Happiness Is....

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. Helen Keller

I don't know what happiness is for you...spending time with children or grandchildren, going to the beach, practicing a fulfilling hobby or maybe it is your work. What makes a person "happy" is as different between individuals as in falling snowflakes.

One of the things that I am "happy" doing, is canning great fruits and vegetables each year that I can use through the winter. Today let's do Peach Butter, one of my husband's very favorite things...it makes him smile, and that makes me happy!

SPICED PEACH BUTTER

Yields 8 half-pint jars

* 12 cups peaches, peeled and diced
* 1 cup honey
* 6 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
* 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker (crock pot). Cook on low heat for about 12 hours. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth. Cook for an additional hour or two, until thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. (You may want to remove the lid on your slow cooker for a little while to let some of the steam escape and give the peach butter a chance to thicken up just a bit.)

A shelf fully of "happy" in my pantry!

Now, if you are not crazy about the "spice" you can opt to leave the spices out and instead add about 1/4 cup brown or white sugar instead of the honey and spices. Believe me, either way it is a family favorite!

I usually cut (with pinking shears) small circles out of Christmas Printed material (Hobby Lobby always has great fabrics early in the season) and put atop the jars and tie with rafia. This makes great Christmas gifts for co-workers or neighbors, if your family will let you part with any of it!

Great Stuff from Peach Country

So I started the day with water aerobics, but after a HEALTHY lo cal lunch, I was reading this recipe for peach cobbler.

Sounded easy and I live in Peach Country, and I have peaches. Out comes the pan, the bowls and the measuring cups...yep gotta do it!

Now, this recipe called for "canned" peaches. But, I used frozen ones which I got out of my freezer last night. I always use light syrup, so that was no problem.
So whether you use canned frozen or fresh, go for it! It is simple and simply delicious.

*
1/4 cup butter or
1/2 cup sugar
*
2 tablespoons cornstarch
*
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
*
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*
2 teaspoons vanilla
*
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
*
2 jars (24.5 oz each) sliced peaches in light syrup, drained, 1 1/2 cups syrup reserved



Topping
*
2 cups Bisquick Heart Smart® mix
*
3 tablespoons sugar
*
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*
1/2 cup milk
*
1 tablespoon butter, melted


Directions
1
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In 4-quart saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch over medium heat 1 minute, stirring constantly, until butter is melted. Stir in 2 teaspoons cinnamon, the nutmeg, vanilla, lemon extract and peaches with reserved syrup. Heat to boiling; boil 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Pour into ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish.
2
In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, the milk and 1 tablespoon melted butter until soft dough forms. Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls over hot peach mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
3
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until peach mixture is bubbly around edges and topping is golden brown. Serve warm.