Welcome to the August Swap! The heat of summer is upon us & school is just a few weeks away. We will be sending garden related items from Dollar Stores, Garage Sales and other Discount businesses. These can include plants, seeds, tools or what ever you think your partner will enjoy. But it must include at least 2 different kinds of bulbs/tubers/roots, 2 packages of seeds and 3 other items of interest.

We have all seen some great things in these places and if your like me, you will have a stash of them! What ever items you decide for you partner, please put them in a container/pot/basket, of your choice and post a picture when it arrives, with a list of gifts.

Please sign up by Aug. 10th and send your packages out by Aug. 18th. Every Monday morning (4,11,18,& 25), I will be posting a game for you to play and have a chance at winning fabulous prizes - these will include but not limited to Iris, Daylilys, Asiatic Lilys and Seeds.

Let have fun!
Marie

Hugs,
Deb

susie

Glad you are going to be in this one - it is going to be alot of fun!

I wish everyone could but I understand - I to have alot to do this month and have to limit myself, no matter how hard it is :)

Something I forgot to post in the first one:

PLEASE MAKE ALL GIFTS NEW OR IN ORIGINAL SEALED PACKAGING.

Of course the bulbs and seeds can be from your gardens.

Marie

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

Enjoy your weekend and remember the first game starts Monday morning :)
Marie

later...April/dirt_under_my_nails

Theresa,
(From the other thread)You must of really cut yourself good to get stitches!! Hope you're healing ok. I'm feeling better too.

I never told anyone about my excursion to the Botanical Gardens. It was great! The other volunteers were so very nice. I will be helping to tend to the ivies and topiaries. Buffalo has the largest public collection in the US, I believe. I never knew there were so many varieties. Many are really cool looking. There are some with teeny leaves, variegated ones, etc. I will be able to take home cuttings of any I want. I also will get lots of other plants for free too! I came home with a begonia, some other kind houseplant, and a few everbearing strawberry plants. The ladies go out to lunch after working all morning so it is really fun. I'm glad I decided to go.
Have a good night everyone,
Remy

Melissa

Good Morning Ladies!

I had so much fun at the rodeo and then went to a party for Hoss Howard and his band Country on Octane. He is a new and up coming Country/Rock singer, his first song is in the top 100 right now - Twang Thang. One of his band members is related to my sisters nieghbor and that is where the party was. It has been agreed that we will be doing this every year and are calling it Yoderfest! LOL

Yesterday this beauty bloomed! If anyone know's what it is PLEASE let me know because I do not remember planting it!

Enough about me... There is 6 of us so far signed up! Well, 7 including me :)
Deb
Carol
Missg
Sue
Melissa - Yes, we would love to have you play!
Remy - Yes, plants are fine! I just wasn't sure how they would travel at the end of Aug. I know I don't travel well in the Blistering Heat of Aug. :) Wow, the Botanical Gardens! sounds like you are going to have a great time and get to pick up some neat new plants. Just remember your friends here ~ we like them too... LOL

-----------------------------------------------------------
WEEK #1 GAME

Wyoming Trivia!
The first to answer all questions correctly will win:
a package of State Flower Seeds and this Iris -
Delirium and I am fragrant :)

_____________

State Capital:
Admitted to the Union on:
State Flower:
State Bird:
State Nick Name (there are 2):
What county in Wyoming was I born in and why is it famous?
-----------------------------------------------------------

Let the guessing begin!
Marie

I don't know, Marie....Wyoming is a great place, it looks like! so much history! I almost didn't remember WHY I was looking this stuff up, I got so caught up in all the cowboy stories!! :O)

Good guess's but no it isn't Natrona or Goshen. Not sure where you found the information on Buffalo Bill but he was born in Iowa and the town of 'Cody' up by Yellowstone is named after him & there is a great museum there about him.

FYI ~ In 1894 a woman reporter asked William Fredrick Cody, aka Buffalo Bill, whether he thought the majority of women qualified to vote. He was caught off guard but answered, "As well qualified as the majority of men. If a woman can do the same work that a man can do and do it just as well, she should have the same pay."

How is that for forward thinking!
:)Marie

Okay, one more guess, and then I"ll let someone else take a stab.
I'll say "Park" because that's where Yellowstone is located.
Uh...unless ASK is wrong about that, too! :O)

Melissa,
Glad you join the swap : )
Have a good night everyone,
Remy

Not Park or Albany... Buffalo Bill hunted buffalo for the Army & did his Wild West show all over this area. There can be information found in all the territories about him. I am betting that some of them you probably don't want you children reading about and a few run ins with the law! hehehehe

FYI ......

Park County - President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Yellowstone as the first National Park in the world, on March 1, 1872. To see live updates of Old Faithful Geyser go to: http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm

Albany County - Wyoming Territorial Prison ~ built in 1872, now a showpiece of the National Historic Register. During its use as a federal penal facility (1872 to 1903), more than 1,000 men and 12 women served sentences. When Wyoming became a state, a new penal institution was built in Rawlins and the prison was turned over to the University of Wyoming for use as an experimental stock farm.

I had forgot about the LOST CABIN MINE. When I was small, a friends Mom & Dad's ranch was partly in Natrona county. Every time I would visit for about 2 summers, her Mom would fix us a picnic and we would take the saddle horse's off through the prairie trying to find it! We never did find even so much as an old coin but we explored every cave & canyon for miles... LOL

There are 23 county's in Wyoming. Remy and Melissa have guessed 4 so that leaves 19...

