Shelby

Hi again lol. I just wanted to add one more thing--and you might have already thought of this. I love the idea of having different shapes of containers or trays etc. And, if you have the time to configure it all, then this won't be a concern. However, if you don't have a lot of time, it is much easier to have all the same container when doing a bunch of them. That way, you take the time and arrange one in a way that works and looks good and then do the rest exactly the same. Just a quick thought

Also, like @blue_dolphin, I'd watch for good prices on baskets all year long. What ever was a super good price, I'd buy. So, I often would end up with deeper baskets and I'd need something to "fill" them with that wasn't expensive. Unshelled peanuts are AWESOME for that. Dump some in and then put your other items on top.

Oh, gosh....I'd say on average they were between 15" and 21" in diameter (or area that you could put items in). I'd get this size shrink wrap bags (not at that price that I'm showing...I think they were like 2-3 dollars a piece at Hobby Lobby or Michaels) so I had to make sure the baskets would fit in there. The easiest were these type of shallow round bushel baskets (again, definitely not that price--I'm sure you could find them much cheaper). Or really any round shape basket--the square ones were hard to get the shrink wrap around nicely. I think you have a great variety of things. Maybe if you want more --like I said, I think your items that you're doing sound wonderful- I used to go to Sam's and buy boxes of these crackers , there are 3 different varieties and either put a whole box in (which has the 3) or open up and put individual boxes in. Then, also at Sam's they had these wheels of cheese--4 wedges and I'd either put a whole wheel in, or split them up. If I wanted more then I'd buy summer sausage logs and include those. All that takes up space and adds something savory to maybe balance out any sweets.

Pork belly noodle bowls last night Pork and veggie

Oh gosh, Cat, I feel you. I used to make baskets for our customers. Just the local ones that we could deliver by hand to. I definitely over-did....but, customers raved about the baskets and I would hazard to guess that helped sales a bit . I wish I had started documenting here when I first started, but here is a thread that describes the last few years of baskets. Here and Here are a couple more good places to get some ideas from. Good luck and we would love to see your baskets if you have time to post some pictures

I screwed up a couple days ago. I bought some Granny Smith apples because I had been craving apple pie. I am picky about apple pie. I don't like any crunch in the apples. They need to keep their shape, but NO crunch. So, I always pre-cook my apple pie filling (also, you can put more apples in the pie 'cause they cook down). It's a tricky thing---can't over do it or by the time you bake the pie it's mush. I over did it. It wasn't mush by any means, but it wouldn't have worked in a pie. So, I put it in the fridge and thought about it for a couple days. I found puff pastry in the freezer so I thought apple turnovers! Never made those before. YUM. Sometimes a screw up works out Still hungry for pie though .........

Needed venison chili again

Last BLT's of the season

Major chance. Sigh. I try to rotate to keep older up front to use....but, apparently I failed. They were still awesome if that counts lol.

Ok. Maybe I'm delusional lol. I do know that they are from RG.

I'm with you. And, yes, thanks as always Liuzhou! I love the peeks into your exotic (to me) life. On a side note, that corn is inspiring me.....I have a deck railing and that would make the cutest fall decor. Must remember that for next year. I'll take it down if you come visit, I promise

I thought maybe someone that lived there really really really didn't want you to enter

Hell, I could be wrong.....I hate to go against Andi's word ..but mine don't have the cranberry colored spots.....I dunno.....

I think you would be just fine doing your own repair. It seems to me that it's just a stabilizer, hold in place, just in case type of thing. It's screwed into the bottom. I say go for it Or rather, I should say, I would have gone for it if mine had the broken tie.

I lied. I'm on it right now: It goes around here And hooks through those two things on the bottom

Give me about an hour and I’ll get right on this

Yes! Those look just like them. Thank you so much. I guess I meant bigger than say, a pinto bean.....

It feels a bit like winter!!! Maybe snow next week! Happy Dance!!!! Ronnie has been wanting ham and beans for a long time. Yesterday was the perfect day to have them simmering on the stove. Started them around 2:30. Onions, jalapeños, carrots, celery. RG beans--two different kinds, one of which I can't remember the name and am looking for help. I looked at their website and I can't locate them. They came in the latest bean club shipment --Here is a picture Anyway, loads of homemade chicken stock....a nice meaty hamhock from Father's and two big regular ham bones with lots of meat left on them. A jar of my canned tomatoes added closer to the end. Bit of salt--not too much, the ham is salty, black pepper....a bay leaf or two. Good stuff. Was cozy feeling in the house Corn bread turned out good too ( must have been a good luck cooking day for me lol) . I used my usual recipe. The only thing I did different (I think) is I baked it in the CSO using the bread function--400F for 22 minutes. OH and I used some of that Hatch chile cheese --poked the squares all over the top. Finished the soup with some green onions

I swear, I am losing my mind. I thought I kept the bag that these RG beans came in so I would remember what they are. Now I can't find it! I've looked on the RG website and I don't see them. They are a gorgeous, big bean. Can anyone help me?

I saw @blue_dolphin's post in the Trader Joe's thread about some cheese that she bought--New Woman. It has Jamaican spices. Spied some at the grocery store (not the 4 pack like at Trader Joe's, just that one cheese). Put that out along with some Hatch Chile cheese. Liked the New Woman...and the Hatch was good, too, but wish that the chile taste was more pronounced. Will be good in cornbread or mac and cheese. Followed by sous vide pork tenderloin Along with taters, the dwindling tomatoes and the very last of the squash

Here is a link with a picture of ours and how we did them....not a ton of meat, but for sure enough for a meal.....

Us too!

Thanks so much, everyone! Going to cold smoke some beef ribs today and sous vide them sometime soon. I know that Pa and Ma in The Little House On The Prairie books built a smokehouse and used green wood chips so why can't I lol.

These trees are "wild" out at the perimeters of our farm ground. Poison ivy etc. is every where around there and I am super allergic. It sucks, but the older I get, the worse it is.

Probably are. I can't go with him due to all the damn poison ivy around there.