Nope, sorry for leading you astray. I literally have several feet of ethernet cables, usb cords, power cords - you get the picture. I'm pretty sure I don't need to have it all set up tomorrow, but if I'd thought it was going to be this complicated, I'd have started yesterday!! lol OK, so, I think you got the idea of what we were going for! Frankincense was one of the consecrated incenses described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud used in Ketoret (incense) ceremonies. It was offered on a specialized incense altar in the time when the Tabernacle was located in the First and Second Jerusalem Temples. The ketoret was an important component of the Temple service in Jerusalem. Frankincense is used in many Christian churches including the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholic churches. Frankincense resin is edible and is used in traditional medicines in Asia for digestion and healthy skin. For internal consumption, it is recommended that frankincense be translucent, with no black or brown impurities. It is often light yellow with a (very) slight greenish tint. It is often chewed like gum, but it is stickier. In Ayurvedic medicine Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata), commonly referred to as "dhoop," has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis, healing wounds, strengthening the female hormone system and purifying the air. The use of frankincense in Ayurveda is called "dhoopan". In Indian culture, it is suggested that burning frankincense daily in the house brings good health. For therapy trials in ulcerative colitis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis there are only isolated reports and pilot studies from which there is not yet sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. Similarly, the long-term effects and side effects of taking frankincense has not yet been scientifically investigated. Nonetheless, several preliminary studies have been published. A 2008 study reported that frankincense smoke was a psychoactive drug that relieves depression and anxiety in mice. The researchers found that the chemical compound incensole acetate was responsible for the effects. In a different study, an enriched extract of "Indian Frankincense" (usually Boswellia serrata) was used in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving the extract showed significant improvement in their arthritis in as little as seven days. The compound caused no major adverse effects and, according to the study authors, is safe for human consumption and long-term use. Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha, which is native to Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea and eastern Ethiopia. Another farmed species is Commiphora molmol. The related Commiphora gileadensis, native to Eastern Mediterranean and particularly the Arabian Peninsula, is the biblically referenced Balm of Gilead, also known as Balsam of Mecca. Several other species yield bdellium and Indian myrrh. In traditional Chinese medicine, myrrh is classified as bitter and spicy, with a neutral temperature. It is said to have special efficacy on the heart, liver, and spleen meridians, as well as "blood-moving" powers to purge stagnant blood from the uterus. It is therefore recommended for rheumatic, arthritic, and circulatory problems, and for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menopause, and uterine tumors. Myrrh's uses are similar to those of frankincense, with which it is often combined in decoctions, liniments and incense. When used in concert, myrrh is "blood-moving" while frankincense moves the Qi, making it more useful for arthritic conditions. Myrrh is used more frequently in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, which ascribe tonic and rejuvenative properties to the resin. It is utilized in many specially processed rasayana formulas in Ayurveda. Remember, our Magi were from the 'East'. Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians, along with natron, for the embalming of mummies. According to the Encyclopedia of Islamic Herbal Medicine, "The Messenger of Allah stated, 'Fumigate your houses with al-shih, murr, and sa'tar.'" The author claims that this use of the word "murr" refers specifically to Commiphora myrrha. Myrrh was an ingredient of Ketoret, the consecrated incense used in the First and Second Temples at Jerusalem, as described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. An offering was made of the Ketoret on a special incense altar, and was an important component of the Temple service. Myrrh is also listed as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil used to anoint the Tabernacle, high priests and kings. Myrrh is also used to prepare the sacramental chrism used by many churches of both Eastern and Western rites. In the Middle East, the Eastern Orthodox Church traditionally uses myrrh-scented oil to perform the sacraments of chrismation and unction, both of which are commonly referred to as "receiving the Chrism". In pharmacy, myrrh is used as an antiseptic in mouthwashes, gargles, and toothpastes for prevention and treatment of gum disease. Myrrh is currently used in some liniments and healing salves that may be applied to abrasions and other minor skin ailments. Myrrh has also been recommended as an analgesic for toothaches, and can be used in liniment for bruises, aches, and sprains. So very useful for a young king, it would seem. For Cyn, Annette and Bobbie: Tm, I wasn't sure where you were on this. Gone are my days of a leisurely reveal on Mondays (hopefully) since I am now gainfully employed, starting tomorrow!! I say bring on the francincense and myrrh, if they help with osteo-arthritis~~See you guys next week - thanks for playing!! Nancy.

