As Our Canna said:

Sorry Cody, I spent my bundle on some daylilies that weren't 2006. I'm getting Magic Lake, Lee Pickles and Jamaican Me Happy. Tell us what you are thinking of getting. Who knows, you may talk me into one still.

Paul, hopefully the brugs will make it, but still haven't received them yet. Sometimes my PO is known for being slow. Because of this I ship from a different P.O. and never have a problem shipping, just receiving. %%$&&^%%

Marea, do you mean 'Through the Looking Glass'? What an eye!

Sherri, Sorry, I'm not one of the serious hybridizers. I'd love to be, but not enough land. And I lack direction. It seems to change each year. I enjoyed selling some of my seeds on the auction this year and would like to do it again next year. But will save some to share with my Traveling Daylily Seed friends. ;o)

Next year I would really like to cross some of my double edged dl's and see what comes of that.

ok so far here is the list of what i really like. i hate that most new intros are only single fans! i really only see myself buying one or two of these, they'll be marked with an *.
pufferfish (james gossard) 200.00
flamenco swirl (don herr) 125.00
blissful blackberry pie (jeff salter) 150.00*
art impressionism (ludlow lambertson) 100.00
moonlight dance (lee pickles) 100.00* (it's sculpted!!)
tequila mockingbird (dan trimmer) 100.00*
captain blue (dan trimmer) 150.00 (marea, you'll love it!)

off to look through the less known hybridizers!

blissful blackberry pie - the silver and white edge is amazing!

I love anything that has Raspberry Beret in its past so tequila mockingbird is a must! I've added Reaspberry Beret to my want list.

Flamenco Twirl - (Knights In White Satin X Spacecoast Starburst). I have both parents, maybe I will try this cross. (see what I mean sherri, all over the place in my crosses. LOL)

I'm still in love with Eight Miles High by Lamberson, really wish I would have ordered it when it first came out. Looks like it might be sold out again.

Puffer Fish has my attention, but INCREASED COMPLEXITY by Gossard is my favorite of his 2006. And I'm not into spiders that much. I'd love to cross it with some non spiders.

Cody, Trading Pollen is a MUST! I hope more of us get into the pollen trading.

Enough looking at pictures and dreaming.

Sharon/tma

If anyone is in the corner they may come out now!!!!

I hope everyone here has the best Holiday with their family, and friends.... and everyone remember in their thoughts and prayers all the ones who cant be together for whatever the reason.

I wanted to share a poem sent home from a teacher a few years back. I posted it last year, so I know that those who have been around will remember (sorry), but I just love it and wanted to share it again for those that are new.

LET US GIVE THANKS FOR A BOUNTY OF PEOPLE

Let us give thanks for a bounty of people:

For children who are our second planting, and though they grow like weeds and the wind too soon blows them away, may they forgive us our cultivation and fondly remember where their roots are.

For generous friends, with hearts and smiles are brights as their blossoms.

For feisty friends, who, like scallions and cucumbers remind us that we have had them.

For crotchety friends, as sour as rhubarb and as indestructible.

For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn. And the others, as plain as potatoes and as good for you.

For funny friends, who are as silly as brussel sprouts, and as amusing as jerusalem artichokes.

For serious friends, as complex as cauliflower and as intricate as onions.

For friends as unpretentious as cabbages, as subtle as summer squash, as persistent as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless as zucchini, and who, like parsnips, can be counted on to see you through the winter.

For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the evening time, and young friends coming on as fast as radishes.

For loving friends, who wind around us like tendrils and hold us, despite our blights, wilts and witherings.

And finally, for those friends now gone, like gardens past that have been harvested, who fed us in their time that we might have life thereafter, for these we give thanks.

***************************

Hope you all have a wonderful day with those you love.
MaryB

If you have not seen the movie WALK THE LINE go and see it.
It is a fantastic movie. Went last night and so glad I did.

I woke up this morning too...... SNOW!!! :( The first of the year. Got two cheesecakes made last night, baked ziti to make this morning then off to the in-laws. Tomorrow, we go to my Mom & Dad.

I got the greatest box from Anita, but I haven't had time to post about it yet. I will post tomorrow.

Gloria - your box went out on Tuesday, you should get it tomorrow. Does that put me in the dog house? I hope you like it.

Jo, I have to tell you that I think that you went the extra yard this time - a framed poem, a brian lee rose, man, you're making me cry.

Brugs will hopefully go out tomorrow. They are all ready to go and have been in water for a week - there might even be roots!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!! Don't eat too much ;) Be careful with driving.

Ellen

http://www.wimp.com/worstjob/

My brain's too fried to make it into a link, so just cut & paste it onto the address line.

Ellen

IF YOU WERE NOT SURPRIZED BEFORE TODAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW,,,, i PAID EXTRA,,,, I WONT BE UPSET.. BUT I WILL BE SOOO MAD CUASE IF YOU DIDNT GET IT BEFORE TODAY....
WELL.... THERE IS OFCOURSE A COMPLETE STORY,,, LET ME JUST SAY THIS....

MY PHONE BILL WILL NEVER BE THE SAME... pa HAS SOME NICE FOLKS BUT NOONE KNEW WHERE YOUR TOWN WAS... THE 4TH TRY WAS A SUCCESS.... I AM WORRIED THO...

MY DAUGHTERS TURKEY AFTER THREE HOURS WAS BLOOD RAW.... TOO GROSS.... HER OVEN IS NOT REGULATED.... YAH THINK?
BUMMER... SO FOR DINNER WE WENT TO THE MOVIES AND ATE POPCORN...

DIRTPIG.. FROM NOW ON IM ALWAYS GOING OUT TO DINNER!!!!
i AM BUMMBED!
BUT NOT BAD... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

If you've not read my email yet, I was not able to post a message here on the forum yesterday. I tried and tried and it wouldn't work, so I ended up emailing it to y'all.

Felt so bad I couldn't post my HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

So is everyone still stuffed? I tried a new recipe for sweet potatoes and it was sooo yummy. Wish I could have got it in our Thanksgiving section of the cookbook. I will add it to the side dish section.

I made Sherri's pie.......yummy.....my mom enjoyed it, and we even had some for breakfast this morning!

You guys posted such awesome recipe's in the last 100 posts and I hope to try many of them. Thanks!

Did you all see the flowers from G? Here they are again in case you missed them in my email.....

It was such a wonderful surprise and so very thoughtful. I am thankful for you too, G!

Well, I haven't been around much over the past few weeks and posts have been flying by. I've got alot of catching up to do so bear with me. This is gonna' be a long one. : ) And forgive me if I miss anyone.

Jaye, did you get the new job? And how is DH? The most important thing is that he made it through. So thankful for that! It's bad enough to be in an accident, but then everything you have to deal with afterwards is just so ridiculous! Especially when you are the victim.

That is something I never want to go through again. I'm so glad it is all behind us now.

G, I just love how you cook....sip of wine before each step....now that's my kind of cooking, lol.

I made Luau Punch yesterday and think it is going to be my new holiday tradition. My gram served it at her Luau this summer and it's soooooo good. Some may consider it more of a warm weather drink....but not me....we'll be having Luau Punch on Christmas. Everyone was going back to the punch bowl many times. Here is the recipe:

LUAU (A.K.A. ALOHA) PUNCH

1 C. Sugar
5 C. Water
1 6oz. can frozen lemonade (I use 3/4 of 12 oz. can)
1 12oz. can of orange juice (I used orange/peach/mango)
1 46 oz. can of pineapple juice
4 banana's
1- 2 liter bottle of Sprite (I used Diet)
1 C. Vodka
1 C. Light Rum
1/2 C. Triple Sec (orange liquor)

Mix first 5 ingredients & freeze 24 hours. Take from freezer 1 1/2 hrs. before serving. Blend bananas and the left over frozen lemonade and maybe a splash of water in blender. Add to frozen mixture. Add Sprite, then alcohol. Frozen mixture will act as an ice ring and will be slushy as it melts. Garnish with orange, lemon, lime slices and marachino cherries if desired.

Recipe courtesy of my gram's friend Helen Dripps, Zelienople, PA.

Paul, you son is precious! I love that "tongue" pic in the Orchid house.
Taking notes is a good idea with this group. I do it all the time. : )
And what's this about cards? You make cards?

MaryS, that lakehouse is awesome! You keep talking about all this work that needs done on the exterior, but it looks perfect to me! You'll have so much new gardening space! Congratulations, and let me know if you need to hire someone to "lakehouse sit", LOL.

Canna, How is Sago?
Your Orchid pics are lovely. I miss mine. I had two nice ones a few years back, but they croaked due to my low-light situation in the house. This was pre-greenhouse.
Your ham story was sooooo funny. I always have calamaties when I cook. If I don't burn the food, I burn myself. : )

Carol, you always crack me up......silk stocking, lol,.....cranberries must be in shape of can, LOL. I really love my flamingo pen. Everyone wants to steal it.
Thank you for my siggy!

SherryB, I really enjoy reading your posts! We need to hear from you more often. : )

Sharon, I want a hot tub!!! That must be so nice after a long day. I would get one if I had somewere to put one. We'll save that for our new house, if we ever find it.

Jo, I was bawling when I read Dianne's post. Really. You are such a special friend to all of us! That was such a sweet bunch of things you sent her, all perfect and so thoughtful. Big hugs!

Dianne, I'd love to hear the poem. I enjoyed reading your post and seeing all the special things you received.

