Christmas Tea

Christmas is just a special, exciting, dare I say "magical" time of year.  I love the lights, the colors, the family time, and special treats.  And nothing is quite so special as a fancy, sparkling, feminine tea party.

We are blessed with precious women at Grace Bible Church who love to help minister through the gift of hospitality.  So I wanted to take this time and opportunity to do something special for all of them.  Enter: the first annual Ladies' Christmas Tea!   Before I share anything further about the details and dainties, let me just say this:  NONE of this would have happened if not for the selfless help of my fantastic husband.

The tables were set with varying tea cups and festive holiday decor.  All that red and sparkly silver made me sigh-in-my-heart happy.  *sigh*  Although I'm pretty certain that my sweet Ellie's favorite part were the peppermint kisses... ;)

The menu included a variety of freshly brewed loose leaf teas accompanied by a collection of both sweet and savory delights.  In case you might be interested, I have linked and/or listed the recipes at the end of this post.

Along with the tea and treats, we had a quick game of "draw a Christmas tree on a paper plate... on your head".   These were some seriously competitive artists!

My favorite part of the game came from some of the youngest party goers who opted to draw their tree on the table because (and I quote)... "It was too hard to draw it on our heads.  This is better."

 Our attempted Christmas tree drawings were actually a link to tie into a short devotional about how the Christmas season is a humbling reminder that things don't always turn out as we plan.  Mary probably never imagined her rite of passage into motherhood would come in a lowly cattle stall... all alone, shunned from her family, welcoming the Messiah in the stillness of the night.  Yet, His plan changed her life in order to change the lives of the entire world.

I loved preparing and serving and ministering to 22 ladies from different aspects of my life-- ladies from our church ministry, ladies from my school connections, and even a friend from my early morning swimming time!  How I pray that the Message of hope of the season was clearly conveyed to each precious woman who was there.

For your tasting pleasure...

Swig Sugar Cookies  (these things are DIVINE!)
Scones with butter and jam
Fruit Salad
Banana Bread and muffins, adapted from this recipe

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Crackers and Chicken Salad

Leah's Homemade Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
5 pounds chicken
1/4 cup minced garlic
1-2 cups Duke's mayo
2 tbls. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. dried dill weed
1 tsp. fried chicken seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
1 small jar diced dill pickles, including juice/vinegar!
1-2 cups dried cranberries (depending on your preference)

Place chicken breasts in crockpot and spread minced garlic evenly over all the chicken.  Cook on low for 5-7 hours (depending on the size of your chicken breasts).

Once the chicken is cooked (but not overcooked!), remove from the crockpot.  Allow the chicken to cool before spreading.  I will also usually add a few tablespoons of cooking juices to the chicken to prevent it from drying out.

While the chicken is cooling, whisk the remaining ingredients together.  Now, I know that the mayo listing is a little bit of a wide range.  However, depending on your dressing to chicken ratio preference, use less or more mayo.   If the mayo/seasoning mix seems a little thick, even after adding the jar of diced dill pickes with joice, I will add a splash of rice vinegar to thin it out (but not TOO thin!).

After the chicken is cooled, shred the chicken using your favorite method.  My personal favorite method (other than having my husband do it! ;) ) is to put the chicken in my Kitchen Aid stand mixer and "mix" it using the paddle blade.  Fantastic.

Carefully and completely mix the mayo mix/sauce with the shredded chicken and allow to chill for several hours before enjoying with your choice of crackers or bread or even just a spoon!

NOTE:  You may notice that there isn't a bit of salt and/or pepper listed in this recipe.  I don't really need it with all of the other flavors.  However, feel free to season as needed!

Take Me Away

I have been blessed to spend all my days in a biblically-based, church-attending, ministry-focused, Christ-honoring home.  The older I get, the more grateful I become for this.

Since I have spent many hours in the House of God, under the preaching of God's Word, there have been different passages read that I didn't quite understand-- even misunderstanding them as I read them during my own Bible reading times.  One such passage is John 15.  As a quick recap and reminder, this is the passage of Scripture that draws much focus to the importance of abiding in Christ.  More specifically, seeing ourselves as a branch that desperately needs to abide in Christ the Vine.  The passage in its entirety is quite encouraging and comforting.  I mean, who doesn't love verse nine?