HI, thought I would introduce myself. I'm Maureen, 44 (will be 45 on Thursday :-) . I have a 12 yr old son Michael whom I live for, and my dog Lucky - a 3 yr old black lab who is my very best buddy in the world. I also have a crazy cat named Tiger and a russian tortoise named Spikes. I love gardening, roses, daylilys, plumeria, clematis and african violets. I'm going through a rough time in my life right now, my husband just told me 2 wks ago that he is not happy and left. He is getting on with his life so I guess eventually there will be a divorce. It broke my heart but with friends and family prayers and support I'm doing better today than I was 2 wks ago. If any of you pray, if you would pray for me and my son I would be so very grateful. I work f/t for a Union and have been there for 10 years. It is strictly a financial thing---i'm not really a "career lady" - just need to pay the mortgage and have a home for me and my son Michael. I come from a large family, have 4 sisters and 1 brother. Mom and Dad are divorced for 10 years now and live locally. Dad is remarried, Mom's single. I'm close with my Mom, she is a gardener too. We go for walks together, shop together and work out at the gym too. I'll go see if I can find some pics to post so you can see me and my son and pets. Nice to read about everyone here, look forward to getting friendly with you all. Maureen p.s. I started with daylilys last year, and ended the season with about 80 named varieties. I've purchased another 15 from Maryott's this week and am sure when I get some money for my birthday next week I'll have more I want to order. I bought most of my daylilys from Flynn's daylily garden. Ida is a great lady and her daylilys are awesome. And I traded for some of my daylilys. This summer I will get to see most of them bloom -- can't wait.

Jan: What a pleasure to view your pics. I love creating garden beds. The payback we get for all the hard work is so worth the effort. We are still working on our new beds and stone wall but I know next year the front gardens are going to look great with all the new plantings. Already making plans for the back to add a pergola and more garden beds with my "four seasons" themed garden. Ahhh, the work is never done. Julia

If you want cold-hardy purples and mauves, just follow the advice of everyone here and you should be very happy. Look at Curt Hanson's web site and plants; Richard Norris has MARY LIGHTFINE and MARY'S BABY, to name just two purples; definitely don't forget Karol Emmerich of Springwood Gardens either. She has some real beauties in colors you'd probably fall in love with. John Rice has exquisite plants with many in the purple end of the spectrum; so does John Benz. I've wanted his LILAC GLOW for a couple of years and have just found a source selling at a great price. Steve Moldovan was known for his purples I believe. How's this one for a purple -- Jamie Gossard's 07 DRAGON FANG! A tad pricy perhaps, but no matter, seeing as how he's sold out of it anyway lol. (Scroll down under 2007 tets til you come to the third picture.) http://www.daylilynet.com/jamie_gossard_s_heavenly_gardense6.htm Don't forget Darryl Apps, of Woodside Nursery, mentioned by calypsogirl. He's retiring at the end of the 07 season but should have an online catalog this year. He may have some in the colors you want. Growers of cold-hardy plants: Rick mentioned Don Herr. IMHO, he produces fabulous plants for the northern gardener. On the thread here about best plant of 06, I mentioned his JOLLY GOOD FELLOW, which is described as a "burgundy lavender." And I said that one did so well for me that I ordered a couple of his 07 intros. There's also Clayton Burkey, who lives in Pennsylvania, but at a high elevation, in the Endless Mountains (?). Regardless of mountain name, he'd be a good source both of his own intros and daylilies in general. I believe he focuses on spidery ones, and his web site should be updated some time in February. Don Church is located in Maine, so you could check him out: http://www.bluehillcountrygarden.com/daylily_introductions.html I'm ordering a daylily from him that the Virginia-based hybridizer has sold out of. I probably won't even receive it until next June--but at least there's a high probability it will take my zone 6 winter LOL. Bret Clement is in Indiana, and he says on his web site he grows his plants "in open field conditions with no mulch here in zone 5, land of little snow cover and constant freeze thaw." Gee, I think I need to check him out myself! Carol Natte, Great Lakes Daylilies. I've never ordered from her. She grows her own plants plus the intros of Doc Branch. Gary Schaben, of Gardens with a Northern Exposure, who's probably best known for his NORTH WIND DANCER (?), has some beauties. Finally, Darlyn Wilkinson, of Greywood Farm, offers both own intros plus plants from a general price list. Whew! If you can't find anything to buy from all our suggestions, you simply are not allowed to call yourself a daylily addict!