Squash and Spider Identification

Hey Dams :-)

It's kinda hard to tell with the spider...could be a Parson or a common black house spider. How big is it? Neither one is known to be venomous, although they both will bite in the right circumstances. Parsons generally like to stay hidden during daytime. As a general rule, I only get rid of spiders that are either venomous or really big and ugly! lol We get alot of the common house spiders, orb weavers etc, but they take care of more annoying insects so I don't worry about them.

Last summer I had spent the day at my mom's, who had had 4 tarantulas in her house since moving in. Later that night I discovered one apparently hitched a ride home with me, because while my husband and I were snuggled on the couch watching a movie I suddenly saw something large and black moving across the floor. There weren't any lights on in the room, just the light from the tv screen. I just about screamed :) I turned on the light and when my husband stood up, it reared up, waving the two front legs up in the air. I grabbed a canning jar and he captured our intruder and released him into the canyon behind the house.

Now about that squash...looks like a yellow squash to me. Similar in taste and texture to a yellow crookneck squash. Great brushed with a flavored olive oil or avocado oil, like blood orange or meyer lemon, then grilled. Also works well for stirfry.

Enjoy :)

kimberly