My computer is acting up & I am borrowing a few minutes in another offfice. I will try to check back during the day.
Marie

I'll guess Big Horn county. But really...he DID go all over the place! :O)

Joan

Nope ~ not Big Horn either. Although that is where my x-husbands is from... Beautiful county and the only place in Wyoming I have ever lived that the wind doesn't blow 90+ all the time!

Keep guessing - some of you other ladies need to join in too!

Marie

Okay maybe a hint to help out.

This county begins with my fathers first name.

Marie

You're right, it is very slow on GW lately! I don't know if everyone is on vacation (wow, how I wish! I've never EVER had one of those!!) or just vegging in front of the AC & TV! :O)

FYI ~

~Hole-in-the-Wall Country~
My home town of Kaycee, has a rich history involving the famous outlaws, Robert LeRoy Parker aka Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the rest of the Hole-in-the-Wall gang, aka The Wild Bunch. The 'outlaw cave' where this legendary group of men hid out from the law is about 25 miles from our family ranches. Butch Cassidy also had a ranch near Patagonia, Argentina , where my Grandfather, Roy Garrett met and work for him as a young man in his late teen's and early 20's. Mr. Parker, gave my Grandfather a 'letter-of-introduction' to the 'Wyoming Territory' in the late 1800's. After Grandpa Roy became established, he purchased the 'KC' brand from John Nolan whom was the first homesteader in the local territory. The brand is still in the family, 4 generations and counting. For more information on my home town and its colorful history visit these web sites: http://www.kayceewyoming.org/history.html, http://www.kayceewyoming.org/http://www.wyomingbnb-ranchrec.com/Histor y.ButchCassidy.html

~Ellen Watson aka 'Cattle Kate' ~
was long portrayed as an outlaw and prostitute. She was hung for these alleged crimes, at the beginning of the Johnson County range war.http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-CattleKate.html

~Johnson County War ~
In the beginning, property and water rights were usually respected among big and small ranches based on who was first to settle the land and the size of the herd. However, as more and more homesteaders moved into the region, some of the large ranches banded together to monopolize large areas of the open range in order to prevent newcomers from settling. During the summer drought and harsh winter of 1886-1887 many cattle died and rustling was at an all time high. The large rancher's began to aggressively appropriate land where they controlled the water supplies and excluded the smaller ranchers from participating in the annual roundup.The cattle baron's hired 50 known Texan gunfighters and killers and set out from Cheyenne on their way to Buffalo, to settle these matters once and for all. Just south of the river bridge on the KC Ranch, by present day Kaycee, Nate Champion and Nick Ray, were the first known killings by these "regulators. In the end, many more were killed before the Calvery from Fort McKinney interfered. The 'regulators' and the powerful cattle barons, contacted the Governor in Cheyenne and to this day, no one has been held accountable for these actions. http://www.legendsofamerica.com/wy-johnsoncountywar.html

Kaycee was also the home of the late Chris LeDoux, country music singer and NFR Bareback Champion.

I will send out your Iris Monday, with the way the heat is right now, I don't want it in transport any longer than neccessary.

Thanks for playing and letting me brag about my state! It is truely a great state and had many first in our nation.
Marie

Marie,
I learned a lot! Your state has a very colorful history.
Are you going to post who is sending to who soon?

Where is everyone?
I hope you all are just having fun with your families and in your gardens.
Remy

Wait, wait...the "late" Chris LeDoux?? REALLY??? I did not know he passed!! Oh My Goodness, I've been living under a rock! Good grief!!

We're getting rain today!! YAY!! Big, fat thunderstorm type rain!! Oh, it's so wonderful to be able to open the windows and give the AC a break! And just to think....a month or 2 ago, I was complaining about having TOO MUCH rain! lol

Remy~ I have been harvesting some tomatoes that you sent me seeds for last year. They are yummy & gorgeous! But I can't remember the name....Does Black Carbon sound right?? They are a purple-ish color. It's funny, but NO ONE else around here has been able to keep their tomatoes alive, and no plants are producing...but these are! I wonder if it's because everyone else bought their plants?

Melissa

Remy,
thanks and anytime you want to come visit, let me know. I would be more than happy to give you a tour :)

Melissa,
Yes, Chris passed a couple years ago. He had a liver transplant but it didn't work as well as they had hoped :(
Rain? wow, send some to me -our storms keep going around my house. 10 miles north recieved 2 inches and 3 inches of hail the other day ~ glad I missed the hail! All the gardens and corn feilds are stripped bare...

My expermental tomatoes are just starting to produce. Orange, yellow and red - it would be fun to put purple ones in the mix for next year but I have never grown them from seed. Is it hard?

I recieved 6 new Gilbert H Wild - Iris! Champane Elegance, Painted Cloud, Joan Senior, and I can't think of the other 3. I was giving them a quick drink this morning since I fell asleep early last night and didn't get it done after planting them. I grew a Purple Datura & a couple Easter Egg plants from seed this spring - The datura isn't doing so well but my Eggs are getting HUGE! My daughter wants to start dyeing them tonight but I think we will wait about one more week. I will post pictures when we do.

I will be thinking of a new game for next week and posting partners on Monday morning also. I don't remember how many are in our group but this will give everyone a couple more days to think about it.

Marie

I have never heard of Chris LeDoux or the NFR, lol. These things are not big around here.

Marie,
You got some nice iris!
I think starting tomatoes from seed is easy. Of course you need to check them every day and pet them. Lol, yes, I said pet them. It simulates wind and helps them grow stronger since they have to grow inside for at least 6 weeks. If you don't have a really sunny window or garden/greenhouse window though, you need lights. If you can fill those requirements, it is simple. Plus you can grow better tasting/better suited to you tomatoes.
You never know about stopping by. My father drove around the whole US once, and I would love to do the same one day.
Remy

when I'm not in the garden then it is off to do errands for others & myself just a busy time .

marie here is a list of members some maybe missing & some may no longer be with the group just don't know but maybe this might help you .

