescues or given to us free. meet our cast of mouse hunters!

our newest baby...this is "ginny"...she was found in a pickle bucket, left in a parking lot! orange cats seem to have the best personalities, and this little one is so sweet!

this is "fudge"! he is a maine coon mix, the most loveable out of the bunch...although, not as smart as the others. but, we love him all the same.

this is "salem"...she is MY cat...im not supposed to have favorites, but she's mine! salem only comes to me for loving... she is also the best hunter, she catches at least a mouse a day! i have a thing for black cats and she is my baby!

this is "albus"...he is the most aloof of all the kitties... and my husbands favorite! poor alby is not a huge fan of the kids...but he does like an occasional scratch behind the ears and a warm spot to curl up on.