You guys really saved me. I had no idea what was slithering from the earth in the dark of night. I went out at midnight and I was amazed! There must have been hundreds of these slugs on the ground, in the grass and on the privacy fence and I had never seen more thn one or two before this in the yard. I set out beer traps as was suggested, no yeast because we don't bake, and immediately these things came out to feast. Easily caught 50 of them. I periodically checked the plates I set out and dumped them in one bucket and added more beer. However the ones in the bucket started crawling out. Fixed that buy adding a little salt. Does anyone know if they will avoid the beer trap if you add a little salt to it for effect? I think some of them survived after a night of binge drinking and will live to tell the tale! One thing I did find is that the plates need to be slightly in the ground if possible for easier access to the trap.

As always, you were absolutely right. I tell ya, I'm tickled to get through an entire season with some production and know kinda what happens with a few varieties of veggies. Watching the growth patterns and gaining insight to spacing needs. And especially knowing how they react to the soil as is. Most of my stuff wasn't amended. They did well! The not knowing is what drives me crazy. And these will come easy in the spring. Yay! and it's really awesome to know me.. where I get lazy, what's ridiculously difficult for me to handle and finding ways to make it easier. I'm winter sowing to see if I can get some things to come up on their own since I have plenty of mulch and good dirt. I really hate starting indoors. I'm certain I will have a bunch next spring, but the more I can reduce the happier I am. It's truly amazing how we're all different. In the beginning I was like "ooh.. she's doing this. I must!" But, in reality, I need to let a bunch of things go to seed that would drive you batty, but only because I'm happy to forage them for the bunnies. Next year I'll have the molokhia, alfalfa, lambsquarters, varieties of amaranth, Austrian peas and some other natives. Funny ... I don't mind weeding but hate starting seedlings. Weird. I was speaking of pepper jelly to my son last night. We started reminiscing over those wonderful Yukon Gold potatoes that came out of the garden. It is so awesome to see the kids get so excited. But those potatoes... were awesome. We agreed to expand the potato bed and put in "bunches and bunches and I'll help you keep them watered, Momma!" hehe

So the phone rings last night and momma gets it upstairs and about a half hour later she comes down and tells me it was the second recipient of a bouquet. Since he was in the rehab center he got to pick and he chose #1. Between the fragrance and the colorful combo, he has become the bell of the ball and he called to tell us how much joy it has brought into the lives of the other patients as well. Isn't that just the reason we love to do what it is we do ????? The phone call made my day for sure :-)

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!