Oh Ribbit, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know how painful it is, and I hope I never have to do that again. Pets add so much love to our lives, and they certainly take a piece of our hearts with them when they leave us. Nothing I can write will ease your pain, but you are in my thoughts.

Ribbit, I'm so sorry. They give us so much love, it's heartbreaking to lose them.

We took Annie in for a little procedure last week and she was terrified! She had such a look of fear in her eyes, and she shook and tried to bury her face in Mr. H's chest. And that was only to have her toenails trimmed! It just about broke my heart to see her like that.

Peppers like the heat and look pretty, and they freeze well, too. How about green beans and red bell peppers?

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

Thanks, guys, but honestly, I'm very secure in the decision I made. I miss him, yes, but I made the right decision. I think I've posted pics of him before, but here are thing 1 and thing 2 about 3 years ago. The fuzzy malamute is Vladimir. He always had the happy puppy face The stupid look on the dane is his natural, everyday look. He can't find a clue even if it's in his food bowl.

What is it about the toe nails, Granny! The dane quakes like a little girl when we try to cut his.

Sorry, I loathe peppers. The man already has me planting 6 different kinds in the back garden despite my protests that even one pepper contaminates the whole garden concept. This new one is going to be pepper-free. Do you think bsush beans will look appealing enough? most of our neighbors are barely within shouting distance, but this one's driveway is spitting distance from this new box. I'd use the space for more toms as the serial tomato killer couldn't get to them, but tomatoes can look so rough in the middle of summer and it would't maximize the space. What do you think?

"Patio" type tomatoes (they don't get leggy and rough looking like the bigger ones) with purple basil and chives...let the chives bloom.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

I am very sorry for your loss.

I personally think zucchini (or any other summer squash) is a georgous, tropical-looking plant, but huge. Beans aren't bad at all. You could get the purple-hull type for some color. Maybe a bush-type cherry tomato?

Sorry for your loss, as you know it was the right thing to do.

I vote for a bush type acorn squash, my family loves em!

Thanks again for the well wishes. He was our first baby...before children. I love the idea of the purple beans. I have some of those already. I've never done acorn squash..how do you cook it?

Pioneer Woman: Delicious Baked Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash
Kosher Salt
Butter
Brown Sugar
Pure Maple Syrup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Half each squash, then scrape out the seeds and stringy membranes.
Sprinkle each half with salt.
Add a generous tablespoon of butter to the center of each squash.
Add 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons brown sugar.
Drizzle squash with maple syrup.
Pour 2 cups water in the bottom of the baking pan.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 30-45 minutes, or until squash is golden brown. In the last 5 minutes of baking, turn on the broiler and allow tops to get a little more brown and the butter/sugar mixture to bubble.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Just looking in. So sorry for your loss. It is very hard. Your great dane must be morning his friends passing.

most winter type squashes including acorn can be also could savory rather than sweet. My favorite way when I was working was to cut the squash in half, put a little oil on the squash and a flat bottom cooking sheet, cook until almost tender. Next day I would take to lunch with a bottle of seasoned or garlic salt and shredded cheese, any flavor of cheese. Microwave til hot prinkle with salt and top with cheese. You can make as cheesy as you wish.

For your pepper person find some of the very hot small peppers. Most are decorative and after eating one or two will never be requested again.

Oh, Granny! Just like I do butternut squash. Sounds good. Malifleur, thank you for your well wishes. The dane has taken to sleeping in all of the Mali's spots and beds, something he'd never be so rash as to attempt in the past, so you can tell he knows what's going on. Either that, or he's staking his claim as the new top dog.

I never thought about doing acorn with garlic salt. May be something to try. I must say I laughed out loud with the pepper comment.

Ribbit, sometimes I just put the squash halve in a dish, add a bit of water, cover with plastic wrap (vented) and microwave until tender. Drain, remove the peeling and mash the squash with butter and brown sugar. Mr. H loves winter squash baked or mashed with brown sugar, but he wouldn't touch a sweet potato with a 10-foot pole. Go figure...the flavors aren't that different.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

Granny, isn't that weird? I love sweet potatoes done that way, but don't think I like acorn squash. I remember my mom cooking it from time to time, and it was always too sweet. Hubby won't eat ANY squash except zucchini raw in a salad or veggie tray. Shame , cuz I love it...most of it , anyway.

sb, you might like the acorn squash just mashed with some butter and no sugar. It's quite sweet on its own. I love sweet potato French fries, Mr. H thinks they are just gross. He would kill for fried zucchini.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden