The rule of thumb is to start your seed 5-6 weeks before setting out, I like to start them earlier. If they look like they're stretching don't sweat it, just plant them deeper or lay them in trenches after nipping off the leaves that will be buried, they'll form roots all along the buried stems and you'll have nice strong plants. I've already started mine in the greenhouse, I'll just pot them on until I can plant them in they're permanent spot. Last year was a bummer for tomatoes here so this year I'm going to grow a few in the greenhouse. Annette

You mean instead of paying it as the house is being constructed? That's not a dumb question....I was totally confused about that as well. In the case of our loan, and I imagine most, the interest is paid on the money that the bank is giving the builder as he draws it. I was wondering why my husband was so keen on making sure that the first draws were paid with cash that was left over from the proceed of the sale of our house, before dipping into the loan...now I know. Those interest payments keep getting bigger and bigger each month...I really want my house finished quick!! I also asked why we just couldn't pay the interest at the end with the mortgage, but apparently our loan isn't set up that way. Stinks...and makes me think that building is WAYYY more expensive than buying an already built home. I wish we could have bought the house we are building SPEC! ;) ('Course, then it wouldn't be anything like what we want, so I guess that is the trade-off!)

Treating it like fruit leather or jerky might be the way to go. Or if you can grind some kibble to a flour, or close, in a coffee/spice grinder, it would absorb some of your moisture. Might be good to try and get to a cookie dough type mixture so you could roll it thin. A food processor might give you a nice stiff mix. For dog treats i use the dry pulp from my juicer, usually carrots, beets, greens, apples, etc. Then add cooked pumpkin, squash, rice etc, whatever i have leftovers to make a 'dough'. Sometimes liver or ground meats. Coconut oil or olive oil. The pulp is just a good extender for the rich liver. A smashed banana or a bit of peanut butter. I don't usually go out of my way to make them. Just if the timing is right, after making juice for us, i'll make a stiff dough if i have time. No real recipe. The pic is a gift giving batch. I usually just cut with a pizza wheel. Because of the pulp, they dehydrate better than baking. Before i had a dehydrator, i just dried in a low oven, mine is gas and will go as low as 150. My pups love sweet potato and beet chips and so do we. So that is a win/win. Treats for everybody. I don't salt or season them. Sliced very thin, card stock thin, they are crispy like potato chips. I just rub with a very thin amount of olive oil or coconut oil. A mandolin is the best way to get thin even slices. -this batch was for the shelter bake sale a couple years ago so i'm sure it was grain-free. I'm remembering dried blueberries and dried parsley. No ofal/meats. I keep all homemade treats in the freezer. Fine in the fridge for a week. Without a juicer, a cheese grater or chopped and pulsed in a food processor would work.

I tend to be a tipper. There are reasons... plus, it's just who I am. I think everyone has to find their own comfort zone in this, and be true to themselves. Having said that... I usually tip deliverymen. I don't tip skilled tradesmen like electricians or plumbers, and I don't tip owners of companies if they perform a service (my exterminator owns his business). I usually don't tip more than $20 or $25 per person for a big installation or lengthy job (like rug installers). If it's a short, quick, in and out delivery, I tip $5 or $10 per person. I say as I give them their tip, "thank you for your ____(fill in the blank: "work", "help", "being careful", etc.)____. Sometimes I wish I could give more, but I don't or can't. So, sometimes I'll say that. I don't explain "why" it's not more, I just make the statement, "I wish it could be more". Sometimes I say "Maybe you can buy lunch with it", or something like that. So, then they realize that that it's like I did buy them lunch, or dinner. Rarely do these service or repair people seem disappointed. They are usually very thankful. There are probably as many different ideas, opinions, and ways to do this as there are people. I've found what I'm comfortable with, and I hope it helps you find your comfort zone, too.