{Foodie Post No.6} Green Tomato Spiced Chutney

This recipe originally started with these ingredients:

By the time I was finished, I had added a jalapeno and black pepper

Zested the lemon peel and grated the ginger

pre-mixing

post-mixing

finished product

Green Tomato Spiced Chutney

• 4 lbs green tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp all spice
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate over night or up to 24 hours.
Transfer to a large pot and heat on the stove. Bring to a simmer and hold for about half an hour, enough time for the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to soften slightly.
Remove the cinnamon stick.
Fill clean sterilized canning jars. Clean rims, place lids on and screw down bands. Process in a water bath for 20 minutes. Remove from the bath and allow to cool and seal before removing bands. 

Notes: 

Many people don't trust a water bath to properly preserve tomato based foods, you can opt to freeze this instead, I read some about using a pressure canner but there seems to be evidence that you would reduce your chutney to mush if you tried that route. My family has always trusted the water bath method and have yet to find it be problematic. 

I wasn't very careful in accurately weighing or measuring the tomatoes, or anything else to be honest, I just did it by taste; hence the addition of black pepper and jalapeños.

This made 5 pints (configured as 4 pints and 2 half pints if you noticed in the picture).

Next up will be Salsa Verde!

Green Tomatoes

This will be a series, short and flavorful, about how I used up 72 green tomatoes.
I chose to make some Jam, which I turned into Chutney as I realized pectin would be a necessity I didn't have in tomato jam making, Salsa Verde, and Sweet & Spicy Pickle Wedges.

 You may remember my mention in my  Cranberry Jalapeno Jam post I mentioned that my tomato plant had gone unwatered one too many times and was just about dead. Well, God had other plans for that plant apparently, as I continued to be negligent on the watering front He made up for it by sending loads of rain. That nearly dead, dried out twig of a plant turned into this by the end of summer:

the pot this plant is in is actually
a few steps down the staircase now hidden by the plant

some of the tendrils reaching the bottom of the steps

the 72 green tomatoes awaiting their destiny

This is one of the very few tomatoes to have fully ripened and reached its fullest potential: sliced for hamburgers and leftovers salted for pure tomato devouring 

And as you can see in the last picture it was painful to chop up such beautiful meaty potential but as Jerusha kept trying to eat them saying "appy appy" (mistaking them for apples, in case you are unused to deciphering toddler lingo) I wasted no time trying to let them ripen, plus it has been my experience in tomatoes that they don't reach perfection anyways if picked green and ripened afterwards; they end up a grainy let down.

the one last tomato that was nearly
ready for picking when the frost arrived

This was a Beefsteak tomato plant and you can be sure I will grow another (or maybe more than one!) next year as they are amazingly meaty, flavorful and large but not cracking and rotten large.

Recipe's will be posted following this!

Family Pictures & Thanksgiving Condensed

Before things turned miserably cold (which I'll admit, we did have a nice extended warm fall so I have no reason to whine) my sister Shelby did a photo shoot for us. So, it's old news, but I wanted to share a few of the pictures. 

Since then, Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a lovely few days of family and feasting, as it always is. It is the highlight of my year; working side by side with mom and siblings fixing countless cookies, candies, pies, and dishes. (Note: I lie. We keep count, very close and accurately;)) For me Thanksgiving isn't simply comprised of one o'clock dinner on the third Thursday in November, no, Thanksgiving, for me, starts when we begin fixing the foods and continues on past Thursday into Friday and often longer, as my family gathers again and again to eat left overs, play games, and watch movies; holding onto the celebration as long as we can.
This year there was some especially exciting news announced on Thanksgiving and that was the new sibling my mom is expecting. She's since had some complications in the pregnancy and although this baby may reach heaven before we've met, it is still a blessing worth noting and giving thanks for.
*EDIT* I edit to acknowledge the fact that this sibling has gone on to heaven before us. We miss it and look forward to meeting it someday in paradise <3

Soon, I promise, I will post how I used the 72 green tomatoes I picked from my plant after we had our first hard frost.
Until then, I hope you all stay warm and enjoy each day you're given.
Blessings
~Haley

Taking Time

One of my very favorite things these days:
Walking at a toddlers pace.
I hold the tips of Jerushas fingers, guiding her as we go. Step by step. Slowly. With many near topples.
My heart races as I think of making it across the parking lot without inconveniencing someone trying to drive through it. Races as I think of getting to the car to leave, to run the next errand, to move, move, move. But then I can physically feel my heart pace, blood pressure, and racing mindset slow. I breath deeply and recall the time.  The time is walking with my toddler and it is one of my most favorite times in the world. I may have more children and get to walk this slow pace year after year but I will never have Jerusha be eighteen months, and sixteen days old, holding my hand, and walking through Hobby Lobby again.
The thought continues as we go her pace up and down the stairs to do laundry. Again while I wash dished waiting for her to slowly rinse. It carries on throughout my days, and although sometimes I simply must hurry as things need done, I'm now on the look out for times I can stop, step back, and join Jerusha's beautiful pace.
So today I'm going to walk at the pace of a toddler and take time to slow down and notice the little things. ❤️

Jerusha testing out a chair at the beginning of out Hobby Lobby excursion. 

