HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MAREA!!! I'm so sorry I couldn't post sooner. If you saw what i've been doing you'd understand. I completed my big plant move this weekend with the help of a giant tree spade. Picture some 600-800 pound rootballs! I'm very sore and very tired, but happy that my trees and shrubs are moved to the new house. I'll post some pics when I get a chance. I still have about 200 plants to dig by hand, but i'm getting there. I dug 20 Daylilies last week and thought of each of you the whole time. :) Thank you! I gotta' get back to work but i'll be back to catch up on the posts i've missed. Hopefully i'll get a small break in the action after I take this last load of 4 trees over. ~Dawn (mamabirrd)

My siblings and I exchange smaller gifts.. my brother generally makes one stop for all sibling gifts-- it's generally the state store, starbucks or dunkin LOL. This year, I think I am going to go with the Yeti tumblers for the BILs.. Other gift ideas for men in the $20-$100 range: irish driving cap tabasco items - tees, polos, ties, etc They have some very fun designs (or used to) suede grill mitt digital/blue tooth meat thermometer scarf Pistachio Bowl (all of mine have come from Hilborn Pottery but there are many designs from lots of companies) Over $100 Panini Press - great for a young, single man - I got one for my nephew when he was a bachelor because, darn it, you can toast just about anything between two slices of good bread and have a great meal. Boos cutting/carving board Pizza Oven - my sister bought the breville ($150) at WS and I thought the pizza was great. The whole family loves it. (They also make them to go on the grill). If they cook, good olive oil, flavored vinegars, funky fun spice blends Craft cocktail fixins Artisanal booze.. small batch gins and bourbons are becoming very popular (especially with the younger set)

DH wears some sort of shoe all the time. I’m not sure, but he may even put on shoes to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night 😆. If he were asked to remove his shoes at the door, he would be highly uncomfortable. Plus, with his gait problems, it would probably be dangerous for him. I would never ask a guest to remove shoes. It just seems rude and inhospitable to me. If they want to, fine, but I would never ask it of them. There is no one in our circle of friends who would expect you to remove your shoes at the door. In fact, they would think it quite odd if you did. Like Kswl, we have door mats outside each door. I do expect people to wipe their feet.

⬆️ harsh A friend of mine in cooking club was recently extolling the pleasures of an outdoor pizza oven. She (and others at the table) said Gozney was the best. One woman had another brand (forget which) and gave it away to get Gozney. I think DH would really enjoy this for entertaining, plus ....fire and manly stuff. My friend said the key is not to drive yourself crazy making a bunch of pizzas at once. She likes to set out a nice crudite and antipasto spread, and just do pizzas one at a time for everyone to share, almost tapas style. https://us.gozney.com/products/roccbox?variant=39404256460937 If you don't like the UFO ish one, there is always this: