Bamboo

Unikemom... where did you say you lived and what time is dinner? That sounds wonderful. Mine is not so elaborate. I let my nieces and nephew choose the menu (with a little guidance). Turkey Grandpa's sage dressing Sausage chestnut dressing (yes two dressings) Ham (requested by middle niece whom I love dearly) Cheezy potato casserole Baked broccoli casserole Rolls Taco dip with chips(nephew's request and I love him too) Pumpkin pie Apple Johnny (mother-in-law's secret recipe, hubby's request and of course he's most important) It might not be the most balanced meal, but I love to spoil them any way I can. They're home life isn't that great so this makes it more special for them.

It was a beautiful day here too. The sun was out all day, beautiful clear blue sky. Cold though. We keep hearing snow storm warnings.... Unikemon: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! Mommyof5: I'm so thankful that nothing terrible happened to you. It could have been horrible. I would love to come to chat, but 9:00 is usually past my bedtime (I have to get up about 4:30 a.m.), but if I'm up I might take a peek... Hope everyone has a wonderful time in chat.

It's a beautiful Sunday here. I just went out and had to re-bag some leaves. Our neighbor set her bags of leaves to the road for pickup and some kids kicked them open.... kids will be kids, right? Hubby picked up our 1/2 pig yesterday, turned out to be a whole pig. I just went to the freezer to get some things out and it is a mess.... It'll take me a couple hours to get it organized again

I've been stuck reading "Management Theory and Practice"...

Theyd, it's rainy down in the middle of the mitt too. Unikemom..... piddle away. That sound like more fun. Me, I kind of bummed. I just talked to my one and only sister and she said she is just too tired to come up for Thanksgiving. It's an hour drive and after all she just got back from West Virginia with her ex..... This is just one more "smack" from her. I feel like I don't even have a sister. We only talk a couple of times a year on the phone as it is and only get to see each other a few times. That girl is so messed up. She would rather spend her time with a man who cares nothing for her than with her own family and her own children. Sometimes it makes me mad and sometimes just sad. Sorry to blow, but it did help

Unikemom.... what a wonderful man. I would love to be a fly on the wall Christmas morning. Becca... Have fun painting. Will you be having Thanksgiving in your new home? Me, I just got back from taking my final exam.... I think I did okay. I was supposed to take it tomorrow, but that is my saturday to work so my instructor made special arrangements for me to take it today.... ain't she grand. It is drizzly here today and in the 40's.... I'm waiting for snow.......where is my snow......I want to ski. Everyone have a wonderful day, at least what is left of the day.

Me too!!! I would love to hear how things are going for our soldiers.

Congratulations!

I'm jealous.... I didn't join until it was too late to do the ornament exchange, but they sound so beautiful... anyone want to share pictures.... plleeeaaassseee... for those of use not receiving such special gifts.

CHOCOLATE!!!! Boy Cat, you sure know how to call me to a site.... I'm going to try those orange chocolate truffles.. orange and chocolate, one of my favorite combinations.

My hubby had just left about 10 minutes before I did...yikes. We live right in town on a small lot so it would be unfair to keep a dog....but I would like one. My neighbor offered her driveway for me to park in. It is right at my back door where my porch light and her garage light will keep things well lit. She is so nice. Thanks for your prayers though, those are always welcome.

Darlene, Spider is very jealous.... our growing season is much shorter. Those pictures just make me green with envy. About your peppers, could it be to hot where you are... maybe giving them a little shade, not alot, might help, just a thought. Those Italian pole beans, do they require a longer season? I might just have to try them if they can be grown here in the north.

Good Morning Everyone

Does anyone use a price book for groceries, paper products, etc? I started one a couple months ago in an attempt to reduce my spending. I listed the three stores that I normally shop at (Meijer's-- a local type of Walmart, Walmarts, and my local grocer). I made a list of everything we need or just buy

Not sure if this is the place to ask.... but I have black ink on a red leather purse (leather is kind of textured)... I would appreciate any help or ideas as to how to clean this... It's a brand new purse and I'm about to

Theyd, So sorry for your loss. I'll be praying for you and your family.

