Well, I guess we can't complain much about the weather, or neighbors to the north and west have had it so bad. We've had a snow/slush mix for several days, only accumlation is on the deck, and windbreaks in the pasture. Horses decided they needed a different pasture, so the onery one just pushed her bulk against the gate till it gave way.Only benefit is, they dont want hay now. On another forum , a poster in N.Y said she was still paying 1.00 per square bale. Did you get your stitches out, Gldno? Did everyone have a nice Christmas? Its so nice to see new posters, and former ones coming back, missed you even if I dont know you personally, keep posting. Do you like a journal type entry? William, I'm in trouble!! The site I mentioned Gary Ibsens Tomato Fest, wants a 15.00 order!! Do you know how many tomato seeds that would be?? And I SIMPLY MUST have San Marzeno Redorta, and Long Tom, so guess I'll be adding to storage seeds. And then!!LOL--did you see Tangerine Mama in Burpees? Yes, my name is-------- and I'm addicted to growing, tomatoes especially. And, Hope springs eternal, I'm going to try yellow, purple, and green cauliflower again--just not so much. I cut my garden down some last year, told myself that at my age, I didnt need so much--but myself dont listen to me in the spring!! I find myself admiring how well the beds are looking, with the leaves mounded over them. Gldno, I read another Catherine Coulter book yesterday, F.B.I series, the sheriff finally found his wife (from a previous book) It was "Double Take". I've also read James Patterson's "Quickie" and Sandra Browns "Play Dirty" With all this mixture falling from the sky, its either gaze wistfully out the window at the garden, or curl up by the fire with a good book--or a seed catalog. Got territoral yesterday, Havent gotten Baker Creek, despite complaining, so guess they wont get a order. Oh, and I must tell you about my Christmas Turkey!! It was PURPLE!! I was ready to put it in the oven when I noticed under the skin, the entire bird was purple! It didnt have a off smell, just like a raw turkey, so I apprehensively went ahead and cooked it. When it came out, it did have a off odor, so it was buried deep. No, really, I didnt cook Barney, as some suggested. Good thing we were going to daughters for dinner. Everyone stay safe for the New Yesr.

I have just about had enough of this cold rain though. ...Everything is soggy and green, but I'm starting to miss the sun! ...sigh....Should I bring a canopy to the swap? Latest forecast discussion: .LONG TERM...AFTER SOME DRYING AND WARMING OVER THE WEEKEND...IT APPEARS THAT A COOL UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN WILL RETURN TO THE FORECAST AREA NEXT WEEK. THE HEMISPHERIC 5-WAVE PATTERN NOW SHOWS A BLOCKING RIDGE OVER SOUTHWESTERN CANADA OVER A MEAN TROUGH OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN U.S. THIS PATTERN WOULD FAVOR THE TROUGHINESS AND UNSETTLED WEATHER DEPICTED BY THE MEDIUM RANGE MODELS. FOR MOST OF NEXT WEEK IT LOOKS LIKE THE MAIN UPPER JET WILL BE POSITIONED TO THE SOUTH OF COLORADO...LEADING TO COOLER TEMPERATURES ACROSS OUR FORECAST AREA. The bolded passage means that the pattern we are in now across the entire northern hemisphere is very stable. Such patterns often persist for a week or more - as often as not ~two weeks - this time of year. I'll take the rain though. Not a problem. Dan

Ruthanna, I copied all those recipes! I can't wait to try them. We used to make it like that years ago but it's been literally decades since I've made any. You've inspired me and now Christy can't wait too. Smiles. Like David, I tend to cook whatever I feel like eating. This week I've been having my lentils for breakfast, plain or with a slice of grain bread. My kitchen is pretty big so I don't really mind putting the oven on as long as I put the fan on over it and turn the air conditioner on in there. We have room air conditioners so it's easy to regulate. Also I have a ceiling fan. For lunches I've been having some of the smoothies I had stockpiled in the freezer from a big batch of leftover bananas and strawberries. I take one out of the freezer after breakfast and there's just a small lump frozen by lunch and I can stir it in and the whole thing is nice and cold. So, I guess for hot weather I like to eat smoothies made with frozen fruit and yogurt. Salads and stuffed tomatoes are favorites. We do tend to use leftover meats made into salads when it's hot. I also like to make taco's made with leftover chicken or other meat. Also, don't forget that you can put a wet bandanna around your neck to cool you off or put on a wet piece of clothing. My pool isn't happening anymore, but I will often wear a wet bathing suit with something over it and you can't believe how cool that keeps you. I just put towels or waterproof pads on the chairs. I also make those neck wraps out of bandannas filled with water saving crystals. (they're controversial in the garden these days so a good use for them] Just soak the wrap, put it in fridge and it will keep you cool for several hours. I had a friend who was dying and I made him a bunch of pads made out of them because he was hot all the time. They helped a lot.

I was given 3 large homegrown zucchinis today. So, I cut them up and sauteed them with sliced onion and cabbage. They were so sweet. It was served with left over pork loin. Needless to say, the pork loin was a side dish and the sauteed veggies was the main meal! My tongue and tummy are quite happy :o)