cindee: I have never used the plate hangers for the wall but I got some at the $Tree. I had to bend and adjust them to go around the gems but also cause they are smaller than plates. After I did the first one the others were easier. Linda, thought of you earlier last week. I got a freecycle gate and it had a Beware of Dog sign on it. DH wants to put it on out fence out back where there is a big dog next door. Dog named Wimpy, lol. thanks all for you great comments.

You've got it, Pat - I always feel out of breath when Mom and I go plant shopping. Or when I'm showing her the plants in my yard. She's the one who got me started in gardening, and when I'm able to impress her just a little, I'm happy. :) It was a little bit of willpower, Leslie, a little bit of knowing it's the wrong time to plant (NO natives for me this time! I'm waiting until FALL!! LOL)....but mostly, I'm broke. LOL DH and I have an anniversary trip planned to Reno on the 4th, so we're TRYING to save for gambling money. :D "Baby needs some new plants!" LOL I'll definitely remember that about the Lantana! I used to have one, and it languished. Then a gopher dug all around the base of it....then the freezing temps this year. I had 2 blooms last year...and it never returned. I'm going to protect the heck out of this one, because I saw one at the post office one year here in Knights Landing, and it was gorgeous! Plus, that beautiful orange goes SO well with all of my purplish/bluish/silver things! Brenda

Not long now til we meet in Wayland. Hope to see you there! Cheers - Kiwi in Kalamazoo

Well, I guess we can't complain much about the weather, or neighbors to the north and west have had it so bad. We've had a snow/slush mix for several days, only accumlation is on the deck, and windbreaks in the pasture. Horses decided they needed a different pasture, so the onery one just pushed her bulk against the gate till it gave way.Only benefit is, they dont want hay now. On another forum , a poster in N.Y said she was still paying 1.00 per square bale. Did you get your stitches out, Gldno? Did everyone have a nice Christmas? Its so nice to see new posters, and former ones coming back, missed you even if I dont know you personally, keep posting. Do you like a journal type entry? William, I'm in trouble!! The site I mentioned Gary Ibsens Tomato Fest, wants a 15.00 order!! Do you know how many tomato seeds that would be?? And I SIMPLY MUST have San Marzeno Redorta, and Long Tom, so guess I'll be adding to storage seeds. And then!!LOL--did you see Tangerine Mama in Burpees? Yes, my name is-------- and I'm addicted to growing, tomatoes especially. And, Hope springs eternal, I'm going to try yellow, purple, and green cauliflower again--just not so much. I cut my garden down some last year, told myself that at my age, I didnt need so much--but myself dont listen to me in the spring!! I find myself admiring how well the beds are looking, with the leaves mounded over them. Gldno, I read another Catherine Coulter book yesterday, F.B.I series, the sheriff finally found his wife (from a previous book) It was "Double Take". I've also read James Patterson's "Quickie" and Sandra Browns "Play Dirty" With all this mixture falling from the sky, its either gaze wistfully out the window at the garden, or curl up by the fire with a good book--or a seed catalog. Got territoral yesterday, Havent gotten Baker Creek, despite complaining, so guess they wont get a order. Oh, and I must tell you about my Christmas Turkey!! It was PURPLE!! I was ready to put it in the oven when I noticed under the skin, the entire bird was purple! It didnt have a off smell, just like a raw turkey, so I apprehensively went ahead and cooked it. When it came out, it did have a off odor, so it was buried deep. No, really, I didnt cook Barney, as some suggested. Good thing we were going to daughters for dinner. Everyone stay safe for the New Yesr.