Salsa (Or what to do with all those veggies...)

Can anyone really plant too many tomatoes?

I don't think so! I can always find friends and family to "help me" unload some of the bounty from our garden. Another fun thing to do with all those red beauties is make salsa.

Here is what you will need:
10c firm lg. tomatoes, peeled
3c chopped onions
2c chopped sweet peppers
1/4c finely chopped hot peppers


To peel the tomatoes: Cut the tops off the tomatoes. Drop into low boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and place in cold water. Peel off skins.

I like to have the kids help me chop the veggies. We have had a lot of good laughs and it is more fun for them to eat something that they helped make.

Place everything that is chopped in a large pot. Add 1Tbsp red peppers, 3Tbsp salt, 2Tbsp sugar, 1Tbsp mustard seeds, 1Tbsp garlic powder, 1c of vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer 45 min to 1 hour.  After the salsa is cooked you might want to thicken it a little.  Mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add to salsa.  Remember, it may thinken more as it cools.  It is better to be a little runny then too thick.

Prepare jars while the salsa is cooking. Make sure the jars are very clean (run them through the dishwasher with bleach). Heat your lids and jars in a hot water bath.

Once the salsa is cooked place in hot jars and seal. After an hour or two, check to make sure the jars have sealed by pushing on the top of the lid (It should not "pop" when pressed). It should last at least a year...maybe more if it is canned properly.

This is how your finished product should look. The salsa is ready to eat immediately. It is fast, easy and your friends will be amazed that it is "home-made". Have fun!

Goodbye, Sweet Harley

We lost our beloved Mastiff a few weeks ago. Harley was a "big oaf" but we sure miss him.

We named him Harley because my husband always wanted one...a motorcycle actually but "wasn't this close enough," I asked? He grew fast, as all giant breeds do and before we knew it he was a 135lb lap puppy.

When we adopted our little boys from Korea, Harley allowed the new little men to crawl all over him. I was nervous but he was gentle and patient with them.

I knew the end was coming last year when Harley became very sick. We nursed him through that episode but the vet gently told me we didn't have much time with him. His hips were broken down and the move from Kansas to Oklahoma had been hard on him. Not long after that we brought home our beagle, Cooper. Harley started acting like a new dog, playing and running with the new puppy. I truly believe that Cooper extended Harley's life.

A few weeks ago Harley just laid down and didn't get up. He died peacefully in his sleep. The house feels a little emptier and much quieter without him lumbering about.

Harley, thanks for being a good friend. We miss you.