Carol: Please send me your address :) Your plants are waiting :)

Dan: Love Traverse City! I'm originally from the east side of MI but lived in Holland for a number of years. I miss my lakes so much! Nothing compares to them here in Iowa... oh well, we have good corn :)
-Amanda

Amanda, I spent the 85'/86' school year at Hope living in Kollen Hall! Small world, eh? LOL! I've been a lot of places, but you're right, there's nothing like the Great Lakes! Whenever I need to run and relax, or just run from everything, I head to Empire and spend time on the beach of Lake Michigan. There's nothing like being baked by the sun and then watching a t-storm coming atcha from Wisconsin. Just thinking about it makes my shoulders relax a little bit more...lol!

Peace.
-Dan & the Wee Beasties

my mother is FINALLY out of the hospital and back in Altoona. She's going to an in-care nursing facility until she can walk up stairs. She's doing pretty good though.
Sara is feeling good and is actually coming over to spend the day. WE're going to go look at plants and stuff like that. So I think I can relax for a bit..maybe...LOL!

I'd say that calls for a celebration Linda! Waaaaa-HOOOO!

Yay! Dan's got the tutu out again! I like dancing!

Hey, Dan...remember dancing at the last party we had? Ya know...the one where you FORGOT the tutu?

Whew....I'm STILL having flashbacks! LOL!

Yeah, that was a pretty good party! Even though the showercap was the only thing I could get to stay on! ROFL!!!

Yay! I got some new Jewels. I will post what I received later:)

Denise

Hi everyone!

Linda, glad to hear your mom is doing well. What a great box you received form Melissa!

Denise, can't wait to hear what jewels you received!

Anyone need some rain? We've had more than enough!! Good for the flowers though, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

Dan & Melissa, looks like I've missed some hilarious parties! lol

Karen

Hi, everyone! I've been remiss in posting about Laura's wonderful box. It arrived Saturday morning, just as I was skipping town for the weekend. She sent:

TB Iris: grape, Chasing Rainbows, and Autumn circus
Mint: Pineapple and Chocolate
an unidentified groundcover for a succulent planter
Kalanchoe (mother of millions)
Sedum "dragons blood"
cuttings of: purple wandering jew and jade plant
Hen-n-chicks in a cute hand-painted pot

Garden gloves
Hand cream

I have the mints and succulents potted up. The iris will have to wait for the ground to drain a bit. We got 3 separate rain storms yesterday evening, so I couldn't work outside. I didn't get Laura's box done before I left town, so I hope I can dig when I get home today.

Thanks for the great box, Laura!

~CA

O.K. here is the list of goodies I received.

Poker plant
golden sedum
red amarylis
noid lily
tango lily
1 more named lily that I can't remember off hand

She also sent a sharpie and a antibacterial pocket size cleanser.

Thank you for everything.
Denise

Oops! I forgot my favorite one(a cutting of brugmansia wetched mess.)

Denise

Hey All!
We're enjoying the MUCH cooler weather up here in MI!!

Denise~ glad you enjoyed your Jewels!!

Dan~ forgot to say that we were about 4 hours south of Traverse City.

later....April

April: 4 hours south of TC.... Holland/Muskegon? My old area! I love MI weather :) So nice in the summer!

Dan: I had to learn to parallel park in front of Hope College years ago in driver's training! Talk about embarassing...there were about 10 college kids sitting outside laughing at me! Eep!

As for nerves I'm hosting my first MFN swap next month... please be kind, I'm not sure what I'm doing! Should be fun learning though :)
-Amanda

I live 4 hours south of Traverse City! You wouldn't happen to be anywhere near the Lansing area now would you?

CA, glad everything made it safe and sound and that you like them. I'm in no rush so don't worry. Ever since my summer class got canceled I've had time to spare, which is how I got them sent out so quickly. :)

Does anyone here geocache, or else know what a pathtag is? I've taken to designing pathtags for production and sell the patterns on my blog, so if any of you are (or know of someone who is) looking for a design let me know!
~Laura

Laura, I mailed your box today. It is super light (under two pounds), but I promise there are plants inside! The PO clerk said to me: you know this is flat-rate, right? I did, but it was the only box of appropriate size I had. I got delivery conf, but then left the slip in the car, so I can't give you the number.

