I just received my package from Kara and it overwhelmed me with her generosity. I received numerous cangles which are pear and peach scented, a flower candle holder, a small gardening picture frame, a table runner with embroidered foral mottif along with four matching napkins, numerous hand picked seeds too numerous to count, a ground orchid, amaryllis and oh I forget the other plants, a couple of clay flower pots and it just goes on and on. I also got a gardening tote.

Kara thank you so very much. You blew me awau with your generosity and I love it all. Hope you receive your box sson. *hugs* Linda

Linda, I'm glad you're enjoying your package. I'm not sure whether I enjoy the giving or the receiving more when it comes to these secret swaps. Plus, I am the biggest pack rat and love to shop in thrift stores and yard sales and these swaps now give me a reason to pick up all the neat little things I've been having to pass over before (I was running out of storage room!). lol

Kara

Get hose boxes mailed as the 8th is rapidly approaching. Let the fun begin. Linda

I got my package today! Misti sent me a ton of seeds from pumpkins and beans to royal pociana and violets. 13 different envelopes. Now I'm off to research. Thank you Misti.
Jody
ps I will mail my package on Saturday to my secret pal.
Jody

You're welcome Jody! I wish I had some cuttings and small plants to send but nothing was ready yet so seeds were the next best thing! Sorry for the rush on the note too, but I wanted to get it out before the storm came as I didn't know how bad it'd be! Enjoy everything! :)

I got mine out yesterday. Hope she likes it:) Pat

My box is almost ready. Have everything in it but one last item I wanted to get and I got it today at lunch. Will be mailing it Saturday morning. This is my first secret swap and it is so exciting. I hope Louise enjoys what I am sending her. I had lots of fun getting it ready.
Thank you Linda for making this swap possible!
:-) susana

Received my package but don't know who the thoughtful donor is........... .well it's full of goodies and all of my favorites.... .I am windchime junkie and a book lover thank you.......PLUS..seeds,great metal hangers ,the cutest ladybug bracelet : ) ,a mini flower press ..hope to try that this weekend ,and lots more ..Thank you for the treasures and thanks Linda for making this possible ..mailed mine yesterday hope it all gets there unharmed ......would love to find out who my generous pal is.....??

Grisa/Linda,

It was me! I thought it was a secret swap, so I panicked at the post office and didn't know what to do. I figured I'd at least put my address on it in case it got lost. :)
I hope you enjoy all the goodies. I'll have to find out how others send plants.
Wanda

I am hoping my recipient got their package. Have not seen a post. I don't know what the deadline is-Linda can you help out here?
Thanks
Linda

Oh Wanda Thank you!!!! what fun ! ..... I did not identify myself either. I received your package before I could get mine out and saw no name so I followed suit .lol. .....were we supposed tell ???.I also was unsure how to send the plants I did put a couple in baggies with moist vermiculite and some cuttings with wet paper towel in baggies.Hmm guess we will see .....sure hope they survive .anyone have suggestions for next time?

The packages should arrive by Sept 8. It is nice when people post here so others can read about your goodies and whether they arrived in one piece etc. Glad they are starting to arrive and people are happy.

Most people send rooted plants in wet paper towels sealed with the self sealing plastic wrap or ziplocks. Cuttings are wrapped in wet paper towels and sent the same way. I have received items packed in a sawdust type mixture that did well.

Ideas from others?

Linda

still waiting for mine! :( I'm sure it'll come after the holiday. Heheh, I am always excited to get home and see if anything cool is in the mailbox! :)

I got my package from Linda on saturday. I've just been so busy that this is my first chance to post about it! I got a bunch of new plants including agave, a purple orchid tree seedling, lavender moon vine, and a plumeria seedling. There were also several types of seeds including a variety of gourd seeds.
Linda, when and how do I start the gourd seeds? And what color are the rain lilies?

