Mellen, great guesses and you do have one correct. I bought a few types of celosia for my cutting garden and you got one of them. Never knew there were so many types.
I mailed to Carol today Hope there some things there that you will enjoy and be able to use.

Shirley- Your magazines are in the mail today so you should get them in a day or two. This has been fun deciding which to send and which magazines I can't part with.

Beth- Thank you for hosting this swap.

MaryEllen mailed your package today, hope you enjoy everything =)

Jayeanne

Thanks, Jayeanne. I will be looking for it. Yours will not go out until Tuesday as Monday is a no mail day.

1 celosia correct, huh? :)

ME

Beth here's a few guesses
ASTIBLE BELLA MIX
CAMPANULA PRIMULIFOLIA
CELOSIA FOREST FIRE
CENTAUREA DEALBATA
CYMBALARIA MURALIS
DELPHINIUM CLIVEDON BEAUTY
DIANTHUS RAINBOW LOVLINESS MIX
GAILLARDIA GOBLIN
GAURA THE BRIDE
GERANIUM ALBA
POPPY DOUBLE TANGERINE GEM
PENSTEMON FIRECRACKER
PENSTEMON BLUE SPRINGS
PENSTEMON ROCKY MTN.
PENSTEMON WILD PINK
BALLOON FLOWER DOUBLE BLUE
KNAUTICA MACEDONICA
LOBELIA SIPHILITICA
LUPINE BLUE
LYCHNIS BURNING LOVE

Shirley

Bert from allthings plants is hosting a co-op for lilies (Asiatic, Orientals and etc if anyone is interested) these lilies are at a great price....so hope everyone wants to participate. LMK and I will give you the details.

Shirley

Good morning ladies. Looks like GW quit sending ma automatic updates. Sorry I missed the last couple posts
Yes Mellen, you have one Celosia correct and Shirley has one correct too. Nice work gals. Mellen will get an extra point for being the first guesser.
Now Im going to challenge myself to set up a scramble for you to do on this cold snowy day.
Back in about an hour with scrambled words

Gosh, I have sure missed a lot! Went to my son's for a week and then came home and had a funeral for my friend's husband who died from heart attack unexpectedly. Then have a bug of some kind. But have magazines ready to go. I will be mailing them today Tammy. I better go back and check out the game as don't know what that's about, or is it too late to play! Have a great day, Melinda

Just here for a minute.....have been with my sister since Sunday. She has been to the ER twice since Saturday with lower abdominal pain. She will be having surgery tomorrow will continue to be here the rest of the week. The reason I am sharing this is since I won't be getting my package out this week. Jayeanne, hubby is home so when your package comes he will be there to get it.

Take care, all.
ME

Not to late at all Melinda.
I'm posting a quick one here for the bad weather break.
Unscramble these names. You can send them to me if you want to, rather than posting here.
Points go to the person who gets the name correct first.
1) ihivlymnpbcdtuoudieelnea
2)aaeoleeuppssmcmoalampipus
3) slcchuebigdnalutriarosenec
4) hibaaerssswtdllniviinooun
5) sipkneeribudcurara
Hope I have not messed this up before even starting

Jeanne, got your books already! I haven't had a chance to look at them, but I know I'm really going to like them.
A Cozy Book of Tea Time Treats
Tea Gardens Book

HOw cute they go together!

sharon

Sharon,
What a coincidence. Your books to me arrived today. I opened the package and thought they looked great, but it was a quick look. A bit earlier this evening I stopped to run an errand on the way to my meeting and someone really rammed into the back of my car when we were in very congested traffic. I'm sore and have ice on my back and don't get me started on how upset I get when anything happens to my car. It is definitely in need of several days at a car repair shop. Anyway, I'm trying to remind myself it could be worse...

Thanks so much, Sharon and I'll hopefully get to look at the books tomorrow. Trying to get my mind off the accident right now. They always say your neck and back are worse the day after so I'm hoping it's not too bad.

Thanks for being the hostess, Beth. With the baby shower for my daugher this month, I'm sorry I haven't joined in the conversations more.