{Foodie Post No. 5} Pumpkin Spice Scones

Today I had a hankering for scones.
Probably because we're having some nasty rainy, miserable cold weather and making scones meant running the oven (HEAT) and I'd of course have to have a nice hot cup of coffee or tea with them.
I headed to the kitchen and turned the oven on to 350 then poked around my fridge to see what sort of scones to make.
I found this yogurt that I'd gotten for 49 cents and turned out to be kind of nasty.

Normally I would use heavy whipping cream in scones but I know my mother-in-law uses yogurt and her's always turn out yummy. (NOTE: this yogurt does not have the fruit mixed in, I just used the unsweetened Greek yogurt part in the recipe to come;))
I also had a mostly used up can of pumpkin in the fridge so that settled it; Pumpkin Spice Scones.

I grabbed several spices from the cubbard. 

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, chili powder, and vanilla. I know a couple of those seem odd but trust me, they work. Branch out and be more adventurous with your spices. There are some amazing combinations out there to discover!

I used I used about 2 cups of flour, 2 Tbsp of sugar, a sprinkling of all the spices (heavier on the cinnamon), and about 1/2 of Baking Powder but between you and me, I actually didn't bother measuring. 

Next was the 1/4ish cup of yogurt from the yogurt cup (minus a few bites I saved for my daughter who was begging for it) and the 2 or 3 Tbsp of Pumpkin Purée. I also splashed some milk in which ended up being too much so I had to add a little more flour..

 Mini chocolate chips. I would've preferred white chocolate I think but miniature semi sweet is what I had.

 Turned it out on some flour and tried to carefully shape it.. It was still a little sticky for "carefully shaping".

 Once I got it in the general shape of a circle I floured and knife and cut it into baby wedges. (Re flouring the knife between cuts).

Next it was onto the pan and into the oven; but not before a dollop of butter and generous sprinkling of sugar. Generally I'd use whipping cream on the tops but again, I don't have any.

I set the timer for 8 minutes and quickly washed up my dishes

 Obviously I had more dishes to do than just the ones created by operation scones ;)

 The timer went off and I added 4 minutes because they were still looking pretty doughy.
While waiting I whipped up some glaze. Powdered sugar, cinnamon, a little chili powder for color, and maple extract.

 Then I accidentally added too much milk so had to add twice as much powdered sugar; turned out perfect.

                              

 Waiting on the scones to cool a bit...

 Plated and trying to get a nice picture..

"Mommy, you're done." She wasn't quite so eloquent but I knew that's what she meant ;)

We then tried about a million selfie attempts but Jerusha was extremely uncooperative. 

Eventually we gave up and dug in. This is the look of a mommy giving up on selfies. 

The scones were yummy but pretty cakey. 

Pumpkin Spice Scones

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

2 Tbsp Sugar

Generous dash of Cinnamon

Dash of Nutmeg

Dash of Ginger

Dash of Black Pepper

Dash of Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Vanilla Exteact 

Sift together. 

3 Tbsp Pumpkin Purée

1/4 cup Greek Yogurt

Splash of Milk

2 Tbsp chocolate, or white chocolate chips or pieces 

Gently mix and pat into disc.cut into desired amount of wedges. 

Transfer to pan. 

Dot with butter or brush with cream. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 12 minutes. 

3/4 cup Powdered Sugar

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Sprinkle of Chili Powder

1/4 tsp Maple Extract

A little bit of Milk

Wisk into a glaze and drizzle over scones 

Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee, or tea! 

Own Your Own Path

This morning after nursing, Bible reading, diaper changing, forcing a my poor baby to breath through her inhaler, then fixing and feeding oatmeal I read an article.
This article reminded me who I am.
I am a wife and mommy but first I am a child of the One True King and I am doing His work here on earth.
Sometimes it slips away, amidst the day to day messes, the whining child, crying baby, skipped lunches, sometimes I forget that what I do is important.
I am raising a generation for service to God.
It may not be the glamours missionary life I once dreamed of and idolized as the most important way to serve God. It certainly isn't the home-business I once would have dreamed as a picture perfect life. No, it is the life of a regular family. A husband who works hard sacrificing time away in order to provide for our every need, a wife who stays at home and wipes snotty noses and spit up on the hem of her shirt, and of two girls who are going to be raised in the joy of the Lord.

I am where God has put me and I embrace that. I love the life he has given me, I want for nothing. I know we are following in His will as our life can be held against His word and be tried and proven. Are there things for us to work on? Yes. Are there changes He may show us along the way? Probably. But today we are where He has chosen to put us and with hearts soft and ply-able He will continue working in us, accomplishing His will through us.

