one of our layer hens who outlived 2 hawk attacks but decided to quietly succumb to the night before turning a year old (moment of silence) kitchen scraps mad-science experiments found in the back of the fridge 5 gals. chicken manure one nearly fully-formed chick and its egg remnants (1st-time broody hen isn't the smartest and squished the poor egg 2 wks before hatching) too many egg shells to count UCGs a few wheelbarrows full of weeds, mostly thistle a few wheelbarrows full of soiled chick bedding 20 gals. pizzaria kitchen prep and leftovers one ground squirrel who couldn't outrun our dog a lot of rain shredded leaves from last fall to cover the odors We saw a bear last week on the other side of the property. Last night some beastie was poking around the house/garage/compost; dogs were barking in middle of night then excitedly following many-a-scent trail this morning. Now I'm wondering if I buried everything "deep enough". Doh!

We could make up a packet of a mix of seed that anywhere we go and we see them in bloom, we would know it's the special winter sower's packet.... Ah, to dream....

Ok, I know I'm a little late on the Thank You, but it was 7 pm when I got home Sunday, so I pretty much ate dinner, and went straight to bed. Yesterday, I wasn't home, and this morning I've been planting tomatoes. Glad I didn't do them sooner, as the low last night was around the freezing mark, and I know a couple of folks here lost some of their tomatoes. My toms. and peppers were safe in the garage. I just hope that's the end of the frosts this year! Anyway, like some of you, I forgot spots with the sunscreen, back of the calves, and tops of the feet. Also, forgot my hat, so my scalp was burnt too. Laura, I think your pictures are awesome! Way better than the ones of everyone's butts that we usually get each year, LOL!!! I think you should be the designated photographer from now on. It was great seeing some familiar faces, and meeting new ones. I love the picture of the two Bonnie's meeting for the first time : ) Thank you to everyone that earmarked things for me. I realized though that it's not really all about acquiring more plants when we got to the free-for-all part, and I didn't really feel the need to grab everything in sight this year. I just enjoyed the chance to visit with other nuts that share my passion. Well, I've got to head back out to the garden and start planting peppers, and you know that's gonna take a while! There's still a ton of wintersown seedlings to get in the ground, and the high is forcast to hit 86º by Thursday, and amazingly it's not windy today, so I better get busy! Looking forward to the next one! Bonnie

Boy does life really take us on different journeys. Started 2010 taking down commercial holiday decor. Continued family fighting over estate matters for my Great Aunt. Decided to build our dream home on our land. Met a con artist contractor to facilitate home build. Fired con artist who stole our dream, building funds. Hired a lawyer to commence civil litigation regarding home build. Communication broke down completely with sibling (co-executor of Great Aunt's estate). Hired lawyer. Tried to talk our best friends from Scotland out of coming to Canada with 2 daughters (they booked for July in January) due to having no home to host them in. Had a mental health break down, tried to commit suicide. Got help - again. DH purchased weekend trailer day before our home sale closed for us to live in on our land. Home effects went into storage. Worked with lawyer to build a major lawsuit. Met more new friends (neighbours) who opened their hearts and doors to us. Helped us make a decision to fight back and stay here to fight for our 16 year dream. Found a new contractor equivalent to 'Mike Holmes'. God sent us a miracle. Continued fighting with family. Continued getting help, seeing doctors. DH went to doctor. Wore down from stress. House build commenced, health started to improve. Made our little trailer our home. Built flower gardens around trailer area with plants from previous garden. Experienced horrific winds that demolished outdoor tented area (had my clothesline....). BBQ blew over, awning tore off side of trailer...felt like I was going to Oz. Learned lifespan of plastic pail port-a-potty. Appreciated construction site toilet hut - luxury at last. Experienced bird baths in large buckets. Washed some clothes in large pot of boiling water. Traveled to laundry mat every 2 weeks. Finally got power to trailer, unhooked generator. Got telephone line and internet in the trailer - the world returned. Came home to KT. 6 months later, moved into new miracle home (downsized dream). Launched major lawsuit against group of individuals for original disaster home build. Continuing to work with lawyer for estate matters. Said good riddance to 2010. Starting new life with new hope. Promised myself to get back onto a healthier lifestyle and to enjoy the small things in life again.