Jeanne

received a bunch of great mags from Beth today, reminded me I was in a swap, thankyou beth and sorry I will be late, will mail off by friday, sorry forgot all about this swap, am hunting around for mags you should like, hugs to jack and all my bloomin friends. I am officially senile

Carol-So nice to see you...we miss you when you are away. Glad you got to join in Beth's swap.

Jeanne-Sorry to hear about your accident. Hopefully you won't be to sore tomorrow, the ice will help.

Mellen-I will be praying for your Sister tomorrow. I hope the surgery goes well. Keep us informed.

Tammy-I received my magazines today....yeah you sent some I have never seen so excited to check them out.

Southern Living Comfort Foods
Hobby Farms
Country Gardens
Womans Day
Fine Gardening

I was hoping it would snow tailgate deep so I could read these magazines....Tammy thank you so much.

Beth I love the magazine swap...great idea.

Hope to tackle those words tomorrow.

Shirley

Mellen, so sorry to hear about your sister. Sending prayers for a good outcome and quick recovery.
Oh Jeanne, that is bad news for you too, I'm predicting your aches will be worse today, even if the injuries are minor. The muscles tighten up after an injury and patients often find places the next day that ache more that they expected. Not, trying to spread gloom here , just figure it is good to know that it's pretty "normal". Take time to rest and recover.
Sharon, tea gardens is a new concept to me,other than the Oriental type. Strange, I always think of those more as Restaurants than gardens.
Shirley, Southern Living Comfort foods sounds heavenly!!!!!! I could sure get into trouble with that one.
Carol, no problem and no hurry. Nothing urgent or exciting going on here and I will enjoy them whenever they arrive.
Hugs and warm wishes to all
bethb

Shirley- I am so glad you received them. Happy gardening I mean reading! LOL!
Mellen- Prayers for your sister for a complete healing.
Jeanne- You are in my prayers, hope you have a speedy recovery.
Beth- This has been a fun swap, Thank You for hosting it. I have enjoyed it.

Have a beautiful day Everyone!
Tammy

Mellen- Oh gosh so sorry to hear about your sister, I do hope everything goes well for her and wishing her a speedy recovery. No need to worry about me. Yes your package should arrive sometime this week. I do hope all goes well for her. Will keep her and you in my prayers.
Hugs, Jayeanne

Tammy-I took one of my books to work and had a wonderful time reading it. Every time I heard footsteps I had to put it in a drawer. LOL

Mellen-Praying your Sister came through her surgery ok. When you can give us an update.

Whew Beth I'm trying to unscramble the words but to no avail. Are they more than one word?

Shirley

hey everyone, hope you are all warm and safe.

Jeanne, so sorry to hear about your car accident. the other vehicle insurance company owes you a rental while yours is being repaired, and they should provide you with a vehicle similar to yours. glad to hear you aren't feeling too bad, but I would definitely do some bath soaks because you will be still. you're right, it could be worse, so glad it was not.

mary ellen, your sister is in my prayers as is the family.

Shirley, I agree, those words are insane. I see rudbeckia in one of them, but the remaining letters don't make sense as to the type, at least they don't make sense to me.

we got about 12 inches of snow. have I said lately how much I despise winter anymore? give me spring/fall weather year round and I will be a happy girl. anyone know of such a place? if so, please share, and i'm packing tomorrow and going.

carol, carol, carol.....you make me laugh!

my granddaughter and I went to a MLK day of service on Monday at one of the local friends schools. it was such a touching service at the start of the day, they had all youngsters reading the I have a Dream speech, really was compelling. then we set off and made teddy bears for a local agency. was a lot of fun. if I do that same activity next year, i must remember a thimble,

i have a video chat interview this week. strange, but i guess in this day of modern technology, this is what it is. the interviewers are in California, and i'm in PA. saves on air fare, that's for certain. wish me luck, please! i'm hoping for this job, it sounds quite promising.

everyone have fun reading your books/mags.

stay well, stay warm
maryanne

Great photo Maryanne. Glad you were able to have such an enjoyable day off with grandaughter.
yes, those words were crazy. they were making me crazy trying to scramble them up. That's why I only did 5.. I thought I was jumbling up my brain. LOL I have a prize in mind to brighten the day of the winner but I can't name it until I have it in my hands. Don't want to promise something that does not materialize.
It is early but we are leaving on what should be a two day shopping expedition for me. Zippity doo dah!!!

