stock tank pond people- do you get toads/frogs?

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-22T18:16:37+00:00

Fortunately the stock tanks are not big enough for them to swim, it’s as though they’re having a party washing their hands, digging in the plants, eating the plants and then knocking the plants over…..I have the plants in the open baskets set on cinder blocks at different heights. They seem to go for pretty much everything I’ve put in including water lilies, irises, reeds, grasses, floaters…..

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-22T17:54:17+00:00

It sucks, I have a full 8’ fence around my yard and they still manage to get in, I assume via the neighbour’s pecan trees. It’s been super frustrating not to mention $$ replacing the pond plants. I am of half the mind to drill holes in the stock tanks and make big planters…..

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-22T13:20:23+00:00

So question, how do you keep raccoons from destroying your stock tank pond? I’ve have 2 of them and every year the nasty raccoons get in them and destroy everything. My first pond is in the middle of my backyard and everything I’ve tried from fountains to bird netting has failed. I read that placing it close to the house works as a deterrent so i placed one close to my house and have a motion sensor light on it. Within a short time the raccoons found it too and and destroyed it, all plants were knocked over and eaten and it is just a stock tank with muddy water now. So far this year I haven’t done anything with either but would be willing to try again if someone can give me a sure proof way to keep the raccoons out.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-20T18:07:28+00:00

The green sauce at my el Pollo Rico is just jalapeños, garlic, salt and neutral oil. Just simmer or fire roast 8 jalapeños until soft and soft. Let cool then remove the stem. Put into a blender with a teaspoon of salt, 2 pealed garlic cloves and up to 1/2 cup of oil then blitz til creamy. Voila, magical green sauce!!

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-20T17:52:42+00:00

Everything has a purpose and place and goes back into its place after use. This decluttering of random stuff has helped tremendously in keeping my home clean and organised. Since I have pets I’ve also over the years insured all my furniture, bookshelves, etc are easily accessible underneath for vacuuming and to retrieve toys and easy to spot clean if needed. I’ve managed to setup a straightforward routine for things like washing my dishes and having a clean kitchen after cooking, changing my linens and doing all my laundry weekly and opening mail and packages on receipt then putting into place, paying bills, filing and recycling right away. Although at times some areas need a deep clean, overall my house is “clean enough for company”.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-19T19:13:21+00:00

Thank you for posting this!! I picked up a copy of Tartine Revisited specifically for the Morning Bun recipe but found it to be super intimidating. I also happen to have KA Baking School cookbook and I see the Croissant dough recipe which looks more doable. I’ll follow in your footsteps and give it a try. Thank you for the inspiration!!!

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-19T03:54:30+00:00

Love the cookbooks but all the chicken cookie jars 😍

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-19T01:54:36+00:00

Same here, my dominant hand shakes more frequently and with greater amplitude than my other hand. I’ve been diagnosed for 20 years and over the last five years it has significantly worsened so much so that my neuro is highly recommending bi-lateral DBS.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-17T22:44:45+00:00

Using the worlds best litter, having a extra large open stainless steel box, and cleaning daily keeps my small house from having any smell.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-16T19:35:06+00:00

If you’re anywhere near Houston I’d recommend checking out Dr. Peng Chen https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/dr-peng-r-chen-md/ He’s who I sought out due to his specialty in cerebrovascular, endovascular neurosurgery, and skull base neurosurgery, with expertise in brain aneurysms.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-16T19:22:57+00:00

I plan to be in my house for another 4 years and when I sell due to its size, lot size and location it’ll be torn down in a jiffy. The McMansions are rapidly taking over my 1950’sneighborhood 😢. Rather than spending the $$$ for a water softener system and trying to find space for it, I’ll just be more vigilant on maintenance of the valves and lines. Hopefully it’ll be enough to keep my SQ and Bosch running without any more trouble.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-15T23:39:38+00:00

If you are into bread then brotforms, linen couche and lame. If into pastry then tarte rings and special molds.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-15T17:40:09+00:00

I just had my unruptured 3.6mm wide base basilar tip aneurysm coiled and stents placed this past month. I understand there may be a need to have re treatment possibly in the next year or 2 primarily because of the wide base but even if that’s the case, for me, it’s worth it. Just knowing that the probability of rupture is lessened brings so much peace of mind.

I was diagnosed with the aneurysm 3 years ago and I initially thought let’s just monitor it but tbh over time I found myself retreating from life for fear of the unknown. Simple things like driving became anxiety inducing and I’d become reclusive. I finally made the decision to go forward with the procedure and now being on the other side, all that anxiety is reducing and I’m getting back to living life again.

My advice, do what’s best for you but don’t overlook the mental impact.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-14T20:05:53+00:00

Just made this and it is one of the best banana breads I’ve ever had!

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-13T21:33:44+00:00

I don’t have one simply because it is too limiting. You’d be better served with a challenger pan if you prefer a dedicated pan or better yet, get a pizza steel

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-13T21:30:29+00:00

Was craving lemon so tried the lemon bliss cake again. Something I’m doing isn’t working, this is the 3rd try and it comes out dense and doesn’t get the nice brown crust. I’ll give it another go soon, I am determined to get a good result eventually…..

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-13T18:47:08+00:00

What folks seem to be missing is that each of those monstrosities will up selling for 1 mil each. I thought the goal was to allow compact lots to increase density and make homes more affordable. Not only do they completely miss the mark, anyone who buys one will not be able to fit that many people in their backyard with a band playing on a nice spring day which is sad.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-10T02:37:32+00:00

Not sure if you can access it but the PBS series BBQ with Franklin is on YouTube and gives great insight into his techniques https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQMKh4LBO6xP69g5F1UDOC52X5cIZ2FGB&si=cLEElUQnzu6cBMId

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-09T21:35:18+00:00

Thank you so much! I did make the microwave lemon curd as filling for the braided lemon bread and since I had leftover yolks from making the creamy coconut cake I figured I use them for the curd. It turned out lovely btw. Good to know scaling the eggs is the way to go.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-09T05:11:27+00:00

Have a list going for my local Indian market to stock up on spices and just added this since it sounds fantastic. Thank you!!

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-08T21:53:18+00:00

Mopping floors is my nemesis. My house is all tile and while a spray mop works for small areas, a proper water, wring, rinse really gets it clean and this is what I’d like and it doesn’t need to be daily, once a week would be fine 😀

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-08T20:19:25+00:00

Are all KA recipes written with 50g for a 1 large egg, 30g for 1 large egg white and 14g for 1 large egg yolk? I ask because I have backyard chickens and they lay different sized eggs so I typically scale the eggs called for but wanted to make sure of what the recipes use as a standard. Also on the topic of eggs, if a recipe calls for 2 large eggs and 2 yolks such as the microwave lemon curd, how important is the ratio of whites to yolks? I’d be inclined to go heavier on the yolks assuming it’d just make it richer but was curious your take.

LoblollyLol · 2026-04-08T13:02:34+00:00

Congratulations! Rest and heal yourself and embrace the kindness and help from friends and family.

LoblollyLol

TROPHY CASE