Thank you for all the new plants!
Kara

I just received a package from Jody today, who I assume is a fun person because it was full of fun stuff. Included was a really cute fall wreath, gnome stepping stone and matching plant marker, flowered dish towels, plant caddy, flip-flop picture frame (adorable), gardening plaque, and seeds (I'm a sunflower nut). You have me smiling Jody, thank you so much.

I'm glad you liked it. I had fun putting it together. This is my first year in Florida and my first swap. By next time I hope I can include some plants.
Jody

You have me smiling Jody, thank you so much.

Kara
I am glad your package arrived safely! You can plant the gouirds anytime--just lightly cover with soil. The rain lilies are pink. Protect the Orchid Tree during winter then plant it in the ground. The same with the Plumeria. They need a good start before freezes.
Happy planting
Linda

HOW fun was this!! Came home to a lovely package today....seeds(buddelia, sunflower mix, nasturtiums, sweet peas, dill)A quite happy silver quill....potted up, and looking forward to learning about him!

A wonderful vintage native and exotic Palms of Florida book...love it! Some tropical pineapple votive holders, and welcome signs..adorable...and it keeps going...festive garden gloves and a great little hand shovel (shamelessly put to use as soon as I opened it!)

First swap...and had fun...giving and getting!!

Thanks Pat(Zozzl).....I'm still smiling, what a blast!!!

Got mine, it's like Christmas! Will post later. Off to work.
To my SS in N. Fla. I will mail your package Fri. Ernesto really messed up my work scheduale.
Thanks.

I got my packet. Thank you, Barbara.
Many fun things: nastrium in the bag, bird metal hook, glass vase, garden crafts magazine, flower lights, clay pots....and many other things. This is really fun. I have enjoyed it very much. Thank you Linda for making it possible.
Veronika

Hey Linda/Tropisol!

Thank you so much! What fun that we had each other as secret swap partners:) I love all the goodies you sent:
plant markers, wonderful gothic looking planter, variegated lemons (I will try and plant the seeds!), fragrant candles, one has a neat hanger too, blue agave which I do not have, and a great book all about junking (how did you know:))?

Loved the card too! Vintage bathing beauties, very Florida!

Thank you so much and I am glad you liked the box I sent also:) Take care, Pat

The postman approaches. His truck slowing down in front of my house. My heart starts to race. He'll get out of the truck and come to the house, I think. His hand reaches out, pulls the door of the mailbox, slips in an envelope. I start to think he's not coming to the door. Flips through some mail, starts to roll up the street to the neighbors. I stare at the truck longingly. My package, my package.

There's always tomorrow!

wanda, I'm in the same boat as you! I get home, check for the mail and just see junk and a magazine. :( wishing...and hoping...;) Patience. I don't have it! lol...

I am also in the same boat guys....I come home from work all full of anticipation.... but :-( nothing yet!!! OH I sure hope it will get here tomorrow.
susana

I am in the same boat withthe others--mail just ran and nothing came yet (is the boat sinking??? lol!)
Linda

Happy is my name!!!!!!

Thank you, Veronika! I just got the package and let me tell you, it is chock full of plants! I'm so excited....every color of porterweed (one of my favorites), jatropha, edible cactus, fern, heliconia, coleus medley, blue clero and packets of various seeds. I'll have to do a little research and will be busy planting this weekend.

I'm thrilled to have a part of your garden, Veronika. I'll have to send you pictures or better still you'll have to visit.

Wanda

I am very glad you like it, Wanda!!!
It was so much fun putting it together, I was running around the garden with clippers, thinking what you might like :-)
Good luck, and yes, I would love to come visit one day.
If you are coming down to Rickey's swap, we will have to work something out so you can see the maternal garden, it would be on your way.
Veronika

Linda441, you have a great secret pal and I was notified that due to the weather and school she is running behind but it should arrive sometimes this coming week. Linda

Leep me posted as she is great and her packages are usually very good.