Why do I feel like this swap has been hijacked by a reunion of Michiganders? I've only been there once, and that was just a side trip up from Indiana when I realized I was ten miles from the border, just so I could say I'd been there.

~ CA

Hmmm. All this talk about Traverse City has me craving cherries! Yummy yum...one of my favorite flavors!
*sigh*
Too bad they're $6.99/lb here! ACK!

Linda mentioned that I had sent her some Bead for Life bracelets with her box....
If anyone is interested, I am having a Bead for Life party, and will be selling their jewelry for the next 2 months. I don't make anything from selling it, and they are non-profit themselves. If anyone would like to learn more about the organization, go to www.beadforlife.org & check it out.
If you are interested in purchasing anything, I will ship it for free. Just email me if you'd like to learn more! :D

Hey Gang!

I'm staying in Westland MI. I'm missing my bed, my dogs & a WHOLE bunch of daylily blooms!!!!!! 3 more days...

later...April

April, you're over in the Detroit area then, right? If you're jonsing daylily blooms you should come visit me, since I'm only about 1.5 to 2 hours from there. Can't help with the missing your dogs, but the cats are always happy for new playmates!

Ugh! Poison Oak!
I'm itching to pieces here! LOL!

I most recently lived near Detroit, a little island called Grosse Ile. I miss it! Maybe we should have some sort of a Michigan swap? ;)
Amanda

I posted July's swap! Please go check it out! Hope I did OK :)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roundrobin/msg061853378403.html

My box to Amanda went out today conf # 03083390000145250247. really had to scurry to get it out. but proud that I did. hope you enjoy it Amanda. hugs carol

Thanks Carol! Yours will be shipping tomorrow and I'll get you a DC... would have had it sooner but I've been sick. I hate summer colds :(

Karen, I dug up a bunch of jewels for you this evening after getting home from my casino trip (broke even) and just finished printing off the mailing label. Your dc# is 4205 7216 9405 5036 9930 0265 0086 59.

Linda, I didn't realize until today that I had so many plants that had special meanings to me. Thanks for making me realize it! This has been a great swap so far!

Peace.
-Dan

Lets see how this is progressing so far!

lindaruzicka received
hazelnutbunny sent
dirt_under_my_nails
antiqueorchid received
dan_the_mailman sent
kalena67
lilangel181
sakura_komichi sent
veeja11 sent
adopt_greyhounds

I do apologize for not being around much for this swap, I"m usually a better hostess than this. It's been a rough month. Just to tell you my state of mind, this is what I did yesterday..."L".

I had a Red Hat meeting at a place that I've been past but never been in. Now I went past it just the other day and knew where it was, I even remarked to Jeff, there's Lakeview where I'm having lunch on Thursday. I get dressed and leave at 11:35 so I get there in plenty of time. I go through Jeannette pull up at the light and make a right and go down Rt 30....and go....and go. Hmmm, thinking to self...I don't see the restrurant. So I turn around and go back down the other way...and go and go. Okay, I must've missed it. I turn around again and go the other way, still can't find it. I go to pull out my cell to call to find out where I'm supposed to be...no phone, forgot it. Now I'm frustrated and late. It's 12:15 and the lunch was at noon. I turn around one more time and go down Rt 30 and went further..Ta Da! There it is...5 minutes from my original venture onto Rt 30. I should've turned Left not right. I was a half hour late, everyone was already eating. When I told everyone why I was late, they laughed and told me I wasn't allowed to drive myself anymore!!..."shaking head"

ROFL! Linda, that's too funny! :D
*note to self: don't follow the red-hatted blond....*
LOL!

{{gwi:1275220}}

I sent April's box out today. I will post the DC# later. I left the receipt in the car.

Denise

you weren't lost Linda, you were just making a memory! rofl!

Here is the DC#0309 0330 0001 9252 4250.

Linda loving thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Bunny are you rembering my lil Lili and not spoiling Bliss too much ? You and dan look great dancing togeather, were you at least wearing clothes. I would have guesses boxers for Dan. # 2 is the pumpkin pie spice I recognize.Mine are starting to bloom. won't stop raining or get over mid 60's here. tomato's are only 4" high could be what we call a green tomato summer. darn I love my maters. Amanda my addy is carol bea 242 169th st e spanaway wa 98387 in case you didn't get it. I forgot to tell you why the lilies in your box are the jewel. first ones I grew from bulbs on axis of stem and the mother is about 6 ft tall my fav. hope you like hugs carol

Hi everyone! It's been a busy week end!

