In my house, "Kraut" was not a derogatory word!

It was another nice, warm, sunny day in Redford on Thursday.

At lunchtime, I finally went and got my oil changed (I've been meaning to for weeks now). Naturally, the air cleaner needed replacing (it really did - I've been just having them blow it off for the last couple of times). So, it cost me $47 US by the time I was through.

Back home after work, it was 74 degrees. So, I went out to work on the raised bed garden. I picked all the good-sized green tomatoes (can somebody say, “Fried green tomatoes this weekend”)? Then I pulled the tomato plants and the non-performing green pepper plants. Next, I picked the ripe red and yellow hot peppers. All the refuse went into the compost heap.

Then I watered the garden (it’s dry here these days, with no rain in sight) in hopes that the Brussels sprouts still sprout (I doubt it), the rest of the green hot peppers turn red and the sugar snap peas produce (they are flowering right now).

Back inside, I started dinner. I got out my Dutch oven again and filled the bottom layer with a bag of sauerkraut. Next, I peeled and cubed all the remaining Yukon Gold potatoes I had (I wouldn’t normally peel them but these had begun to sprout big-time) Finally, I cut some smoked sausage on the biase and put them in as the final layer. I turned the burner on “Medium” heat and walked away, content to let steam and time do its thing.

Then I watched the Nightly News which was mostly a tribute to Steve Jobs.

When that was over, I addressed the problem of the angles I need to cut in the oak hand rail. I used a piece of scrap wood to check I had the angles right. Then I held my breath and cut the same angles on the expensive oak.

I checked and it fit! It was too late to polyurethane it tonight, but I did sand it and the spackling compound on the wall (I was a sanding fool!)

I plated up some dinner (excellent as always, and a taste of my childhood) and watched TV until 11:00 PM (I guess I’m getting over feeling tired) then went to bed.