Well, I only got a little done today - planted a couple six-packs of marigolds around my tomatoes (my WS ones were no-shows), and direct-sowed a couple packs of 'Alaska' nasturtiums. Bending over just was NOT comfortable for my neck, and gardening while sitting and being eaten by mosquitos wasn't much fun either. Maybe I'll do a little more tomorrow. Oh, I helped our daughter plant pumpkin seeds, just one "hill" this year, and I let her plant some pole beans. She's my garden helper. The rotten rodent (woodchuck) ate the tops off my sunflowers AGAIN. Grrrrr! Blasted critter. My irises are loaded with buds. I've got lots of oldies blooming for the first time this year. I also have a bunch of peonies ready to burst into bloom. I wish I had a digital camera. Maybe I'll borrow my sister's for a few days. Laurel

Once again, I have fall fabric out. (I'm really tired of this fabric in my stash!!) Last Thanksgiving I bought salt and pepper Pilgrims for my nieces and still have to mail them. I was thinking about packing them up and realized that maybe a fall (reversing to Christmas) table runner would be good packing material! soooo...I have two runners all cut and ready to sew. I'm going to use that quilt-as-you-go method again. We have 3 grandkids spending the weekend, too, so we shall see how much sewing gets done!! Oh! and I also tried that 'candy corn' topper pattern using Christmas fabric...very easy and fun!

Pillog, that kugel sounds great! I will be saving this for another occasion... Anyhow, I'm still working up the food for the upcoming weekend, which is THIS coming weekend. Below, the food for Friday night, Saturday morning and lunch, and Sunday morning is set. In the following post I'll put what I have for apps and dinner but I still need help for dessert, and to decide between a couple vegetarian options: ****** FRIDAY PM (One lactose-free, one no-cooked seafood person, but fish sauce okay if it doesn’t overtly announce itself in the food… He LOVES raw fish, but won’t be doing that!) -- 5-6 people, the sixth if she makes it that night would be gluten-free. I am tree-nut free, excepting coconut. (I MISS pistachios and pine nuts… the rest I never cared about!) Appetizers: Veggie platter with choice of dips (chive cheese spread – from a local dairy; hummus, baba ganoush – from an excellent Lebanese grocery). Pick up items Thursday afternoon. Quality gluten-free chips (TJ’s) with peach salsa. Dinner: Hot and Sour Soup: Adapted from Russ Crandall’s “Paleo Takeout: Restaurant Favorites without the Junk.” Will use homemade poultry soup base (made a couple months ago), gluten free. Recipe uses arrowroot to thicken. However will add some tofu cubes, not Paleo. To make early Friday, add egg just prior to serving. Veggie & beef stir fry. Visit local Asian market Thursday for Asian-specific veggies (CHINESE broccoli instead of western…. Etc.) California sushi rice, in rice cooker. Dessert: Keeping simple. Thinking fresh strawberries with option of cream, coconut cream or a dash of sugar on top – or, nothing on top! Some dark chocolate nibbles for those who do have sweet tooths – nothing fancy. (Maybe chocolate dustings available for those berries!) SATURDAY BREAKFAST – same crowd as previous night: Omelets to order – plain, cheese, veggie. (A local guy sells eggs 2.50 per dozen, can’t beat that!) Home made pork sausages patties (local ground pork; I’ll form the patties Friday, cook in the morning). Available if wanted: Rolled oats for oatmeal; cold Kashi brand cinnamon oat cereal. Grapes and other fresh fruit. SATURDAY LUNCH – make your own sandwiches/lettuce wraps. A variety of cold cuts, lettuce suitable for making wraps, condiments (mustard, mayo that sort of thing), peanut butter. I’ll make a vegan potato salad Friday (roasted mixed potato, red onion, cabbage, apple, seasonings, no mayo). Bread from local bakery on way to house. Other people will trickle in during the afternoon. And will include at least one vegetarian – who does eat dairy and limited eggs. A no-legume, absolutely no seafood serious allergy person. No vegans. One no rice. HOUSE BLESSING: White wine or peach juice, GF oatmeal cookies made with banana. (make Friday) SATURDAY DINNER - see next post! SUNDAY BREAKFAST: Uttapam pancakes (these are savory vegan with lentils and rice, seasoned with onion, tomato, and curry leaves – pick up curry leaves Thursday pm!!! Will supply optional butter/ghee; or real maple syrup, for those who must have sweet…) Soak Friday, grind Saturday and make batter. Scrambled eggs, not to order. Available if wanted: Rolled oats for oatmeal; cold Kashi brand cinnamon oat cereal. Grapes and other fresh fruit. Supplying: coffee, tea, sugar & Splenda for coffee/tea, whole milk, coconut milk, (if I find it) Lactaid milk – my friend can use this in his coffee. SodaStream for seltzer. Wine, champagne, rum. A couple of juices as mixers or whatever.

Few flowers smell as good as Stargazers. You can smell them from one end of the garden to the other! You have some different Siloams. Very nice. Love the yellow seedling. Kate