This one was on the table at a book club potluck last week. Everyone raved and wanted the recipe. I'm going to cross post in new recipes. Zucchini Pickles - Heidi Swanson, 100 Cookbooks There are quite a number of ways to play around with the personality of these pickles. Sometimes I shave the zucchini paper-thin, resulting in a whispy tangle of pickled zucchini and onions. Other times I want my pickles to have a bit more bite, structure, and definition. In those instances, I slice the zucchini thicker, perhaps 1/8-inch, and let them drain as long as possible, sometimes overnight refrigerated. Also worth noting, when I make them for our personal condiment stash, I used a brown natural cane sugar. It gives the pickle liquid a brownish cast that, quite frankly, weirds people out if they don't know what is causing it. So, if I'm making the pickles to bring to a BBQ or something, I'll make them with regular organic cane sugar - one that is lighter in color.
 3 medium zucchini (1 pound / 16 oz / 450 g), thinly sliced
 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
 3 shallots, thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons fine grain sea salt 
1/4 cup (small handful) fresh dill sprigs 1 small fresh red chile pepper, very thinly sliced 1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds 3/4 cup / 180 ml cider vinegar
 3/4 cup / 180 ml white wine vinegar
 1/3 cup / 1.75 oz / 50g natural cane sugar 
Toss the zucchini, onion, shallots, and salt together in a colander and place over a bowl to catch the liquids. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least a couple hours. Toss once or twice along the way. You're aiming to get as much liquid out of the zucchini as possible.

When you're finished draining the zucchini, shake off any water. At this point you want the zucchini as dry as possible. Place in a 1 liter / 1 quart jar along with the dill, chile pepper, and mustard seeds. Alternately, you can cram them into a 3/4 liter Weck jar like I do, but it's always a bit snug in the jar. Combine the ciders and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves, and continue to boil for a few minutes. Pour the liquid over the zucchini and seal the jar. Let cool, then refrigerate. The pickles are good for a week or so. 

Makes one large jar. Prep time: 120 min - Cook time: 5 min Here is a link that might be useful: Quick pickled zucchini

The worst part of the mini-jade disaster is in that I'd been training them all for bonsai for several to many years.. This is one of the plants that got creamed. And this, too:Though it isn't as developed as the first image, it's on its way to being a nice bonsai 'tree'.Younger version of it ^^^. As you see it, it was a recent cutting off a larger plant I keep specifically for cuttings. FWIW, you can start extremely thick cuttings of Jade & portulacaria.The third one was the one on the right. K - I ask my friends for advice all the time. It's not unusual for me to drive 100 miles (1 way) to a bonsai club meeting) with what I consider to be a special piece of bonsai material for advice on how to develop it. I took this tree to the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society to see what others would do with the tree. I was convinced it should be a triple trunk specimen, or perhaps a 2 trunk. I ended up removing the 2 subordinate trunks and pulling up the branch that angles off to the as the new top. I then chopped off the thick trunk above that left branch and started building a tree. Getting to the point in a roundabout fashion: it isn't a sign of weakness when you feel the need to ask for help or advice; I think, just the opposite. When I need help or advice, and am having trouble asking for it, the way I convince myself on those occasions is by reminding myself there are more than 30 verses in the bible that warn against the sin of pride; and the warnings don't come only from the bible, either. Mencken's Dictionary of Quotations has 4 full pages (thasalot!) from some rather famous thinkers, devoted to admonitions against 'pride'. See why it's easier to admire someone who pride can't control? Al

The Plantskydd spray is very effective against deer.....don't have bunnies (too may coyotes and other predators around) but it is supposed to work equally well with them. And elk, if that is a concern!! The Plantskydd spray has a vegetable oil base so adheres to the plants well. And does not wash off with rain or irrigation so you do not need to reapply nearly as often as other repellents. Says it is effective for 3-4 months but I reapply monthly.

I agree with mtn. I would let her know in passing conversation that you are looking forward to meeting your daughter's bf's parents. Just give her a heads up that you will not be having Thanksgiving at your home. It sounds like you guys do a great deal for her. I would in no way feel bad about it. I can see how your husband felt slighted. He goes out of his way for her and it seems maybe she doesn't always reciprocate or maybe acknowledge how fortunate she is to have such a wonderful brother. Good luck with everything! You are a very thoughtful and kind person!