Have you checked out all the recipes at NCHFP? That is always the best source, that or the Ball Books or The Joy of Pickling. As a general rule pickling recipes are fairly flexible in the ingredients you can add but it depends on the amount of vinegar used. For example, most B&B pickle recipes call for straight vinegar undiluted by water. So yes you can add garlic if you wish - within reason. Most recipes call for 3-4 cloves diced. If working with a pickle recipe that diluted the vinegar with water (1:1 is lowest approved) then you have to stick with the ingredients called for and no additions. But you don't have that problems with straight vinegar recipes. As for adding the pepper - same general rule applies. However dried hot pepper flakes is always recommended over fresh peppers. Dried additives are always safer to add to a recipe than are fresh ingredients as dried don't alter the pH or density. There are some limits on fridge storage of brines as molds and fungus can develop over time. So be sure you reheat the brine to boiling each time you make a fresh batch and don't plan to store it for more than a couple of weeks. To avoid wasting the brine simply cut the recipe for it in half or quarters when making it. There is no need to make a full batch of brine for only a couple of half pints or pints of pickles. OK? Dave

I make my own with loaves of Italian or French bread. Make a paste out of butter, garlic and parmesean. You could just use olive oil in place of butter. But everything is better with butter, no? Slice bread lengthwise and spread mixture on both insides placing garlic slathered side face up on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 till golden. Just keep an eye on it. Shouldn't be more than 10 minutes, give or take a few minutes depending on your oven's "real" temperature. Our favorite dessert to serve our family and friends on "Italian" dinner nites would be hands down, freshly filled cannoli shells. I buy the shells separately at the local Italian grocery. They come in a box, I've used all different brands depending on what my guy has in stock at the time I need cannoli shells. Mix up my own ricotta, using a little 10x sugar and mini choc chips. I do that ahead and store in an airtight container in the refigerator. Can do up to 3-4 days ahead. Just don't fill the shells until it is time to serve dessert. I fill the shells right before serving so they are crispy. One thing I do not like is a soft cannoli shell. Ziploc-type gallon size storage bags make a perfect pastry bag. Sounds like a yummy meal and fun time! Don't forget the music. Usually makes for a better dinner party, at least in our home! Oh, and the wine or whatever spirits you and yoru friends enjoy! I'd purchase a small bottle of Sambuca, Frangelico or Amaretta for a little something to go with dessert. Can you tell that I love to entertain, cook and eat?

Do you have a name with that Country Smile ? I don't do anything special. I have a Hi and Low setting on my Broiler. I would go a little more than Half way. You can always make it hotter but too hot means Burnt. You can do it 2 ways, according to how much you are making. 1. Cut some Italian Sandwich rolls in half, lengthwise, like to make a sandwich. Sprinkle on some EVOO and let it soak down into. A. Spread some butter on next, then a good sprinkle of Garlic Powder, with an Italian pinch of Oregano and Basil. Place it on the Preheated Broiler shelf, at least 6 inches from the burner. B. When it starts to tan slightly, sprinkle on some Parmesan Cheese. Put it back in the broiler, for a minute. Don't go away !!! When it tans a little darker take it out and serve. 2. Instead of cutting the Italian rolls or bread in half, make 3/4 inch slices. Butter them and Sprinkle on Garlic Powder, throw them in a Skillet to brown ( just tan ) Take them out and spread some more butter and Garlic Pwd., as in steps A and B. Lou

DH has had talks with her but on the day to day stuff... most of it he doesn't see, but when he's right there... I don't think he is paying attention at all, kinda like with the bread. He's oblivious to when she is being rude & later when I mention it to him, he'll agree that she shouldn't do this or that but he didn't really notice. Very rarely, he'll say it's not that big a deal. DH & I had a long, drawn out conversation/almost argument last week because a few weeks ago... before Thanksgiving time, I noticed my netbook that I keep in my car for work had a damaged screen. It looked as if something smashed it & the screen had a splotch on it. It wasn't cracked, just a portion of the screen was discolored. Well, sometimes SD rides in the front seat next to where I keep it (between the seats, under the console) I couldn't imagine how else it was damaged, except SD stepped on it, sat on it or pressed really hard on it... but she would have to take it out of the console because it's not where she could accidentally touch it. I was angry but I figured if she did it on purpose, telling her I was angry would only satisfy her so I gave it to my DD & bought a new one. In December I put a DVD system in the backseat. There are two screens on the headrests for each side. Last weekend, I was cleaning my car & right in the center of the screen that is on the side where SD sits is a huge thumb/palm? print. It looks like someone pressed into the middle of the screen. Nobody rides in the car except me, SD & DGS2 in his car seat. He can't reach either of the screens. Also, the last time I detailed my car, there was ink scribbled on the leather door panel where SD sits. Again, I said nothing because it is obvious to me that SD is doing stuff on purpose to my car & whenever I have confronted her, she denies doing anything. She gets this I'm so innocent look & how dare I accuse her of anything. Crap! I'd rather her tell me she hates me & is glad she did it but no matter what, she denies it, then tells everyone how awful I am for accusing her of something she didn't do. I have no proof it's her but common sense & I don't want her to see me get upset because I feel like that's what she wants. So, finally this last time I went to DH & told him I don't want her in my car anymore... he wanted me to have a talk with her but like I said, how do you talk to someone that says she didn't do it, doesn't have a clue how it happened, etc. So, he got upset with me & started trying to make excuses for her. Finally he admitted he doesn't know what to do about her but he works in another town & rides the bus to my office so she has to ride home with me. So, I know DH needs to address the problem & yes, he is a mild mannered good guy that just wants to do the right thing & live in peace. He wants to go to work, pay the bills, come home to his family & enjoy the evening. I don't think he thinks about, nor is he worried about what she will be like when she's a teen, maybe because he's a guy & has no clue about girls/daughters... or he hopes things will just fall into place. I don't think he realizes how serious her problems are or he just has no clue about how to fix them. As the on site female, I tried to give my input but as we can see, that has been rejected & backfired. At the moment, I'm looking forward to summer when she'll be with her mom & only here for weekends. I plan to be gone and/or busy with DGS or work. I feel guilty for feeling that way but I can't stand how it is. Just this morning, I get up & go to the baby's room which is next to hers. She was in the livingroom & heard me coming, ran back to her room. I get the baby up & bring him to my room so I can finish getting ready while he watches his favorite show. DH goes into the kitchen, SD comes out & is talking to him. I get done getting ready & come down the hall, her bedroom door closes because she hurried back to her room. Last night, I was cooking dinner & playing Wii with DH. SD is watching us. I leave the room to check on dinner & she starts talking to him. I come back & she doesn't talk. I leave again, same thing. It's just very annoying!