I didn't really see David's comments as being negative and nonconstructive. If you had posted here before tilling, I would have advised against it as well. I didn't comment on the tilling after the fact simply because I saw it as water over the dam. I understand why you wanted to till and why you wanted to till in the compost, but as it settles and as the compost decomposes, it will almost definitely do so unevenly. Depending on how unevenly it settles, it may not be too difficult to correct. Some people correct it by raking the cores to low spots when they core aerate and others use a light top dressing of sand, since it will naturally flow to the lower spots. When David was predicting some of the things he expects to happen (uneven lawn, yellowing of grass) he was doing that so you wouldn't blame the organics and switch after the first year. I'm not very familiar with mushroom compost, so I don't know for sure if it will rob nitrogen from the soil, but if it doesn't have enough nitrogen to feed the microbes digesting it, then it will rob nitrogen from the soil, which will cause yellowing. Depending on the starting pH of the soil, the mushroom compost may also cause yellowing due to iron deficiency. If the mushroom compost raised the pH too high, it will interfere with the ability of the grass to use iron. The soil may have plenty of iron, but it will be in a form that is not available to the plant. What I'm trying to say is that you may have some yellowing grass from the mushroom compost next year, but you would have that whether you use chemical or organic fertilizers. By the following year, the conditions in the soil should be changed enough that the yellowing will go away. If you use an organic approach next year and get discouraged by the yellow grass, you might get discouraged and switch to chemicals. You'd see nice green grass the next year and might conclude that the difference was chemical vs organic. In fact, you'd likely see the same thing if you use chemicals next year and organic the following year. You're likely to have grass that is prone to yellowing next year, but things should be better the following year. On a related note, in my earlier post, I said that I wouldn't apply lime without getting a soil test first. After thinking it through, I think I'd take that a step further and suggest that you wait a year before testing the soil since the mushroom compost could throw the results off now.

Hello Everyone! I'm really glad i found this thread! I have some tips as well. :O) I am a female type A 1.I saute in chicken broth my onions,cilantro,tomatoes and squash with my chicken,fish,shrimp or turkey. 2I make homemade hot sauce boil together then put in food processor.season to taste Also, you can hand cut tomatoes,peppers and onions to make a pico de gallo. season to taste 3.. turkey meatball- Make golf ball size balls. 1 15 oz tomato sauce,3 small tomatoes,1 small onion,1 green and 1 red bell pepper,1 tsp parsley,1 tsp garlic,1 tsp oregano,1tsp basil,2 packets splenda,2 egg whites and black pepper. mix all ingredients together and cook. When meat ball are ready mix sauce in with the meatballs. let simmer 5 minutes. Serve. 5. these are some ideas i have thought of or got from someone else. I use my own type A food and my own ideas. :O) 0.Hash browns 0.oatmeal muffins 0.pancakes 1/2 cup of plain oat meal,4 eggs,1 splenda,1/4 tsp vanilla. Grind oatmeal then mix all ingredients. 1.fiesta eggs 2.turkey veggie soup 3.sweet and sour meatballs 4.turkey burgers 5.pizza- 1/2 c oatmeal uncooked and ground up, 2 tsp of Italian season,3 tsp garlic,1 1/2 nsa baking powder,2-3 tsp water.Mix and patty out.sauce-1 small can of tomato sauce,1-2 tsp garlic,2 tsp balsamic vinegar.splenda to taste. toppings- turkey,tomato,onions,peppers,etc. 6.meatloaf 7.turkey tacos 8.chicken fajitas 9.chicken fried rice 10.hot chicken fingers 11.pepper chicken 12.stir fry 13.beef stew 14.chili 15.cabbage 16.pepper steak 17.pot roast and veggies 18.meat loaf 19.seafood gumbo 20.red snapper stew 21.bass 22.spicy shrimp 23.crab cakes-2 oz crab,1 egg,1/4 c. onion,1/4c. bell pepper.Mrs dash to taste,1/4 c. oatmeal. mix all ingredients and fry like pan cakes. add hot sauce. Yum! veggie stew 25.Garlic vinaigrette dressing-1/2 c. balsamic vinegar,1/2 c.nsa garlic vinegar,1 tsp garlic chopped,2 tsp thyme,1/2 tsp ground ginger,splenda to taste. 26.sweet potatoes- 2 lg sweet potatoes,vanilla flavoring,orange flavoring. Mix and bake on 350 for 20 min. 27.candies yams- 4 yams,splenda,cinnamon to taste. bake on 350 till caramelized Have lots more. But i will have to add more later. :O) Hope this helps someone. Sorry it's so "short ans sweet"

Oh, raehelen, sorry you are having to deal with so many things at once. I cannot get one kitchen done. You must be overwhelmed with TWO kitchens and a master BR remodel. Just get it done is becoming my mantra, sound familiar? See if I can be more clear - Two under counter ovens will be side-by-side (another inspiration this morning- from the youngdeb's kitchen, a really nice kitchen). Each side of the cooktop has 15'' of counter space, which should be enough with the island. The better view will be from the prep island looking out the sink and DR windows. There is not a view to the front of the house. Well, the front door is visible down the hall from the kitchen. An advantage of this plan is that some of the pieces can be added later. Such as the upper cabinets over the refrigerator and Napanee Kitchenet, and the desk. I suppose the BB hutch could come later. I could use what I am using now, an LLBean hutch and dorm fridge. One MUST have is a music player/radio, either my laptop or shelf system on the desk. A desk by the cooktop wouldn't be compatible. Here is a link that might be useful: youngdeb

It shouldn't matter if you posted your recipes before as there are a lot of newer faces that may not have seen them. If we start a new list every month and you cannot find something you could always post what you are having for supper and the recipe that you are using even if it is a pinch of this and a handful of that ...opens up for discussions especially if it is something someone else has never tried and are hesitant to do so without the help of some of the great cooks/bakers in here. With a couple of big holidays coming everyone must have some favorites to pass on. Hopefully someone will do a few good winter soups and cookies for exchanges that they have made and are willing to pass on.