My duh! moment is that I planted some of that Trombone Squash that Ralph was promoting so heavily last year (brought some to the swaps, chatted it up here on GW). Everyone told me to expect a big vine. Everyone mentioned that it grew more like a gourd than a summer squash but everyone loved its flavor and its vine borer resistance. So I planted some. Now my yard is big (just over one acre) but the garden is tiny (the size of two living rooms). In that garden I grow a row of just about everything you can imagine and by this time of year it is very hard for me to squeeze in between the tomato cages and pepper plants without being ensnared in the kiwi vine or tripping over the cucumbers. So I made a simple fence like trellis hoping it would be strong enough to support some trombone vines. I sowed. They sprouted. I thinned. They thrived but stayed small for a week or so and then they took off!!!!!!!!!! I have finally resorted to snipping off the growing tips on the vines but I don't think even that will slow them down. I spend just as much time in the garden trimming other plants and moving things around just to make room for this monster (I yanked all but one of the babies). It is loaded with blossoms so I expect a good crop, but still... if I had listened I could have planned better. Oh, and I doubt aphids are the reason for your million bell disaster. Plants grown in greenhouses can suffer greatly with aphids but once they are put outside in the cruel cruel world of eat or be eaten their numbers tend to stay under control. I get big infestations in the early spring but by this time of year I hardly see any - but then I never spray and my yard is full of bugs (both good and bad). Oh, and if you plant million bells in the ground they are reliable perennials here - only needed minor protection during the really cold weather.

Sandi, I'm just praying none of the rest go out! I don't think I could go through this again! Yachter, I was thinking the same thing last night about luck. I kept thinking why is it that everyone else's stuff always ends up so beautiful and everything I try messes up! I was almost in the middle of a major pity party. LOL! Slinkey, the "Christmas Demon" made me laugh! I just wish I could get my husband to help with something. As soon as he sees me pulling out the Christmas stuff, he heads out the door like greased lightning. Luvs, frazzled is an excellent description of how I was feeling last night. I can totally sympathize with your DS. I wanted to open the door and just throw the whole thing out. How is it that something so simple like a string of lights can be soooo complicated??? Lynne, I would never have thought of using the netting! I can't wait to see photos of the tree. Wow Tam, your home sounds like mine! I've got containers pulled out everywhere. I did manage to make a tiny pathway going through the kitchen. My sofa and all the chairs are piled up with ornaments and decorations - no where to sit in the living room right now except the floor (and not very much floor space). I'm so tired of seeing plastic tubs around everywhere. It seems like I'm never going to get finished. Purplemoon, believe me pre-lit was looking really good last night! Hopefully your lights will be on with no problems! I have officially decided that I loathe putting lights on the tree. LOL dd50, how aggravating for your husband having to redo the lights! That sounds alot like my husband except he probably wouldn't have redone them. He has no patience at all when it comes to Christmas decorating. Sheesharee, nope the tree isn't finished yet. It was probably about 9:00 last night when I figured out why the middle wasn't lighting up. I did get the garland on and started putting some of my filler ornaments on the tree. I finally stopped at 10 last night...just couldn't do any more. I was just treed out! I guess it'll be back to decorating tonight after I get finished cooking. ncnana, I'm not sure my husband would agree with you about the number of lights. It took 53 strands of lights to wrap the branches and I don't even have that big a tree! It is kinda big at the bottom though which is what took so many strands. It has totally blown his mind that I put 5300 lights on the tree. He told a friend about it last night and the two of them decided I had totally lost it. LOL!

I make plops of Patek's Curry pastes and freeze them in the same manner as the tomato paste above. After they are frozen on a sheet of wax paper, I put the paper sheet and the frozen plops into a plastic freezer container and cover them with more wax paper before sealing with the lid. Curry paste can stain anything beyond repair. Just the other day I made my own "butter blend" with oil: soften a stick of butter (1/2 cup) at room temperature, beat it very well with an electric mixer or in a food processor, slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup oil of your choice (olive, canola, or I used safflower oil), blend very well, pour into a suitable container with a tight fitting lid. The mixture will be quite runny, but will firm up as it chills. Teresa

a couple of weeks ago I was at a Dr. appointment. I was driving our white Buick. I came out and got in. I am short, but when I got in the seat was too far forward and I thought I don't remember it being that far ahead on the 40 mile drive there. I looked up and saw a flyswatter laying on the dash. I knew right away it wasn't my car. I got out and my car was parked 2 spots over. It was the same kind of car. Neither one of us had locked our doors. Good thing I didn't try to start it. With my luck it would have started if at all possible. About 35 years ago we were going to go fishing early in the morning. We stopped to buy minnows and I came out before DH. I sat in the car and waited a few minutes for him. I looked over and saw a purse on the seat beside me, that's when I realized it wasn't our car. I know this has happened at least one other time to me if not twice. I sure get out of those cars fast and am glad the right owner did no come out and see me.