Barb, that baby is sooooo absolutely adorable! I wish I knew how to knit/crochet. My gram tried to teach me a million times when I was young, but guess I didn't have the patience to learn at that time. I could kick myself. She is unable to teach me now. : (
I cherish everything she ever made for me......blankets, afghans, stuffed animals (zillions), and yes, even the poncho's, lol.
Stockings for the chickes! Love it!

What is it with all the orange kitties? My kitty Pookie is not orange. She is tiger striped with a small orange blob on her head.
I did have an orange kitty for a very short while about 10 years ago. We found him on our back porch one morning with a huge, gaping hole in his neck. Couldn't believe he was actually alive! Immediately took him to the vet and had him all fixed up. Cost us an arm and a leg, but I had to do it. While he was there, we found out he was feline leukemia positive, so I knew upon returning home with him he couldn't live inside. He ended up staying for a short while......laying in the sun on my back porch and purring the days away. One day he seemed very sick, then I never saw him again. Miss him......

Susie, can't wait to see your new kitchen. Please post more baby pics......you KNOW I want to see them. : )

Ellen, I think about your dog every day when I look at mine. Hope he is feeling better. It's not easy dealing with an injured pet as many of us know.

Shirley, I will be trying your Mac & Cheese recipe soon. It sounds sooooo good and is different from any one i've ever made.

MaryB, how is Chessie? I can't believe how many sick pets we've had lately.
I got all the ingred. for your Pumpkin Crunch Pie and hope to make it over the weekend when the other two I have are gone. Sounds great!

Marea, your Clover Leaf Yeast Rolls sound so interesting! Loved your DL pic!

Cody, LOL........LOL
You always amuse me.
I plan to get way more serious about hybridization next year with my DL's and my Brugs.
Do you have a particular time of year when you start your DL seeds?
Babies!!! Congrats! I wanna' see pictures real bad. How are they doing? Where do you keep them?

What about all the rest of you? I'd love to hear when each of you that grow DL's from seed start them. I think we need one of our DL hybridizing pro's to post a DAYLILY SEED STARTING 101 for those in the group that may need help.

Is anyone growing any Brugs from seed? I am going to start more soon.

CindyO, I will be trying your Bourbon Corn Pudding next time. I always make a creamy cornbread casserole that everyone just gobbles up. I find it kind' boring though, so I think yours would be a nice alternative.

Annie, thank you again for the labels. I am going to use some today for return addy labels for our business. I just ran out. : )
I am still trying to master the animation thingy myself. If I ever get it, i'll let you know. : )

G, can't wait to hear your story. Wyano is a VERY little town and most people in the area don't even know it exists.

Anita, glad you like your siggy.
My mom had some really old Pooh stuff from when we were little. I hope she still has it all. Classic Pooh is my favorite.
I can't wait 'till Spring, how 'bout you? I was out roaming around the yard this morning to check on the ponds. It's somewhere around 10 or 15 degrees out. Very sunny, though. We had a bunch of snow, then it melted, then we got a little more. Just a dusting.

It is supposed to be near 60 Mon. & Tues.! What a treat!

Tuesday my sis and I are taking over 200' of fresh pine roping to my grams to decorate. She has a long split-rail fence and 3 decks/porches on her little place and she'd like the fresh greenery everywhere.

Speaking of decorating, today is "light up night" at my house. Well, the outside anyway. I took advantage of one of our last warm days and got the lights up on the house. DH helped this year and we put them waaaaay up on the top roof. I'm so excited! I'll take some pics.

Speaking of pics.........

I had a DL that just wouldn't quit! This was taken about a week ago.....
'Fragrant Treasures'

This is the season for this shrub......
Callicarpa, or "Beautyberry"

The leaves are a bit raggedy, but I think they may be all gone now. It looks even more vibrant in the daytime.

Well, I think I will go do some Christmas shopping online. I am not brave enough to go out to the stores on Black Friday. I'd pay extra to go on a day when there was no one there, lol.
If some of you are out there, braving it in the malls, good luck and hope you come home with some bargains!

Hugs to all,
~mamabirrd

Hope evryone had a great thanksgiving. I am more stuffed than the turkey was. :)

Dawn - that beautyberry is beautiful! how long does it look like that? i would take any bit of color other than white right now. ooh and i love any of those dl's that "just don't quit". ooohhh...and that punch...my does that sound good.

G- aw that was so sweet too.:).

Hosta lovers - wondering which hosta(s)you would consider "the most beautiful".? (cheating a little maryb :))

06's /purchases- ooh spent some time looking at your likes/pics..
Cody...you picked out some beauties there. really like that Tequilla Mocking Bird..Blissfful Blueberry pie..and Moonlight Dance.
Marea...love Finding Blue. Can't find Through the looking Glass...hybrizier?
Sharon...beautiful picks. Jamacian me Happy is on my want list now :) - wish i had seen your post earlier though...Raspberry Beret was dutch on the la for $15 a week or two ago. jumped onto my coming in the spring list really quick.

my 06 pick of the year remains Gary Colby. although Gossards Saber-Tooth Tiger is calling my name lol. now there is a lack of direction. :)

Cindy O
still needs to look back at siggy instructions----had it once...?

For the first time in my life I shopping on Black Friday - DH wanted to get 1/2 price tools so I went with at 7 AM. It was wall to wall people bargain hunting at every store - it's true! I found luxurious flowered flannel sheets for pennies on the dollar & that was enough of that crowded madness for me.

SEEDS: I am not an expert, but since every daylily seed I started germinated this Spring and all are still growing, I heartily recommend using a tablespoon of moist vermiculite in a closed plastic sandwhich bag and setting in a warm place out of direct sunlight. You can see in the baggie when the tap roots are stout and the babies have their second set of leaves, then transplant into soil. Thats it.
But WHEN to do it is still a mystery - in early Spring at tomato starting time is what I was planning on...

Cody, darn it, maybe in '07 our interests will be more in synch - I want Stamiles kaleidescopic Butterfly Collection and Abaijan's blues. I DO like Captain Blue, but not as well as the Abaijan's... I did get Lunar Max on the LA, for the size & that eye.

My November box from Canna/Rebecca arrived this morning - it was CHUCK FULL of:
catnip mice (which are flying through the air behind me as I type)
loads of cucumber & melon (my favorite!) skin care goodies & a honeydew melon candle
Canna's favorite Lindor Truffles which I've never tried before but are my favorite now, too
a box of Hershey's GOOD NIGHT HUGS white chocolate cocoa mix
pink ribbon "Awareness" white socks and t-shirt - specials thanks here
a potholder & dish towel set in the most beautiful potted amarylis fabric
3 'Maya' Brug cuttings
Mini Bella Hoya cuttings
3 'Snow Queen' variegated tropical hibiscus cuttings
a gorgeous 'Card By Chris' with a watercolour of blackberry lilies [Ansellia africana v. nilotica'] and inside is a poem you just HAVE to read:

WIND FRIEND by Jim Williamson
Out she reaches
touching the darkened soil
of a aged earth.

Soft hair and tender eyes
she walks this path
to its very end.

Colors reaching from
a gentle wind
giving life's beauty
a natural worth.

Slowly bowing, rising, turning
from this smile
it sent my friend.

Thank you , dear Canna friend.
And happy trails to all of you ~marea
PS Debbie - I really miss you!

My box could not have arrived at a better time and i smiled at amazement of how these boxes go and seem to just fit the person... like me and the other person doesnt know...

ok my box from ellen came... her note was heart warming cause shes a doll... for something specail i got a pansy flower marker( love love pansy)
something new angle christmas ornament tooo pretty...
somethng old is this round old dark blue cantalope size glass vase that our canna would die for...( she collects this kind of glass ellen! back off BEC!!!! grin..
I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee that ellen.. I mean LovEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
somethng blue ... flower bulbs, cant wait, will plant tommorrow!

something that smells good, pumpkin spice candle... yummmmm burning now!

something that doesnt.. hippo bird feeder.. tooo cute.. mouth is open...

something you really wanted but may not know it... COOKBOOKS..
NOW I COLLECT COOKBOOKS AND SHE DIDNT KNOW.... i LOVEEEEEEEE THEM I READ THEM LIKE A BOOK!
SOMETHING I DIDNT WANT... MAM'S... LOL
PERSONAL USE.. GARDEN JOURNAL...
SOMETHNG TO MAKE EVERYONE WISH THEY WERE ON THE SENDERS LIST...

A baG fulllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
OF CANNAS!!!!! BACK OFF GIRLS AND GUYS!!!! GRIN!

eLLEN YOU ARE SO SWEETTHANKS SO VERY VERY MUCH.... DOUBLE HUGS!

NOW FOR MISS DAWN...

CALLED LONG DISTANCE SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO JUST GET A PHONE NUMBER OF A FLORIST.... THEY I GET ONE, SAME AREA CODE... THINK I HAVE IT MADE AND THEY DONT KNOW WHERE YOUR TOWN IS??? HELLO???? SAY WHAT???? I GO INTO PANICK!!!
SO KNOW WHAT DO I DO???? I CALL THE OPERATOR BACK AND SHE WANTS ME TO CALL YOU AND FIND OUT WHERE YOU ARE...

i CALL.. AND I GET A FAX LINE..

I PANICK AGAIN...

I KEEP CALLING FLORISTS...

