A box just arrived from my sister with things my mother collected in the time she lived in Japan after WWII. I've been thinking about gifts this year since my daughter went to Japan last summer so this is perfect timing. I'm sure there is something in there that she'll appreciate.

More green tomato relish this afternoon after the dishwasher finishes. I've loaded it with a case + of pint jars. A friend on facebook mentioned using her relish to make tartar sauce - I've asked for that recipe. I love good tartar sauce but so much of what you buy has a weird flavor. I'll use relish as gifts this year and include the recipe if it's one I like.

Took the day off from work to do a lot of this stuff. I've been in the garden and found a place outside next to the side door where the ants are still very active (they swarm over my compost container). I put an old piece of ceramic tile down in the path and loaded it up with the liquid borax ant bait. This should nail the population in the wall near the kitchen. The trail of ants to the bait in the bathrooms are almost gone and this morning I find that a new bait in the living room next to the chimney isn't getting any attention. I think the ants in the master bath have been coming in through a wall up against the other side of the chimney.

Linn, I'm sorry the aftermath of such a great evening is a headache. (I'd love to have been in that audience!) I wonder if you were dehydrated? In cooler weather I have to remember to drink a certain amount of water and try to remember to drink a glass of water at bedtime. I know, it might mean a trip to the loo during the night, but generally it helps with the electrolyte level and such. Alcohol and caffeine will work against you unless you add extra water.

Susie and I are going to work on dog things this weekend. I told her about giving my dogs their shots, and she's going to do the same thing. The woman who her dogs used to belong to used to give them shots herself. Tomorrow is a shot clinic at the local feed store so we will head down there to get the rabies shots for all of our animals. The rabies vaccine isn't sold OTC, that has to be given by a vet, but it is $11 per animal at these clinics.

It is warm and overcast today but supposed to be cold and rainy tomorrow, so anything outdoors has to be finished soon. It's nice to have a couple of long weekends to take care of stuff around here.

SRS