Hope everyone has a great weekend
susie

Amybabyboy
Beth_b_Kodiak
Brittneysgran
Debbya
Dirtundermynails
Earthly Delight
Hazelnutbunny
Ilovefarac
lil green thumb
LLbean
Lunamoon
Mellen
Missg
Momcat
Nyvoices99
Raggedyann
Remy
Sandlapper Rose
Sassyd
Squanzon
Skohler
Theresa24
Veeja11
Vic_z5
Wynative

Amybabyboy - No
Beth_b_Kodiak - Undecided
Brittneysgran -?????
Debbya - Yes
Dirtundermynails - No
Earthly Delight -?????
Hazelnutbunny - Yes
Ilovefarac -?????
lil green thumb -?????
LLbean -?????
Lunamoon -?????
Mellen - No
Missg - Yes
Momcat -?????
Nyvoices99 -?????
Raggedyann -?????
Remy - Yes
Sandlapper Rose - No
Sassyd -?????
Squanzon -?????
Skohler - No
Theresa24 - ?????
Veeja11 - Yes
Wynative - Yes, I am in :)

I am showing off my Easter Egg Plant:

And some EGGS!

My daughter and I will be dyeing them on the 23rd - we need to let a few more get bigger so that the kids on the school bus can see them :)

Marie

Told ya it was one of those DUH! questions!! LOL

All I do is put several drops of food coloring in a paper cup, a tbls of vinegar and some warm water. Then gently submerge 'egg' & wait until it is the desired color and TADA! Do this with several different colors to give your plant lots of personality :)

It is best to have another big person to help because my back gets sore from bending over and I get tired of laying on the ground LOL

Marie

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

Yes, Carol, I'm still in the group. Just been busy these last few weeks.

Theresa

P.S. Cute puppies, Carol, and lots of them!

There's actually a couple of ways to dry cayenne peppers. I was raised in SW Louisiana, so I tend to do it the way most there do- take a heavy needle and heavy duty thread though the stems and make a loop out of them, then just hang them some where in a dry place. Another method, if you don't have a dehydrator, is to lay them out on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven on the lowest setting the oven will register. This will provide a gentle drying and is much faster than hanging, but you'll lose some of the color. I like to check mine and turn them if they look like they are roasting or the skin bubbling. Though at times I do do fully roasted cayenne to use in some stir-fry dishes or as a garnish. Once they are dry, you can grind them up like any other spice or even use them whole.

I also like to pickle them, my kids (Cajuns on their father's side as opposed to a transplant raised there like me, with the palates to match) like to pour a little of the vinegar into beans or onto cooked greens. After the vinegar is gone, you can either use the peppers in dishes or just add more vinegar. The peppers don't lose their kick this way. You can also grind or chop them, add a little vinegar and make homemade hot sauce.

As far as touching them, yes, the juices are oily and will spread, so to chop them I would either use some housecleaning gloves or just go ahead and chop them then wash your hands very well afterwards. I usually add a drop of vinegar and a sprinkle of baking soda to the soap to help cut the oils and remove then "acids" from my hands throughly.

My apologies for butting into your thread without being an OBF member, but cayenne peppers are one thing I'm very familiar with. Doing my own provides me with much better quality pepper than store bought. And in this house we use a LOT.

Kathy

And always be careful to not inhale the powder after you've ground it. It can burn and blister your mucus membranes in the eyes, nose and mouth. I use a small mini chopper/food processor for this. That way I can make sure it gets really fine. Other folks use a coffee grinder that's kept specifically for grinding peppers. When pouring it from the grinder into a jar, I use a wide mouthed, deep funnel that I can put the whole mouth of the grinder into. Putting the grinder container into the wide mouth of the funnel before turning it over helps keep the powder from wafting up into the air. I will often also put a towel over my hand after getting the container into the funnel to catch any that escapes.

Sounds like a lot of work to be safe, I know. But those precautions have kept me from ever being burned or inhaling the powers. And kept me kids, who like to help, from being hurt.

Oh, and another way to do the peppers is to roast them and then add to olive oil. Canning them this way flavors the oil to use for cooking or drizzling on salads.

Thus ends handling hot peppers 101 :P Hope it helps!

Kathy- returning to lurker status.

Here is the list of partners

Missg sends to Debbya
Debbya sends to Hazelnutbunny
Hazelnutbunny sends to Remy
Remy sends to Squanzon
Squanzon sends to Veeja11
Veeja11 sends to Wynative
Wynative sends to Missg

Please ask your partner for their address if you do not have it - I will need yours Missg, thanks. Be sure to have these sent out by the 18th or let me & your partner know if there is a problem.