God has given us such a beautiful life.
I read a question on the internet today which asked 'if you died tomorrow what would you regret about your current place in life' it was supposed to be a motivational question, to inspire more sacrifice, more service but for me it actually did the opposite.
If I died tomorrow what would I regret?
Nothing.
Not one little thing.
I absolutely am in love with my life.
My identity is found in what Christ is doing through me and I have confidence that my life is bringing Him honor and glory. I believe God is not only watching as I start the laundry machine, clean up a spill, blow raspberries on tummies, and all the other parts of my day, but that He is guiding me through it all. Just as I know He is guiding my husband. We are the work of His hands. He has written our story and I love watching it unfold.

Join me in owning the path God has set you on.
I am a wife, a mommy, a keeper of the home and I own that and give God the glory. It's the path God gave me and it may be similar to many but it is also entirely unique and one in a million.
Who are you?

And now, just because I'm so blessed by him and can, I'm going to take a moment out to shed a little overdue praise on the husband in this picture.
Wesley, my Wesley. He's a dreamer, oh how he dreams. He has the lottery won, invested, and a new home built in one castle in the air. He owns and runs a burger joint in another. Leisurely taking trips around the world in others. He dreams, who doesn't? There's nothing wrong with dreaming as long as it does't get in the way of doing. It may be that not one of those dreams come true, who knows. What I do know is this: Wesley takes care of me, he takes care of our girls, and with not one word of resentment. He does his job away from home well which provides monetarily for us but that doesn't stop him from providing the leadership we need as a family. Wesley has embraced his role as our provider and leader doing the Lords work daily, enabling me to serve here at home and I will forever be grateful. Because he is following God's way of training our children I can correct Jerusha's misbehavior in his absence and know we are unified, because he is following God's plan in providing I could take poor raspy Eowyn to the doctor last week and not worry about how much it may cost.
Thank you for putting our needs above your dreams, for gladly bearing the cross put before you and for choosing to serve our Lord and savior with such joy. I will forever love you and learn from you. <3 Haley

My Fear of Money

This past weekend my husband bought himself a watch for $91. It's a good watch. I wasn't mad at him for the purchase. You may remember that for his last birthday I got him a watch, I researched them for days before making my choice. I know the watch he bought is a good one, better, in fact, than the one I got him. It's a $400 watch that he got on sale, combined with coupons, for $91. I'd call that a win.
BUT still, I wandered around the store looking at over priced items trying to ignore the fact he was buying himself something. He asked if I was okay with him buying a watch and I shrugged a I-don't-really-care-do-what-you-want-yes, because I didn't want to tell him no, it was a good deal, but, I so wanted to tell him no and I wasn't sure why.  
Because you always buy yourself nice things? But he buys me nice gifts, too sometimes. Because you spend more on you than you do me? But the less we spend the better so please don't waste money on me!
Then all the way home I quietly pondered how I felt, actually, I tried to figure out how I felt.
Was I mad at him? No.
Was I disappointed in him? Maybe?
Why? Because that money could go towards buying a new car...?
I didn't exactly hear myself complaining about spending money on Red Lobsters shrimp fest two hours earlier.
Then I found it. I found the word that perfectly described how I was feeling. Jealous.
Jealous.
I was jealous because my husband can spend money on himself and I can't spend money on myself.
Not because he won't let me, no, I know he would, but because I won't let myself.
And ever since I've been trying to figure out why.
Because when I was 12 and spent $20 on a BB gun only to first have extreme buyers remorse, I'd wasted money on a toy, and later to have a friend leave it out in a field to be bush hogged over?
 Have I traumatized myself from spending money? Is that even a thing?
I keep thinking about it. I've looked around our house to see what I own. What is the most expensive thing I've ever bought myself?
I bought a laptop in 2012, at $3?? It is by far my biggest purchase. Since then? $64 dollars on two pair of maternity jeans. How on earth did I justify that? Because I was excited to be pregnant and equally tired of squeezing into regular jeans and Wesley was with me and assured me it was okay, an investment, I'd use them several times in the years to come, hopefully.
Since I've been married I haven't even bought myself a pair of new shoes, just used ones from goodwill.
I spent some money on plants and gardening supplies but that was to grow food for my family, that doesn't count, right?
Besides those maternity jeans I literally can't think of anything that I've picked out or purchased for myself that didn't come from a garage sale, out of goodwill or off of a clearance rack at Walmart or Kohls.
This isn't normal, is it?

I'm not writing this post to brag at how low maintenance I am. Trust me. I don't like being this way. I don't like having a twinge of disappointment every time my husband buys himself something. I don't like being moody afterwards and not being able to explain to my husband that no, I'm not mad at him,  I'm just confused.  I don't like feeling irresponsible if I buy two used shirts at goodwill that, God forbid, weren't the half price color of the day. I don't like this.
Whenever I shop I feel a little guilty if I spend even so much as $5 to get myself lunch, if I didn't eat we could save that money, we could pay off the house faster, we could buy a car, put it towards remodeling the kitchen.

Do I love money? The love of money is the root of all evil.
I don't think I love money. I don't want to be rich.
This isn't normal. It can't be. Or do any of you, my readers deal with issues like this? Do you have any in sight on what causes a person to be so afraid of spending money? Is it something lots of us actually go through and I've just never discussed it with anyone?