I was amazed that out of all of the 4 grafted plum, peach and apricots on the single tree I have, that the red plums were so good. The tree is still quite small and now has about 10 peaches almost ripe. About two weeks ago, I noticed the 6 or so small red plums had been slashed open, probably by birds. I picked them all and was amazed at their taste. The pluots are usually always good, but these few plums were also very sweet, even though the seed/stone inside was fuzed to the meat. I don't own a plout tree and have been considering planting one, but they barely can handle a Z6 climate. They must be bought through Dave Wilson nurseries as they are 'patented'. I was not happy with a nectarine tree I planted about 4 years ago, so that one was destroyed. Its fruits would turn dark brown and fall off very early. The woodchuck also used to climb that tree and chew limbs off. Because of my physical age and aches and pains, I am reducing my vegetable garden to about half its size in future years, in favor of growing a few more fruit trees and other permenent things like asparagus, and berry buses. Right now, asian pears are planted, as well as a hopeful replacement for the dead quince I planted this past spring. Gotta get out there today and pick all the apples off one of my trees. They look really good, with no insect damages or any nasty diseases. Again, thanks to all for your birthday wishes. Its people like the ones here, who are truly friends in the home canning world.

Thank you all so much!!! Deanna had to send me an email telling me to stop being rude and come say thank you to my forum friends. I suck, sorry gang. We took a four day weekend so I just got back to work yesterday and have been slammed ever since. The weekend was great though, we went to the coast for ham radio field day (basically a glorified camping trip in the name of "disaster preparedness" and smores. Can't forget the smores.) I figured out how to make pizza and cinnamon rolls in a camper oven and Deanna's Nutty Blackberry Pie Bars were a big hit! Ok, I should get to work, but I promise to check in more often. If I don't Deanna can come kick my butt. Thanks everyone!! Bri

Thanks for the good wishes everyone! It's been a great day so far and we've still got dinner to come! My husband and I both took the day off work, slept in and generally lazed the morning away. This afternoon we hit up my favorite cooking store. I had a gift certificate left over and figured I'd be able to couple that with my 20% off birthday coupon to get my first saute pan. So I was looking at the Cuisinart saute pan (because it was in my self imposed price range) and my dear husband wanders over to the Le Creuset section, holds up a saute pan and says "hey, isn't this the same brand as your dutch oven?" There wasn't any discussion after that, he just picked one up and headed toward the counter with it while I wasn't looking. Sneaky little brat! And just the day before he'd come back from the coast with a beautiful myrtlewood cutting board for me. I'm beginning to feel a little (ok a LOT) spoiled. :) After that we split a slice of pizza, had gelato and went to the home improvement store where we made THREE whole decisions about the kitchen remodel. I would have been thrilled with one decision, but we decided on a sink, a faucet and the cabinet hardware. I don't know what stars aligned in the cosmos, but I'm not complaining. The planning for this renovation has been quite a time-sink, sorry I've not been around this forum more. Thanks for remembering me!! Thought you'd want to see the cutting board dh found for me. He looked at the "regular/boring" square butcherblock ones, but thought I might like this one with curved sides, end grain and brick mold layout more. He's so cute! :) Bri

I'm baaaaaaaaackkkkk! Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I had a wonderful weekend! Let's see..... Mom picked me up early from work and we went to lunch. Checked out our Thursday farmer's market and there were only about 4 booths with berries and greens, all overpriced. We drove to my favorite local farm and picked up the 20# of green beans I had ordered. Went home, made dinner and sat on the porch with a glass of wine and snapped beans! Friday, I had an electrician at my house @ 8am for a couple of quick repairs. He fixed one and had to get a part for the second so planned to come back in the late afternoon. Opened mom's BD gift of Bee Pollen and Avocado Honey, a cool baking pan and a fall table runner. We went and picked 16# of blueberries ($1.00/#) and came home and froze those. Started canning beans about 11am. Finished around 3pm. While the loads were heating and cooling, we managed a quick lunch, some sun tanning time and ice cream. Electrician came back. We went to another farmer's market close to my house and another little farm. Came home and made tuna fillets, fresh green beans with our local bacon and some winter squash. Saturday we got up and headed into town to check out a couple of pretty disappointing little (new) crafter's markets, looked at a used dresser and made arrangements to purchase that and have it delivered on Sunday evening. Had lunch al fresco at a fisherman's market, then went and wandered through our Saturday market. I bought a cool smoking kit for the BBQ with nine different flavors of wood pellets and a little smoker box that fits right on the grill (made from an old Altoid tin). Got home around 4pm, relaxed for a couple of hours and then headed back into town for (birthday) dinner at a favorite chinese place. Home again. Sunday morning we got up and made a black and blue cobbler and a marinated veggie salad for later in the day. Went to church, came home and had a little snack. Went to a BBQ/pool party at my son-in-law's mom's house. SIL's brother's BD is the 22nd and his step-dad's is the 24th, so it was a multi-birthday thing! They have a nice pool and it sure felt good when it was 90 degrees here! Came home and waited for the dresser delivery. Popped over to a neighbor's house that makes goat cheese and bought her out of the only flavor she had made up; basil, garlic & black pepper. Yum!!! I traded a bunch of my herbs for $6 worth of cheese and bought the other $10 worth. I have an order in for plain and rosemary/garlic!! She also makes goat milk soaps and sells fresh goat milk. Nice contact and she's walking distance from my house! Finished off Sunday night with a big bowl of Strawberry Shortcake and (more than one glass) of wine! :-) I had a fantastic weekend! Deanna P.s. LindaC, I'd rather have your Carrot Cake than Chocolate, but thanks for the sentiment!!