OK, went on a mission today to find the pine fines. We went to the big box stores which is where we were directed by an internet search. No soap! We then went to our local hardware store that actually hires people who have gardens to work in the garden dept. who suggested Happy Frog. It has composted forest hummus, granite dust, dolomite lime, earthworm castings, bat guano, oyster shell and humic acid. Theses are not in order or spelled correctly. All organic. It looks just like the google image of the fines and the guy swears by the stuff! We're wondering if the pine fines are not a west coast thing? Not sure! Anyway, tilling them into the beds tomorrow, unless anyone has a huge objection! Nancy

These are such great containers from all the gardeners here! Wonderful to see what everyone does. After losing the containers in the drought of 2007 when it was so difficult to use water, I didn't plant much of anything in 2008. This year, I seem to have ended up with 17 containers, plus a miniature rose that has been in the same container for years on my patio. After pulling out a lot of lavender this year, I've placed containers along one path in the cottage garden to fill up the space temporarily until the new plantings mature. There are three "purple color scheme" pots along the path and this is a close up of one. (photo captions are because these photos were used in my blog) update on my purple containers These pots were temporary in this location. The rust-colored urns flanking the bench are now in the shade on the front porch and there are concrete planters with purple plants here now. The hanging basket of begonias on the patio became a wren's nest! The rectangular planter on the stand still has the same Japanese ferns, jenny and heuchera and gets impatiens each year if they don't come back. There are smaller containers, not worth showing close-ups also on the patio. From Defining Your Home Garden

Looking to replace last winters victims - I definately want a hardy regular sage, possibly also bergarten, tri-color, purple or golden. Also lost my stevia and wormwood. I have tons of herbs to swap, including some not so common ones. Things I know I have tons of offhand - Mountain Mint Peppermint Common thyme Ginger Mint Lemon Balm Good King Henry Sweet Woodruff Chives Wild strawberries English comfrey betony Other things I have small trades of Chammomile Bronze fennel garlic chives hops lets see what we can work out :)

Great package! Love the penzey's stuff! I picked up a small container of the creamy peppercorn dressing mix last time I was there but I have yet to try it (had to use up all my other salad dressing stuff first!!) Everything else sounds great too -- esp. the eggplant pesto!! Looking forward to pix!