Oh man--you're right, Don!!! I guess I just pulled up what I had pics. of from my garden, that was handy! I do have 'Night Before Christmas' and 'Christmas Tree' I COULD have used--had I thought of it!!!! :o/ Originally it was an impulse idea!!! Next year---hopefully, I'll think to do it as you've suggested--MUCH better idea!!

All out, thanks for trading! Paul.

Happy Tuesday! WE HAVE A WINNER!!! :D MARGO!!! I double checked and you are the Big VALENTINE Bingo W~I~N~N~E~R :D Can you please send me your addy and I will be getting out your Supa Dupa Prize this weekend. Shirley, I was out the other day doing the same thing. Putting back my flower tags took longer than I thought with the ground still a little frozen. So I put them under rocks for safe keeping. I planted a tiny, I mean teeny tiny, little yellow foxglove baby that I got from a friend of mine. I was so astonished to see that it has at least tripled in size. It is planted in the back of the house, by the foundation, where there is very little snow and no wind. Is it possible that it could have grown over the winter? I was just shocked to see it. Ruby, that sounds like a terrific HEART. Chocolate and Butterflies! What more could you ask for??? Corrine, your right! I love to laugh... and best of all IT'S FREE :D Ellie, I hope your feeling better. There hasn't been that much of a winter to do "sowing". I do jiffies under lights, but have been wondering with such a mild winter are the ws'ing jugs outside bursting with bloom or are they not growing at all because they don't have the snow for insulation? I also would like to remind everyone about the rate and review forum. We don't do it nearly enough on the round robin, and for some of the newbies, it really helps to establish them. Thanks! SENDING ORDER :0): poisondartfrog sends to cryptid**SENT**REC'D** tl.graham sends to shoestring**SENT**REC'D** canyonwind sends to flowergirl34**SENT**REC'D** hazelnutbunny sends to farmergirl2009**SENT**REC'D** sjc48 sends to hazelnutbunny**SENT**REC'D** smitties sends to sjc48**SENT**REC'D** shoestring sends to canyonwind**SENT**REC'D** corrine1 sends to rosemctier**SENT**REC'D** rosemctier sends to poisondartfrog cryptid sends to smitties**SENT**REC'D** farmergirl2009 sends to tl.graham**SENT**RED'D** flowergirl34 sends to robin1962-2008**SENT**REC'D** robin1962-2008 sends to corrine1**SENT** Just waiting for a couple more and we can wrap this up :) I just want to thank everyone for such a fantastic swap. You guys have made hostessing this month super fun. And I can't thank you enough. Have a great day! vina

Grout does not have to get disgusting! Mine isn't and never has been! I have had tile countertops all my life and they clean up just fine. My beautiful artisan tile countertops (complete with trim, but costing more than stone) in my new kitchen clean up just fine. One does have to actually clean up after oneself, though... Tile is a wonderfully functional and easy on the planet choice. Route66Services, I agree that 4"x4" tiles are a more retro look than 6"x6", but either will be fine. Another traditional look is to have contrasting trimwork. That part comes from the fact that stores only tended to stock a few colors. The "8 week backorder" that LWO referred to regarding trim pieces is actually a "we have to make those up for you and it's going to take a little while" thing. Don't let it sway you. Just plan ahead, and give yourself some leeway because tile companies over promise on delivery dates. If the tiles don't pass inspection, they have to start all over again. And sometimes, they have to wait a month to finish a big run before making your tiles. This is the big boys. It's the same with the artisans, but they're more forthcoming with the time frame. Most of all, however, it's important that you get a really good tile setter who knows how to do countertops. You can't just glue the tiles to the underlayment with thinset the way some people do with backsplashes. The best backing is an old fashioned mortar bed, though there are some backerboards that I think are appropriate for counters. Done right, with wet mortar, also takes time, because it has to cure. But it's worth it. I have a feeling a lot of the horror stories about tile come from people whose tile wasn't set correctly. BTW, good quality tile made from good quality bisque, set correctly, is very hard to break, and shouldn't do so just from random stuff falling on it. It should take the equivalent of a sledge hammer in full swing. Even that might not break it on first try. If you're interested in going artisan, I can recommend Architerra-NW. Gorgeous tile, amazingly good bisque, and all the trims you could ever want. Daltile, however, is mass produced (i.e., faster) and their plain, glossy tiles should give you that retro look you want.