Yes, Eden, I'm having the party this year. It's on the 17th-anytime after 6 PM. You're all invited. So far the idylls in attendance will be Deanne, Monique and Martie. Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way I can start working on the menu and agenda for the party. We went tree shopping today and I came to the conclusion that furniture will be moved out of the livingroom so I can have my usual tree setup although I still may get a smaller one for an empty corner of the breakfast room. All the fake trees come pre-lit now which was a huge selling feature to Tom but I just couldn't get excited about forking over $200, $300, $400 for something perfectly fine that we already have. Deanne, I think people tend to hold back compliments when they're jealous and based on your catty bathroom experience that may very well be the case. No garden work got done here today but I did buy a bag of peat moss at Lowes so I can start packing away the canna and dahlia tubers I still have in the garage. Maybe I'll drag myself out to do that some night this week. Martie what does low blood pressure have to do with being thin? The reason I ask is because although I don't try to gain weight, I've always been on the thin side and also have low blood pressure. Recently I've lost about 5 pounds just by eating better and exercising. Since I don't need to lose any more weight I probably should watch carefully to make sure I don't. Cynthia, lol on the Victoria Secret pornologues. It's too late for me though. One of the reasons I started ordering stuff from them was because they offer just about every pair of pants they sell in a 34 inch inseam and a few of their styles fit me perfectly right off the rack. At first I was skeptical but I've been shopping their sales and promotional offers and so far everything I've ordered has been decent quality and well fitting. Years ago I tried their underwear and that never fit me well at all so I don't bother with that part of the catalogue. I always enjoy reading dialogue from people who agree to disagree but rarely have the time or inclination to participate. Composing a respectful, well organized message for an on line debate of sorts just takes time and brain power and energy that I don't have I guess. Being raised in an environment where everyone avoided confrontation and rarely expressed an opinion surely doesn't help. Wendy my cuttings did well in water all winter last year. So far this year I've let the water dry out a few times already so that certainly doesn't bode well for the months to come...lol. I can't believe this weekend is gone already. Back to work for me tomorrow, for better or worse. Time will tell. Sue

I'm whipping up a dinner for 30 of my closest family members, LOL. We're doing the standard Thanksgiving fare plus some non-traditional family favourites. I've (with a surprising amount of help from my children) already made three pumpkin pies, scalloped carrots, sweet potato casserole and the stuffing, plus peeled the potatoes. Assorted family members are bringing rice rolls, perogies, taco salad, a ham, buns and pickles. I'm sure we'll have plenty of food. I love filling my home with my family! Happy Thanksgiving! Carrie

Man on man!!! Looks like we have some cooks here who know how to put their trees to GOOD use and I have yet to try any of these dishes..Anyone want to invite me over? Heck, I would pay for a bottle o something... You know, we use to have this wonderful person here Named Maggie and she use to send me the most awesome some in the mail. I miss her. Brian and Cory knows whom I am talking about..I miss her..Speaking of Cory, Cory, been thinking of you and hoping everything is ok. I am sorry for all you have been through and just know you are in my prayers along with my Mom. Happy Thanksgiving to you Cory.. Everyone, I am so grateful for all of you and thank you for such kind words. Evan, you'd be surprised how much I value you and your company here along with all the new and old friends..By the way, NICE tree..Such a good job with in ground trees. That I know does not come natural. You have to know what you are doing even with in ground ones..Nice sky too.. Josh, have one for me will you? Laura., enjoy your family time together along with all those trees..I can picture that) Dev, same to you and stay warm up there, will ya.. Brian, hello buddy!! So good so see you around and thank you for stopping by. I can picture all the fun you are having in that greenhouse. I can't wait to go bigger once I inherit a few thousand dollars I hope soon.. John, yum is right! Bacon eater, we are thankful that people like you learn so much and do so well) Calamondin, wowowow, very n ice and very orange...Good job. Jersey, same to you too)..Enjoy

Josh, they are similar sauces I suppose, I make the burnt caramel by starting with just white sugar in a heavy bottom wide pan and letting it melt, swirl/tilt pan (don't stir!) until it smokes for a half minute or so, it's really a read the color type thing after you've made it a few times. Then carefully whisk in heavy cream and then butter. I often add a split vanilla bean, and on occasion bourbon. Always have an ice water bowl within reach, it's very dangerous at around 350F!!! I knew someone that accidentally dipped his fingers in making a croquembouche. I enjoy deviled eggs too, they sound amazing with your homemade smoked paprika! Ohh you add lemon juice, brilliant! I'm going to try that sometime this week, I have plenty of eggs on hand (cheesecakes take a lot!) and newly opened jar of mayonnaise. Besides setting a timer for hard boiled eggs, I use one of those silicon color changing egg thermometer gadgets, love it. That's awesome you found someone, you sound very happy :) She's a lucky gal, as it's great when the guy can cook well and grow their own veggies!! ___ Bob, fantastic holiday decor. I love that massive store fireplace! Wow! That's my cup of tea, I would live in a stone castle, medieval style or Victorian style home over all this cookie cutter crap that they build nowadays. Ohh and great looking steak n' shrimp! This weekend I had that but much smaller at a Vietnamese restaurant in a bowl of Bún (rice vermicelli with homemade fish sauce). ____ Mike, it's so dark out! Think I may cave and buy 1 or 2 lights for the racks. Yep, Xmas will be here too soon, I keep it pretty simple and minimalist. How much stuff do people that already have stuff really need? I got my dad two used CD's from Savers, a Jackson Browne and Johnny Cash. That reminds me, I should make sure they play with out skipping. I got myself an old Celine Dion album too. I don't want to put up and decorate the Xmas tree. I can just see my crazy little kitty climbing through it with all those wires and then knocking it over. Really it is just more stress for me. ____ Jenny, I will look for your thread later, the red lime is intriguing and tempting! I figured see how I do with getting my four citrus through the winter before spending big bucks for that one. -Nancy