Hi, Yes the pink (magenta) plate with the yellow center was originally clear. The brush strokes show a bit, but the glass is textured so it doesn't really matter. I need to get it made into something and out in the garden to test before winter is over. I do have a painted plate flower outside (on white plates). I used Pebeo 150. If you don't like how it looks you can wash it off (before baking). Baking didn't change the appearance except to make it a bit more shiny. I heard the Vitrea is more toxic. Kathy toomuchglass has used this paint too and she says it lasts very well. I plan to do some more now that the holidays are over. I can't buy the paint locally, but I hope to get to a Michaels soon to pick up another color or 2 (with one of their 50% off coupons!). We'll have to compare notes. Kathy

Love it all Jeanne, I went on conversations & tried to log-in since they said I was off, it keeps coming up that there is no GJF Ha! Sorry to hijack your post but I will be gone for awhile. Mom in hospital 9 days with AF & trying to care for dad(stroke 1 yr ago) at home. Bro. had to fly to East Coast for business. Other bro. came in sick-so it goes .I'm on my own except for DD some & lady taking care of dad some mornings(& snooping through the house!!) So I've got to stay there for few days~.~, talk to you all later & miss you! Jan

Oooo, Ooo, that red sandy loam looks like central/east Tx, like around Columbus, Halletsville or Giddings. ANYTHING grows there. The HEB roses are a bargin, but the roots are chopped pretty short. The first year I planted a Duchesse from them it sulked it's looking good now. Pinkie is a bloom machine once she gets established. Ducher is great, Caldwell Pink is a workhorse (& it roots easy--let me know if you'd like me to send you one). For companions, I've had very good luck with dianthus. I pick up the .25 single pots or $1.00 six-pack plants that Lowes throws away on a regular basis. Within a year each plant is a huge clump. Native wildflowers are wonderful, too. Since it looks like you have a pasture, dig up some bluebonnets, coreopsis, mealy sage, etc.--whatever is blooming in your area, as they bloom, & transplant into your bed. They LOVE living in a cultivated watered bed. The little native "rain lilies" make a beautiful border when they are thickly planted. Alyssium does well in my zone until the heat really sets in. Looks like you have a wonderful space to fill. Have fun!

Hi all, I just came back to the computer after a few days of hard-core tomato-picking and processing, and no computing! (I am already sick of tomatoes.) This has been a fascinating thread to read. Linda, I know well your thoughts on Bt and its destructive power, but I grow three corn crops...early, mid-season and late. Usually the early corn ripens early enough that I don't have to worry about corn earworms or corn borers. But, without Bt, I wouldn't get any mid-season or late corn worth eating. If some desirable caterpillars die in the process, that's unfortunate but that's jsut the way it goes. I try to keep the killing of all insects to a minimum, but there's times it's necessary. I refuse to feel guilty for dusting BT on a tiny portion of our 14 acres, since the rest of the acreage is not treated for anything. OKC1, what incredible helpful advice you offered in your post! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! I always love reading what you write. Susan, What am AMAZING amount of DE information you packed into one post! I love DE because I know I'd have to use more "hard-core" bug solutions were it not for DE. And, I'm with you on it being a bad year for the moths and butterflies. I'm wondering if it is drought-related? We have fewer butterflies this year than ever, and it is very sporadic. We'll see a few for a couple of days, and then not see any at all for the longest time. And, it is TOO HOT outside for man or beast now, isn't it? Hi again, Linda. I haven't seen any hornworms in the garden yet either, which seems sort of odd. I do have 3 plants out of about 100 that have some sort of damage that certainly looks like hornworm damage, but can't find one of those caterpillars anywhere. I know they can disappear into the green foliage of the plants, but usually I can spot them anyway. Not so this year. Hope y'all are having a lovely weekend. It is too, too hot and dry here. Dawn