I took over Thanksgiving, from my mom, about 10 years ago. It was just too expensive and too much trouble for her. I have my family (mom, sister, 2 nieces, and 1 nephew) and hubby and I for dinner. Not too bad. Sister and I don't see eye to eye, so hubby and I usually have a headache later in the evening. We meet his sister and her husband for dinner someplace... no muss, no fuss. The rest of his family lives out of state. For Christmas it is more difficult. His sister likes to have Christmas and my mom has Christmas. Fortunately, they only live about 10 miles apart. We go to moms for an early meal and to exchange gifts with the kids and then for dinner to his sisters. A few years back we decided the evening meal had to be something simple because two turkey or ham dinners in one day is way too much. One year we did horderves (sp)and it was nice. No muss... no fuss. We like that. Everyone have a blessed holiday season

Becca, Congratulations

I tried the alumnium foil too. It did work. I also have two large pots (about 14 inches diameter) and for these I bought those clear plastic drain trays that you normally sit underneath plants. I cut a small hole in the center so they would wrap around the base of the plant, and then inserted them into the top of the planter. I used a hot nail to poke holes into the remaining plastic area for air circulation and when I water. Then I just used 2 1/2 inch clear tape to secure the edge of the plastic tray to the edge of the planter. This has worked the best and no one notices my aluminum foil.

Karen, Awesome testimony and attitude. Joan, I agree with you. I too think that eating the right foods and avoiding certain foods can have a positive or negative affect on your health. I only take one prescription and so does my hubby. I have insurance so we only have to pay the copay. Thank God above. Because I work in health care, I know that many offices will give samples to their patients if asked for them. Make friends with the office staff. Usually they are the ones who see the drug reps and if they are aware that you need drug X, they will be able to ask for samples. I know of two senior citizens with no insurance who get all of their meds this way... Bless those doctors and staff.

Just me again... I forgot to mention that with heirloom seeds, you keep the seeds from the veggie/fruit and save them for next year.... For tomatoes, you can just smear the tomato pulp onto a paper towel, let it dry completely,then put it in an airtight jar until next year. For veggies/fruits with larger seeds like cukes, cantalope, and squash, wash the seeds really well and lay out to dry on a paper towel. When dry, store them in an airtight container until next year. Then you just plant them like usual. I have tried this myself and had wonderful results with everything.

Alclary, Basically, heirloom seeds are seeds that will reproduce the exact veggie/plant year after year. Hybrids are scientifically altered from two or more "parents" to make a "better" veggie/plant. Hybrid seeds, if you keep them for next years planting, usually revert back to one of the parent plants. You'll still get a veggie, but it will usually be different from the first year. Back when everyone thought something bad was going to happen in 2000, I did quite a study of heirloom vs hybrid. I bought all heirloom seeds, from tomatoes to carrots to beans. Everything, and to tell the truth I had more compliments on my veggies (I unload my extras on my unsuspecting neighbors....hey if they aren't there to say no....I assume they would like some and just leave a little gift basket

Hey everyone.. Here are some orange cranberry muffins, blueberry lemon muffins, and of course chocolate-chocolate chip muffins... hope it helps you start your day off right. Well I have a short day today and then I get to pick up my nieces and nephew for our Christmas shopping weekend. I'm excited. So are they. We have been emailing back and forth all week. They live about 100 miles away, so we don't see each other often. Well I'm on my way to work, so I hope everyone has a wonderfully blessed day.

trust me..... I know this in a very personal way....

I just made my first batch of homemade laundry soap (different recipe) and I love it. It makes my clothes softer and I don't even have to use as much fabric softener (I use about 1/3 of what the manufacter suggests). The recipe I used is: 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha, grated. 1/2 cup borax 1/2 cup washing soda Mix the grated Fels Naptha with 2 cups of boiling water and stir until dissolved. Then carefully add the rest of the ingredients. When done, add this mixture to 2 gallons of water and store. I used an old 300 oz bottle left from my last purchase of laundry soap. You will need to shake the bottle before using as it settles some. It looks like soapy water (not as thick as Tide or Cheer). The smell is nice and my clothes are really clean. They even feel cleaner. I figure that 300 oz cost me less than a dollar. Fels Naptha was $1.09, borax was $2.89 (big box), and washing soda was $2.39 (big box). For basically less than $7.00 I will have a lot of laundry soap....