I will post this weeks game later and the prize :)
Marie

This is a quiz about cottage garden flowers. The first lady to get them all or the most correct by Friday, will recieve this Daylily & anual seeds from one of my other garden flowers:

Siloam June Bug

1. The polyanthus is closely related to another charming flower. Which is it?

a. pansy
b. primrose
c. violet
d. rose

2. One of the following flowers has the old country nickname of "heartsease". Which is it?

a. tulip
b. lily
c. pansy
d. rose

3. There is a pretty little flower that shares its name with a musical instrument. Which is it?

a. drumflower
b. viola
c. harp flower
d. flutewood

4. If you wanted a bouquet of red, white, and blue, which of the following bunches could you not choose?

a. Poppies, daisies and cornflowers
b. All polyanthus
c. Violets, salvia and lobelia
d. All roses

5. Which of the following flowers changes colour from blue to pink according to the amount of acid in the soil?

a. roses
b. hydrangea
c. daisies
d. marigolds

6. Honesty is a lovely flower. Its blooms are followed by round silvery pods that give it its alternative name of "money flower". Most honesty flowers are purple, but some can also be -?

a. white or purple and white striped
b. pink
c. only white
d. red

7. Some flower names can be used for girl children, but there are a few that could be adapted for a boy. Which of the following does not come into this category?

a. Ragged Robin
b. Jolly James
c. Herb Robert
d. Sweet William

8. There is a flower with a charming name that makes me think of Christmas. However, it doesn't bloom in December. What is it?

a. Star of Bethlehem
b. Christmas Bush
c. Santa's Bells
d. Carolianthus

9. Which of the following flowers once caused a huge panic and made many people bankrupt?

a. carnation
b. tulip
c. marygold
d. love-lies-bleeding

10. Here is a delightful flower that has a real name reminding me of eagles, and two common names that sound like items of clothing. Is it -

a. Aquilla, jockey cap, tutu flower
b. Eagling, lady's slipper, laces-and-frills
c. Eagletta, blue bonnet, scarfia
d. Aquilegia, hooped petticoat, granny's bonnet

11. Buttercups are beautiful yellow flowers that are usually classed as weeds. However, they have an upmarket relative that is a welcome guest in the cottage garden. What is it?

a. aquilegia
b. ranunculus
c. dianthus
d. gypsophila

12. This flower is available in several colours, and has one of the sweetest scents around. It is usually grown in pots rather than out in the garden. Its name is Greek, and it is the namesake of a gay character out of Greek myth.

a. violet
b. narcissus
c. hyacinth
d. oleander

13. This is a flower with a name that is the same as its most common colour.

a. rose
b. violet
c. turquoise
d. orange

14. Wallflowers are delightful, flowering in winter and adding a sweet scent to their velvety blooms. The word has a secondary meaning, as it used to be used to denote a girl who had not been asked to dance at a ball. But do you know why the wallflower was so named?

a. Its name originally meant "foreign flower"
b. It was named after the unfortunate girls, because its flowers reminded people of velvet ballgowns
c. It grows best up against brick walls
d. It is named after the German botanist Hermann Wallfleuger

15. The rose, beloved of many gardeners, is related to a well-known pie ingredient. What is it?

a. pumpkins
b. blackberries
c. rhubarb
d. cloves

Melissa - your Iris will be going out tomorrow, I got home late and didnt' get it dug.

Carol - Love, love, love your puppies!!! How fun to have so many at one time LOL

Time to put your thinking caps on & have fun!
Marie

Hugs,
Deb

I'm glad I'm send to Sue. I've got some good stuff for her!

Kathy,
Thanks for the pepper tips. I'm going to try the baking soda and vinegar when I do my pepper canning.

Susie,
With all the flowerbed makeovers, I hope your not overdoing it!! Looking forward to pics though : )

Marie,
Coloring the "eggs" is a great idea. I think it would be a good way to get the kids to eat eggplant too.

Carol,
I can't believe Tiyli had 9 puppies! They look very cute.

Jeanne,
So sorry about the multiple stings!! I feel pain just reading about it. I'm glad you are finally getting rain.

Theresa,
Parents and a kitchen remodel! I know how chaotic a remodel is, but it will be so nice once it is done. Did you take before pics so you can show us when it is done?

Gale,
Glad you stopped by. Hope all is well : )

Beth,
Glad you stopped by too. A ripe tomato!! Yea! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. I've never been west of Cinncinati, so no I've not been to "The Revil's Rope" museum, lol.
Have a good night everyone,
Remy

Marie-I love your easter egg plant. Can you start those from seeds? If so please save me some. Sorry I missed the sign up for your swap. It is so dry here I probably couldn't get the shovel under the plants anyway. I started the sprinklers Saturday morning and watered until dark. Both wells have been heavily used this year.

Carol-Your puppies are adorable. I love little puppies.

Remy-Please send some of your rain. Need badly.

Beth-So good to see you on the thread. I envy you in all this traveling. I love going to places I have not been before. No I haven't been to "The Revil's Rope" museum either. Will have to google it and see what's there.

We are now in our August swap and this is our list for the rest of the year.

SEPTEMBER-APRIL (dirt_under_my_nails)'FOR THE BIRDS'
OCTOBER-JEANNE (sandlapper_rose)'THE SECRET HAUNTED GARDEN'
NOVEMBER-MARY ELLEN (mellen)
DECEMBER-

This is the last member list that I had..need to look at Carol's and see if we match.

OUR MEMBER LIST

Amybabyboy
Beth_b_Kodiak
Brittneysgran
Cedarnest
Debbya
Dirtundermynails
Earthly Delight
Hazelnutbunny
Ilovefarac
lil green thumb
LLbean
Lunamoon
Mellen
Missg
Momcat
Nyvoices99
Raggedyann
Remy
Sandlapper Rose
Squanzon
Skohler
Susandonb
Theresa24
Veeja11
Wynative

Shirley

So true ~ I have more weeds now than I have had all summer! The only flowers known to woman than can survive with no care what so ever.... grrrr

Carol - don't worry about getting me anything - a puppy will be fine! LOL they are so darn cute. I had to stop at our local vet yesterday to get some med's for our barn kittys. While I was there a lady came to pick up her Silky Terrier Mom and 4 new babies - OMG they were soooo tiny (5 days old) and sounded just like kittens. I told her that I would be happy to take one home and had feed it but she didn't think that was a good idea :(

Shirley ~ yes I grew the Eggs from seed. I will send you some as soon as they are ready. Please send me your address.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TIPS FOR BULBS IN AUGUST:

Divide older Bearded Iris rhisomes. Cut out the woody parts and replant the rest.

