Here

We are at home, on vacation. Its nice to have these two days before we have to be on the road and visiting. My family was in for Friday and Saturday for Matthew's Masters graduation. It was nice to have family here at Christmastime; usually we are the ones doing the going and no one ever visits to see our decorations.

Today was spent mostly getting things wrapped up and ready to be gone for a week. Remember this lemon we grew on our tree? It's now marmalade. It is a very strong flavor but it is very refreshing to taste marmalade that's not Smuckers-mass-produced-ness. I should make a ginger cake and try it out. Another day perhaps.

{recipe} Cranberry Chutney

I made this for a baby shower tea I hosted back in November. I pulled it out the other day for a picnic and was wowed by how the flavors had come together. It smelled, and tasted, delightful. I served it with soft cheese on seedy, oat-y brown bread.

~ 1 small bag fresh cranberries, whole and washed
~ 3/4 c. apple cider
~ 1/4 c. cider vinegar
~ 1 large tart apple, grated or chopped
~ 1/2 c. dark brown sugar, packed
~ 2 T. chopped onion
~ 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
~ a healthy pinch of ground cloves
~ as much ground ginger as you like in these sorts of things, optional

Put all in a medium saucepan and cook on medium-low, stirring occasionally to encourage the cranberries to burst and help thicken the sauce. Cook until desired consistency, noting that it will thicken a bit when chilled. Store in mason jar in fridge.

Tis the season...