We have been having temps down in the 30's and frost for the last few days. Now the temps are going back up to the mid 50's and low 60's for the next few days with a possibility of rain in the forecast. In fact, there is a 70% chance of rain for tomorrow. It has been so dry here that I am looking forward to some wet weather. I heard the local weatherman say tonight that we have had 3/100 inch of rain for October. Even with the dry weather my fall veggies are coming along. I pick some kale this afternoon and made kale soup for dinner tonight. Never made it before but it was pretty good. The chicks are growing. I thought maybe I could get them outside pretty soon but looks like "Me and the Chickens" will be together for at least another three to four weeks. We have rats in the storage building so I am afraid to put the chicks out there. Don't want the rats to get them but I tell you....keeping their box cleaned is almost a full-time job. I have to keep the top partially over the box because the little rascals are flying up on the edge of the box (which is a deep rubbermaid tub) and getting out. Got the coop for the new hen and rooster repaired and got them in it yesterday afternoon. Got the Dominiques seperated from the silkies now. Even though both pair seemed to be getting along pretty good. Neither hen has started laying yet. The rabbits are getting thick fur for winter. Have two does due to kindle November 11th. Hope we can start breeding the meat does by the middle of November. I have been reading about having rabbits in colonies. We are talking about trying to do a colony for the regular ones that we have. The processor told me that she didn't want the ones that I plan to bring her to be put on the ground. They have free hanging cages anyway so they are easier to care for and keep their cages clean. We have several does that we have raised that we are thinking about putting in the colony. Then get a new buck to bring in for them. Harry, I know what you mean about the time change. But I sort of like it myself. Makes it easier to get up and get ready in the morning when I have to work. I woke up yesterday (Sunday) morning. Got up and decided to check to see if there was e-mail from son or grandson. Looked at the time...4:40 am.....And I was wide awake...LOL I hope everyone has a great week.... Jan

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the Internet posting about using an undercounter fridge WITH FREEZER as our ONLY fridge, because we are 2 adults living in a Manhattan studio and I cook! It's a pretty ordinary 24" wide (non ADA) Summit with top freezer. Yes it's manual defrost, ices up stuff at the back occasionally and is pretty noisy (like you have a bit of tinnitus) but so is New York... I got my own (too small) studio now and I started looking for a "better" one that is also PANEL READY (integrated). But not drawers. They are incredibly sexy but a 50/50 fridge freezer split is no good for a primary fridge unless you live on ice cream. Here in 2016 there are few choices (links provided just so you can see the insides) 1. Uline (around $1699) http://www.karlsappliance.com/products/U-line/uln/1224rfint00a.html and Marvel (around $2099) http://www.karlsappliance.com/products/Marvel/mar/ml24rfp3rp.html - almost identical-looking models but NO DOOR STORAGE due to new energy efficient redesign. Both panel ready with auto defrost freezer. Marvel has a crisper drawer but seriously, is that worth the extra $400... 2. Marvel old school discontinued model 61RF ($1300) http://www.appliancesconnection.com/marvel-61rfbbor-i140513.html that looks pretty dated but HAS DOOR STORAGE new Uline and Marvel does not. A few still floating around in the stores. Not auto defrost of course 3. Subzero (around $2400) http://www.abt.com/mobile/product_images.php?product_id=41720 with some door storage (clearly designed more for beverages) where the main door is also the bottom freezer door. Apparently quiet and separate compressors for fridge and freezer but you pay for it. 4. Summit panel ready ($899) https://www.summitappliance.com/catalog/model/CT663BBIIF The most storage but more basic, more noisy. Freezer is not auto defrost. Factoid: old school manual defrost freezers are said to create less temperature swings in the rest of the fridge... We are hoping to move out of our studios one day and so there's some logic in buying the one with visually more storage for resale as well as daily usefulness. If I've missed any permutations here or you can tell me what you'd do (moving to a bigger place or installing a full height fridge, or more than one fridge, or drawers are all NOT options) let me know!

Hmmm, I've also never thought of squash as a condiment, what a good idea! I often just bake the butternuts without peeling and then scoop the cooked flesh out with a spoon for freezing or just for supper, it's far easier than peeling those big and oddly shaped monsters. My daughters like them with butter and brown sugar and maybe a little cinnamon, but I like them with just salt and pepper so they taste like squash and not like dessert. Annie

If anyone likes hard seltzer now and then, I found one I really like that is very refreshing in summer. It’s called Truly, and is similar to White Claw, but I like it better. The citrus flavors are my favorite....a mix of grapefruit, lemon, lime and orange. Only 100 calories, 1 g sugar and 2 carbs. I don’t usually even drink carbonated beverages, but this seems very light for a refreshing change after working in the yard in the hot summer.