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."

But before we get to that friendly verse, we have verse two that we have to get around.

"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away."

Now, this is one of those verses that always confused me.  I heard many (well meaning) lessons and sermons about how if someone wasn't bearing fruit, the Lord would just cut them off and take them away.  Quite frankly, it always made me a little uncomfortable and even discouraged.  If ever my Bible reading lead me to this passage, I would just read through that verse quickly, not giving it much thought.  I mean, who wants to think about Jesus cutting you away from the God-Vine?!  Not this girl, that's for sure!

However, I have the most wonderful news for you:  this verse is perhaps the most precious and tender verses in all of Scripture.

Wait..... whaaaaaat....?

We see that "takes away" and get all panicky.  That is the part that makes me nervous.  Yet a better, more accurate translation would be to say "every branch that does not bear fruit, He lifts up".

OK.  I'm starting to settle down a bit. But what does that mean?

We get a better picture when we read on into verse three:

 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."  

Obviously, there are believers who are abiding and thriving right up close to the vine.  Their hearts are clean and don't really need any extra gardening from the Master Vinedresser.  These branches are already bearing their fruit because the Word of God is actively in their hearts and minds.  They are clean!

So then comes this picture that Christ is trying to paint for us in John 15:2...  There is a branch that is growing.  Kind of.  I mean, if you even want to call it "growing".  Sometimes there are branches that, for whatever reason-- be it lack of Sonshine, not enough Water [from the Word], or even simply exhaustion-- these wilted branches have floundered down low near the ground, away from the Heart of the Vine.  These poor branches are getting trampled by passerbyers, stifled from the warmth and nourishment from the Son by the well-meaning branches already thriving overhead.  And they don't stand much of a chance.

Oh, but then.  But then.

The Loving Vinedresser sees these worn, tired branches pressed down deep into the dirt.  And what does He do?  He oh-so-graciously, oh-so-tenderly reaches down-- into the filth and grime and shame-- and He washes off each leaf, lovingly binding it up close to the Heart of the Vine.  He binds this seemingly forgotten branch up where it is able to be sheltered and nourished and strengthened,  where this branch can now safely and confidently begin to bear fruit once again.  Fruit fit for the Master's table.

*sigh*

Isn't that just the breath of fresh air that every heart has needed at some point in our journey?  Who among us hasn't felt like that forgotten, withered, fruitless branch?  And just. like. that.  The Vinedresser comes alongside and washes away our dirt and bugs, He scrubs away the grime of life-- and sometimes that is uncomfortable.  But it is always best.   And He is determined to keep us close to the Vine.  Close so that we can bear fruit and thrive!  Close so that we can abide.

And now that I know the tenderness of this act of "taking away"-- taking away from the dirt, taking away from the trampling, taking away from the loneliness of being far from the Vine-- I now look forward to "stumbling" upon John 15, whether in my own quiet time with the Lord or during a Bible lesson in the Lord's House.  I love being reminded of the care that my Vinedresser has.  For me.

How this verse now whispers in my heart and brings to my mind the desperate plea of the hymn writer of old:

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Jesus, take me away.

Winter Storage

Filling my pantry and freezer with tasty treats for future days gives me an abnormally high sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.  Absolutely LOVE seeing rows and rows of those red tomatoes, golden peaches, and spicy salsas.  There's something oddly thrilling about opening up that freezer door and seeing shelf after shelf stocked full of summer goodness and baked treasures.

So that's what I spent my last weekend of non-teaching freedom doing:  putting a few more treats in the freezer.  I have a few plans for a few more before the teaching plunge begins, but I am quite happy with what I put up this past season-- especially when I comfort myself with the reminder of being on near-constant bed rest for almost 7 weeks of this fabulous summer break.

