I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving week. Kids are back to school tomorrow, much work to be done, Christmas gifts to buy and plans to be made! We even have a CHANCE of snow on Tuesday (won't stick.. but still!) I received a couple more packages this weekend: Here's the updated list: Here's an update on swap members and packages received: 1. poisondartfrog /Alana ~ pkg rec'd 2. lois / Lois ~ pkg rec'd 3. onedaylily / Margie ~ pkg rec'd 4. farmergirl2009 / Ellie ~ pkg rec'd 5. roper2008 / Linda ~ pkg rec'd 6. texaspinkie / Rebecca ~ 7. apoppyfield / Ann ~ pkg rec'd 8. caroleapony / Donna ~ pkg rec'd 9. tlfox / Tiffany ~ 10. shemeows / Maria ~ pkg rec'd 11. hibiscusfan / Suzanne ~ pkg rec'd 12. tracyokc / Tracey ~ pkg rec'd 13. flowergirl34 / Vina ~ pkg rec'd 14. ktrout / Karrigan ~ 15. thatannagirl / Anna ~ pkg rec'd 16. Indiana.Matt / Matthew ~ 17. ibartoo / Linda ~ 18. pumkingal / Lisa ~ pkg rec'd 19. october17 / Ellie ~ pkg rec'd 20. xiangirl / Heidi ~ pkg rec'd 21. kellyk49 / Kelly ~ pkg rec'd 22. gardenunusual2 / Tanya ~ 23. tomerrol / Tom ~ 24. beautifulreddahlias / Nina ~ 25. puffie / Muffy ~ pkg rec'd 26. flower2 / Mitchell ~ pkg rec'd 27. cashclan / Sharon ~ pkg rec'd 28. shant (?) / Shanti ~ 29. vajeff / Jeff ~ 30. sinbadsmom / Kathy ~ pkg rec'd 31. lceh / Lynne ~ pkg rec'd 32. peaches0104 / Julie ~ pkg rec'd 33. lightning96 / Beth ~ 34. snapdragon36 / Debbie ~ pkg rec'd 35. Molanic / Morgan ~ pkg rec'd 36. docmom / Martha ~ pkg rec'd 37. nan-6161 / Nancy ~ pkg rec'd 38. sandysgardens / Sandy ~ 39. drippy / Kim ~ pkg rec'd 40. rane_grow / Iris ~ 41. Gretchensgarden / Gretchen ~ pkg rec'd 42. daisydawnny / Dawn ~ pkg rec'd That's the current update of received packages as of mail delivery to me on Saturday. I'm sure more will be arriving all this coming week! Now, don't forget about the game I posted last week! So far, only one person has turned words in and they did a GREAT job!! Here's the details for you again: The latest game challenge will be a simple one as this is a wild and crazy week for everyone that's busy cleaning and cooking or traveling for Thanksgiving. Before you know it we will be stringing the lights and shopping mad sales at all hours of the night and day... The dates for this challenge will run through Dec. 10th. The challenge is a simple word find game. A popular one that's been making the rounds on the round robin forum this year. Email me a list of as many words as you can come up with from the words "Winter Sowing Swap". All words must be at least 3 letters and up. For instance, "Winter" could be one word. "Sow" could be a word, "tan" and so on. (There! I just gave you 3 freebies! :) The winner will receive a bonus flower package of 10 packs tailored to items on their wish list. Have fun! ~Wendy

I say go for it! These seeds need only a brief cold stratification, followed by cool nights for a couple weeks. I think if you chill the container in your fridge for 5 days or so (as per Thompson & Morgan: backyardgardener.com/tm.html), you should be okay.

I LIKE that Torenia! Must have LOL! Well this years new faves are: Opium Poppy (Peony types and regular single) Cosmic Orange Cosmo. I'm completely learning to love orange! Bells of Ireland....next time I won't dump them out too soon! They popped up thru the 4' Marigold that over-crowded them...but I DID see the potential for next year!! Morning Glory 'Star of Yelta'...bloomed early and still sporadically blooming :D Heliopsis...just the plain common yellow species. I am SERIOUSLY considering replacing all the Maximillian Sunflower with these...at least the ones in flower beds! Cactus Zinnia...nice big flowers. Wasn't thrilled when the puny plant (one surviving out of 4 germinated) first bloomed. It was small and not attractive so I cut it back into the foliage and it came back big and beautiful! Parks Cutting Blend Zinnia....didn't grow as tall as the package described, but definatley will try again. Minnesota Midget Melon...not very productive, but they sure are juicy and taste great! My goal is to provide a better area for them next year. Giant Red Indian Mustard...completely new to me for any mustard green. We love it! Got more growing now. Jericho Lettuce...got more growing now too! Was still very tasty in July heat! Collard Greens 'Georgia'...more of this growing too! Never had them before, so can't compare with other varieties. All I know is they are yummy yummy :D African Daisy 'Jaffa Ice'....the orange ones. Wasn't too impressed with the one flowering ones. The orange was have been blooming like no tomorrow since the start, but the white, though pretty, were basically just taking up space and blooming every once in awhile. I think that's it :D Vera

I am all too familiar with clutter. So acquainted, in fact, that I think most of it has become permanent features to the house. We have so much stuff now, we are having to move & build a bigger house. All of this "clutter" is actually things that we need & use regularly. We are just running out of spaces to put things. My husband & I each have our own hobbies that require a room all to ourselves to store everything. My plants have taken over the only usable guest bedroom, our closest shelves are on the verge of falling off the walls, his computer room can barely contain what he has in there, my art room you have to be an expert rock climber to get around in. I have always been one of those people who has the compulsion to hide things. I have things stuffed away in all cabinets through out the house, on top of the cabinets & refrigerator, stuff is under the beds, in drawers with clothes-if it can fit in a spot, I will squirrel it away. It helps keep my house looking nice & tidy.