Happy Autumn and gettin' naked!

Autumn is finally upon us and I am so happy! Summer in Connecticut was the second hottest on record and we have had enough! The animals were stressed to their breaking points and trying to keep everyone cool was a challenge. So before the colder weather sets in, it was time to get the angora goats sheared.

"Maddy" was unfazed and was more than happy to accept a tasty treat of hay...

while "Pru" was a bit perturbed at the very idea of being stripped naked! As of this moment she is not talking to anyone!

The Season of the Drones...

This time of year is not the best time to be a Drone! Drones are the males of the Honeybee species. They lack a stinger, don't do any work in the hive and their whole purpose is breeding with a Queen if they are lucky, and most of them are not. They are taken care of and fed by the workers but being a slacker in life usually catches up with you, and for them it does in the form of death!

This time of year, the bees sense the change in weather, the lessening of sunlight and food foraging begins to decrease. With these factors it's time to eliminate the things that are not needed. Drones are killed by the workers or their wings are chewed off, they are dragged out of the hive and dropped to their deaths. The guard bees guard the entrance not letting them back in. So while it's a good life while it last, it ends in a tragic way for the Drones.

Happy September, let the Harvest begin!

As we come to the end of summer, it's time to begin harvesting everything you've worked so hard to grow this year. Many of you garden growers out there have a never ending amount of tomatoes! I decided to make stewed tomatoes and can them for the winter. This is wonderful to keep on hand for those long days when coming home and making dinner is a dreadful thought, but then you remember that you canned those wonderful tomatoes!

I used many different types of tomatoes including these plum tomatoes. To slip the skins quicker throw them in a hot bath of simmering water for about 3 minutes...

the skins just slide off!

I don't have a recipe but I will list the this and that's below and how I make these incredible stewed tomatoes that is delicious over pasta!

I netted 7 quarts of stewed tomatoes! These may also make some gifts or a perfect hostess gift!

Canned Stewed Tomatoes

Tomatoes prepped and skins slipped

Peppers, red, yellow and green cut into pieces

Onions-cut into pieces

Garlic-cut into pieces

Celery-cut into pieces

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Salt

Lemon Juice

Canning jars, sterilized

Cut everything and set aside. In a large bowl cut and core your tomatoes. Cut and prepare all other ingredients. Add them to a big pot. Simmer for no more than 10 minutes. Taste test and the consistency you may want. I don't measure anything, it's based on this and that until it is perfect! Let cool slightly, then spoon into jars. Clean the brims. Put your tops on and place in a hot water bath. Enjoy!!!