If you follow me much, you are already aware of my fan-tabulous jams and salsas that I loved making (and tasting!).  If you missed it, feel free to catch up ---> here and here or even here.  But if you just want that sweet [eh, ehhhh... see what I did there?!] reminder, here's a few photos:

Here we have the always popular peach and plum jams {can we say: pb&j for days?!}

   

Also a crowd favorite are the fruity salsas and canned sunshine peaches!

   

My newest love... tomato jam, with stewed tomatoes singing back up.

A peak at that yummy salsa with a tease of  cinnamon stick in the spiced peaches...

   

Never before seen footage:  mixed berry oatmeal bars.  I cut these yummies into little bars, wrapped each one up, and stuck the whole lot of them into a freezer bag.  Ready for school lunches!

What to do with that "cannot resist a deal from the farmer's market" box of tomatoes?  Well, let's roast 'em and freeze 'em!  This was my inspiration, and I loved it!

         

If you are ever on a game show, and the host asks you:

"What is the #1 way to single-handedly sabotage the diet of Leah Gibson?"

Here is your simple reply:  carbs.  The answer is always carbs.

So, naturally.  I had to make some and freeze some.  I am of the strong opinion that I could put just about anything in a fresh piece of naan or wrap it up in one of my soft, dreamy tortillas, dunk it in a zippy dip, and call it a win! [*No data has been collected for this claim.  Views and opinions are based solely on the personal experiences and preferences of this blog writer.]

 

Who knew you could freeze whole tomatoes?!  Not this girl, that's for sure.  But I gave it a whirl this year!  I cored these puppies, then popped them right in a freezer bag.  [Also, as a disclaimer:  I did use a straw to suck out ever last little bit of air that is humanly possible from each of those freezer bags.  I regret nothing.]

So, there you have it.  All these yummy treats help me look forward to those long days ahead.  There is no greater joy to my heart than having yummers for all the tummers of my sweet Gibson Gang!

But I don't want to

I have three sweet precious gifts from the most Gracious God.  These babies fill my heart and day with more joy than I could ever have imagined was possible.  They have an innocent hope and zest for life that often causes me to just catch my breath with the deepest of love.

   

However.

As every parent out there is able to give a witness, in addition to the countless hours of blessings and love and joy, there are also times when these precious Sweet Ones can work a nerve.

My youngest Sweet One is currently two years old.  [And I don't even have to write anything else for every person who has ever had the briefest interaction with a two-year-old to understand exactly what "currently two years old" means.]  And added to the standard "currently a two year old" package, someone decided to upgrade to "also a miracle baby" with a side of "yep, he's the youngest".  So.  We are getting the opportunity for a LOT of learning moments in la casa de Gibson these days.

One of the things that both annoys and entertains me simultaniously is the moments when I have asked this Sweet Sweet to hand me something-- perhaps he has something that he shouldn't, or it is time to put away a toy or a cup or a blow torch.  [I'm kidding.  We don't let our kiddos play with the blow torches until they're at least seven.  Kidding.]  And this is usually how the exchange goes:

Mama:  Hand the cup to mama.
Sweet Sweet:  [throws it to the floor, directly beside him/me]
Mama:  Samuel, pick it up and hand it to mama.
Sweet Sweet:  [weeping]
Mama:  Samuel, pick up the cup and hand it to mama.

More weeping, pointing to said cup, and unintelligible moaning that I can only assume is an attempt to explain why he couldn't possibly pick up the cup.

Mama:  [taking the Sweet Sweet by his hand, gently pulling the hand towards the cup]  Pick. Up. This. Cup. Please.

Suddenly, my Sweet Sweet has lost all use of his fingers.  Suddenly, his hand no longer possesses the fine motor skills needed to grasp a small object.  I literally have his hand on the cup.  And he literally will not grasp the cup.

More weeping.  More moaning.

Mama:  Buddy.  It is right there.  Pick up the cup.

What is the miraculous healing for loss of motor skills?  For my precious Sweet Sweet, his healing comes with an ever slight *smack* to the cutest, chubbiest little thighs you've ever seen.  Granted, there is still weeping, possibly even an additional moan or two, but he picks up the cup and {grudgingly} hands it to me.