BINGO... I HIT THE ONE WHO KNEW YOUR AREA... ITS NOT FTD... BUT HERE ME WHEN i SAY.. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER TO DRIVE THERE MYSELF... I EVEN GLT A HOLD OF CANNA FOR HELP... lORD....HAVE MERCY!
tHEN I SAY THIS IS A SURPRIZE FOR HER SO IF SHE IS NOT AT HOME JUST LEAVE IT ON THE PORCH... LADY SAYS OH NO I CANT DO THAT.... ITS WAY TO COLD HERE.......... I CROSS MY EYES, MAKE A DUFFY FACE AND THEN SHE CHARGES ME MORE THAN THE ORIGINAL PRICE JUST CAUSE SHE HEARS
ME IN A PANICK I THINK..... NOW THE LADYS BEFORE HER WERE AWESOME.... DONT KNOW THEM.. IN A DIFFERENT TOWN... BUT THEY WERE LAUGHUNG AND STAYED ON THE PHONE LOOKING UP NUMBERS TRYING TO HELP ME.. i LIKED THEM ALOT...

i AM SO GLAD THEY WERE ON YOUR TABLE.. THATS ALL I WANTED,,, TOO COOL!
i HAVE TO GO NOW.. WILL BE BACK... GOTTA TRY THAT PUNCH AND READ MY NEW BOOKS...

HUGS TO ALL...

GLORIA

PS.. i AM NOT SURE WE SHOULD PRESSURE DIANNE TO TYPE POEM, I DOUBT SHE'D MAKE IT, AND I Know WED ALL BE SQUALING!!!BLESS HER HEART A ZILLION TIMES OVER!!!! AND EVERYONE ESLES TOO..... HUGS TO ALL...

I would love to see the poem, but don't want to make anyone cry.

I was looking up some Christmas stuff and every year I have to drag out the things that Shelby made for me in years past, and stuff I have saved for him.(from his first teddy bear,first stitches, to his baby teeth)

I found this long ago, had it printed up, put it in a nice frame and gave it to Shelby as a Christmas gift when he was going through the teen years. I thought some of you might enjoy it. I don't know who wrote it....wish I did.

From Parent to Child

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about your friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking, but I cannot say no for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you from using them.
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sin, but I cannot make you morale.
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you Eternal life.

LIFE IS GOOD,

LIFE IS GOOD,
Annie

Hope you all had a great day yesterday. And that you got some really great deals if you went shopping today.
I worked all day, up at 4, to work by 5:40, we opened at 6 and it was all systems go for the rest of the day.
At least this year we didn't have to break up any fights. I believe shopping is supposed to be fun, you should not have to wear a helmet and riot gear to get your families Christmas gifts. Jeez, it kinda destroys the whole meaning of the season.

Anyhoo, I have been home for a while and I have been "veging". My feet hurt.

I think the next round of recipes is in order...........

RECIPES-MUST HAVES FOR CHRISTMAS
This is just like what we did for Thanksgiving, except it is for Christmas. Post 'em soon,thanks

Have a good night everyone.

Jo

I wrote this on 10-25-05 for my wonderful friend Dianne, in remembrance of her son Brian.

IN MEMORY OF BRIAN

I held you in my arms the day you were born, thinking, "so beautiful, what God had made".
The joy of that moment, the excitement, (and fear), those memories never will fade.

Your first step, first tooth, first day of school, each milestone passed by so fast. The years they sped by, so quickly they fly, living proof that childhood doesn't last.

You made us so proud, with all that you'd done, from tying your shoe, to the winning home run. You added so much to all of our days, you blessed all our lives with laughter and fun.

Then suddenly you are gone, you were taken too soon. My soul was torn and in pain. But, some years now have passed, giving wisdom at last, that you were not taken in vain.

For the memories we have are more precious than gold. The story of your life did not end. Your legacy lives on in my gardens, I feel your love as each petal unfolds. I find healing there when I walk, my soul is now on the mend.

In the dewdrops I see a small boys tears, from a time he stumbled and fell. I remember the time all it took was a kiss to fix it, and make it all well.

The sunflowers bring rmembrance of a small boys smile, the special toy he wanted so bad. The face that lit up when he saw it, a face so happy and glad.

Yes, each flower brings a reminder, of the times we spent with you, so many wonderful memories, so many, yet so few.

All of my flowers are special, each has it's own place, one is a hug, another a kiss, still another your sweet wonderful face.

Yes, each one of them is special, they bring the memories flyin', But, the most special flower I cherish, is the daylily of my life, I call Brian.

Jo

White Chocolate Rasberry Swirl Cheesecake

2- 8oz. packages of Philadelhia Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

3 squares about 3 oz. Baker's White Baking Chocolate, melted

1- 9 inch ready-to use chocolate flavor crumb crust

3 Tbsp. red raspberry preserves

Mix cream cheese,sugar,and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed untill well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended and then stir in white chocolate.

Pour into crust. Microwave rasberry preserves in small bowl on high for about 15 seconds or until melted. Dot top of cheesecake with small spoonfuls of preserves, and then cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or untill center is almost set. Cool, and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Garnished with whole frozen rasberries rolled in sugar.

Candy Bar Hot Chocolate

1- 8 oz. dark bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bar.

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 qts milk

whipped topping (optional)

Make the hot chocolate in a 3-quart saucepan, combine chocolate and heavy cream. Stir over medium heat until chocolate melts. Whisk in milk and heat until hot but not boiling. Pour into 6-8 mugs,depending on the size,and garnish with whipped cream.

Spiced Warm Cider

1/2 gallon apple cider

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

2 sticks cinnamon

5 whole allspice berries

1 chunk of fresh ginger, 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch peeled

3 whole cloves

8 orange slices

Make the cider in a 3 qt. saucepan. Combine cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspiceberries, ginger and cloves. Heat to a simmer and allow to cook 20 minutes. Strain into a punch bowl and garish with orange slices, and serve warm.

Annie

Susie, It's all realitive, my kitchen is your size and I think it is large (compared to the one I grew up with)! LOL
Your kitchen is beautiful. Are you going to put handles on the doors? I've been planning on doing that for 10 years and have never gotten around to it. Sure wish I had, keeps the cabinets much cleaner.

RECIPES-MUST HAVES FOR CHRISTMAS
Kahlua and coffee. :o)

Codie, I agree, that Tequila mockingbird is a must have!!!

I'm forever having my pies not turn out . . . for a variety of reasons. For Thanksgiving I had to make an apple pie. Hubbie suggested I make 2 pies in case I goofed on one. So I did. When the timer went off, I opened the oven door and yelled to him, "I have 2 beautiful pies!." He couldn't believe it. I took one from the oven and while I was showing it to him, I burnt my arm and immediately dropped the pie on the rug. We just sat there and laughed!! Good thing I had make a 2nd pie! Nasty burn though.

Still learning how to cook at 46,
sharon/tma

After Christmas I'll slice up some Rex begonias and see how many starts I can have ready to go next summer.

Escargot Rex (like T. Rex only slower)

Aquariums are a cozy green garden all winter, aren't they, Dawn?

Surface cleaner

Some pets are as pretty as posies.

Another escargot - Purple ramshorn

We have red, violet, deep purple and brown big ramshorns. They keep the underwater gardens polished.

Escargots en famille

I like the pinky little ones among the green moss.

Lick...lick...lick......

See her little ones? Well, his/her...

Barb

DH was out cutting stove wood this glorious sunshine-on-snow day! Anybody eat maple syrup drizzled over snow anymore? We used to up in Ashtabula.

My brug top cuttings have rooted. Success seems to depend on diameter of stem as well as variety. Now I have 4 more Milk N Honey than I want. All the stem sections are potted up, tented and sleeping on as they root (we hope and trust) in the cellar at 50 degrees. So is Frosty Pink's roots and chopped off top, pot dirt and all.

Mary I loved your piece about friends. Our opinionated argumentative friend of 30 years will be here for Christmas. It's always fun to listen to him try to best daughter Eve, who more than keeps up. It was just DH and me at Thanksgiving, but Christmas will be a houseful!

And Thank You this Thanksgiving season for being accepted into this delightful group of every kind of the best kinds of friends! You make me laugh every day, cry once in awhile too.

Veej, your raccoon siggy for Sherri was my favorite! Such a true to type raccoon, theiving little monster; one recent spring one scrambled all my little pots of seedlings on the deck, all labelled on the flat, not the pots! We have had surprises in the flower beds ever since! and they wash their hands in the cats' waterer...the cats just sit and watch.

Cindy O, is Noah here? Welcome little tiny boy!!

The boxes you all send each other are just awesome!! After the holidays when things simmer down, I'll jump in on one. I can't do as much as most of you.

Dawn, I started a bunch of beautyberries from seed and we'll hope they get thru their 1st winter. We are edge of Z5/6, so we'll just see. So beautiful!!!!!!!!!!Who cares if the leaves get raggedy, my gosh, the berries! We'll just put up a few lights this year. I want to put tiny lightweight feather birds all over our 10' Norfolk Is. pine, but haven't found any.

Gloria your posts are so great! Hugs and hugs to you too. For Jess's wedding last fall we had 250 yellow roses sent fresh cut from Equador! The price was the same as 100 from the cheapest US source I could find and they were beautiful and lasted longer, too. Your flowers to Dawn were so pretty.
I posted some snails - do I have to go to the corner? They're lovely snails...

Jo I'll post some recipes soon. Promise.

Annie - WOW that hot chocolate is good!! Your Parent to Child is wonderful too. Now that they're all grown and gone, you get a different perspective. My Sara may have breast cancer and I just ache every day for her.

Dianne and Jo - what a loving, powerful poem. You made me cry for Brian - such an overflow of life in a little child, such sadness he is gone. Hugs to you.

Susie, your kitchen looks so good! Mine is unfinished but workable - kitchens should be the first thing done on a house after the front door.