Dan, I sent your box out on Friday, will post the DC # later. I don't have it with me at the moment. I sure hope you like what I've picked out, and that they make the trip well. I felt like a newbie packaging it. It's been a while!

Happy Fathers Day to the Dads out there!

:)Karen

LOL, Karen, if they're plants, and they'll grow, then I'll like'em! As long as it's not lawn grass, that is...((grin))

My box from CA came in yesterday, and its chock full of goodies! I should have made a list as I unpacked it, so apologies if I miss anything. My box contained 3 kinds of daylilies, eastern colombine, a family strain of geranium, euphorbia, and purple passionflowers (which already had the perfect place next to my trellises, where the sweet pea vine was nibbled to death earlier this season). She also made a set of plant labels out of window blinds, a home grown loofa scrubby (How neat! I wonder if any seeds inside would grow?) a homemade exfoliating soap bar, and a garden thermometer.

Thank you so much for all of the plants, and the personal touches!
~Laura

Laura, I'm glad the box got to you. I never did find my delivery conf # to look it up.

Sorry those seeds in the loofa aren't viable - my growing season isn't long enough for the seeds to mature.

I'm glad you had a place for the passionflower. I almost didn't send it because it takes a trellis and I didn't know if you'd have room for it. I should have known an apartment gardener is prepared to grow vertical to maximize green space!

~CA

Dan, here is your DC # 0309 1140 0000 1881 9030
Looks like it should be on your door step today! :0)

We had a nice rain last night. Looks like I won't be able to weed the last row of onions tonight, too muddy. (A break for me!)

Have a good day everyone! I'm going to be watching for the mailman!

Karen

Woo Hoo!! I received some sparkling jewels today!!

Dan sent me:

1. Sage: Grown in Dan's new greenhouse (I'm envious!!) I have no sage, so this is great!
2. Pineapple Mint, also new for me! Love the foliage! Can't wait to see it growing in my flower bed.
3. Begonias: How did you know that I still haven't planted flowers in my planter??? lol. They have a home waiting for them!
4. Dianthus: One of my favorites also! Have a place just for these, too!
5. Black Eyed Susan: Dan's first seed he offered in the GW. I always have room for these!
6. If I counted right, 8 Iris Rhizomes, some with more than one!! I love Irises, and the anticipation of waiting for the blooms to open on them for the first time! I totally agree Dan, Irises DO complete a flower garden. I'm so excited!!

Dan also sent a vase with colored stones, (which I plant on filling tonight) and some yummy Chocolate filled rolled wafers. mmmmmmmm!

Thanks Dan, for the awesome box! Everything made the trip nicely!

:) Karen

Miss Bunny! Your confirmation number is #0310 0480 0000 0726 1370. Your box finally made it out the door! Thanks for your patience..((HUG))

Everyones box are flying to their destinations and they are looking good!!

My box from Denise arrived today!!!WOW!! What a box!!!Seems someone peeked at my list...I got:
Sweet Pea Hand Gel

Apple Mint
'Voo Doo' Sedum
'Angelina' Sedum
'Dragon's Blood' Sedum
'Red Beauty' Semp(Hen & Chick)
'Cherry Bells' Campanula
Brugmansia
Pink Hardy Begonia
Lavender Balloon Flower
Lychnis
Hardy Geranium
'Bevan's Variety' Scented Geranium
and
STITCH WITCH SDB Iris!!!
Denise thanks soooo much!! I'm off to place my new plants in the garden!!

later....April

I'm glad you like your new garden jewels. Enjoy!

Denise

This is just too cool! I received a box full of irises today from Karen, which I'm going to plant tomorrow after work after they've had a chance to soak in water overnight. There was also a great little gnome who hitched a ride in the box, and he's now introducing himself to the gnomes in my garden and residing in the new gnome-home I built this Spring. Thanks Karen! I've got new jewels to plant in the yard, AND someone new to take care of them! WOO-HOO!!!