I share these moments from my Sweet Ones because I also want to share how it relates to my own heart and life.  As I have been spending my time with the Lord in recent days, my heart has felt quite a bit like Samuel-- there has been weeping, pointing, and unintelligible moaning.  I don't want to pick up my "cup".  It doesn't matter that it is right there.  I don't wanna.  It's not that I have suddenly lost the ability to do what needs to be done.  No, the bottom line is that I have a sinful, willful heart.  And I simply don't want to do it.  I would rather grunt and groan and weep than take that big step into obedience.

But Jesus is working on that with me, every so graciously as He is prone to do.  In fact, I have had several different "themes" that I have used to help keep me on the right track in recent years.  One year, it was #theyearofthanks.  Most recently, it was #unshakable.  As I've been considering what to select for this new school year, if I was honest, it would be #theyearofpitchingafit.  (I told you I didn't want to pick up my cup!)

But then the Lord gives my not-so-cute-but-unfortunatly-just-as-chubby thighs heart an ever slight *smack*.  My most recent smack came through the words of a gorgeous, conviction-packed worship hymn.  You might be familiar with it:  "O Great God".  If you haven't heard it, or it's been a while, or even if you just need a loving *smack* to your cute little thighs heart, take a moment to listen...

I don't think it is by any accident that the frame that is frozen there as the visual for the video are the very words that were the much-needed and loving *smack* from my Heavenly Father.


Keep my heart and guard my soul...

You are worthy to be praised with my every thought and deed.

I need to give my heart and will and soul to the One Who is able to guard me from the evils that I will and do face each day.  I need to be reminded that no matter what is happening in my life at any given moment, as a Child of the King, my one task is to glorify the Lord-- and to have Him be glorified through me.

So instead of #theyearofpitchingafit, the Lord has gently encouraged my heart to instead focus on #lookingforthanks.  This is something that I will need to learn, day after day.  And I learn by practicing it-- even if I don't want to do it.  I look for ways to be thankful.

Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do good..."

Amos 5:14 further exhorts, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live;  So the Lord God of hosts will be with you..."

So take a deep breath.  
Put on your big girl pants.  
Remember that training is never easy.  

And for the love of all that is holy:

Pick.  Up.  The.  Cup.

Not "the cup".  No, this is mama's-- he has no problem picking up THAT one! ;)

Spiced Peaches and Jesus

If your brain is even slightly less mushy than mine is these days, you may recall that I shared several different links to recipes that I either had just tried or was looking forward to trying in the near future.

Well.... drum roll, please......

I have FINISHED canning every single piece of produce in my kitchen at this moment in time.

Thank you... thank you... thank you...

I woke up this morning with grit and determination.  Well... perhaps that's over-selling it a bit...  But I did realize that if I was going to get the remainder of tomatoes and peaches into a state of preservation, today was that day.

Now, before I get to the good news, I'm going to need you to brace yourself for some pretty depressing information.  [Are you sitting down?]  Whilst I was doing all that browsing the other day, I remember reading about a woman sharing that she was canning [tomatoes, I believe it was] and heard the most horrifying sound a hard-working gal can hear:  the sound of a well-packed jar burst or crack in the canner/water bath. (You know why you're sitting down now, don't you?)

I didn't have many tomatoes leftover from all that raspberry peach salsa and "regular ole' tomatoes" canning.  However, I had just enough.  Normal people would've probably split those blanched, peeled, and diced tomatoes into two separate jars-- you know, so that they were certain to have room for that hot water and such that keeps the jar nice and warm before placing into a hot water bath to can...  But I'm not really accused of being normal too often-- competitive, yes.  Normal, no.  So I jammed every last one of those pieces into my one, lonely jar.  I thought the jar was still warm enough from the sanitizing.  But, alas.  It was not.  I placed it in the pot to begin the process, and I heard that "pop" that no one wants to hear.  And I knew.  Oh, mercy.  I.  Knew.

And do you wanna know what happened right in that moment?

[Since this is my blog, and I'm the author I'm going to go ahead and tell you.]

Jesus happened.