All you shoppers! We just lay around these early mornings and listened to the pipes burst.

Sharon, it's ok. When I dropped the only pie last Thanksgiving (rhubarb) it was a glass pie pan on a concrete floor. Not a pretty sight. Pies are so heavy, so flat, so hot...

Onward on my knitting. Near done on a cute little white cotton hooded sweater for Marie. I have red tissue paper to wrap it in. And I may knit up yellow angora booties. Love angora.

Barb

Congratulations Susie, on your wonderful new kitchen!! Oh what fun I can imagine it will be to have room for all the ingredients on one space! Someday I hope as much room as you! See, small is relative all over.
Sharon, so sorry I laughed over your pie on the floor, too - I KNOW those pie burns hurt my own self. Vitamin E really did help me heal without much scaring...But how wonderful you had that beautiful pie to present. Congratulations!

Gloria - Look what I found:

This is a seedling of a member of the Oregon daylily club - I have found sort of local hybridizers - I got my Christmas wish already! Happy Holidays indeed ~marea

Barb, can't say I'm a snail lover, but your photos are fantastic. I see where you daughter picked up her talent. Artistic people have such an eye, for all sorts of things.
It was a cold Thanksgiving wasn't it. All my brothers and most B-In-Laws are hunters. So on TG they usually go for a walk in the back woods. I was shocked when they still did that. (not a long walk though). My daughter and niece went for a very little walk. hehe I stayed by the fire!

Marea, (I'm beginning to get used to spelling your name, don't have to go back and correct it all the time). I love the seedling. The eye and edge are sooo dark and yet the purple is so vibrant. What is the 2nd daylilies name? Is it a seedling too?

About saving Pollen: Well, I'm no expert. I now keep used microcentrifuge tubes from work. They only contained safe standards - no biohazards. I wash them, dry them, and freeze the pollen in them. Microcentrifuge tubes are what a lot of people have suggested on the forums. Sometimes you can buy them on the LA or just put microcentrifuge in the search engine and you can buy them online. I break off a q-tip when I want to pollinate a flower, and keep it in the tube when done and refreeze to use again.
Someone mentioned using wax paper to save them in. Make a little envelope with wax paper and label and freeze.
The pollen is best collected as soon as it is ready. Here that tends to be about 9/10am. People just mail it and quite often it still is viable when it arrives. I was thinking last year of making a homemade package for sending pollen. Cutting out a Styrafoam box to hold the pollen and a little frozen gel. I know they sell those somewhere. I've seen them somewhere. ;->

Carol, was that you and I that traded pollen last summer? I did get one pod from your Jerry Nettles pollen, but the pod did not make it. Did you manage to get any pods from my pollen?

I guess I will study up on it more when it gets closer to trading pollen time. Cody, do you have any tried and true ideas on this?

Off to work,
Sharon

Sherry - yes little Noah did arrive yesterday...or maybe not so little lol...over 9 lbs. :). SIL and baby are both fine. wish i could knit little booties too.
and your pics are great...

Jo, Maryb, & Annie....those poems are just beatiful. tears in eye.

Annie - ummmm....that cheesecake sounds so good, think i might have to try that one.

Susi - what a great new kitchen you have.

Marea - those pics are awesome. how lucky for you :). do you know the parentage on the seedling? oh and thks for the link to thru the looking glass. so pretty.

POLLEN:
Sharon - that JN was mine. Nice to hear that at least the pod set for you...wish it had stayed for you. I had no luck, but alot here never took this year, so doesn't mean much. plus Ive never had great results with stored pollen and very much need that refresher course next year.

Sherri - forgot to tell you. the last club presentation had some slides taken down at one of the fla hybridizers. one of the pics was a refrigerator full of daylilies waiting to be used the next day!. you were right :). going to try this too next year :).

SEEDS: - far from the expert...year two and year one was only purchased seed. but ill throw in a few additional thoughts:)
.Seeds, can be sown outdoors. trouble for me is they look like crabgrass when they come up. not good here as crabgrass is plentiful and my tolerance low.

.Starting indoors..some options Ive come across:
*instructions that came from trimmers with my first seeds("from refrig)...germinate at between 70 and 80 degrees after covering the seed with about 1/4 inch of soil. Supply as much natural light as possible or 16 hours under grow lights. we recommend 1/4 strenght liquid feedings quite often."
These are some pics of my very first ones...using just a South facing window. I was so excited i took pics lol.

*the following year i attempted a few other things that seemed to help with germination.
-soaking the seeds first in water until sprouted or 3 days (whichever comes first) and then planting.
-using a seedling warming tray...you had to transplant after a short time. from what i understand, daylily seeds first send out a long taproot straight down. if the taproot is impeded, the seedling will stop growing.

Some things i planning on trying this year:
-Mareas method.
-planting in tall styrafoam (sp?) cups
-planting multiple seeds together (grouped) in larger pots.

Starting time: I start Jan 2nd when i have my dining room table free from the holidays. This is way way way to early lol. Those guys grow fast and the first ones get big pots. but since i only have a small area to germinate in, it seems necessary to get alot of them going by spring. plus it is something to do in the winter :).

The true fun is 2 years later when they bloom.
Seminole Wind x Clarification

yippee my siggy is back...thankyou again carol-love it:)

That purple and lavender Oregon sdlg is out of Courting Trouble x Jane Trimmer.
The second photo was supposed to be labeled 'Mississippi Blues' (Stamile 06) I see that face in my dreams, even! LOL

Thanks you two for info on pollen - this is gonna be fun. Marea

Susie,
Beautiful kitchen. It doesn't look small to me, I can tell you, mine is much smaller. Really old farmhouse, no counter tops. That is one of the first things we intend to do once he get a full time job again.
Enjoy that gorgeous room, I just love it.

Barb,
Absolutely gorgeous pics of those snails. I have one rex begonia, "fireworks". Its leaves are gone right now, it got nipped bad when my heater died in my greenhouse, it and my alocasia "polly". Everything else seems to have come through fine. They are sending out new leaves though, so they should be fine. If you don't have fireworks, maybe we can trade cuttings, (or rooted cuttings once mine is producing some leaves) in the spring.

OHHHHHH Marea,
LOVE the first one, the second is pretty too. Is the first one a seedling of "edge of darkness?

Cindy O,
Just beautiful. I have TONS of DL seeds from my garden. I have the pod parent, but the bees did the pollinating, so I don't know what the cross is. They are currently residing in my frige. I am soooo looking forward to starting them in Jan. Right now I am babying my amaryllis to see if I can get them to bloom again. I have 11, a couple I got in trades last year, so don't know the color of them.
I have a couple of Walmart specials, pictures, but no name on the tag. They were gorgeous last year, I also have Red Lion, apple blossom, Minerva, and orange sovereign. The Red lion and Minerva are new this year.

SOMEBODY, PLEEEEEEAASE make me a siggy with the dahlia "Just Peachy" in it. I have tried to make one, and I have neither the time nor the patience. I cannot get my program to work, and I just do not have the patience to try any more.( I am praying for patience, and I want it "Right Now")(grin)I love the fancy curly writing.
please, please, please.

Sharon,
Kalua and coffee, too funny. At work, we say, OMG, today is a day for Valium and Jack Daniels. That is how bad yesterday was. Fri. wasn't too bad as Blk. fridays go, but Sat. everyone was just nasty. One customer slammed a large candlholder down on the register girls hand, her little finger swelled up and turned black and blue. Woman never even apologised. Not sure if "I" could have kept my hands off her. It was a bad day all around. People just seem to have lost sight of the whole reason for the season.

Well, off to get something done.

have a great day,

Jo/juspeachy

Something to throw out to all of you. Please put your thinking caps on for this one.

My son and DIL have fallen in love with a set of baby furniture at Babies R Us. Okay, so my kids never, ever once had a piece of new furniture in their lives. But I understand that THIS baby is so special and needs BRAND NEW expensive furniture.
It's a lovely cherry set--crib that converts to a youth and then full sized bed frame, changing table/dresser and armoir. Lovely, however, to the tune of $1200+ for the three pieces. Ah-hem.

Anyone know how to go about getting this furniture cheaper or at a discount? (short of going to work there, of course) I've checked the internet for coupons and discounts and came up with nothing. I've never seen a coupon in my mailers for Babies R Us, as someone told me they have a 50% off one item special sometimes.

Any ideas, oh group of wise and thrifty friends?

I just tried to update my dialer page, if you don't do that once in a while, it can cause all kinds of problems, but, it now seems to have caused me MORE probs. I have been on the phone with tech support (3 times) for over 3 hours.
After I got off the last time, and was still unable to connect, I did a system restore, so I am able to get on now, but I have to use a very roundabout route to get on. What a pain!

ELLEN
HELP!!!!!!!!!
They said I need to update my modem, and that anyone who works on computers can do that. Please help!!
Tell me what to do, I CANNOT be without my 'puter, I will have severe withdrawal, I will molt, shed, throw myself on the floor and kick and scream and cry, (get the picture?, grin) Also, tell me how to be able to access online without having to go to "control panel, internet connections,etc.etc. The dummies had me do so many things, that now I don't know how to undo it. All I had to do before was just click on my little icon on my desktop and "ta dah". Now I have to go through all that. Arrrrgggggg!!!!! I also have to contact my phone co. for more #'s, they only have one listed for my area, (the idiots are taking away the # I have used for the last 4 years (the one that WORKS, I might add)
Thank you for letting me vent,

Seriously though Ellen, please help if you can, I will do anything, I will send you chocolate!!!!

