Lilypad, I can get a visual on it now, the fierce competition if those plants were offered for sale. And I would want to be right in the middle of it. My first exposure to a violet show was by happenstance. The Seattle AV club had a show at a local shopping mall. If the plant was for sale after the show, a colored dot was put on its card. I was apparently one of the few that asked about what the dot meant. Most of the plants were not spoken for, and I think I purchased 20-22, hard to remember. Average price was 5-6.00, and they couldn't be picked up til the show was over. Yeehaw! Barbara

Vince, I was actually surprised at how well Mortgage Lifter did for me especially since it was one I started foolishly late! But it was one of my favorites for flavor and they were really gorgeous! Sey, I would grow both KB and BR again. In all cases I didn't get TOO many fruit but what I got was great. The Pineapple, however, I would not bother with - except, I don't think what I got was really Pineapple. It was crossed or stray or something, it did not have the characteristics of Pineapple. So, maybe I would grow it again, with seed from a different source. Too bad it was so. freaking. prolific. My Cherokee was early and I would definitely, definitely grow that again. Those plants are just plain tolerant of everything! What else would I not plant? Anna Russian. Not impressed. At all.

Doodle, I know you said you could not get orders of protection for the girls. BUT I wonder if YOU couldn't go apply for one for yourself; get one on BM and on her creepy BF. I think this situation is certainly volatile enough that you could justify getting one. Just say violence + drugs on the paper and I think the judge will grant you an ex parte order. THAT way if BM or her BF show up, you can call the police ASAP and they will take it extremely seriously. If you have an ex parte order, and they show up at YOUR house, even if it is to "see the girls," they WILL be arrested. I think you need to plan for the worst here. Not trying to scare you, but anytime drugs are involved, the potential for escalating violence is always there. As far as BM being blameless in this situation...nope, she's not. Yeah, she is mentally ill, but she is also choosing to abuse drugs and remain in an abusive relationship. She walked out of rehab. That was a choice.

I've seen it on several searches, including eBay. I think it was about $10,000 on eBay, the last time I saw it. Funny, there was a very similar one here in Socal that was listed for $10K and it was much newer. I LOVE La Cornue, and plan to get a Cornufe, but I have to say that for me, that combo doesn't do anything. (Although it is my alma mater's colors ;) )