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Cranberry, Apple Chutney

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays.  A holiday that is just about being thankful for our blessings, sharing our bounty with others, and being thankful for the Beautiful Country we are lucky to reside in, and the freedom we all share.  We love to cook, we love to entertain, and we love to eat and drink.  I make this Chutney every year before Thanksgiving.  It is a great addition to a cheese board.  I spill this over the top of a wedge of cheddar, cream cheese, brie, or serve alongside creamy goat cheese.  Lee and I also add this chutney to a slice of turkey, ham, chicken, or pork.  Sometimes I slice and toast a baguette, I spread cheese on the baguette and top with Chutney.  I know if you make this Chutney you will enjoy a tasty addition to any meal or snack.  It is always a hit at our home, and made in advance, easy for you too.   When you have this in the refrigerator you are ready for cocktails at a moment’s notice.  
Cranberry, Apple, and Ginger Chutney

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup raisins
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. minced fresh ginger root
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ cup Orange Juice and the zest of an orange
  • ½ cup minced onion
  • ½ cup chopped Granny Smith Apple
  • ½ cup finely chopped celery

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, simmer low heat until berries start to pop (about 5 minutes). Add the finely chopped onion, apple, and finely chopped celery, continue to cook, stir occasionally until mixture thickens, about 7 – 10 minutes.  Remove from the heat and cool slightly.  Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to mature.
This recipe is tried and true, easy, yet delicious anytime, but especially delicious at the holidays.  We wish you, your family, and friends a Beautiful Thanksgiving overflowing with Love, Good Health, Laughter, and Peace.

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Bok Tower Gardens

If you are regular readers of our newsletter, you already know that we love to Garden.  If you are new to our Newsletter, welcome, and FYI we Love to Garden.  Recently we were at BOK TOWER GARDENS in Lake Wales for a class and took an inspirational walk through the gardens.  The gardens are extensive and even after a hot summer and a hurricane, they still look quite lovely.  BOK TOWER GARDENS sits atop one of the highest peaks in Central Florida.  In fact, the gardens are perched on the only hill we see for miles.  BOK TOWER is not only famous for their gardens but for their Singing Tower Carillion as well.  The tower plays twice daily and floods the garden with a lovely sound.  A perfect backdrop for a picnic, a walk or quiet contemplation.    The gardens are beautiful and in the middle of summer, on top of the hill, you can even catch a breeze.  
This year, we again will be enjoying the sounds of the season as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performs their Holiday Concert.  We pack our lawn chairs, a small table and tablecloth, a good bottle of wine, a few glasses, some bread and cheese, and pick our spot on the lawn to enjoy the sounds of the evening.  It is always fun and is a great start to the Holiday Season.  
BOK TOWER is only about 30 minutes from Solivita and provides Central Florida and Solivita Residents a great opportunity to learn about gardening in Florida, and enjoy the bounty that each season offers.  We have taken cooking classes, gardening classes, we have just signed up for a print making class, and now I see BOK TOWER is offering Meditation Classes too.  Although we did not sign up for Meditation Class this season, it is a consideration for next season.  
Anytime is beautiful at BOK but Sunrise is especially beautiful.  The gardens are lovely, the Carillion Tower is all tuned up and singing, and this is a great time to visit, take a tour, take a class, or just bring a book and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the garden.