Plant fall crocuses now and crown imperials from now until October.

Add several inches of mulch to Asiatic lilies. This will keep the roots cool, protect them from heat and deter weed growth.

Watch your gladiolus carefully those with heavy blooms may require staking.

Dig up your ranunculus and anemone to store for the winter if you haven't already done so. In warmer zones they can be left in the ground. Just apply a light mulch in fall.

In late August you can dig up overcrowded lily-of-the-valley bulbs that grew poorly. Gently separate each plant and replant individually.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Marie

Sorry, I thought I had emailed you yesterday... Anyway :) I just sent you the info!

Where is everyone? must be super busy! I picked my first zuccini and will be able to pick yellow crock neck by Friday! I like to put them in vinegar and a few spices for about an hour, then grill them. YUMMY! I have 3 cucumbers that are about an inch long :) I didn't get anything planted till the end of June - cold weather, late freezes and laziness... but I will get a few things and they are so worth the wait.

Beth,
I alway thought I was born about 100 years to late myself! Glad you are enjoying your vacation - Please share your pictures :)

Maire

Marie~ I've been looking up the answers for the quiz as I have time. I won't post any answers, though, since I won the last game! I'm just doing it because I found the questions interesting, and honestly had no clue about half of them!

It's been cool & rainy here for the last 5 days or so, so I will be able to send Miss Remy's box out on Friday. I know that's right before the weekend, but I don't have time any other day...and I think everything I'll be sending should be just fine with an extra day in the PO........I hope......! :O)
If not, Remy knows where I live. LOL

Melissa

The tomatoes are starting to ripen here. Yummy! In the past few days we've had BLTs, pizza with tomato slices instead of sauce, tomato salad, etc. I wonder how long it will be before I'm sick of them, lol.

Shirley,
So sorry to hear you are working so hard! I sure hope things settle down and you have time to go shopping for plants with that extra cash : )
I wish I could send you all my extra rain.

Marie,
Zucchini another yummy veggie! Glad yours are starting to produce.
I'm surprised no one has answered your questions for a prize! I've won a few so I figure I wouldn't take a stab at it.

Melissa,
Lol, I'll hunt you down : ) Just kidding, I know it will be fine because it will be here Monday. That is a good day for me because I will be home. Gary is having oral surgery and will be heavily medicated.
Have a good night everyone,
Remy

Melissa ~ I sent out your Iris & seeds on Tuesday - forgot to tell you...

5 more days and I get my vision corrected! This is a heads up about next week ~ I am having Lasic's done on the 19th, so I will be MIA for 3 days. (19th, 20th & 21st) I will be out of town and the motel doesn't have internet access - yes, with the cost of my surgery I am staying in a 1* motel... LOL

A storm out of Canada is here and the high for the next 3 days is only to be 72 with lots of rain! It is kind-of chilly this morning but my Morning Glorys & Moon Flowers are loving it...
Good Morning Sunshine!

Marie

Remy, that fella has the most beautiful eyes! Are you going to just foster him or planning to adopt?

Not part of this group, but I thought it would be fun to research the answers to Marie's trivia quiz. I actually think I have all the answers right too, but I'll have to wait til Marie gives them to be sure. LOL, might just email them to you, Marie, just to find out of I passed the test! That is really a lovely Daylily, ladies! And seeds too!? Not to mention doing the research on the quiz was fun! I learned one or two things that I didn't know and found a really enchanting story during my search about the Honesty plant.

But seeing that gorgeous daylily makes me wish I were part of this group and could win the prize! LOL!

Kathy

Has anyone been watching the Olympic's? I don't usually get to as it is on so late here but this year it starts at 6:00pm and I am loosing sleep since it doesn't end till after midnight. I have mostly been watching the swimming, gymnastics and some volley ball. Go USA!!

Hi Kathy! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers on my Lasic's. I am way more excited about it than nervous right now but I am sure that will change when the time comes :)

Marie

I received my package from you today, also! Thanks so much! I've got the iris planted & it's raining now, so it should be nice & settled in.

Remy~ I did get your package shipped today. Here's your DC# 0308 0730 0001 0937 6313
Please let me know how everything makes it! :O)

Melissa
(who STILL can't get over someone actually BUYING a sumac tree!!!) lol!

Marie,
Good luck with the lasik. I'm sure you are excited to be able to see without glasses especially when you get up in the morning. It sounds so weird to me having to go out of town to get something like that done. I'm not sure I could live that far from everything like you do.
I'm glad you are getting much needed rain!

Melissa,
Your reminding me of when I was telling my father that people pay good money for things that grow like weeds for him at his place, lol. He just couldn't believe it. It really is all about location I guess.

Carol,
I've never seen a protect your right to arm bears sticker, but I will keep a look out. I did see one on a car recently that said Practice Random Acts of Gardening!
Remy

Here's one website I used recently, they had a pretty good price & some cute design templates.

chat soon
susie

Remy-I have fallen in love with your dog. What do you know about him?

Carol-got your check awhile back. Will cash it soon. Thanks!!! Cute puppies, too.

We continue to get timely rains. Didn't have to water once this season. That is a first! Would love to share if I could.