Maryanne,

San Diego (but expensive and I'm not a great California fan except for Disneyland :)

Beth,

I know you are in Arizona but I forget the name of the place. I remember it's somewhere I've never been and I've lived here all my life. When you "go to town" what town are you going to? Phoenix?

Sue G

Maryanne, would you need to move?
Sue, we go to Phoenix only to visit family or if we "need" something for the RV. Most routine shopping is done in Prescott.
Today we are going first to Quartzite , for Jack. Then to Yuma for me. Some sun by a pool and then shopping. Love to go down there and see all the fresh veggies and fruit. Last time we drove out into the countryside and watched the cultivation and harvesting for several hours. We are a pair of old time farmers and are amazed at how things are done now.
Tomorrow we'll hit Algodones for some food and music and then back home

Hi Maryanne great picture, thanks for sharing. The only way you can have the perfect climate year round is to live in the Mountains Spring, Summer & Fall and then go to Florida in the Winter time. I will probably do just that when I retire. This has to be the coldest Winter on record here.
What is bad is we have two months of Spring, two months of Summer, two months of Fall and 6 months of Winter.

Beth-Have fun on your shopping trip. I do love shopping trips.

Shirley

Shirley, you are SO right about the weather. I spent years looking for a place with perfect weather. Living in Alaska but spending two months in MD seeped perfect to me for years but it was expensive!
Our excursion was really fun but while gone, we missed a surprise visit from an old friend. Oh well, we'll catch up again this summer.
Hope everyone has been weathering the weather OK
I see Fairbanks is over 40 degrees today. Amazing.

Just checking in to see what everyone has been up to. So happy to see the picture of you with your granddaughter, Maryanne. I hope the interview went well. Isn't the newer technology something different?

Anyway, I meant to come back and post the names of the books I received. They are wonderful! All three are by Rosemary Verey. The titles are:
English Country Gardens
Good Planting Plans
Garden Plans.
Very nice books and very useful. I haven't seen any of them before.

I continue to be very sore and in many places from my accident. It got worse over the next few days (Beth, you were right) and I haven't gotten to a stage where I can notice improvement yet. Obviously my neck and back are the worst, but I've got pain going down my right leg and arm and some other places hurt, too.. I've been to my medical doctor, my chiropractor, and for x-rays. My doctor had me schedule physical therapy, but that won't start for about 10 more days. It's odd how you get worse after the first day - I think the adrenalin must keep you from feeling as much pain at first.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns. Obviously I want to be able to get back to doing all the things I normally do. (Maybe my husband is getting a little tired of reaching for things, lifting things, and bending for things, but he's a good sport about it.)

Jeanne

Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear that you are hurting. Hope you can get some relief somehow.

Maryanne, LOVE the pic of you and GD. She is beautiful just like you.

I am home now. Sister is doing amazingly well and on the road to recovery. Hysterectomys are so different now. 3 little incisions, pull it out from 'there,' and 2 week recovery time. She is feeling really, really good now!

Jayeanne, got your box........magazines-Organic Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, Wellbella, and Southern Living. I will take these on vacay in a week-and-a-half. Also, a bypass pruner---I never seem to have enough of these. I even carry one in my car. :) And, seeds-Viola 'Helen Mount,' Petunia 'Royalty Mix,' and Poppy 'Frosted Salmon.' Nice! Thank you so very much for all that you sent! I have your box all packed and ready to go on Monday......depending on the possible blizzard tonight and tomorrow. If not Monday then Tuesday, for sure.

ME

Sending prayers to all who have problems and needs. May everyone's family and things get worked out! I have been outside most of the day! Been really cold and got up to 50's so seemed great!
I rec'd my package from Shirley! She sent me
2 Birds and Blooms- I love these
Garden Gate- I love these also
Mary Janes Farm-can't wait to check that out!
Good selections as I can't wait to relax and read them!
She also sent a delightful little homemade card and a prayer rock with a verse! I loved it! So cute and unique!
Thanks again for another great swap this month! My arms are so tired, just can't seem to gain strength in them since my surgery and been almost 3 years! But I try! Gotta go, my arms are shaking just typing after working in yard!
Have good evening everyone!

