dekprizm: You may be seeing winter moth caterpillars. The UMass Extension Landscape Message April 20, 2012 is just out and has these recommendations: "For infested plants with opened or opening buds, a spray of Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (B.t.K.) can be quite effective. However, B.t. needs to be ingested by the caterpillars to be effective and if the foliage is not yet near to being fully expanded, then wait for that to happen. Otherwise, the new foliage material that appears over the next several days, after spraying B.t., will not be covered with B.t. thus allowing the caterpillars more leaf surface to damage before ingesting the pesticide. An application of a product that contains Spinosad as the active ingredient should provide excellent results at this time or in the coming weeks during the caterpillar feeding stage. Many pyrethroid insecticides are labeled for caterpillars as well. Avoid spraying apples and crabapples with Spinosad or pyrethroid products if they are in bloom. Pyrethroids can be very harsh on pollinators, such as bees. Spinosad products are toxic to bees at the time of application but this threat diminishes significantly 24 hours after application." It sounds like B.t. is the safest, if your conditions are right. If you have to use Spinosad or pyrethroids, then it's important to apply the product very early or very late in the day when bees, etc. are not active. I'm just repeating what I'm reading here - I haven't used any of these products (I haven't had serious infestations here). I'm sure others here with more experience will respond. Claire

The new Landscape Message (April 27, 2012) is posted, so it's time for this one to slip away. Claire

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, DONNA!!!!! We love you! Check in and tell us how your BIG day was!!!! :-) NHSuzanne: Hilarious video! Thanks for the laugh! If we had TV like THAT, maybe I would consider cable again! LOL! Bummer about your fence. This is the first year that we haven't lost a tree or two on our property. We've had some REAL windy days, but nothing took out our trees, thank goodness. Your garden beds look ready to go! I have to haul dirt and turn it into my hay/worm bin castings and spread it. Then I, too, shall be ready! Easter...I am getting the 2-three year olds again (they are becoming very special to me!) this weekend, Saturday at 11am and overnight for Easter! I LOVE HAVING KIDS ON HOLIDAYS! And, my DD got laid off, so she is here for a week. She's looking for jobs online, and she can do that anywhere. So, it's a perfect weekend! MIL arrives in 6 days for a week-long stay, but without FIL, so that should go easy. Remember, FIL has Asperger Sydrome, so it takes a lot of energy to have fun with him. DeeMarie: CPAP! It's a lifesaver! So glad you're doing this for you, your loved ones, and US!, my love! Peg: Good attitude! As far as caustic family members go, I think many of us have one or two of those. We deal, but it is painful to have family members that we can't just "be" with. :-) Since you asked, projects OUT of the kitchen are many and they are getting accomplished! It feels so good! I feel like I am FINALLY getting things under control. I need to tackle my yard and garage and just get it STARTED! Okay, back to scanning and filing paperwork for me!

I love the Auntie Ann soft pretzels and always treat myself to one when I find them. Here is a copy cat recipe for them. Auntie Anne's Pretzels: Copycat Recipe Makes 12 Adapted from Food Network 2 cups milk 1 1/2 tablespoons (2 packets) active dry yeast 6 tablespoons brown sugar 4 tablespoons butter, melted 4 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons fine salt 1/3 cup baking soda 3 cups warm water Coarse salt 8 tablespoons butter, melted in a shallow dish Warm up the milk in the microwave or on the stove for just about one and a half minutes. It should be about 110�. If it's too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 3 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and the add the fine salt. Kneed for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand. Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap. Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450�. Divide dough into 12 lumps (I like to divide it in half, then divide each half into three, and then divide each remaining one in half again). Roll them all out as thin as you can. Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl. Form the dough into pretzel shapes, then dip in the baking soda water. Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for about 7-11 minutes or until browned. Serve with cheese sauce. For Garlic Cheese Sauce: (A Yammie original) 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 3 cloves minced garlic 1 cup milk 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika a pinch cayenne pepper 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (Not pre-shredded. Do it yourself.) In a saucepan, combine the butter, flour, and garlic over medium heat. Whisk until lightly browned. Whisk in the milk, paprika, and cayenne pepper and continue whisking until thickened. Add the cheese and whisk until melted. Can be reheated in the microwave. Auntie Anne's Pretzels: Copycat Recipe with step by step pictures