Whoo Hoo my box made it.Label/Receipt Number: 0308 3390 0001 4525 0247
Scheduled for Delivery: Monday, June 21, 2010
Class: Priority Mail®
Service(s): Delivery Confirmation
Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 3:18 PM on June 21, 2010 in WATERLOO, IA 50701. hope you like it Amanda. wanted it to get there saturday but no such luck, darn slow mail men hugs Dan, sure you are the one fast mailman hugs carol

I did get it today Carol :) Thanks so much!
Here is your DC
9405 5036 9930 0267 9702 99

From Carol I got...
a yummy smelling vanilla candle in a cute pug tin
adorable note pad with a puppy on it
Columine
lily (her jewel)
lupine
sedum
and a huge amaryllis bulb!
Thank you so much! It was a wonderful box, sorry if I skipped something in it... I'm a third shifter and it's very late for me right now! :)
Amanda

Amanda, if you plant that amaryllis bulb within the next few days, it just may bloom for you this summer! I bought a bunch of them for $1.50 apiece at k-mart this past January, and almost all of them are growing, and I've got one (hopefully more to come) that is blooming! It's a huge red one, and it gives my little herb garden a great tropical touch. I love it!
We've all received some great boxes, and I've enjoyed reading what everyone has given/received! Ain't it cool?

-Dan & the Wee Beasties

Dan:
Do you plant the amaryrllis directly in the garden? When do you dig them up? Mine are all potted, I have 5 now, it's becoming a little obsession :)

We had an absolutely crazy storm here last night! 70+ mph straight winds! Our yard looked like nothing happened, but across the street there were 2 big trees down (ironically they had 5 others cut earlier that day), plus wires down everywhere and lots more trees. Seemed to only hit our neighborhood! Just got power back and I am recovering from trying to calm my storm phobic dog last night!
If you want to see pics:
http://wcfcourier.com/collection_0cff6992-7f10-11df-92a2-001cc4c03286.html

I planted them right into the ground, where they're doing just fine. When the leaves fade I'll pull them out and put them into the bottom drawer of the fridge to give them a cold spell, and bring them out again in time to grow for Christmas. That's what I've done in the past to get two blooming seasons. It does age them faster though, usually they only last 2-3 years like that and then I've had to get new ones.

I got a box from Linda today! Yay!
Although...I wonder why the words "fragile" & "live plants" always seem to incite a postal-sorting-room game of box football? This thing looks like it's been through several games & a tie-breaker inning! LOL!

The only casualty is the Russian stonecrop Sedum. Poor guy looks like the specialty shakes that the local health food store whips up.
*humming death march*
I'll give it a decent burial, though...no worries. :o)

Here's everything else:
~Magnetic note pad
~bunny socks! always LOVE printed socks!!
~scented jar candle
~gnome pot hugger
~cute button brooch/pin handmade by Linda!
~cats & kittens (hens & chicks)- from Linda's grandmothers house- she always called them cats & kittens!
~liatris (which Linda says reminds her of a toilet brush...now THERE'S an image! LOL!!
~pineapple sage (which she got from Dan...COOL!)
~torch lily (my first)
~california poppy (I've never been to CA, so this is as close as I'm likely to ever get!)
~snow on the mountain (I have fire on the mountain growing wild, so this will look neat next to it!)
~peony - always love these!
~lambs ear (Aubeni loves these plants!)
~rose of sharon (a favorite of her grandfather AND his middle name was Sharon...NEAT!)

Thank you, Miss Linda, for a great box! I love everything. They're all soaking right now, and I"ll plant them tonight. I'll even plant the stonecrop....maybe it'll bounce back...
I'm optimistic. :D
(hugs)

Miss Bunny, I will be very surprised of some of that sedum doesn't come up. It's practically indestructable! I'm glad you liked everything...((HUG)))

I received my box from Amanda, great box thankyou Amanda
red and pink peony roots
yellow daffs
dinner plate dahli ace summer emotions
yellow glad bulbs
rose cuttings
queen bea
sequoia gold
the jewel vi's violet lavendar mini instructions on how to start rose cuttings, don't think I'll be wearing the mask it reccommends tho
vanilla and melon yankee candle melts
bag of candle wicks bag of water crystals
seeds sean conway columbine seeds
anerican meadows forget me not seeds. tankyou amanda I love it all
also a note for john sarah and erin in case you are missing it, and one for me. thankyou hugs carol

Oh no! I packed 2 boxes that night and the note must have drooped in yours when I was taping theirs up :( Sorry :(