WHY I LOVE AUTUMN

I think Autumn has to be one of my favourite times of the year. We love going out foraging and yesterday took us out blackberry picking - although they're really not brilliant this year. We also have a favourite forest to go to for sweet chestnuts - we have to race the squirrels for them though. I also love making chutneys and this year I've grown my own tomatoes just so I could have some green ones for a green tomato chutney I make. The apples came from the garden too!

Here's the recipe I use if you fancy doing some - it really is the most yummy chutney and should be ready by Christmas.

2.5 lbs green tomatoes

2.5 lbs cooking apples

2 lb onions

1lb raisins or sultans

1lb 6 oz soft brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon cayenne - don't worry it doesn't make it too hot

2 dessertspoons ground ginger

about 6 cloves of garlic

1/2 tablespoon salt

3 pints malt vinegar - I use the white vinegar.

I used a food processor to mash up the tomatoes, then the apples then the onions and put them in a large preserving pan or large saucepan (remember not to add a lid though). I then add all the spices and stir well. Then add the vinegar and put to simmer for about 3 hours until all the vinegar has been absorbed. Leave to cool and store in clean sterilised jars. You can sterilise yours jars by washing in the dish washer and then heating in a low oven for about 10 mins. Cover and label and enjoy in about 2/3 months time.

We have a new addition to the family also - meet Pepper - he's 12 weeks old and loves to sit and watch the little arrow on the computer!

There's a new challenge this week over at INCHY blog - if you've never tried inchies come and have a go - you'll be surprised at what you can do on such a small piece of card!