Bunny-I admire you for homeschooling your kids. How are you feeling, btw?

School starts Monday for me with the kids on Wednesday. Excited to see the kids but not all the paperwork.
Mary Ellen/Mellen

Mellen,
Congratulations! you are the winner of the June Bug DL and I will check you list for seeds to send.

answers:
1.b 2.c 3.b 4.d 5.b 6.a 7.b 8.a 9.b10.d 11.b 12.c 13.b 14.a 15.b

Melissa,
I love Sumac's and they do well here. With our winters it is hard to find fast growing shade trees and these are pretty also. I also buy and plant Lantana every year :) A lady from CA saw them in my flower beds and freaked - but they are annuals here and so pretty.

Remy,
I have always lived in small towns and it is FUN having to go somewhere to have things done or go shopping! When I was younger, having a doctors' appointment was about the only one on one time I got to spend with my parents - 16 siblings make it hard to get attention :) My daughter and I always make our trips into something special - but now that she is a teen they are getting kind of pricey!!

Carol,
Thanks for letting me know.

FYI:

To make one pound of honey, bees must tap 2 million flowers. WOW!! Give's new meaning to 'Busy as a Bee'!

Marie

Since I will be gone for a few days, I am posting 2 questions. The winner's/winner (how ever answers correctly, first) will recieve 'No Name' Iris - call them what ever you want LOL

-----------------------------------------------------------
Week #3
America's oldest seed company is...

A. Burpee

B. Ferry-Morse

C. Park Seed

and

My middle name begins with an 'E', what is it?
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Carol,
I recieved my box today - Thank you for all the wonderful things! Carol sent me LOTS of plant markers' - these are great, no maybe I wont loose so many names :) She also sent me many kinds of seeds, a kitchen sprout starter kit, several garden style nic-nac's, a nail kit & all different kinds of polish. These are very much welcomed! My daughter was complaining that my polishes were old and that we needed new ones LOL

Gail - your box will go out this afernoon - but... 2 of the Iris don't have names on them. I forgot to write them in and the list is at home. I will email them to you Friday when I get back but if I forget to, PLEASE remind me!

Have a great week ladies and I will be back on Friday,
Marie

Thanks So Much Melissa! It was a wonderful bargain box : )

Gary's Dental Surgery went well this morning. His face is a bit swollen, but he is ok.

Mellen,
Congrats!
Charlie came from Ohio. The owner of him supposedly gave him up because he bowled over his two year old grandkid. If this is true, the owner was an idiot. Charlie is a sweet dog and wouldn't hurt a fly on purpose, but you don't let a rambunctious puppy loose around little kids. I know Charlie was in 2 foster homes here. I'm not sure why he went to the foster homes instead of the shelter unless his experience in an Ohio shelter first was bad. The first home here didn't do a good job of controlling him. The second home did. He is a wonderful dog who loves to play. That is why he is doing well here. Sammie needs to play as much as him.

Marie,
16! Wow! That is a lot. One of my best friends came from a family of 13, so I can understand about time with the parents alone.
Talk to you all later,
Remy

I have been super busy this past weekend. I've been making & canning preserves & jam - blueberry, cinnamon grape, apple cinnamon, lemon apple, plain grape - and today I've made loaves of banana nut bread & chocolate chip banana nut bread. Whew, I'm bushed. But it's worth it. We won't have to buy jam again for about a year! LOL
Well, that is...IF hubby would quit taking it to work! He swiped an ENTIRE jar of cinnamon grape this morning! I am hoping he makes it last all week. *sigh* Good thing that feller doesn't have to worry about his weight! LOL

Oh, and I suppose he was giving out taste-tests to all the guys, and now I've got several that want to buy jars of it! Can you imagine? :O) Hmmmm....maybe that will finance my next bargain shopping spree! LOL!

Bunny, Wow you have been busy! Nice to see that you home school the kids, I've always said if I had to do it over again, and if it was at all possible I would home school.

Remy, love your new dog, his eyes are very soothing.

Marie, How is the lasix going?

Mary Ellen, I bet you kids will be glad to see you. :O)

Oh my, Dh just brought in a box from Susie, Susie, what have I done to deserve a box from you? Please do let me know when you are ready for me to mail you some goodies. I will check this evening to see if you are online.

Carol, cute puppies.

I've been busy, BIL was diagnosed with Throat cancer, they removed his tonsils last Friday. He spirits are good, and he's doing really well having them removed. Sis is also in the hospital, checking out her heart, but everything so far has been good, and have given her lasix for the fluid buildup.

I think I've been a jinx to myself. The last month, camera broke, microwave broke, Dh got poison ivy, and blower fan on the furnace broke so the central air does not work, and both BIL, and Sister are sick. I keep saying enough already.

Just wanted to say hi, and sounds like everyone is having fun. I love the Olympics, I wish I could watch more of it.

OK, Time to get outside, Susie, be sure to give me a yell when you are ready for a box.

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

Sue G.

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

Anita,
I don't know what Annie is talking about, but it obviously isn't good : ( I'm sorry and hope you are holding up ok.

Annie,
I'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law and sis. It does seem bad luck runs in clusters like that.

Melissa,
I canned salsa 2 days ago. That is pretty early for me to have so many tomatoes ripe at once. I had so many great varieties too, but I can't eat them all fresh, lol. Well it will make the salsa extra tasty. My blackberries are just starting to get ripe, but I have lots so I should be able to make lots of jam.
I was thinking of the table outside for the ladybug. The old dragonfly candle holder has seen better days. The lady bug should hold up better to the elements and still look good once the weather does take its toll, don't you think? : )

Marie,
I want to give someone else a shot at winning.(I'm surprised more people aren't around taking a guess even if not inthe swap this month.)I think the correct answer is not on your list. The oldest(still in existence) was from the 1700's and I believe all the ones you have listed are from the 1800's.

