Seriously, Honestly? I go to the Gallery and spend hours and hours going over all the latest pictures that Oceanna posted. Today, a little over 3 hours at the Gallery (Gee, thanks Oceanna! *wink*). Got nothing, zippo, nada done. Way too many ideas doing Funny Car crashes in my grey matter for me to make a firm decision on my projects so might as well go look-see everyone elses projects. Actually, truth be told there is no name for my 'style'. Believe me, I've searched. No way to describe it online so that I can get a decent search going. Because there is no name for my style, I come to a point where I get stuck ----- (the fact that my ideas have to be done on a miniscule budget makes it all that more difficult.) Kitchen not finished --- going on 15 months. Backyard/Garden Decor not done --- going on 7 months. Family Room not done --- going on 20 months. Sunroom not done --- going on 28 months. Master Bedroom not done -- going on 9 months. (Won't count the Master bath because in all fairness, we just started it. But I'm sure I'll come to a grinding halt there, too.) Why? Because I'm stuck, can't make a decision and stick to it because I can't find ideas for what I see in my mind's eye. I know there's got to be inspiration out there for what I'm trying to create but so far, haven't found it. I get ideas, tips and opinions from all the talented folks here and put them into play and all starts looking good but to head to the finish line? Nope. Isn't happening. So, I go to all the neato new photos on the Gallery side, thanks to Oceanna, kill a ton of time and not get a thing accomplished. Then I feel guilty for not accomplishing anything and I start the whole process over again. Amity, who is heading over to the gallery, again. lol

Pattisue, did you read the .. study(?) that compared canned veggies with frozen and fresh? The canned came out no worse than frozen. Now, I can't remember if they were looking at no sodium ones, but I remember being pleased as I ate a can of corn with a spoon from the can. BFelton, shame on 'ya. Everyone has to have a guilty pleasure and some of ours is Velveeta. At least no one is eating space food sticks now. Rest assured, had someone hoarded them they'd still be fine. Total chemicals. No wonder American bodies didn't decompose in the Vietnamese heat like locals did. (Now that's a picture for the morning.) I wanted you all to know I'm on my 4th meal (breakfast, dinner, repeat) without any Reese's cups. That's 1600 delicious, empty calories of waist fat. No sugar withdrawal, which is surprising. And I'm noticing already the HABIT it is to grab one of these packs of heaven-in-orange-plastic. "Awareness is everything," said every yoga teacher I've ever had in 35 years. I also went to the grocery store after work. 10:30 at night. I bought stuff to make some freezable dishes. Soup, grain dishes, maybe some spaghetti. $149 later I had: Kamut, barley, amaranth, quinoa, cous cous (N. African kind, not Israeli), brown rice, millet, and a couple other kinds. Whole wheat pasta (not sure about this). Soy milk (can you cook with this like regular milk? Will it freeze?) Raisins, apples, pineapple, Savoy, Chinese, green cabbage and bok choi. Onions, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, and lots of colored bell peppers. The latter I can cut up and freeze, too. Some 93% fat free ground chuck for a monstrous vat of soup I plan. Some hot Italian sausage. and Lentils. I've never eaten a bean in my life I didn't spit across the room. But. (Big But) I tried the Carraba's spicy sausage and lentil soup by accident and absolutely loved it. I've looked up some copy cat recipes and think I'm going to try it. If it bombs, I'll pour it in the garden. So wish me luck in cooking, better choices, and that they "stick."

I'm busy from 3 a.m. until 9 p.m. Even though I'm retired, my whole day is filled with what I laughingly call "make work programs" which contribute to our healthy food sources (sprouting, growing wheatgrass, micro-greens, fermenting, a WindowFarm and an AeroGarden - for off-season indoor gardening), and I spend time researching food and food science on-line and working on lesson plans for classes I teach at different venues (Food Bank, Extension Office, Senior Center, 4-H Clubs, Women's Shelter). I make time each day to knit or crochet and for reading. I participate in two message boards on-line, and that's enough for me. I do bulk food preparation - cook once for many meals - so meals don't take much time to prepare, and our home food storage takes some time each day to make sure I track rotation, use, and inventory. I like to try three new recipes each week and like to try new foods and ingredients. The great outdoors takes a big chunk of time during garden season. At least an hour of exercise 5 mornings a week from 4-5 a.m. - in our basement and/or outdoors. I've finally cut back on my volunteering so I can spend more time at home doing things I enjoy. jemdandy - My last PC was a reconditioned business model and I got it inexpensively through hubby works. NO GAMES!!!! If I want to play solitaire I have to find a deck of cards now..... No more time-sucking "free cell" (LOL), but I did love it so.....

Citrus groves are sprayed with water and covered in ice to protect against freeze damage. Counter\-intuitively forming ice creates heat. Also a layer of ice will help prevent quick thawing when the sun hits the citrus. A quick change will burst cells (such as scalding on some tree bark). Droplets on plants is another story and this will cause leaf damage. It does help to cover plants. Doing so will trap some heat from the ground and it will keep dew off that might freeze and cause damage. Ice crystals generate around any contamination in any surface water drops form crystals. Even bacteria will cause nucleation. Sick plants freeze more readily. Anything you do to keep off droplets / dew and insulate to conserve soil heat will help. Wind machines can help......they would, but I'm kidding. Tonight's low is predicted to be 17 tonight, but the 8 inches of snow we got yesterday will protect the pips which are just starting to show. But I think the daffodils are goners.....for this year. Jon