Hey GF! Good to see you! A little bird whispered that I had a shout out... and here is the recipe! That was an amazing visit with you all! Martini Mayhem! Alexa Autumn Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/4 cup cranberries 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup red onion, chopped 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar or Honey 1 tablespoon Dijon-style prepared mustard 1 cup vegetable oil salt and pepper to taste 10 cups mixed salad greens, rinsed and dried 2 Anjou Pears, cored and thinly sliced Toast the walnuts for 8 to 10 minutes in a 350F oven, or until lightly toasted. In a food processor, combine the cranberries, vinegar, onion, syrup, and mustard. Puree until smooth; gradually add oil, and season with salt and pepper. In a salad bowl, toss together the greens, pears, and enough of the cranberry mixture to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts, and serve. Note: Also great with crumbled Gorgonzola

Renee, you're right, this sounds unholy. So I'll have to include them in my Christmas packages this year. I have Bourbon, it's not Woodford, but that won't stop me. In regards to paraffin, it is edible. And, in spite of the fact it was approved by the FDA ;-Ã, the body does not absorb wax. But it is still being used today, in all types of chocolates. Besides, our grandmothers never keeled over from using this product. But, if you don't have paraffin in your pantry, get your hands on some Paramount Crystals, which works very well, and it's popular among candy makers. Ok, I confess. The latter (Paramount Crystals) is really just shortening, in flake form. But, unlike vegetable shortening in a can, the flakes have an eternal shelf life. Thanks Renee, for sharing this treat with us. Sol

My brother has a Sonos which runs off his phone and the sound is amazing. While they were here on Good Friday we were discussing it, and I found a Sonos One for sale on an online group. It has a built-in Alexa. I bought it and tried to hook it up using my computer. Apparently this was able to do, until just a couple of months ago. Now the company only do setup using a phone. I tried downloading the app and it won't install. I put it up for sale and a buyer is coming later today. This is becoming more frustrating than it's worth just to listen to music. Obviously I need to upgrade my phone, which I still might do, as long as I get the Google Home or Mini at a great price to offset the cost of the phone.

Schoolhouse, it's working out surprisingly well. Rocky (large male about 6 years old) had come in for visits during the day, but Scruffy (small, long-haired female of indeterminate age) hadn't. They both came in at night but were eager to go back outside in the morning. I didn't know how Scruffy would take to such a big change. She tends to be easily spooked. Well, she took to it right away! She's always loved softness and warmth, and that we have. She was a stray when she came to us (Rocky was as well), and now that I've had a lot more interaction with her I think she must have been abused at some point in her life. They've been in the house about three weeks so far. When the weather finally warmed up this week Rocky got restless and would have slipped out the door if I hadn't been careful going in and out. Scruffy doesn't seem interested in leaving. Rocky loves to play and will chase balls as long as I'll pitch them. Scruffy occasionally attacks a catnip mouse, but mostly loves to nap. Rocky's the one with one blue eye. Scruffy got her name when she first showed up. She was such a matted mess that we thought she was seriously ill. Nope, she was just hungry.