I only shop for the grand kids. Their birthdays fall in late spring and summer. so anything special I found now would be for their birthday and anything after the birthday would be for Xmas. But right now they are growing like weeds so I just buy clothing gifts as they need them. They are both so very young that a toy bought today may not be age or developmentally appropriate by Xmas. At age 2.5 and 4.5 they have already outgrown many of their toddler type preschool toys. They are also physically too big for many things other children their age can play with. They prefer open ended imaginative play, are starting into games and love to craft. But kids are fickle. By next Xmas who knows. This is the first Xmas that grand daughter asked for any specific gifts. She wanted a Barbie hair styling head and a watch.

Hi Bob nothing going on here blah blah blah . Late May I will be root pruning many trees and add fresh soil . My trees are for the most part dormant but amazingly some are trying to put out new growth and blooms . Daytime temperatures in the greenhouse are being kept no warmer than 55 to 60F during the daytime and anywhere between 38 - 42 F at night . I like you Bob don't want any of that King bloom hate that although it makes the Greenhouse smell pretty spectacular. I am afraid I will loose control of temperatures in the greenhouse in the next couple of weeks as the sun is becoming much stronger . Bloom in the greenhouse almost always fails in fruit . Bob your weather has been fantastic during January and with you being able to work outdoors is making us all a bit jealous lol. Keep up the good work my friend and great info Bob ! Oh no more hidden treasures yet lol! Brian

NKay I am hoping I’ll get to work at home more in the future and understand that Ethernet is more secure and possibly faster than WIFi. I put Ethernet hook ups in a lot of different rooms so I won’t have long wires laying around as trip hazards. Even though we’ll have a study, I know I’ll want to sit with my computer at the kitchen island so we had wire run there that will come up through a hollow island leg. Make sure Ethernet wiring does not run parellel to electrical wiring (it causes interference). we hard-wired for picture lights where we plan to build bookcases, but since then I found out it wasn’t really necessary to hardwire as so many of the nice fixtures are battery operated now. My builder suggested 2 exhaust fans in several of our bathrooms ... I had him order the new NuTones with the antibacterial UV light/regular light and fan to go near each toilet and a regular exhaust fan/light outside of the shower to prevent humidity build up/mold. Decided to use part of my entry guest coat closet for my main cable box/router. The builder also put some hook ups in around the house to amplify the WiFi throughout the house. Also hooked up special exterior security lights that we can turn on/off from 1st floor and the 2d floor MBR. Hook up for under counter fridge (in case we later want one) in 2d floor laundry room. Hope some of these ideas are useful to you. Know we probably forgot stuff. I forgot wall plug for Dustbuster in the pantry. No matter how much we plan, it’s never enough.

Wow, that is amazing! You did hit the jackpot! Gorgeous 'haul' Edie! Edie, is that chard? I'd love to have had those green beans, but the acorn squash is such a wonderful surprise! Ok, forgive my naivete, but what and where is an endive heart? And what, might I ask, does one do with it? I googled it, I see nothing that appears to be anywhere in my endive! Go ahead, laugh : ) No, I have a regular cuke, or what appears to be a regular cuke - it's darker with a smoother skin. Upper right corner next to the apples. Why, does zucchini go with persian cukes? LOL! Ok, I need to let off some excitement. That's a storage bin, so the celery is huge. Some of it was crushed, but no issues as that will take time to eat. The carrots are amazing - and long and beautifully orange. Nothing like store carrots which are short, fat, and pale orange. I know the acorn squash (I wanted one!!!) will keep for a bit. So thrilled about that. Apples will go with the celery for a salad, easy, and can always eat apples. Potatoes will be eaten tomorrow, grilled under the chicken (smoked). DH saw those and was happy - they are a bit soft, so need to be used. One big one is firm, so it can keep. The endive.. that's genius Sleeve! I'll saute some of those many onions (saving my Misfit onion which is not soft like what I usually get), garlic, and quick saute some of the endive. I have miso lemon dressing left from last night, which is lovely but strong - it has a nutty flavor from sesame oil, so I'll emulsify it with avocado oil and lightly use that on the endive and onions. Just a wee bit. Perfect! Broccoli is always welcome, of course. DH hates zucchini, but if I prepare it well, he'll eat it. Any ideas? He does love cucumber. Oranges... those should keep. Not that they will! Will have to come up with something special for them.