Good job, Charmion! It is a good feeling when you can fix those things yourself. Not just because you save money and always wonder if they did the job that needed doing or embellished to charge a higher fee, but also because there is a feeling of competence and accomplishment.

Dorothy, you can use pectin in salad dressing as a thickener, so maybe one delicious way to get it regularly is homemade dressing (Italian comes to mind) and thicken with a box of SureJell or the powder you have there. My canning guru says not to use last year's boxes of pectin for jelly, to always use fresh on general principle, but don't throw away the old boxes, make salad dressing.

I slept late today, starting leisurely to a frenzy of work this afternoon. The bread machine is running for my rolls, the bird will come out of the brine in an hour or two and into the oven, and in the meantime I'll be cleaning, setting the table, and planning the other dishes (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli because people in my family always like something healthy and green at the meal also). I was thinking about making a pumpkin pie but Susie came down and borrowed the last of my powdered cloves. I have whole cloves, I suppose I could grind them myself if I need them.

Have a great day all, whether it is a national holiday or not, and stay warm and safe. Michelle, you're in the really magical years of re-learning about the holidays through the eyes of a child. We probably don't need to wish you any more magic than you have there already. Linn, enjoy your meal out with friends, Andrea, we haven't heard from you in a while, fill us in on your activities one of these days. How is the house? Susan, in all of your comings and goings I hope you're back home for the holidays. And Mary Garvey, we don't hear from you often, you've decluttered so much more than any of us, but I hope you have a charming musical gathering of friends and food today.

SRS