I wear gloves and two layers but only to stay warm! Once it gets past -15 it all feels the same, it's the wind that bites! I'm one of the few that likes winter, the snow blanketing everything, mountains of it. The terrain changes and so does the sound of things. The sun is super bright and warm. I like extreme weather and the changing seasons! I'm just south of Canada but I probably see a Canadian everyday. We just opened up a Tim Hortons, which is quite wonderful. Timbits are delicious but it doesn't feel right saying so. :) I am clumsy with my hands so gloves might not work. I try wearing gloves in the garden but they eventually come off too. If you keep your nails nice I understand completely and I never thought of that at all, wonderful advice. My next garden goal is winter sowing. Looked at all the seeds I bought last fall and only have 4 packages of perennials. What was I thinking!? I'm going big on sunflowers this year, kong and an autumn mix. Last year you could see them from the second floor dining room! Ok, no more derailng the post. I think sharing violets is all part of the love of having them. I will let them grow for awhile here and come spring will have room for something new.

If you haven't finished your New Year's ordering yet, here's one of my favorite nurseries. Their list is rather lengthy, so be prepared to spend a while perusing their offerings. It is almost guaranteed that you won't find these plants locally or anywhere else, for that matter. Sorry William, didn't see a listing for blue poppies, but they do list the most popular type, revered around the world for it's medicinal (and recreational)qualities. Be sure to check out their book listings, also. Some are real classics? 50 days until it's officially springtime, winter is almost half gone, so keep warm and hang in there! :Rb Here is a link that might be useful: Shady Deals Nursery

hi everyone, hope all is well. so much is in bloom, day by day, seems minute by minute too. such a glorious sight, isn't it? my azaleas are just beginning to bud and the dogwood is almost there. the trees that kill me are saucer magnolias. they are gorgeous, smell incredible and then make such a mess in each of their phases. the carol, that's one complicated puzzle you got going. the only thing i know are jack russell terriers. tya or something is one of the dog's name. the only granddaughter's name i can think of is clarissa. so if anyone knows any other parts of carol's 18 part question (LOL), add to it. i did a full day of yard work yesterday. i wanted to spend today out there, but the weather wasn't the greatest and then company showed up, so that saved my aching bones. i lost quite a few plants this year. maybe someone's trying to tell me i have too many as it is. i dug up so much last year and planted in containers/pots, maybe that was the problem. hopefully the ones that really need replacing, i'll be able to trade for - they came from my baby's dedication bed. new amy, are you talking seeds you have to trade, or those particular plants? theresa, sorry to hear about your surgery, hope everything went well. i don't think i ever experienced a spinal headache and sounds like something i hope i never do. i sure hope that has subsisded. jeanne, sorry to hear you aren't feeling too well. how nice that you won a little "pick me up". when carol completes her games, i'll start one. be well maryanne

Today I went to a couple of nurseries and the plant sale in Ft. Worth. I was looking at some plants and it dawned on me that it was Jolana's plant in the contest so I wrote the name down. Gosh this is such a wonderful prize. I don't know which one to pick. Decisions...Decisions!