I used enormous cardboard sheets from work (from large screen TVs) for my yard. They worked pretty well, but there is one other thing to remember: Weeds also grow from the top down. Wind blows seeds, seeds sit on top and germinate. Yeah, they are easier to pull out but you have to be vigilant.

Did I need this recipe last night. Sick with a cold, no energy to make anything, ended up with some spaghetti with cottage cheese on the side. When I’m feeling better, I’ll make sure I have a few cans of evaporated milk on hand. This goes in my recipe database.

I’ll bet thin Italian salami slices would go very well with sweet grilled pineapple as an alternative to Canadian Bacon.

Somewhere I read a technique where the oil is warmed, then dried herbs & garlic are added to bloom them off heat, then acid is mixed in. I did it for a spinach salad, it was a huge improvement. I tried various herb combinations. The delicate herbs (thyme, marjoram, oregano, basil) work very well.

I use a variation of the swallow method: Hold your breath, take 7 little sips of water.

A while ago, I worked on a wonderful transcription project: a hand-written recipe book from England in the 1700s. Amongst the instructions for “How to Smoke a Ham in the Chimney” and “How to Preserve Apricocks” (actual spelling) were all manner of remedies for healing cuts (in humans and livestock), coughs, plague,…

I am reminded of the final line from Tell Them Willie Boy is Here:
“Tell them we’re all out of souvenirs.”

Make a semi-freddo. 2 cups cream whipped. Fold in 1 jar Dickinson’s lemon curd. Pour into a plastic wrap lined loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze. Unmold, slice & serve. Raspberry sauce optional.

Dissolvable Food Labels. I found a roll of 500 made by FoodSafe. They come as blank or fill-in. Buy the blank ones. Beats any tape I’ve tried.

I know it’s not the same thing as fresh, but I can recommend TrueLemon citrus crystals. I started using them ages ago in my drinking water. Now I use them in a lot of food prep. Buy the packets, the shakers clump very easily.

I made the mistake of paying my $211 car registration with a bank account transfer to avoid paying the credit card fee. Take it from me. Do. Not. Do. That.

I was concerned about the 911 issue, too. Keeping even a basic phone line would have cost me $45 a month before taxes & fees.

I recently decided to give up my landline. I’ve had the number for over 30 years.
Here’s why:
1. $72.43 a month, local service only, no long distance. AT&T. SF Bay Area.
2. Mostly spam calls. Sometimes I would get calls in a barrage, every 10 minutes for hours at a time. I had to turn off the caller id announce, mute the…

I like that you chose the stock photo with the swirly plate. The slice has a nice domed top, more Wonder Bread like, with even eye holes and a balanced frown. The shiny knife adds visual interest to the composition. The artist clearly took time to compose it. The other stock photos aren’t nearly as successful. The one…

A recent purchase of some Gorgonzola crumbles inspired me to make something similar. Greek yogurt was the base, Trader Joe’s Ranch seasoning, crumbles & milk to thin. The dill in the seasoning and the just right funk of the cheese, divine. Ranchonzola!

Bank of America, CalPERS, several of my investment providers use 2FA codes to my phone. Bof A also accepts FIDO-2 security keys, but I rarely use my computer to access the site. Some of them also offer the additional option of an email; others a phone call. If/when they add authenticator options, I’ll use it.

The Story of Temple Drake is the most pre-code movie I have ever seen.

Or change the default search engine? All my browsers are set to DuckDuckGo.

Neighbors also live in the same building. We share waste bins. The trash company will not empty the compost bin with stuff like plastic bottles, soda cans and plastic bags filled with mostly trash in it. I put up a very carefully worded, polite note. I’ve had to pick through the bin several times to make sure it got…

My low and slow method is based on the fact that my stove doesn’t have a small simmer burner, I can’t get that perfect spot to cook stews. I don’t have room for a crock pot. So, it’s into the oven at 250º.  Side benefit: It keeps my little house warm.