I'm all about some honesty, so I feel compelled to confess that I believe the Lord uses ordinary things to teach extraordinary lessons-- especially to the mama.  As I was skimming through that article last week, and as I read about this fellow-preserver's misfortune, I kind of brushed it off and read on.  Now that I am looking back to that moment {read: that moment flashed before my eyes!}, I realized that without even intending to, I had allowed a seed of pride to burrow right on into my heart.  I actually remember thinking, "Huh.  That's never happened to me."  You're following, aren't you?  And as the Lord brought those feelings to my mind, a certain passage of Scripture rushed my heart-- convicting me right to the core, twinging my little spirit more than a little bit.

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." ~Luke 18:11

Now, you may be thinking, "Um, Leah.  Pretty sure you're taking a little too much creative liberty with the Text..."  However, I instead like to see it as a precious teaching moment from a loving Father Who is concerned with every detail of my life.  Even that packed jar of tomatoes.  Which, for the record, was so well packed that even after the bottom of the jar cracked off in a perfect sort of "lid", not a 'mater slipped out.

So I did what any mama who longs for peace in an already jam-packed heart (no pun intended!) does.  I bowed my head, paused my sticky fingers, and breathed out my millionth prayer for grace today.  Amazing Grace.  How sweet the sound.  I love it when I'm right with the Savior.  I love it when the Holy Spirit prompts me of things with which need to be dealt.  And here's my favorite:  I love it when I'm actually listening.

Now, on to those peaches!  Yum.  Once again, I find myself looking forward with expectant hope to winter days.  The original intent for the spiced peaches undertaking has always been with the thought of a sweet, fragrant topping to a warm dish of oatmeal on a cold, snowy morning. Mmm... I can almost smell that welcoming breakfast.  I stuck to the original recipe as best as I could-- especially with the vision of that lost tomato jar still fresh in my mind!  But you know I had to add a few tweaks and twists to make it my own.

~I only used cinnamon sticks and whole all spice as the spices for this recipe.  (Mostly because it's all I had! ;) )

~While warming the honey/sugar/water mix, I added several cinnamon sticks and whole all spice right into the pot.  I wanted those flavors to permeate the syrup, even before canning.  

~I did add one cinnamon stick per jar, plus just a few all spice.

~Since my plan is to use these yummers for a topping, I just went ahead and diced up the peaches now, you know, since the more realistic picture is me dashing around getting ready for school or church!

~You may notice that this recipe yielded 5 quart jars of adequately packed peaches as well as one pint-sized jar of the leftover syrup.  It was so. good. that I just couldn't in good conscience throw it out.  I didn't really have any use for it in this present moment; so I decided to can it for use in the fall for some yummy spicy peach sweet tea.  Oh, mercy.    My only regret is that I didn't include a cinnamon stick in the jar of syrup as well.  But, live and learn.

This recipe was so delish that I am almost [almost, sweet hubby] tempted to snag another batch of those fresh, juicy peaches from my Farmer's Market.  Almost.

For a point of reference...

... I am writing this little post just so that I won't have to hunt for 479 hours the next time I would like to make some of my treats from recent days!

I posted a recipe for raspberry peach salsa just a few days ago.  However, due to an unplanned amount of already peeled and prepped peaches (but not enough to make the originally scheduled recipe which I shall share in just a few moments), I found myself in a "what to do? what. to. do?!" moment.  Add to that the ever-present pressure of a Sunday afternoon clock, mocking and taunting me as the minutes slipped by-- all the while knowing that the Sunday evening Bible study time was drawing closer and closer.  And, since I happen to be super close to and fond of the pastor {he's my hubby, if you don't know!}.  Well... I figured I should just get this show on the road.  So after frantically searching-- and getting sidetracked by all those botulism articles.  Gack!-- I stumbled upon this lovely recipe that had an over-balance of the peach to tomato ratio.  There were just a few alterations that I made, but I mostly followed this fruit-i-licious salsa to the "t"!

Peach Raspberry Salsa

*I only had 4 cups of peaches prepped for use, so I added 2 cups of fresh red raspberries to equal out the 6 total cups of fruit that was called for in the recipe.
*I did not use any peppers as listed, but instead added about 2 tablespoons of pickled jalapenos.
*Naturally, if I'm not putting in any diced peppers, you know the cayenne isn't gonna make the cut.  But because I wanted to have just that little hint o' heat, I did add about one teaspoon of kick'n chicken seasoning.
*I used one capful of dried cilantro, as I did not have any fresh currently in my house.
*I added a small can of tomato paste, which is my new secret weapon for making salsa.  I have no idea how I even made salsa in the past?!
*Because of adding the tomato paste, I also needed to add about 2 teaspoons of salt.  However!  Make sure to go with the "less is more" policy when adding salt-- since once you add it in, there is no turning back.
*Because of the previously mentioned "gack!" moments {not gonna lie:  I spent far too much time following link after link on the dangers and horrors that is botulism}, I decided to up the ante of lime juice {of the bottled sort, of course!} from 1 teaspoon to three.  Naturally...
*In regards to the vinegar, I have this lovely honey infused balsamic vinegar that I wagered would pair so nicely with honey listed in the original recipe.  However, I used half and half of the balsamic with white vinegar-- I didn't want it to be too overpowering.

Yes, I am chuckling at myself as I mentioned that I just made a "few" adjustments... and then typed out this long list.  Yet, I will hold to the fact that if you've ever been out to eat with me, you will indeed agree that this is "just a few" changes!  My kiddos really loved it, too.  In fact, my two-year-old Sweet Sweet kept eating it by the spoonful and wept when I cut him off.  (#truestory)  I personally love how extra peaceh-y this version is.  Since there were far more cups of fruit to the usual tomato, it is very light and refreshing with a juicy peach in every bite.  As can be seen here:

In case you're wondering, yes. 
Yes, I did put that luscious spoonful right into my mouth.

The original intent when I began to blanch and (attempt to-- which therein lies the dilemma wherewith I found myself!) peel my not-ripe-enough peaches was to make a delectable batch of...

Honey Spiced Peaches!

As of the time of jotting down my thoughts in this original post, I have yet to make said spiced peaches.  So I can not report as to whether or not-- or more probable: "to what extent"-- I altered the original recipe.  However, I can tell you that currently in my spice cabinet (which is a hot. mess.) I do not have any whole cloves.  So, unless I feel super inspired to visit the den of Satan Wal-Mart any more than is humanly necessary, I will probably leave those puppies out. 

Sweet Tomato Jam

OK, if you've never had this, settle down.  Stop your gagging sounds and for heaven's sake, stop scrolling and come back to me.  It is: divine.  It takes forever to cook it all down, and the batch (probably) won't be huge.  But, mercy.  Mercy, me.  It is a scrumptiously delectable burst of tomato-y sweetness getting all happy in your mouth!  I have visions of tiny slices of crusty bread smothered with soft cheese and then topped with my tangy tomato jam.  *sigh*  I can't believe I'm wishing for winter...

Moving along.

I think the link I embedded here is the one I started off trying to use.  But I ended up "tweaking" it...

*I only used honey, brown sugar, lime juice, and a little salt.
*I added about a teaspoon (?) of that a fore mentioned Kick'n Chicken seasoning. 
*This stuff has to cook down for a long time.  I mean:  a looooong. stinkin'. time. 

 

The front row is the delightful jam, and behind it are jars of plain ole' regular 'maters
that are jealous that they didn't get to be jam.

So that's it for now.  Hopefully I'll be able to come back for an update on the whole spiced peaches deal.  Any thoughts on whether or not the recipe will be modified or will I be brave and just follow the rules?!  Stay tuned...  *cue: scary music*... 

 

Raspberry Peach Salsa

 First of all, before I tell you anything about this new creation that is actually currently in my water bath, processing and getting ready for winter, I'd like to let you in on a little secret: 

If you would like to simultaneously give me both a heart attack AND a stroke, feel free to stop on by my house sometime in the very near future-- preferably unannounced, of course.  Our precious parsonage is laid out where the very first thing you see upon crossing the threshold of the entryway into la casa de Gibson is the kitchen.  As in, when you walk in the door... *ta-da!!!*  You are IN the kitchen.  And my kitchen is currently in a state that looks like a cross between a strong struggle at the farmer's market and a canning jar plant gone terribly wrong.  I mean, not only am I trying to NOT work too much so as to undo all the medical work I had done this summer, but I am also trying to still maintain some semblance of homemaking and winter planning.  And sometimes I am simultaneously wrangling one or more of my three precious sweet ones. 