Melinda-Glad your magazines arrived. I sent you an e-mail that I forgot to put the card in your package with a years subscriptions to Better Homes and Garden. Hope you enjoy them.

Mellen-Yes hysterectomys are so easy now and the recovery a breeze. Never had one but everyone who has does very well.

Jeanne-Hope the aches and pains are getting less. Hang in there, better days ahead.

Off to the nursing home to see Mom and then hope to walk the greenway.

Shirley

If anyone is interested, I just posted some Daylily seeds on the seed exchange.
sharon

Jeanne, hope you are beginning to feel some of the pains and aches easing up.
Mellen, glad for the good news about your sister.
I have been sitting here garden dreaming while reading the book,Midwest Cottage Gardens.
In the intro to one of the chapters the author states:
" I realize in retrospect that my imaginary garden consisted of a cross between an English Country Garden and the hanging Gardens of Babylon."
Glad I'm not the only one with that problem. LOL

There is just one more week for this swap and I want to try a quick little game here.
I found a list of "six indispensable perennials" in a book
What would be on your list of indispensable perennials. I'm really interested in knowing which things turn up most often in the lists,with a prize going to the list with the most matches.

My guesses are going to be ..... which i must admit are some of my all time favs for holding up throughout the adversity of weather or climate.

Japanese anemone,
Caryopteris,
Geranium,
Sedum,
Aster,
Amsonia

Jayeanne

Hi Jayeanne, four of your six are ones I have relied on in the past. Anemones and Amsonia are ones I recognize but have not tried yet. Anemonies I have wished for but the Amsonia is fairly new to me.
I know the lists will vary according to region but I'm curious if there might be a strong "common thread". Two of your plants have been in my gardens wherever I have lived. Yep, they need to be able to hold up regardless of the weather.
Thanks for posting. Hope we get some more lists.
Bethb

Hope everyone is staying warm today. Just wanted to say a huge Thank you so much to Melinda (ilovefarac) for the magazines. I got
Container Gardens
Gardening & outdoor living
The American gardener
(4) horticulture
I don't think I can choose a favorite but I am suppose to go grocery shopping this afternoon and I so want to stay home by the fire and read!! But which one will I choose, I love them all!! This has been a great swap!

Thanks so much Melinda!!
Have a beautiful day!!
Tammy/

Jayeanne, box sent today.
ME

Indispensable Perennials
Astilbe
Crocosmia
Coreopsis
Hellebores
Hemerocallis
Peonies

So hard to pick only 6.

Shirley

Here are my 6

Hemerocallis
Shasta Daisy
Bearded Iris
Japanese Iris
Hosta
Coral Bells

Sharon

My package from VeeJa Carol arrived yesterday and it was a real treat. The magazines , English Gardens really set me to dreaming. So many great ideas and beautiful flowers in there.
A book on saving and starting seed that Looks very helpful. A book on Square foot gardening just full of practical information and other goodies too.
Carol also sent a handy little garden tote with pockets for scissors, string, tools etc.This will have a good home and hard use.Then, for pretty she sent a green heart and little ear rings,my favorite color and I'll be wearing the ear rings to town today.
Thanks so much Carol. You're the greatest, Hugs
beth

Looks like we are winding down this swap with all packages received except Jayeanne, and hers is on the way.
This has been fun.
I'll give until Friday for guesses on the games and do one point for each correct guess. I plan to combine the correct answers from all three.
I'm really enjoying the lists of indispensable perennials. Shirley and Sharon, you each have two from the list in the book and they are all plants that I used and enjoyed in my MD Gardens. All but astilbe did well there and, astilbe I liked well enough that I kept trying to find a spot where it was happy. Wonder if it will like Missouri any better.

A snowstorm hit today...I don't like snow. Probably won't be going to work tomorrow if the temps keep dropping.

Beth-I really like astilbe and found a great nursery last year that sold huge buckets of astible for $4.00 each. I asked her to please get different named ones and I would be back for more. Loved your swap and thank you for a great job.

We still need someone to take February. Can you believe January is almost gone.

