Dorothy, great minds do think alike. I'm clearing out the fridge of things I lost track of that are so old that while they might be useable I won't risk it. This is things like home-canned salsa opened a long time ago, fresh pickles made ages ago, and steamed vegetables I lost track of. Other stuff headed back to the compost bin and I'm filling the dishwasher with the containers. I need to make a list of some of these projects adjacent to having company over.

I made a rare trip to the big high-end grocery store and found a couple of time-savers, like toasted little sliced French baguettes (for the caponata) and stuff I need for the fish tacos (salsa toppings). Four days out is too early to buy avocados and newly made corn tortillas; those will mean a Saturday trip to the nearby Mexican grocery. There will be hash brown potatoes for the tacos for the vegetarians in the group. Dessert will be yogurt with blackberries (or I have frozen blueberries).

We have turned a corner on the summer. Days will be warm, but the next week is looking pretty rainy. Before bed tonight I'll get out a thin blanket to top the sheet I've used all summer.

I have active eBay listings but while they're gaining views nothing has moved this week. I should have time to list a couple of new items tomorrow. My goal this autumn is to work my way into and sell the higher-end stuff in the front room.

There is enough okra in the fridge to make a couple of more jars of pickles. That's a quick and satisfying job I can do tonight before I go to bed.

I hope all of the guest visits this weekend go well. Down here in the US anyone foolish enough to travel has a difficult time through airports and being sure their flights are still going. Staying home and having people over is a much better way to enjoy the long weekend. My high school reunion will be virtual on Saturday, much easier than struggling to travel there.