Jo-going nuts with the stupid 'puter-peachy

I think it's cute, but don't tell MamaG I said so. : )

BBL,
~Dawn (mamabirrd)

Fireworks is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Here's a cute detail of my mystery Rex - gotta go use the other computer to get at a mature leaf photo. I'll try to post that in a bit. Maybe you'll know what it is.

Fuzzy baby Rex

Yesterday was Graduation Day for the ferns I grew from spore. They were growing fronds in the little terrarium under plastic. Now they are wintering by the Rexes in the cool room by an east window. In Jan. I'll see if I can start Japanese painted ferns from spore I traded for. My 1st ferns from spore! Proud am I.

From spore to plants! Potting day - Cinnamon ferns

BTW That's my unfinished kitchen. It's pretty small.

Barb

Carol - peek-a-boo in the tulips! Love it!

Cindy, Marea is going to love that seedling, Seminole Wind x Clarification! I'm only one year ahead of you in the seed department. I guess it will be the blind leading the blind.

Back to making my sons carrot cake,
Sharon/tma

Barb

Ellen,
NOW I can't access my e-mail either. OMG, what a mess. I have umpteen things going on ebay. This is a total mess.
OK, I am panicing now. I have no other way to access anything, we can't use the computer at work for anything personal, they monitor it constantly.
Help, help, running round in circles,*&$%^##@*&*
Someone, anyone, help,

Jo-in total panic

barb
your rex is or at least looks to be 'marmaduke'

Here I sit, Just got over DH having 11 day's off, & we are both still alive:)Back to work for him....Thank God!!!!!Spent a really crappie Friday, I could not get baby D, as the twit with no brain thought the roads were to bad!!!!!!! HELLLLLLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy,
Congratulations.

Susie,
Love your new kitchen.

Dianne,
I wish I could help. Sorry, We all want the best:)

Jo,
I am calling you, you have my eBay password, I can help you....:)Anita Not time to grab the siggy

Hi everyone - gotta got to sleep - Holiday's over :( School day tomorrow.

Ellen

Cindy-Ohhhh post a picture of little Noah. He was almost born on Thanksgiving Day. Seems like everyone is having boys here lately. Out of the last 20 babies born that I know of only one was a little girl.

Diane-Wish I could help you out on that baby furniture. Do you know who makes it? I can get furniture from Broyhill at cost but it would probably cost you a fortune to get it shipped to your home. The Broyhill factory is in Hickory, NC. I have got to get serious after Christmas and order a new couch, chair and entertainment center. My boss said he don't know how much longer Broyhill will have their Hickory office. One of the truck drivers picks it up for us and brings it right to us. My Boss's daughter got married this year and got all new furniture from broyhill. She got some really nice stuff without all that marked up prices. Ernie (My boss) worked at Broyhill before he came to Zickgraf.

Jo-What can I say....You outdid yourself lady. You are definetely a precious person going the extra mile for Diane's box. See you found your Brian plants. Thanks for sharing the poem with us it was beautiful. I have several of the irises on your want list. I will let you know which ones they are.

Susie-Love your kitchen you will have fun decorating it now. I loved the movie Silver Bells did you?

Carol-Love your newest siggy. Definetely the cutest.

Anita-Sorry you didn't get Baby D on Friday. Hopefully soon though.

Cody-I actually asked for a load of top soil one Christmas and I was told NO too. I said well that is what I really want.

Marea & Barb-Nice pictures. I think it helps us get through the long winter with our pictures. I find myself continully looking at all pictures saved on the computer.

Back to work for me. Lunch is over and way toooooo much work to do.

We were under a tornado warning last night for several hours but our home was spared. Some of our neighbors just 2 and 3 miles up the roads weren't so lucky. There was a lot of damage to 8 homes just up the mountain from us. I guess we've very lucky that we are in a valley. I was terrified and DH was outside looking for the tornadoes. I couldn't get him to come back in. What's with people who think they need to see if one's coming? My thought is that if you can see it you're too late to get under cover!

Dian, you may check around at other stores for the same furniture and find it somewhere else on sale. I looked at all the coupon/discount sites that I have bookmarked and none of them even showed Toys 'R us having furniture. Good luck. We bought our granddaughter some very nice furniture and she never even slept in the bed. She slept with mom and dad and then when she got big enough to sleep alone they wanted her to have a queen sized bed.

Anita, sorry your brain dead EX (thank God!) DIL is being such a PITA. Hopefully as time passes and anger fades things will get much better. You have a lot of people praying for you.

Barbara, your ferns look so green and healthy! I can't believe they're spore grown, you're doing good girl! The little pink escargo look like tiny rose blooms. It's beautiful.

Veeja, I love your siggy! I only wish I could have done it first. ;-) Shh, we won't tell Mama G what it is we love about it.

Dawn, my beauty berry bushes are pretty now too and the leaves are ugly. It seems like they are every year when the seeds are at their best. If you get them to sprout for you let me know how you did it. I have several of the shrubs but I've read that they are very hard to transplant.

All of the flowers are beautiful. Gloria, the ones you sent Dawn look so much like our centerpeice on Thanksgiving. We went to our son's and had dinner with his family and his in-laws. It was really fun and there was wayyyy too much to eat as always.

I enjoyed the other poems here too. They were all great. This is a wonderful group and I enjoy reading what each of you is up to. Keep it coming!

Nancy

Well, still some more bugs to work out on the 'puter, but I have e-mail, and I can connect, still a roundabout route, but I am here.

CAROL,(and everyone),
All Dec. Secret Santa boxes MUST be out no later than Dec. 10th. You need to get them out by then so your partner can receive them before Christmas. PO gets very busy, and they might be delayed.

Carol,
Yes, I would love a siggy with the dahlia "Just Peachy"
and the fancy victoriana type writing. Thank you soooo much. Your a sweety.

Ellen,
My e-mail is working, maybe you could contact me and offer some suggestions, to work those last little bugs out.

Anita,
Thank you my best buddy. I was gonna call you if I couldn't get it going. I really appreciate your offer.

Nancy,
So glad you came through your bad weather safe and sound.
I feel bad for your neighbors though.

Barb,
Your mystery rex is very pretty. I went to a huge plant sale here last year. The one vendor there had the most fantastic rex begonias, they were just awesome. I didn't end up with any however, there were so many other things I wanted even more. I got a red lace leaf Japanese maple for $12, it was very nice, and raised locally, so it will do well here in my zone. I got many other awesome plants as well. I just wish I had more money, I could have easily gotten many more. (grin)

Shirley,
I decided I wasn't gonna even "try" to diet right now. But, right after Christmas I am going on a diet "big time". About the iris, thanks, looking forward to it.

Cindy,
BIG CONGRATS. Yes, post a picture of that new little guy, so we can all ooooh and ahhhh.

Dianne,
I have also checked on the web, I cannot find anything except deals for online. Have you tried looking online for it? Maybe if you can find it online, you might get a deal of some kind. I know they often have internet only specials. I typed in "coupon Babies R Us" and found several things for online only. Maybe you can find something you can use.

Well, today is going to be a very busy day, my grandkids are coming and we are gonna bake Christmas cookies, and make paper chains, and foamie handprints to put on the tree. We will trace each ones hand, put their name and the year on it, and make a tree ornament out of it. We hope to do this every year, so we can see how much they have grown. So, I had better get moving,

have a great day all,

big hugs,

Jo/juspeachy

Cindy-Happy Belated Birthday. Got caught up in the holidays and missed your Nov. 25th Birthday. Hope it was extra special for you.

Also Cathy's was the 23rd and Becky's the 22nd. Happy Belated Birthday to both of you too.

WHERE IS EVERYONE??????

Carol,
thank you, thank you, I love the little one, (actually, I love the big one too), but you are right, it is a little large.

I just got home, and stopped by to say hi to everyone,wow, this thread is kinda slow. We normally talk wayyyy more than this.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF OUR NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY GIRLS AND GUYS.

C'mon, please post your.... MUST HAVE RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS

thanks,
have a great night everyone,

hugs,

Jo/juspeachy

Mix first 3 ingredients until creamy and add cream cheese and vanilla. Mix cracker crumbs & marg. (Use only 1 cup of cracker crumbs) in bottom of bowl. Spread 1/2 of cream cheese mixture over cracker crumbs. Spread cherry pie filling over cream cheese mixture. Spread last 1/2 of cream cheese mixture next. Use 1/2 graham cracker crumbs for top. Chill 3 hours.

Sorry Jo will try and get a few more sent to you later.

dian57/Dianne

The 10th????????????? egad, im such a procrastinator :(. best get in gear.

Noah pics coming soon:).

Nancy - glad to hear you are safe. & nice to see you posting again :).

Barb - that is so cool. ferns from spores!

Carol - love those siggys :)

Jo - on planting seeds in Jan - got to clarify so i don't get you on the wrong tract; really too early to start if you don't have to. These first ones get very spindly. in this zone, if i could plant them all at the end of Feb/beginning of March or outide in spring I would.
plus I don't think it makes any difference in bloom time. For me, the transplanted seedlings just sit there doing absoutley nothing all summer. only when the temps cool down in early sept do they start to show top growth again.
Is this anyone else's experience?

Marea - now i need a Jane Trimmer lol. beautiful.

Sharon - happy to try the pollen trade again.

Mephistopheles X Clarification (purchased seed)

Annie - HAVE to tell you that that parent to child poem is just awesome. And so are those desserts!

Dirtpig/Jean ~ I loved your siggy! ['cept for the blue not being around the "j" part...]

