wow, what inpiration. We moved into our new house on 2 acres with little to no landscaping. Needless to say we have lots to do so I love this thread for ideas! I have been keeping a powerpoint show going on my computer of nice ideas and I got tons from here! Here are a couple of my favourite spots I managed to accomplish over the last two years: My bird sanctuary created this summer (only the hydrangea and blue spruce were there before): Some fall colour: In the blues: Much more to go! Sharon

Kippy-the-Hippy wrote on Sat, Feb 7, 15 at 18:14: "If you live in California, one of the ways to notify a tenant of an eviction is to post on the door and send certified mail-see the link below. And yes it HAS to be conspicuous" I'm not in CA but eviction is a special case, I understand that. No risk of eviction in my case. "Do they pay for the heating in your unit? Would you want a mail slot in the door that also lets in cold air or allows people to peak in?" I pay for the heating. We drop rent envelopes through the office door slot all the time. A tenant slot only needs to be about 1/4" x 5" to handle what they post. It could be lined with brushes or a metal flap to keep weather out (very common). If they really want to reach tenants ASAP they should know that some might be housebound for whatever reason over the course of a few days. Much easier to see a note on your floor than on your door. They could at least knock vs. placing notes silently. "If you think it is quick to call 115 tenants to tell them you posted something on the door, you must have never tried it." I get that angle, but if the tenant is going on vacation it would be common courtesy to call. Otherwise the tenant has to find someone to check door notices and that person might forget, etc. "If you think calling or texting would be better, does your landlord have your current number?" Yes, definitely, and my email address. "If you think email is better, how many update landlords when your email changes? How many do not check email regularly." I make sure they know of any phone or email changes. Others might not, but that's a red herring. "If you think 24 hours notice by mail is better, when has the post office delivered a letter mailed faster than posting it on your door?" Mail is best for rent notices, not 24-hour entry notices. Door notices mainly annoy me for privacy reasons. "If you think they should just slip it in your mail box, that is mail fraud unless it goes via the post office." The cost of mailing might deter them, I understand. A door slot is my solution. These particular doors are too well sealed to allow for slipping notes under them. "Just how do you think the management should let you know? Maybe a note on your door?" Again, a slot in the door or a phone call when I've told them I'll be away for several days. This complex barely even answers the phone, even though they claim to be always available. It's not just one issue with them. "And bet you can guess what I do!" Ayuh! Your questions are fair, but I will repeat: Slot in door! I could see notices with my indoor IP camera when I'm on vacation, then call the landlord and ask what it was about. No way to view my door from outside remotely without trusting someone else to check it. That can be problematic for various reasons. It comes down to privacy, again. This post was edited by Jck507 on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 19:13

I'm still learning and trying new things but there are definitely things I wouldn't can again and did in the first place because I thought I would use them. I'm going to stick to plain tomatoes, stewed tomatoes (which I love and can't keep on the shelf), green beans, deer meat, Annie's salsa, pickled beets, pickled onions, various jams, kraut, relish, and a few pickles. I like my corn frozen and prefer refrigerator pickles. I like apples and peaches dehydrated, plus canned sauce. I dehydrated various odd things last year and they are still in my freezer. I also forget they were there. My few attempts at canned tomato sauce didn't turn out that great for all the work involved. I may have over-cooked it before processing but I have no desire to try it again when I can blender a can of toms for the sauce. I've already harvested my garlic and it is curing now. Plan to keep some for fresh and roast the rest with olive oil and freeze in cubes. It is very handy that way! I may try to dehydrate some kale chips, I have lots of kale and can't seem to use it up quickly enough. I still want to try some new things, though!

I am tossing awful photos, unwanted photos and photos of people we don't even know as I go along. Some of them aren't as damaged, as much as they are just dark and need the lighting/contrast adjusted. Husband doesn't use a computer, nor do some of the people I want to share the hard copies with. I've got loads of pictures of our group of "besties" hanging out BC (before children) and afterward, as their children were growing up. They are all grandparents now and I think they would be tickled to share the photos of "mommy/daddy when she/he was your age" with their grandkids. A lot of them aren't on the computer. I'll send them copies and keep mine on a disc. Husband loves going through the old albums, especially family hunting and camping trips with his (now deceased) father, some of the trips we have taken over the years, family weddings and get-togethers. I want to put those photos back in albums for him. I think I will scan the photos and have a professional print the ones I want hard copies of.