There is a smattering of snow on the ground this morning. It was so windy that most of it just blew away, I guess! The sun is out, but it's deceiving! I know it's cold out there! If it would snow gently and peacefully on Christmas Eve, and melt within the following week, that's all the winter I need! I begin praying for spring right after New Years Day... sometimes before!

Thank you for all your responses. I could not have raised them without this web site and you guys. I checked my citrus bush again today but no new eggs. (I say citrus bush because it came up volunteer in my compost & I kept it but I have no idea what kind of citrus it is!) Goldenpond, last year I saw beautiful Swallowtail cats on my dill but this year I've had nothing. I am about to replant because what I have has gone to seed. My parsley has been beautiful but not a sign of an egg. Maybe I will find some yet. Tdogmom, it was your blog I believe that encouraged me to give this hobby a try. It just amazes me that those tiny little eggs hatched into such miniscule creatures (I used a magnifying glass at first to check on them) and then they grew into these funny caterpillars. As they grew they developed an attitude. If the citrus leaves were not totally fresh, these guys would take off for parts unknown on their own and I would have to quickly cut more from the bush and put their chubby little bodies on the branch back where they belonged. It was a totally rewarding experience and I can't wait to do it again.

Mike, I know what you mean. We northerners are SO limited by our indoor space. I have so many right now that when the newer ones actually become specimen-sized plants, I may have to sell some furniture to make room for plant shelves! My husband just shakes his head and says, "Just don't give me any crap about my Harley and what I spend on it!" (This is, of course, a "nicer" version of how he says it!) And just a sidenote... I work LATE on weekend nights (I'm in the wedding biz...) and I came home about 12:45 this morning and walked thru the door - was greeted by the scent of multiple blooming Hoyas! (Hubby would say, "It smells like a French wh*#@house in here!") What a wonderful thing to come home to... But I must say I'm a bit stuffy today. Do the bloomers affect anyone else like that?? Denise in Omaha

They are lawn mowers. Obviously, they are not working hard enough! They are also touted as protectors of flocks of sheep but these guys failed that test the winter before last so they have been relieved of that duty. The little one was so cute yesterday. He couldn't get his legs going in the same direction and looked like he was skating. Tried a few kicks though so he/she is very healthy.