January - Beth (In progress)
February -
March - Melinda
April - Jayeanne
May - Margaret
June - Shirley
July - Carol
August -
September -
October - Annie
November - Maryanne
December -

I belong to our local Garden Club but wanted so bad to be in the Master Gardeners Group. The only day they have the class is Friday mornings from 8:30 to 12:00. I finally decided to ask my boss if I could come in at 12:00 on Fridays for 12 weeks. He called HR and they said yes. I am so excited. 12 weeks is a long time but I can do it.

Shirley

I am so sorry for the hard weather you all are receiving this winter. Out here in Phoenix, it's like we skipped winter altogether -it is so weird!

Jan-Feb are normally our coldest months but it's been in the mid to upper 70's all month even supposed to be 80 on Friday. I've been putting off putting in new plants thinking this is a trick and it will turn cold as soon as I do but no cold (or rain) in sight. Sure need some rain......

Sue G

Sue-Your weather sounds wonderful. Ice everywhere this morning no school or work here. Hope you get the rain you need.

I have time today to work on February's swap so will post it shortly.

Shirley

Good morning ladies.
Sue, I've been feeling guilty about how much I enjoy this weather while friends and family are miserable. LOL
Shirley I'm sure you will love the MG classes. I took it about 8 years ago and thought It was one of the best things I have done. Thought about taking it again in MO but The price has gone up so much I decided not too.
The prize for our game is now here hanging in my window.

Just wanted to tell Beth thanks for hosting! I have really enjoyed this swap and am loving the magazines I rec'd! Thanks again Shirley!
Hope all you ladies are staying warm and safe! Being cozy and enjoying the reading! Melinda

Wow! MEllon!

Thank you ever so much for all the goodies you sent over!
Container gardening through the year book (been reading all evening! love this one!!)
complete guide to flower gardening book by BHG
garden guide mag. (2)
country living mag.
simple and delicious mag
country mag (2)
garden gate mag
mother earth news mag
fine gardening mag (2)
great gardens made easy mag
farm and ranch mag
living the country life mag

If you dont see me for while, Ill be reading and enjoying!! =)

thank you MEllon!! LOVE them ALL =)

Jayeanne

Shirley,
I signed up to be hostess in Sept. It's back on the December thread.

January - Beth (In progress)
February -
March - Melinda
April - Jayeanne
May - Margaret
June - Shirley
July - Carol
August -
September - Jeanne
October - Annie
November - Maryanne
December -

What great swaps everyone is receiving!
We have snow here, too, and it's very cold. My husband said it went down to 9 degrees this morning (actual temperature) - that's very cold for us. However, I loved seeing the snow - it was the kind that sticks to all the tree branches, etc. and just beautiful!

Jeanne

Jayeanne, looks like you hit the jackpot on your package. Yes, this has been a fun swap. I'm still reading my stack of goodies too. Thanks again Carol and all who played. Thanks to the "visitors too" Always good to have you all.
Jeanne, your snow sounds beautiful. I'm missing it. Though, I admit I'm glad we did not decide to stay in MO for the winter.
Today will be the last day for the game/ games. Sorry I made them so tough. I'll give the rest of the day if anyone wasts to make new ot different guesses.
Scores as of this AM
Shirley 3
Jayeanne 1
Sharon 2
Have a great day.

Whew! Jayeanne, I was becoming really concerned about that box. I mailed it Monday! I mailed it in a flat rate box, but it was so heavy I was prepared to have the PO tell me it was too much for the flat rate. Also, I kept trying the tracking number and the online PO could never find it. Anyway......so glad it is there and you like what I sent.

Beth, thanks for a fun swap!
ME

The prize will be on it's way to Shirley on Monday. I'll need an address if someone would please send it to me.
Here is the original list of 6 Indispensable Perennials. from the book Midwest Cottage Gardening
hostas
peonies
daylilies
rudbeckias
sedums, and
echinacea
Thanks again to all for swapping this month
Bethb

Beth-Sending you my address and thank you so much. I love the prize....YEAH...You made our January so much brighter.

February - Shirley (In progress)
March - Melinda
April - Jayeanne
May - Margaret
June - Shirley
July - Carol
August -
September - Jeanne
October - Annie
November - Maryanne
December -

Jeanne-Thanks for the update...we now have most of the year covered.

Shirley