I pretty much always use sunflower seeds unless I see pinenuts on sale. I make like a three year supply of pesto at a time (once or twice each summer) and freeze it in gallon freezer bags. I smush it flat and about a half an inch thick and lay it on a sheet of cardboard or a small cookie sheet in the freezer til it freezes solid. Once all the produce is processed and froozen you can stand them upright like books on a shelf. To use it just break a corner off inside the bag and work it out the opening. Works much better than freezing in ice cube trays.

Please try Carbona Shampoozer. It is a rug and upholstery cleaner. It comes in a red plastic bottle with a brush & sponge top. I had a container of sausage & peppers (made with olive oil) spill on my back seat. I used this, following directions on the bottle, rubbed with a clean towel and the light gray fabric seats were like brand new.

Can I join the club? I hope all of you have had success in removing your odor from your vehicles. When I bought my new car, the second month of ownership, I was running late to work and decided to take some milk in a spill-proof mug with me and have cereal at work. Well, as I got into the garage at work to park my car, the stupid mug got knocked over and the lid came undone, unleashing lots of fresh low-fat milk!!! all over the front passenger side. Can I tell you how tortured I was at knowing that I did this in my new car??? And have no one else to blame???? Anyway, after a week or so of trying pet-odor removers, carpet cleaners, and simply just soaking the area up with damp clothes, I learnt of applying baking soda on the area - just make sure the area is slightly damped before applying. I left the baking soda sit for about 1 week and then vacuumed feverishly. Odor gone! It was that easy. Now forward 3 years.....I was washing my car and I happened to clean my floor mats with some carpet upholstery cleaner. Well, I didn't notice that I left the passenger floor mat too damp. For the rest of the week, I didn't drive my car. But on the weekend, when I went to get groceries - I jumped in the car to only be greeted by the smell of dead animal!!! After making sure there was no dead animal in the trunk, engine compartment, below the car, underneath the seats, I came across a heavy dead animal odor beneath the passenger side floor mat! And noticed that it was still damp!!! Instantly, I knew this had to have been the return of the milk I spilled three years ago!!! This time around, I tried to treat it with carpet upholstery cleaner with no luck. I also tried using the baking soda. Despite having the baking soda in there overnight, the odor was still active the next morning. However, not as intense as dead animal, but more like a musty, dirty socks smell. I left the baking soda in a bit longer and went to Target and got a specific car upholstrey foam cleaner from Prestige for $4. I vacuumed the baking soda - really vacuumed it and the whole passenger front side. I simply sprayed the foam cleaner and left it in for 2 minutes to soak in. After that, you use the scrubber on the cap to scrub in the foam. And then lift the foam off with a damp clothe. I repeated it one more time. And then let it dry overnight. The next day what an improvement. By day 2, the odor was contained and I hope the milk residue from 3 years ago is gone. Plus, I have a good looking interior passenger carpet! I totally recommend this product.

Karen, do you want to keep with an Italian theme? This Pear with Tiramisu is delicous. I also have a wonderful cassata cake recipe. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Carmelized Pears with Tiramisu Cream ==================================== This scrumptious dessert from HeartSmart Cooking for Family and Friends will make dinner guests think you're a professional chef, and the fact that it's low-fat makes it even more attractive. Http://www.canada.com/vancouver/features/tasteofbc/r ecipes/carmel_pears.html Ingredients: 4 medium pears, firm but ripe (preferably bartlett or bosc) 2/3 cup (150 mL) granulated sugar 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chopped candied ginger 1 lemon, sliced very thin Filling 1/2 cup (125 mL) part skim ricotta cheese, drained (see note) 2 tablespoons (30 mL) granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) vanilla extract 2 teaspoons (10 mL) dark rum, coffee liqueur or extra-strong coffee 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate 1 tablespoon (15 mL) icing sugar, sifted . Preparation: Cut pears in half lengthwise. Scoop out cores (a melon baller works well). Sprinkle 2/3 cup (150 mL) granulated sugar over bottom of large heavy frypan that will hold all the pears in one layer. Cook, uncovered, on medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until sugar begins to brown and melt, stirring occasionally (be careful not to let burn). Remove frypan from heat. Add pears cut side down. Sprinkle with ginger and arrange lemon slices over top. Place over low heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Cover and remove from heat; let rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare filling: In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) granulated sugar, vanilla and rum. Place chopped chocolate in strainer to remove any chocolate "dust" (this prevents the ricotta from discolouring). Stir chocolate pieces into filling. To serve, place a pear half, cut side up, on each plate. Spoon about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) cheese mixture on to each half. Drizzle pear and plate with any syrup remaining in frypan. Arrange a cool lemon slice on each and dust with icing sugar. Makes 8 servings. Note: Put ricotta cheese in sieve set over bowl and let drain for 1 hour before using.