Barbara - Your Rex Begonia is stunning. I will happily find something you like to trade you if you get division enough to send me one next year??

I got a Christmas present already! My DH gave me a Brother computerized sewing machine - and I did my first paid sewing alterations today. Another part time job - just what I needed... Got 4 already - got to stop this.

Jo and her grand kids & those handprint tree ornaments - isn't that just like a Hallmark moment or what? Thanks for the sentimental grin, Jo!
~m'

I haven't been on-line much lately but I have finally caught up with reading the post. I have been shopping for my December partners gift. A few more things and I will have it together.

Cindy, Marea, G....Thanks for checking...Just been busy with holiday and family things. I've had a lot of company in the last month. Things will quieten down now for a little bit until Christmas.

I love all the picture's everyone is posting.
>

A new month and I get to start a new cross of daylily seeds. I've been going through them this morning and I have choosen . . . a cross from my own garden . . .
(Buzz Saw x Victorian Lace) x Voodoo Dancer - 2 seeds. I believe I sent some of these out to those of you who asked for seeds.

Thought I would post their pictures so you can dream with me.
Voodoo Dancer - black double

Buzz Saw x Victorian Lace

Jo and Cindy, I've started just a couple seeds in Nov. the last couple years, just for fun. And Cindy is right, there really isn't a good reason to do that. One time the cross did grow a lot more than the other crosses and I really had big hopes it would bloom that first year, but nope, it still took 2 years. Just like the other 70% of my seeds. The other 29% took 3 years and I still have 2 spiders that have not bloomed (in the shade though).

Gloria, please get better.

'Happy Belated Birthday' to Cindy, Cathy and Becky.

Tan - wow, a great box!

I think I finally have everything for my 'Christmas Package'. So I'm off to put it all together. What Fun!

Jo, do we open these as soon as we receive them, or do we have to wait for Christmas? I'm like a kid - I don't think I would be able to wait for Christmas. :o)

Have a great day everyone!
sharon/tma

Hope you are not waking up to weather like mine. A few inches of snow overnight....still snowing with very blustery winds. Temps. are supposed to be around 29 or 30 for our high today. Poor DH, I feel so bad that he has to work in this mess. Many Masons work seasonally, but his company works year 'round. I bundled him up real good. : )

Debbie, so good to hear from you! We've missed your posts. Love your butterfly! It looks iridescent.

Gosh, did I miss all those birthdays? So sorry ladies!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO CINDY!!!
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO CATHY!!!
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO BECKY!!!

Hope you had a great day.

Cindy, congratulations! Show us some pics of Noah if you can.
Last year my Callicarpa berries lasted a pretty long time, but I can't remember exactly. I will keep better track of them and keep you updated.

Marea, you know, i've always loved yellow in the garden. And yellow Daylilies are great.....one of my favorites is good 'ol 'Happy Returns'. It's such a nice yellow.
Yellow is also a good combo. color. I love it with purples and blues especially.
Loved the poem Canna included.

G, hope you are feeling better. I would send you my personal masseuse if I had one. : )

Barb, those snail pics are great!!!!! I really enjoyed looking at them. Yes, the indoor water gardens really help brighten up days like today. Here in the office I have a little piece of tropical paradise next to the snowy window. : )
I love, love, love that mystery Rex Begonia. More fabulous pictures.
I'd love to trade someday for that one too. I have several, and will take some pics next trip out to the greenhouse.
Congrats. on the ferns. They look great.
Love your pictures, keep them coming.

Dianne/Jo........I can't even describe how lovely that poem is. Jo, you did a beautiful job. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Dianne, thanks for the reminder about the Christmas swap packages. Mine is in the works and will be out before the deadline. : )

Tanarae, SO happy you liked your Nov. package. And i'm assuming your gift cert. came, so that's good. I was wondering if you got it. No apologies needed about not posting, as I know you had alot to deal with last month. I hope you have a much brighter December and are able to come and hang out with us more. Enjoy everything!

Sharon, ooooooohhhhhhh, I'm dreaming about the cross and I think it's going to be gorgeous.

Nancy, I haven't tried to start any seeds from the Beautyberry in the past, but would like to give it a try this year. I'll let you know what method I use and what happens.

Sue, your kitchen looks very nice. And it certainly doesn't look small to me. It's so nice and bright, which is something I don't have. My next home with have tons of windows in the kitchen. That seems to be a new trend. They are installing less wall cabinets and more base cabinets to allow more room for windows. Have fun in there!

I should show you guys before and after's of my kitchen. You'd fall off your chairs, lol. You wouldn't believe the mess we started with.

Annie, very nice poem. I will save that. That cheesecake sounds soooooooo delicious. I might have to put on my bakers hat and give it a try.

Mary, I forgot to tell you how much I loved your friends poem. I printed it out and had it laying on my dining room table at Thanksgiving. It's great! Still on my fridge.

Just want you all to know that i've heard from our dear Susan (aka Axelrose) and she is still in the process of moving. She is truly a special friend. She couldn't take all of her plants to her new home and she sent many of them to come live with me. They arrived in a HUGE microwave box!!! It was packed full.
Thank you Susan. I promise to take good care of them.

Anita, how's things? Hope she doesn't come up with another excuse this week. I'm sure baby David misses his Gram.

Canna, I have an ale to tell you about, but can't type the name here. Kind of offensive, lol.

What a busy week it's been.

Tuesday my sister and I traveled to my Grams to do some holiday decorating. We put up about 180' of fresh, white pine garland with bows outside on her fence and decks. It was lots of fun. I took my camera, but i'm a dork and forgot to take pics.
Wednesday I took my mother to see Patti Page at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA. Does anyone here know her? We played her Christmas album all the time when I was little. "I wanna' go skating with Willie........."
Yesterday I spent the morning at the dentist. I broke a molar and had to get it fixed. I had a very state-of-the-art procedure done and the beautiful porcelian veneer was custom made by computer in fifteen minutes! He was able to save my tooth, so the porcelian just sort of fills in the broken spot. So cool.
Today we are going to dinner with the inlaws/grandparents. A belated Thanksgiving get-together. The Back Porch Restaurant in Speers, PA. One of my favorite places.

Well, I want to get some housecleaning done so I can put up the trees tomorrow. Talk you all later.

Happy Friday!!!!
~Dawn (mamabirrd)

Quick check in, so you all know I am alive:)

Happy belated Birthday to: Cindy, Cathy & Becky. Sorry I missed them, Hope you all had special day's.

How are we all doing for getting things decorated for Christmas?
Hope we do the pic's again this year, as last year had to much going on to decorate, But I sure am going to this year.

Tana,
I was more worried about you, than the Nov box, glad to see you are OK:)

Dawn,
Yes I awoke to the same crap & it is still coming down well:(
Actually I would prefer not to have baby d this weekend, as I have a living room FULL of Christmas decorations waiting to be put up. I WILL take him, if the juge says so today though, have court this afternoon, Lawyer wants to get her for contempt of court, I asked he give her another chance, but I do have pic's of her street last weekend (have a friend that lives 2 blocks from her) that shows not a drop of snow.

Will play better catch up, when I have more time.
Have a wonderful day all.

What is this about pictures of decorations?

sharon/tma

JUST A FAST NOTE TO LET YOU ALL KNOW I AM DOING BETTER......
GLAD MY PARTNER DOESNT KNOW WHO I AM SHED BE WORRIED.. SHED HAVE REASON TO BE WORRIED....
BUT I GOT A BOX HERE ALMOST FULL.... OH WHERE IS OPRAH WHEN YOU NEED HER?

HELP NEEDED: I don't have the correct address for my secret partner - if you have everybody's info PLEASE email me when you read this?? I'd love to get my box mailed today...

Gloria - Im glad you feel better today - keep going on that healing part! Hey, carbon monoxide poisening gives those same symptoms - make sure you go outside and breath as often as you can, just in case, ok? Marea

Mom's Fruit Salad

3 bananas, sliced
1/2 lb seedless grapes, halved
4 ounces maraschino cherries, halved
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, well drained
1 can mandarin oranges, well drained (may use fresh oranges)
2 golden delicious apples, cut in chunks
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 pint fresh whipping cream
almond extract (just about 1/8 tsp.)
14-16 servings

Put all fruit in a large pretty bowl, whip cream, adding sugar to desired sweetness, pour cherry juice into the cream for color and flavour as desired and add about 1/8 tsp. almond flavoring. Mix fruit with the whipped cream, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nancy

I LOVE MY KITCHEN Now I can't seem to stay out of it.
Tomorrow I will be starting my Holiday candies &
Cookies .
will post the reciepts soon .

Oh my xmas box went out on thurday :)))
susie

Italian Cream Cake

1 stick butter
1/2 cup Wesson oil
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup nuts, chopped

Icing:

1-8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 cups nuts, chopped fine

Cream butter, oil and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir baking soda into buttermilk. Add sifted flour into batter, alternating with buttermilk mixture. Add vanilla, coconut and chopped nuts. Beat egg whites and fold into mixture. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan or 3 8 or 9 inch layer pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool and ice.

Icing:
Beat cream cheese and butter. Add vanilla, powdered sugar and nuts. Continue to beat until of spreading consistency.

