ci_lantro, you are my freezing clone! Have been freezing in paper milk cartons for years as well. When I make similar pasta meals/soups, etc, I line the boxes with a non-zip plastic food storage bag, de-air and use a twistie. I have never had freezer burn and am still enjoying home grown frozen apricots halves from 2005. A plain freezer zip lock is not as trustworthy IMO. When packaging a pasta dish or soup for two, I simply shorten the half gallon milk cartons-since those are the main sizes I have. Keep enough ht to fold sides and front in, fold over back side and then use a strong 1/8th inch rubberband to secure. Label and stack those "bricks." When I package our home grown chickens, one cut up chicken minus back fills one carton. Cut down cartons can hold lesser amounts. Like you, storage is in the lower level between floor joists on shelves above the freezers. Half gal-flat bottomed-Breyers icecream cartons are the other favorite storage worker. They hold zip lock (snack or sandwich) portions of berries/fruits, chutneys, asparagus, chicken livers, sauces, and eggs. Before capping, a piece of closed cell foam or bubble wrap covers all. Rubberband as well. Should admit current icecream cartons are only 1.5 qts but my vintage ones are 1/2 gal. My children and grands love to comment on previous labels on their BB10 (aka blueberries 2010 crop) gifts...and the cartons are returned as they know recycling is my mantra. Try this Juliet, and let us know if it works for you.

Oh, Deedles, yes, it needs to come out. I think that was all happening during one of your big decision times so it could have slipped by you, and understandably so! Instead of locking the sheets together to make the continuous pattern, they were installed in straight lines and the gaps were filled in with loose tiles. See below. But I have been lucky, and if my biggest kitchen remodel problem is an extra $600 or so in tile (he is ripping out and fixing the wall) and paying a new installer then I really can't be that upset. My GC is nice and does good work, but some of the finishing pretty stuff is not his strong point. If I had picked plain subways like I had initially thought, probably no problems at all. Thanks, andreak1000! When I scroll past the before pics I almost can't believe it's the same kitchen, even though the layout changes were limited to mostly a few inches here and there, and moving the fridge. Haven't tried the oven method yet, though I understand it's great. We so rarely eat red meat, let alone fried or comfort food, that I can't justify loosing that great crusty sear and grease to be healthier or easier. They are definitely grandmas meatballs, but I'm glad I was a little off on the sauce with the diced tomatoes. I probably would have been sobbing into my pasta if it tasted like hers, it's only been a little over a year and we were pretty close for most of my life. Less so the last number of years while she lived in FL, but being the oldest grandchild I had many expiriences and memories that the younger ones just didnt have, especially with my grandfather who passed away when I was 12. It's going to be a while before I make this again, I haven't cried so much in many months. Wasn't expecting that, though I knew I'd think of grandma.

I got this one: Nesco Roaster Oops - Just checked - cheaper on Amazon - $67.20 and free shipping Love mine; don't have anything to compare it to. My DIL used an older Nesco that her mom had picked up at a thrift store and I knew I wanted one like it. It seems just like the older one - not really sure. When researching, I read that Nesco was the original maker of these type of roasters, so that is why I went with it. Mine will hold up to a 22 pound turkey. If you get one, make sure you follow the directions to "cure" it on high heat for about an hour before using the first time. I think it is aluminum.

When my sons were little, we used to do a Valentine hunt. I'm pretty sure I've posted about it before. When they were done eating, I'd have them turn their plates over and taped to the bottom was a heart with a clue. That would lead to another and another. When I started, the younger boy couldn't read yet, so his clues were pictures not words. The final valentine led to a small gift, such as a pack of character underwear. I don't remember how old they were when we stopped. They each got only one thing and like I said, it wasn't something expensive or extravagant. It was just for the fun of it.