I've received seeds from trades in all the methods & styles mentioned above. They all appear to be successful and allow seedaholics to choose the method that works best for them. Plastic baggies - I've found what works best for me are the smaller 2" x 3" zip-envelopes, also available at Walmart if you hit it when they're in stock, 100 @ $1.00. If I see them late in the season, I buy multiple packages. I use sticky labels, also available from Walmart, that can be printed from my computer. I include botanical name, common name, cultivar name, USDA hardiness zone, height, light & moisture requirements, bloom time & color along with any extra pertinent plant or growing information. If there's room, I'll include year harvested in brackets. Before mailing, I Google the seed name and do a little research so the information on the label is current, however I sometimes wonder if that information changes as time goes by. Mailing seeds - I use bubble mailers of different sizes but usually the smaller 5" x 7" size. Bubble mailers I receive get torn apart/cut up or reused as is if they're not too travel-damaged. For single trades I'll tape the seed envelope to a piece of recycled bubble envelope and tuck it inside a standard envelope with "PLEASE DO NOT MACHINE - SEEDS" on the front in the lower left-hand corner. After 2 years of sending seeds via mail in this way, I've not heard of anyone receiving crushed seeds. When harvesting seeds over the course of the season, I set them in paper bowls or spread them on paper platters that are placed on shelf units inside the garage to dry. This also allows any crawlies that may have taken up residence inside the seedpods to depart the premises of their own free will. Once thoroughly dry, seeds are stored in small plastic salad dressing cups with clear, snap-on lids I'm able to buy from the cafeteria where I work. They last from year to year and are re-used. Generally I try to not have seeds leftover from year to year despite evidence that they remain viable for many years. This thread is a good idea and hopefully we'll hear from plenty of folks with other ideas/methods for seed preservation and sharing.

Hi guys! Burts bees is a company that uses beez wax and honey in its line. There are no atrifical colors or scents. They also use whole milk, aloe and lanolin and other organic ingredients. I was intoduced to this line 5 years ago by my dear friend T who has serious skin issues and they worked for her. You will never find me without the cuticle butter or the lip balm. Used to be a hard line to find but I have now seen it at Tj's and CVS pharmacy. Can't wait to use the wild lettuce complexion soap today when I shower!! Cheers! Susie

Maria, you and Scott are both in my thoughts often. Let us know about the package when you can, but we're really more worried about how you are doing. Please let us know if we can help in any way. Dolores

Lee, here's the recipe for the "Tropical Guacamole Dip", which the papaya lends it name to. Anyone know what a scotch bonnet pepper is? Tropical Guacamole Dip 1 red onion, cut into quarters 1 papaya, coarsely chopped 2 avocados, coarsely chopped 1 tomato, peeled, coarsely chopped 2 green onions, chopped 3 T. chopped fresh cilantro 2 cloves of garlic minced 1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper, minced 1/4 cup lime juice 1 T. cumin 1 t. hot pepper sauce 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 t. pepper Combine ... [first 8 ingredients] in bowl and mix well. Add ... [remaining ingredients] and mix well. Serve with tortilla chips or platain chips. Serves 10 to 15 Sounds yummy, doesn't it? I think I'll make chicken fajitas this weekend and serve that along with "Mango Papaya Relish" instead of pico de Gallo, which is also in this wonderful cookbook. Brenda