Microwave Vanilla Cream Pie & Variations

This is a breeze to make! We love cream pies but I have arthritis and a lot of times I don't feel like all the stirring it takes to make a cream pie the traditional way. This cuts out all of that! The taste is exactly the same, delicious! This recipe comes from an old Tappan O'keefe & Merrit Microwave Cooking Guide.
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
1/2-3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter (or maragaine)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Meringue
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons sugar

1 9inch pie Change size or US/metric
Change to: 9inch pie US Metric
20 minutes 5 mins prep

Mix together sugar, cornstarch, salt and 1/2 cup milk in a 1 1/2 qt. casserole until smooth. Stir in remaining milk.
Microwave on HIGH for 5 to 8 minutes or until thickened.
Stir occasionally the last half of cooking.
Beat a little of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, then add the egg yolk mixture to the remaining hot mixture.
Microwave on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until thickened.
Stir occasionally. Blend in butter and vanilla. Pour in cooled baked pastry shell. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over filling. Seal around edges. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH for 3 to 4 minutes. *If microwave has a browning element, brown as desired.

Variations:.
BANANA CREAM PIE.
Follow Vanilla Cream Pie recipe as directed except slice 2 medium bananas in the bottom of the 9 inch baked pastry shell. Pour vanilla cream pie filling over the bananas. Top with meringue.

BUTTERSCOTCH CREAM PIE.
Follow Vanilla Cream Pie recipe as directed except substitute the granulated sugar with dark brown sugar and add 3 tablespoons butter instead of the 2 tablespoons butter.

COCOA CREAM PIE.
Follow Vanilla Cream Pie recipe as directed except add 1/3 cup cocoa in Step 1 and increase cornstarch to 1/4 cup.
(I use the larger amount of sugar for this one.)

COCONUT CREAM PIE.
Follow Vanilla Cream pie recipe as directed except add 1 cup coconut to cream pie filling and sprinkle 1/3 cup toasted coconut over the meringue.

I bake my meringue in my gas oven just because I prefer it that way.

I haven't tried this but copied it from Recipezaar, my favorite recipe forum. I thought it may come in handy with some of the recipes that call for Cool Whip and you don't have any. I'm going to try it myself.

Just Like Cool Whip Recipe #81374
Why buy Cool Whip, when you can make it for yourself, cheaper too, and just as good as the real thing. Although I have never tried it, but I imagine that the mixture could be frozen until ready to use. (note: bowl chilling time, includes prep time) Also, do not double the recipe, as it will not thicken properly.
1 teaspoon gelatin
2 teaspoons cold water
3 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup ice water
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
3 tablespoons sugar (or more if desired)
3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups (approx) Change size or US/metric
Change to: cups (approx) US Metric
1 hour 1 hr prep

1. Chill a small bowl.
2. Soften gelatin with 2 tsp cold water, then add the boiling water, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved; cool until tepid (almost room temperature).
3. Place ice water and dry milk powder in the chilled bowl.
4. Beat at high speed, until mixture forms stiff peaks; add sugar and vanilla, still beating, then oil and gelatin.
5. Place in freezer for about 15 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator until ready to use.
6. Stir just before using, to retain creamy texture.
7. **NOTE** do not double recipe or the mixture will not thicken. also, 1 tsp PURE vanilla may be added if desired.

Sorry I forgot to wish all the birthday girls Happy Birthday too so Happy Birthday to Cindy, Cathy and Becky. I hope this was your bestest ever and you got everything you wanted!

Happy weekend to everyone!

Nancy

YES!Her daddy thinks she'll have brown eyes - those are blue eyes for sure, don't you think?

My mystery Rex is almost certainly Marmaduke (thanks Cody!) We'll see if I can propagate a bunch. Last year I divided it and it just staggered - I think leaf divisions will be more humane!

Jo, here's a recipe...no laughing now, it's GOOD!

White Trash

6 C Rice Chex
2 C dry roasted peanuts
2 C candy coated chocolate (red and green?)
4 C broken pretzel sticks
1 1/2 lb melted white dipping chocolate

Pour melted white chocolate over dry mixture (all but candy coated chocolate). Stir to evenly coat. Add candy coated chocolate. Immediately pour out onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Cool. Break into pieces.

And a little country:

Sweet Potato Biscuits

2 C flour
4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 C butter
2 C mashed cold sweet potatoes
1/2 to 2/3 C skim milk
extra flour for kneading

Preheat oven to 400.
Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives. Stir in sweet potatoes, mixing really well. Add milk a little at a time just until you have a soft dough. Knead pieces lightly on floured board just until you can roll and cut them. Cut into rounds. Spray or grease a pan, put the biscuits in, bake 15 min.

Cold Cherry Soup

1 #3 can tart pie cherries
1 qt water
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 stick cinnamon
1 T cornstarch
1/2 C sour cream

Boil cherries, water, sugar, salt and cinnamon for 10 min. Blend cornstarch with some cold water, add to cherry mixture while stirring. Remove cinnamon. Chill. Serve with sour cream stirred in at the last minute. Serves 6.

Garlic, Parsley & Cheese Treats FOR YOUR DOG!!

2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C butter
1 1/2 C wholewheat flour
1/4 C milk - approx.
1 T chopped garlic
chopped parsley - lots
Parmesan cheese

Cream cheese and butter. Add flour, milk, garlic and parsley. Knead. Roll out using Parmesan cheese to prevent sticking. Cut into shapes (we use dachshunds and cairn terriers.) Bake at 325-350 abt. 45 min. til firm and golden brown. Keeps well in a canister.

Date Upside-down Pudding Cake

Mixes and bakes in the same pan - don't even grease it!

Preheat oven to 375. Set the kettle on to boil.

Snip 1 C pitted dates into 9" square or round baking dish. Add 2 T butter. Pour over 1 C boiling water. Stir to melt butter and soften dates. Add 1 egg, 1 1/2 C instant type flour (or 1 1/2 C regular flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt), 1/2 C sugar, 1/2 C brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 C broken walnut pieces. Beat with a fork til mixture is well blended, abt. 2 min., scraping bottom of pan with a rubber spatula after 1 min of beating. Smooth batter evenly in pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 C brown sugar. Slowly pour 1 1/2 C boiling water over all. Bake at 375 abt. 40-50 min. til done.

Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream piled in center. Serves 9. Rich!

Marea, sent you an email. and i love that dl pic.

G, hope you are feeling better now :)

Barb, great pic of Marie. what a beautiful grandaughter you have.

Ok, heres the promised pic...from the proud aunt.
Noah

Try to catch up on rest soon...:)
Cindy O

Barb, and your Marie has the most beautiful smile. And the hair looks kind of blond. I think she will be blond with blue eyes and an eyecatching smile! Both my kids ended up with brown eyes and they turned pretty darn fast.

Gloria, I know it was a typing error, but you had me snorting into my coffee this morning . . . you sweet instead of 'sweat'. I'm going to use that from now on. chuckle I do hope you get better fast. Just before Christmas is a terrible time to get sick.

Marea, OMG, love the daylily! Is Forbidden Desires one of the parents? I'm so glad you got your answer.

Nancy, I'm having Christmas at my house this year and was looking for a new salad recipe, I think I might use your Mom's Fruit Salad. :o)

I will be Christmas shopping by 10am. Christmas Tree shopping after that. At a Christmas Parade later (my Marching Band daughter will be in it). They do the parade at twilight, ask people to do 'lights'. It's kind of a 'sad looking' parade in the dark. We are a small town . . . who do they think we are "Walt Disney World" with their Electric Light Parade? Ah, well, it is the only Christmas parade we go to and it only lasts for a short time. But it will be cold tonight. Burrrrr!

sharon/tma

sharon/tma

as for seeing a picture up above about a seed cross
honestly I cannot get the picture :((
& I know nothing of how to cross pollenate yet I'm very New to this forum & lots to learn yet .

as For Giving the address of who you are to send to for the xmas swap I don't know who you are sending to BUT
If you send me the name I will Be happen to send you an address if I have it .

Marea Please Don't leave the forum just because Nacy & I didn't see your post or understand the post there are others here also I for one am sorry if I hurt your feelings It was Not done in spite that is not my way and hope you know that .

please let me know what I can say or do to help you .
I wish to let you all know that I do try to read all the post but I guess I do over look a few & I don't
mean to exnore anyone .
well I have some baking to do today . so I wish
Everyone a very nice weekend.
susie

I've been working 12 hr shifts and have not had much time to be on here.

Susie, Love the look of your new kitchen

CindyO, I think as of right now my favorite hosta has to be Tiffany's Godzilla and Carriage Wheels, but then in an hour from now it will be different I'm sure.

To all the daylily pros, I was pretty proud of the fact I planted some daylily seeds that were marked Wilson Spider x Exotic Love. Two of them germinated and grew. Of course I can't remember who sent them to me in a trade, but maybe this year they will bloom.

Barb, I've never tried growing ferns from spore. How hard are they to do?

Anita, sorry you didn't ge babyD for the holiday.

I have a guestion?????? and I know the deadline for sending out the Christmas package is the 10th, but... I'm waiting on a couple of items that I ordered, and they were postitive it would be here by the 10th but no later than the 13th. I will wrap it up, send the package out by priority mail with delivery confirmation the day they come. Will I be put in the corner for this? If so, I understand, but...then what do I do to get out of the corner.

LIFE IS GOOD,

annie
the 13th should be fine if they're not here by the tenth, although i'm not in charge. just as long as you let you partner know if you're sending late.

barb
marmaduke is super easy to grow from leafe cuttings, in fact i have 10 leaves propogating right now!! marm seems to be one of the few begonias that i can acutally grow!

cody

Cindy & Sharon - beautiful babies indeed!