Susie,
Hope you're not over working yourself with those flower beds!

Sue G.,
I have most of your box packed(all the non-plant items.) It is has just been crazy busy here. If I can't get it out today because of the company, I'll send it at the beginning of next week.
Remy

Anita & Annie, My prayers are with you and your families.

Jeanne, Best of luck with new new adoptee. You have a wonderful heart.

Remy & Carol, Congrats on the new family members! Everyone is getting new pets! Is their something in the stars this month?

Looks like Dollar Days are going well. Our house is still torn up and in the midst of this kitchen remodel. Progress is VERY slow. But I am home today...school is out due to Fay and no soccer practice, football practice, or ANYTHING! Thank you Fay just be nice to us. The eye is supposed to cross right over us tonight. We will, most likely, lose power for a few days. We always do. My biggest concern is flooding. Every year I say I'm going to get flood insurance but I never do :(

Theresa

Remy, thank you too for your well wishes also, again I think your new baby is just gorgeous.

Jeanne, Bless your heart helping with the dog, and I hate when people abuse their animals. I know If I ever win the lottery I would open a no-kill shelter. We have 12 cat because of strays, and we just can't take any more in right now. My vet does love me though, and I know I own at least a couple of chairs in his waiting room. LOL.

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

My package for Melissa went out today, USPS priority #0307 0020 0003 4317 3489. The kids went back to school on Wednesday! ;) Wow, this summer went by soooo fast!

Deb

Sounds like some very nice packages are arriving :)

Remy,
glad to hear that your Gary is on the mend & 12 of the 17 are adopted :) Between my freshman and senior year there were 5 of us girls all with in a year of age from each other! When it came to prom and school shopping, the parents got to the point they just handing over the credit cards and praying alot! LOL

Jeanne,
When I came to work this morning I found a fish in a tank with all the accessary's!! I can understand a dog walking away from home but a FISH??? Nobody know's where it came from or is admitting to it... But it is a very pretty Beta and my daughter will love it. That is the problem with people finding out that I love all critters & I can never say no. Good luck with you 'new' friend :)

Melissa,
~I've been making & canning preserves & jam~
Yummy!!! My Mom use to make Chokecherry jelly and syrup - I miss that alot!

As per Remy's information: I cheated and found that question in a google search ;) What is the name of the one from 1700's? that is cool they are still around.

My lasic's went GREAT!! As soon as they turned my chair away from the machine I turned my head, to look out the window and saw the mountains!! Wow, it is really awsome being able to see things the minute I open my eyes and not have to squint or find my glasses :)!! Since I was by myself, they made me wait about 1 1/2 hours before I went to my motel but I had no problems driving/seeing. I took a nap and then when shopping to celebrate. As of Wednesday morning I have 20/20 vision and it will get better after the swelling goes down. Life is good...

Marie

Maybe we should send a tin cup & nail file to Ms Jailbird Carol?! :O) Sounds like they *finally* caught up with you!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Melissa

I have never seen so much rain in a two day span! But despite very soggy ground, we were lucky. The water never reached the house. A neighbor of ours was not so lucky. And the 8 inches we received in our town doesn't compare to the 30+ received in nearby areas. We lost power for a day and night which is not too bad compared to previous storms we've endured.

Marie, glad the surgery went well. It is a scary thing to have done but so worthwhile.

Theresa

Now that is truly weird that a fish in a fish tank showed up as a stray! LOL
Have a wonderful day.

And those who are trying to recover or have someone in the family who is ill, sure will be wishing everyone well soon.

Jeanne

Many plant places have plants on sale now (at least here near us) and bulbs will be in the stores soon. Think ahead to the October Swap. Of course, I will post all these specifics again, but begin to look for plants in Halloween colors - Ghostly White, Batty Black, or Phantom Pumpkin-Orange, or plants with names related to Halloween. You will have the option to add some other types of fall/harevest items, such as mini-pumpkins or gourds, jelly, jams, preserves, pumpkin bread, etc. Seeds, plants, bulbs - a cute garden decoration or Halloween decoration. Scout around and give yourself plenty to time to find things for your October Swap partner.
I hope lots of our members will join in. October is actually a very good time to plant for those of us in the south.
Jeanne

I hope you've had a great birthday so far, Marie!! :O)

I also want to say THANK YOU! to Deb....I received a fantastic box from her today! I'll post the contents tomorrow, I'm short on time tonight. But it was wonderful & I wanted to say THANK YOU to her!

Melissa

I'm up next to host Sept's swap."For the Birds" is the theme so you know a bird feeder of some sort is needed at least. Will post more info within the next few days. I've had in-laws here for the last week,plus received really bad cold as a gift. Lucky me!
later...April/dirt

April and Jeanne-Looking forward to your swap months. It has got to be less busy in those month than in these past ones.

Marie-HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY IS EVERYTHING IT SHOULD BE......
FUN, FUN, FUN. 16 siblings what fun your family get-togethers must be. You have done a wonderful job in this months swap. Nice boxes sent and received.

Theresa-I was sure hoping we would get some of that rain off the storm but guess not.

Melissa-I bet your jams and jellies are wonderful. There is nothing like homemade jelly. YUM

Marie-I had lasik eye surgery a few years ago and love it. The only problem now is my age is catching up and some days I have to wear readers. It is not every day just some days, very odd.

