Geraldo, yes, squash were $1.99 a LB at the local Kroger's here in the suburbs of Detroit last weekend -- easily making an average butternut $5 to $8. Food prices are REALLY rising here -- a whole chicken that might have been $0.59 a lb a few years ago is now $1.29 to $1.89 a lb unless on sale. So, that is one reason I grow a lot of stuff. There are many more reasons -- enjoyment/fulfillment, hobby/something to do, etc. What is really sad is that so much good food is STILL being thrown out, as you mentioned with the less-than-perfect squash. Alas, when will we, as a society or as a species, learn no to waste? Allenwrench, you asked about my land, and about what I do with all of the things I grow. I have about 2.1 acres, in an "L" shaped lot that is largely flat, but it does have a bit of a gentle slope in the back, and a low spot at one edge that floods a bit a few times a year for a day or two. Soils -- well, I have everything from very heavy clay to sandy loam, and it changes very abruptly in places. I can, freeze, and dry produce. I've gone extra heavy into it this year because of my concerns over the economy, the "global food crisis," peak oil/energy, etc. Since I can do it, why not? I am feeding not only my immediate household, but putting up a lot for my two sisters and their husbands, my niece with 3 kids, and giving a lot away to friends and other family. I'm trying to be as self-sufficient as possible, because I CAN be. I figure everything that I don't have to buy from the store is that much less oil that was burnt shipping food thousands of miles. My limitation here is that I'm not legally allowed to have animals -- so, this means that protein is harder to do -- I'm trying to grow a lot of beans, quinoa, etc., that are vegetable protein sources. I'll try to post some other garden photos tomorrow. Dennis SE Michigan

Posted by parsonse (My Page) on Fri, Jul 27, 12 at 11:46 Congrats dutty!!! I hope things dry out quickly for you so you can hit the ground running soon! Energy rater, we're in Murfreesboro, TN, about 30 miles east of Nashville. My husband and I are both from this area and since we're building on property that's been in the family for 30+ years, we don't plan on ever selling so yes, we are investing in doing what we can to make this house as energy efficient and tight as possible within our budget. If that means I don't have cabinets installed in the mud/laundry room right away, then so be it! Closing is this afternoon followed by a meeting with the builder and excavator to situate the house on the lot so we can pour footings next week! Hoping to be in by Christmas... Hello Parsonse, I am located a couple of exits down from you off the Sam Ridley exit. Where exactly are you building in Murf. and with what builder?

Glenda I made them and liked them almost as much as Brother Tom's teacakes. I need to sneak a peak at all your saved over the years recipes, especially the DESSERTS. Maybe it would be worth coming to Birmingham for, as well as to visit Vulcan one more time.

MtnRdRedux that is what they say about the durability. They also said that it is far less likely to grow algae and that we won't have to run the heater as much. We wanted to do a concrete w/ the dark grey interior, but absolutely no one thought it was a good idea to build that kind of pool in this spot... Hopefully this will turn out for the best! joaniepoanie, that is crazy that you didn't hear that tree! So lucky it fell away from the house! robo, yes the pool will be deep blue inside, which is supposed to produce dark blue water. There will be lots of stone overhanging the sides of the pool to make it look more natural. texan jana, I know it is crazy that there were people standing underneath it! 1929Spanish-GW normally a fiber glass pool is cheaper than a concrete or gunite because it is quicker to install. However, it depends upon the location and accessibility (and of course the surrounding landscaping is priced separately). If you're thinking about a pool and curious about pricing, I have a detailed quote breakdown which shows exactly how much the shell is direct from the company (separate from installation and surround of course).