Linda - Thank you for letting me know! I will be looking forward to its arrival this coming week!
Linda

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to thank my Secret swap buddy. I loved my package! First off let me say I have no Hoya's at all, so the cuttings were a surprise. I will be potting them up for the patio. Hmmmm, I see another addiction brewing???? Then there was a wall vase, rooting pots(very interesting)beautiful soap(no one will ever be allowed to use) a flower candle (for hurricanes) a wind chime, note cards and the cutest bug to hang off a pot. Oh and the purple slippers I will have to hide from my daughter.
But best of all was the Chicken soup for the Gardener's soul. Friday nite I was with my daughter in Emergency. She's in Color guard and was dizzy. By the time they called me it had morphed into "collapsed and fainted."
They gave her fluids and did tests and she's fine, but we didn't leaved until 1am which is way past this old lady's bed time. Of course I had to go to work and by Sat nite I was a lump, so I curled up in bed with my new book and read,laughed, cried and fell asleep. It was just what I needed.
So Life is like a secret swap box. You'll never know what you're going to get.
But if you try sometimes...you just might find...you get what you need.
THANK-YOU THANK-YOU XOXOXO
Kristi
(be thankful you can't hear me sing)

Not sure if my person is reading or not, but I just wanted to let them know that I'll be out of town starting Thursday for a week, so please if you think it'll be later than that, wait two weeks to send it. Thank you! Don't worry about it being later than everyone elses, 'cause I understand! :)

Kristi so glad to hear your daughter is ok and that the book helped to soothe your spirit.The hoyas are from plants grown from cuttings that I received at a gardenweb swap here about 2 years ago.........and so the garden web grows. You are very welcome .....Enjoy it all !!Linda

Kristi--your wonderful package arrived yesterday (I tried to post last nite but GW kept locking up on me!)
Thank you so much! I have been wanting to try blood lilies so that was GREAT! Like the Cactus, since it does not "bite" and have the caladium planted with some others I have. Also got some neat metal tiles, a Plate and matching plastic glasses, a beautiful picture frame, votive candle holders, note cards, Raspberry Truffle Cappuccino package (sounds yummy!) a Gorgeous Orchid stamp and some great shower gel (to clean up with after getting dirty in garden!!!-who? me? never! lol!) Thank you so much for all the goodies!!! They are very much appreciated!
Linda

Well, I just had to post this because I am a bit disappointed. I received confirmation from the Priority Mail that I sent my secret swap pal. The package was delivered on Wed. Sept 5th and there has been no posting. To top that :-( It is now the 18th and I have not receive my package either. Anyone has any comments?

I know Linda/scents of heaven usually follows up on the swaps but she has her hands full right now. So....
LADIES!!!!!IF YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SWAP....DO THE HONORABLE THING AND MAIL A BOX OUT!!!!!
If you received your box, let the sender know how much you liked it. It's only good manners!!!!
(shame on me. I was late in sending and thanking)
Mistiaggie and Jardinera have not received a box. Any others? Let me know.
Kristi

Just to let you know, I am out of town so I don't know if anything has showed up yet. If it has, it's probably been picked up by the folks watching the cats. So, I won't be able to say anything until next Monday. Hopefully it'll all work out!

I am back, Lee is home and I am sorry for all the hurtful feelings that are expressed here. I have sent emails to those involved and thus Susana you have mail and Misti yours will be arriving tonight. You have not been forgotten. Please be patient a little longer. Linda

I am proud of everyone who did their part is making this swap a good one. Unfortunately I am the bad person who did not get both of my packages out. Due to the unexpected issues with Lee's health and the emergency situations that have arisen I just had to let things slide. I have both packagex ready to go and have emailed Susana to let her know I can bring hers to Biosphere on Saturday which means she will get a larger plant than the cutting I was going to send. Misti will receive hers next week. I do apologize for not keeping up my end of the bargain. It should never have happened. Please forgive me. Linda

Linda,
If you had only communicated earlier your cituation all could have been avoided. I appologize to you if my posting the fact that I was disappointed bothered you. I was just being honest. I am glad you emailed me to let me know you received my package. I enjoyed myself getting it together. I hope you enjoy it and I wish your husband a fast recovery.
No hard feelings,
susana