Cody, you ARE the answer man! That flower (Eva Lynn Cupchik) is out of Forbidden Desires by Clothed in Glory and I hope to have hundreds like it in a few years...
marea

its the typing i have trouble with
i look at the keys so when they dont do right i dont know,,,, and i always love to make folks snort in their coffee...

i use to do it to dirtpig alot..lol

carol, mu daughters first cookie exchange as a grown up is happening today... i am not cooking, so i cme in here and my husband is miking that recipe of yours...

we have awesome huge cookie exchanges... both my sons come, and one is single... friends ect, she is going to take it over and i am glad..... oh the work... as they all have grown up its really divide out well.... the oinly thing left thats all mine now is Christmas eve!!!! and ill fight for that one.... its so specail.. but my kids are havng a time... its so sute to see..

oh back to thebed tho i am feeling lots and lots better..

annie..
nothing will happen to you... if you ever get sent to the corner and you will not this month... all you have to do to get out is send ME chocolate!!! lots and lots of chocolate.... but i know you and i know your an awesome tradeer,,,

I was late with jaes box as i had ordered things from ebay... i sent it way late but i knew my heart so i didnt send me to the corner.. i did go buy me chocoalte tho just in case... grin

hugs gloria
ps my son had to rent a boom to get him tall enough to put lights on his house.... it cost him 160.oo!! hello???? grin

This was my 1st ferns-from-spore adventure! I just followed directions exactly and waited patiently and there they came! The spore was from a GW trade and I've since gotten som Jap. painted fern spore which I'll get started probably the beginning of Jan. They take awhile.

If you want the directions, LMK.

I've already clogged up the page here with big grandbaby pix. :-) Babies are great!

Noah is a very beautiful baby! Just a little rosebud perfect tiny boy.

Back later --- love to read all the posts!

Barb

Marea, Oh I'm guilty, I saw what you typed, but wasn't for sure excactly what you wanted. I would have sent you the addresses that I have, but never received an e-mail from you. Do you still need them? I would also miss all the pictures you and others have been posting. Although I don't have alot of daylilies, You sure have helped me add to my want list! HOSTA, IRIS, and DAYLILIES OH MY!

My son's favorite dessert is Cheesecake.........and yes, here is another one.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

This is nice rich holiday desert, but the mint flavor adds a cool refreshing contrast to the creamy chocolate-studded filling

2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafers (about 38 cookies
½ cup butter ( must be butter, no substitutes)
2 - 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup of sugar
1/3 cup green creme de menthe liqueur
3 eggs
3 8-oz cartons of sour cream
1 cup 6 oz. miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
1 oz semisweet chocolate
1 teaspoon shortening

COMBINE crushed wafers and butter in a medium bowl; toss gently. Press mixture on bottom and 2 inches up sides of 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

FOR FILLING, beat cream cheese and sugar in large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, till combined. Beat in creme de menthe. Add eggs all at once, beating on low speed just till combined. Stir in sour cream till combined; stir in the 1 cup of minature semisweet chocolate pieces.

POUR filling into crust-lined pan. Set the pan on a shallow baking pan on the oven rack. Bake at 375 for 50-55 minutes or till the center appears nearly set when shaken.

REMOVE springform pan from baking pan. Cool cheesecake in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Use a small metal spatula to loosen crust from sides of pan. Cool 1 hour; cover and chill at least 4 hours. (Cheesecake may be made ahead and frozen, tightly wrapped, for up to 1 month)

FOR TOPPING, melt the 1 oz of semisweet chocolate and shortening in a small saucepan over low heat. Drizzle chocolate atop chilled cheesecake then chill till set, slice and enjoy!

I think all the recipes have been great and have been coping and pasting them to another folder then printing them off just in case. I just love copy/past feature!

OH yes, and here is another of Shelby's favorite. Well all food is his favorite. He takes after me.....if something is edible I will like it. But have to control myself because I gain lbs.....so very easy. Doesn't take me long to put on extra pounds.

Peppermint -Mocha Coffee

6 cups of brewed coffee
4 squares of Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
1 1/2 cups of hot milk
1 tsp. peppermint extract
8 peppermint sticks

POUR coffee into a large saucepan. Add chocolate; cook on low heat for 5 minutes. or until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally.

ADD milk and extract; stir until well blended. Garnish each serving with a peppermint stick.

To make a peppermint-coated rim, moisten rim with wet paper towel then dip in crushed peppermint candies on a sheet of waxed paper. Let stand inverted until ready to fill with coffee.

Life is Good,

Marea
also sorry for I didn't recieve no emails from you .
when it comes to advice about the computor :(((
I can just barely fix mine own let alone tell someone how to do their's :((
I trully wish I could help as for addresses I do have addresses & if I can fine your email I will try to send you what I have .
the list is on the way to you .

well I wanted to get some baking done today but that didn't work out Had to go watch the parade in town with
my friend Judy then we went to the new coffee pub :)))
what a treat that was they were given samples of free coffee I think I have a coffee buzz is that possiable :))) ??? I'm sure I won't be going to bed any to early .
anyone have msn want to chat tonight :))) ???
well I hope everyone has a great evening time to fix supper soon .
susie

Marea-Love your daylily picture. Love you and glad you found your address. You are always on the ball getting your package out early. I'm almost ready though.

Sharon-You have a beautiful daughter. I know you are proud of her. I had two nieces who played in the band. My daughter took after me and only wanted to play sports.

Cindy-Bet you can't keep your hands off of little Noah. What a little doll. Babies are definetely a gift from God.

Nancy-I have made the Italian Cream Cake and it's delicious. I definetely want to make your Mom's fruit salad. I love those salads.

Gloria-Glad you are getting better. Our weather here was so ugly today. Cold and misty rain all day.

Barb-Will probably make your recipe white trash for my party. Will have to get the ingredients. Marie is a beautiful little baby.

Annie-I love cheesecake also. I thought about starting a home based business baking cheesecakes at one time. A business acquaintance from Mississippi sends us a cheesecake each Christmas and he buys them from a lady who started the business in her home. She has around 35 to choose from and they are all delicious.

Debbie-Glad to see you posting again.

Bed time......night all

G, so glad you are on the mend. Just lay there and eat cookies. : )
My pretty flowers are starting to fade a bit and i'm sooo sad. They have looked so beautiful on the table and I will be sad to see them go. I have been trying to prolong their life by keeping them cool and giving them lots of water. I printed out the picture I took of them and put it in a little frame here on my desk so I could enjoy them forever. The frame was a gift from Carol. : )

Love the babies!!!! Great pictures....thank you so much for showing us.

Sharon, your DD is so pretty and looks so nice in her band uniform. Of course, I love the feather in her hat. : )

All the recipe's are so awesome. We are going to have the best cookbook!
Reminds me that I forgot to finish my divider page. Jo, I will get that to you soon. I need to add a few Christmas recipe's as well.

Dirtpiggie, where are you? Are you too cold to type, lol.

It is pretty cold here and will only get worse all week. Most days, the highs will be in the 20's. I bundled up yesterday and worked outside ALL day. First thing I did was round up all of my birdfeeders and gave them a good cleaning. Then I got them all filled up and put back. I went through so many pounds of seed yesterday. I asked Santa this morning if he would bring me lots of different kinds of birdseed for Christmas. I even told him where to go to get a good deal on the best kinds of seed, lol.

Then I fiddled around with more Christmas lights. I've been putting them up for weeks now. I'm just about finished........only 2 more windows to do. I will try to remember to take a picture tonight.

Yes, everyone please share your decorating photo's. I haven't even started my inside yet, and will hopefully get at least one tree up today.

I remember Jeans pic last year.......her place looked gorgeous. Loved that new, red paint!

Well, I better get moving. The game is on at 1 o'clock and i've got alot to do between now and then. This game is pretty important.....GO STEELERS!

~Dawn (mamabirrd)

I've been going nuts getting ready for the holidays - not decorating, shopping, etc - I sell toys & such and haven't had time to breath!

Anita - I'm sorry that you didn't get to see Baby David for Thanksgiving - can she "owe" you extra time for Xmas????? Like the whole xmas holiday? I have to apologize for not posting my picture yet about your wonderful Thanksgiving gift. I really loved it!...

For everyone here's a pic of what Anita sent me:

I loved it - especially the something special: the froggy bird feeder (sorry Gloria). I know it's not a very good pic take my word for it that it's really cute. What's missing from the pic is the chocolate mints - gone by the time the picture was taken one day later.

For those who I owe brugs to - the weather has changed from mild to snowy. Do you still want me to ship them out or root them & send them in the spring? Sorry I've delayed. How did the weather change so fast. I've already go the brugs in water that I'm changing every day and some are developing roots already.

Dawn, when you're finished - can you put up my lights? I haven't had time to even start.

Gloria - hope you're feeling better :(

Cindy - Aaaaaaawwww how CUTE!

Marea - glad to see you're not leaving us. If I had seen your plea for help, I would have sent you the address. I keep all of them.

Last night we stayed up real late getting stuff ready to sell, DH opened up our barn door and I saw snow - a solid inch or two of snow. Doesn't start to feel like Christmas is coming till we have snow. Considering we don't get a huge amount of snow here, sometimes Christmas just doesn't feel like it's time for Christmas yet.

Gotta go - NNEEEEEDDDDD coffee - and who was asking? - yes you can get a coffee buzzzzzzzzz.

Ellen no time to make a siggy :(

Have a wonderful Sunday.
Paul

i know i haven't been around much since joining, but in spirit i am with you all.

just wanted to say that i received my december secret santa package. should i be posting about it here, or will there be a special thread for it? it seems everyone is still talking about their november package. i'll come back later to hear a response and then i will post my very special thank you to a very special person :)

regards,
earthly/maryanne