Anita-Sure hope you are doing well and we miss you and everyone when you don't post.

Shirley

Gale's box arrived today, Thank you Gale!
Included in the box was seeds, garden planter tin set, plumeria plant, lion tail plant, gloves & garden bag, caladiums, Fan palm plant, mum booster, decorative canteen, mother of thousands plant, decorative birdhouse, jade leaves. I had no idea that you could put down jade leaves and they produce a plant. Hmm, must be like a violet, I'm curious to see what happens. Thanks Gail for the fantastic box, I LOVE everything you sent! I've been wanting a mother of thousands plant for a long time! This has been such a fun swap, Thank Marie for hosting it! You've done a wonderful job!

Hugs,
Deb

A small garden tote
TONS of seeds! (I noticed some "bunny tail grass" in there! Love it!!!!)
Some miracle grow tablets
Wooden plant markers
Dahlia tuber
Magnolia oil scented diffuser
2 plant pots
Package of Jiffy pots
Iris- bearded, heirloom purple
Note cards
Cute windsock
Kitty plant stake

I think that is everything...please forgive me if I've forgotten anything, Deb!
I love it all!

Melissa

Marie,
Happy Belated Birthday! It must be wonderful to celebrate that plus being able to see too.
Amazing that your parents adopted so many kids and all around the same age. They were either saints or crazy, LOL. Gary is adopted too and so is one of his sisters and his brother was also.
The seed company is Landreth. See the link below.

Theresa,
Sorry to hear you are still having construction chaos! I've never seen anyone excited to have a hurricane coming their way, lol. I'm glad that Fay was good to you.

Jeanne,
Only 3?! You really did control yourself, lol.
I do hope the dog made its way home.

Annie,
I'm glad your sis is home. Hopefully your BIL's treatments are easy on him, and they work.

Carol,
Lol, you didn't post the web site.

Deb,
Wow, the kids go back to school early where you live. College starts next week here and regular school doesn't start until after labor day.

Melissa,
One of these days you''ll get the lasik done. Maybe once the kids are working, you can tell them that's what mom wants for a present. : )

Hi April,
Nice to see you stop in! Birds as a theme is a good one.

Shirley,
I take it you are still working too hard! I do hope it slows down a bit.
Talk to you all later,
Remy

Theresa : I hope you don't get flooded out .
Remy :Very Cute Dog :
ANnie Sorry I kepp missing you on line I can only get on after 6pm right now .

well i have to get off here u all have a fun month.
susie

Remy - I have read the posts 2 times and am not finding a post from you about sending or Sue recieving her package. Let me know whats happening or did I just miss it?? I think when Mom & Dad realized that 5 teenage girls all the same age had invaded their home, there may have been a small break down! My parents were the best but I agree they had to be just a little crazy LOL My parents didn't drink but the day my youngest sister graduated high school in 1992 my Dad did go to the bar and have a beer to celibrate 'the last one!' My oldest sister graduated in 1972 the year the youngest was born, so it was understandable! THanks for the seed info - very interesting.

Melissa - your turn for Lasic's will come too! I had to wait for over 20 years but it is so worth it.

Carol - It makes me sad also to see the Beta's in those tiny little cups! 'Ruby' is in a 3 gallon wall mounted tank in my bathroom - that was the only thing I could think of so my cat's wouldn't have access to him :) My daughter bought him some really neat 'furniture' to hide behind and in - he seems to be quite happy :)

Shirley - I paid a little extra, so that as I age they will 'tweek' for no cost. It is stange that yours only need help part of the time...

Gail - glad you enjoyed your box! This swap has been fun for me - I may even attempt hosting again but not till next year :)

Mellen - your Daylily is going out this morning. I will post conformation when I get it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Everyone seems super busy right now, so there will not be a game for this week. I had a great time hosting and thank you all for playing & participating.

April - your 'FOR THE BIRDS' sounds like great fun! I need to start thinking about were to put up the bird feeders at my house. I notice a squirrel has moved into the tree's in the back pasture and that means I will have to keep a pretty close watch on the seed this year.

Marie

Hopefully I find a computer and Gary gets is set up soon. But don't worry if you don't hear from me for a few days.
Remy

Bummer about your computer but thanks for letting us know. Hopefully you will be able to get another soon - have you checked out the surplus auctions? Most state agency's & colleges have them and I got a complete set up for an out of state friends birthday this summer, from our states warehouse for $20!! Everything is checked out by their IT guys, the keyboard & mouse were still in their new boxes : )

good luck!
Marie

Marie,
I ended up spending a bit more than $20, but I needed to get one right away. I wish I could of scored a deal like that at an auction! But I'm happy with what I got though and hopefully it lasts a long time like the old one did.
Remy

I got my HUGE box from Remy Friday!

She sent a BIG planter (really pretty), a magnetic photo maker, a Weman's bag (that's where she works), flavored ice tea bags, herbes de provance, a citronella bucket (so timely - we just got a batch of skeeters this week because of the recent rain - it's rained four times this summer - HaHa), jostaberry jam (she made from her own bush), and plants gerber daisy, rudbeckia, vinca, sedum, a succulent and a geranium.

Thanks Remy I loved everything!

Sue G.

Remy, happy to hear that you got another computer. Nothing more frustrating than "equipment" that doesn't work. When I just read that you had sent Sue a HUGE box, my first thought was that you sent HER a new trellis. HA!

Greetings to everyone else!!!
Mary Ellen

Be back when I have more time, Have a great day all..:)Anita

Good to hear that everyone liked this swap and recieved such great boxes.

Thanks for letting me host : )
Marie