Annie, I took all the oils and the penzey's spices on vacation and they were great. We have been on a bit of a from scratch pasta sauce kick and the basil oil meant we never had to buy fresh basil for just a tiny amount. I have also been quickly depleting the garlic oil, so good over broccoli with butter and a splash of soy sauce. I used the lemon oil in Tomato Basil butter the other day and it was a real time saver. I think I will be ordering oils soon :-) Although I did find the garlic oil in Trader Joe's on the cape. I look forward to the champagne vinegar as well, this whole package is so wonderful. I even found a source for unripe apples next year so I can try a greater selection of the recipes from my new cookbook. Good friends who are always happy to eat my jam have an apple tree on their property. Ann, you are right the box was huge, I used it to send out my swap package. So my swap partner will be receiving a well traveled box. -Robin

Hi Caroline! I had to revisit your post and the cute pics of Harry this morning..how he can make me smile! :) And thank you for posting the pup pic..how cuuuute! How many litter mates did Harry have? Just luv Harry looking down at his special cake..think I'll have to share this one with my fellow dog lovers and change my desktop today. :) Shhhh..don't tell Harry I asked, but do his veggies give him gas? ;)

I’m compelled to share my experience with purchasing granite from Home Depot since this, along with EFS’s post from back in March concerning Antique Brown granite, caused me many sleepless nights. It is clearly correct (as I’ve read on GW) that your experience with HD’s kitchen design staff/granite journey is regional and, in the case of fabrication/installation, dependent on their subs. I have used a local fabricator to fabricate and install Danby marble on our island and the countertop and backsplash on a small hutch area, as well as granite on a vanity in our guest bathroom. I had no problem at all with their craftsmanship, but their business model was another story altogether. I took a full three day’s (separately) vacation for them to work at my house only to have them not show up; each time they’d call around 7pm to apologize and say they were stuck on another job; one time an installer showed up on a Saturday when I had no idea he was coming; no one would commit to scheduling or selling me anything without talking to the owner first, etc. They exhausted me; friends who’d used the other local fabricator had horrible work done...pieces of granite turned willy nilly and seams that weren’t remotely matched, etc. I told my husband we might as well try HD for our perimeter cabinets (I knew I wanted Brown Antique to go with the color we painted our existing cabs and the Blue Box didn’t carry it) and solid surface for our laundry room. Literally EVERYthing HD and their subs did was professional and timely in every way. I received phone calls to schedule each and every step...and the appointments were kept! - as well as confirmations (measuring, viewing/selecting slabs, install, follow up after install) and the craftsmanship is impeccable. You cannot see the seam in the Antique Brown if you are standing anywhere in the kitchen other than right over it and looking for it. It is even better than doonie’s. Such a relief. I hope that everything has worked out for simbasue. Meanwhile, I live in KY, 40 miles south of Louisville, but their granite fabricator is KBR and the installer was Top in Counters in Cincinnati. I couldn’t be more pleased. My only complaint is I received my first speeding ticket in over 15 years on my way to select slabs :-( … they were very gracious about me being late for my appointment! Sorry for such a long post, but what a RELIEF!!!

PC - I found another tomato motivational song - this one by Guy Clark - that may help the Brandy Boys and other varieties !! I'll have to let the tomato plants listen to this tune next year - it already has me motivated to get going on another season - haha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAJq6sHNktc Lyrics Well, there ain't nothin' in the world that I like better Than bacon and lettuce and homegrown tomatoes Up in the mornin', out in the garden Get you a ripe one, hey, don't get a hard one Plant 'em in the spring, eat 'em in the summer All winter with out 'em's a culinary bummer I forget all about the sweatin' and diggin' Everytime I go out and pick me a big one Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes Now you can go out to eat and that's for sure But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure Put 'em in a salad, put 'em in a stew You make your very own tomato juice You can eat 'em with eggs, eat 'em with gravy Eat 'em with beans, pinto or navy Put 'em on the side, put 'em in the middle Put a homegrown tomato on a hotcake griddle Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes If I's to change this life I lead I'd be Johnny Tomato Seed 'Cause I know what this country needs Homegrown tomatoes in every yard you see, yeah When I die, don't bury me In a box in a cemetary Out in the garden would be much better And I could be pushin' up homegrown tomatoes Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes, alright Songwriters Clark, Guy