(In fact, I don't even have any "these are the steps and process for making my delectable salsa" pictures-- because who in their right mind is able to keep the two year old OUT of the kitchen, away from the plethora of boiling cauldrons, along with passing out snacks to the 5 yr and 7 yr olds, all the while managing to blanch, peel, chop, and measure tomatoes AND take step by step photos?!)

I mean, I'm so horrified at the thought of you just dropping on by that not only do I not have the courage to post a picture of what my kitchen actually looks like right now, I can't even handle the thought of taking a picture (I mean, who wants that kind of documentation floating around out there?!).

I'm certain this woman is deep in the thralls of canning season.

So now that that is outta the way... let me tell you about some summer yummers that happened amidst the natural chaos that is my life.  Just the other day I shared with you the recipe for a delicious peach salsa, which is kind of giving me the stink eye every time I pass my pantry shelf.  Admittedly, that particular recipe is rather spicy-- which I so very much enjoy.  However, my sweet ones aren't quite as fond of the heat as their mama is. ;)  So, I decided to put together a salsa just for them. 

Before whipping up this sweet salsa, I put up 7 quarts of tomatoes.  So I was already in the tomato blanch, peel, chop mode.  It was only natural to flip on over to "salsa" mode. 

Here's what you need:

8 cups peeled, diced tomatoes
1 pint of fresh red raspberries (12 oz.)
1 very large peach, peeled and diced
1 small onion, finely diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 scant cup apple cider vinegar
4 tbls bottled lime juice
2 tbls honey
2 tbls brown sugar*
1 small (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2-3 tsp. salt*
2-3 tbls dried cilantro*
2 tbls dried oregano
1/2 tbls paprika
1/2 tbls cumin
1/2 tbls onion powder*

Add all ingredients EXCEPT raspberries into a stainless steel pot and mix until well incorporated.  I let this mix get good and hot and then added the raspberries.  The berries start to break down fairly quickly, so I didn't want to completely desecrate them before they had a chance to cook with all those friendly ingredients!  

Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.  By default (read: daddy was still outside pressure washing the utility building [oh, wait... did I forget to mention that earlier???] and all three sweet ones are still awake and loving life at 8:45 pm-- completely UNHEARD OF in my house if you know me!), I let the salsa simmer for about 20 minutes.  I did give it a taste several different times, and I really liked how the raspberry flavor began to permeate the salsa. 

You probably noticed that several of the ingredients are marked with an asterisk ***.  The reason for that is because during the 20 minute simmering and sampling stage, I added a little more of each of those ingredients (I was originally only going to use honey, but I like the sweetness of brown sugar, so that's how that friend got invited to the party.).  So, just do a little tasting and adjust according to your own personal needs.  HOWEVER!  Don't forget that as the salsa sits and waits for you, the herbs will become more pronounced.  So don't get too terribly heavy-handed... unless you are a fan!

After simmering, portion into hot, clean pint-sized jars.  Wipe the rim clean, leaving at least a half-inch head space.  Add the clean lid and ring, hand tighten, and slip into a lovely water bath.  Bring the water bath to a boil and process for 15-20 minutes.  Carefully remove from your water bath and let cool on the counter.

Step back and admire your work! (And try not to bust into this sweet, tomato-y goodness!)

Final thoughts... You have probably noticed that there are zero peppers of any sort listed in the ingredients.  This was not on accident.  I, quite frankly, just didn't have it in me to find (and then worry about) a mild enough pepper for this salsa-- since it was put together with the sole purpose of having a special salsa for my young sweet ones.  I just decided to leave them out.  But between the cilantro and cumin and garlic, this salsa has a mighty tasty appeal to it (if I do say so myself!).