well darn it.... one can't be in two interesting places at one time, so I was at the annual 'seed sorting party' in Olympia.. Vicente went with me and between us, we could grow enough groceries and flowers to fulfull more than one neighborhood...with a few hundred seed packets left in the bins, still... I had the date for the party on the computer calendar for a few weeks and never did make plans for the Seattle show.. no winter sowing this year...it's all going to be direct sown.. I'm all about herbs this season and want to give lots to the senior center kitchen, cilantro to a favorite Mexican restaurant and use one aromatherapy book for other things. I'm glad you got to go...I've been to it in the past..it's a lot of beautiful things with a lot of effort on group's part, to make it happen. I'd like to go the huge fuchsia show, later in the late spring, early summer. at the flower shows, I always get side tracked in the area of sun rooms and kits for adding on to a sunny side of the house...to have ferns, orchids and combine it with a studio...dream on...........

according to the gardenshow dot com: "If you havenâÂÂt been to the show in a few years, our seminars are now held in the spacious state-of-the-art Conference Center. Our larger rooms mean everyone gets a seat to hear our acclaimed speakers,no waiting in line and no passes required! To find the seminars go across the skybridge, turn right onto any aisle and go to the back of North Hall. An escalator or elevator goes to the Rainier Room, Hood Room and the DIY Stage. The Book Signing Station is near all three rooms, along with restrooms. (Everything you need to stay for hours listening to our great lineup of speakers!) " See you there, quillfred :)

Thanks again for the tips! I was wondering about the procedure for the seminars, so terry_r's info helped. I'm flying out of Fairbanks Monday morn to do some shopping, etc. in Seattle on Mon/Tues. Then Wed/Thurs are devoted to the show. I am SO bummed I will miss the orchid sale on Sunday...I'll plan differently NEXT year. I don't know any of you, but will keep my eye out for any signs of GWebbers. I will be wearing something that either has a rhinestone moose on the front or that says North Pole, AK...SEE ya! Barbara

I agree, it certainly looks like Sea Monster! All colors look correct to include beard and it's definitely a SDB size and bloom time. I know I didn't bring any of that variety unless it was a mis-id, though. Pretty sure I posted names of all of those I could read with pics but there were some that were so dried and faded that I couldn't read them so completely possible. I hope it's a strong increaser--I'll be watching for this one to be shared in future swaps!!!! Love it! Popmama, I'll have to look to see if I saved a Faerie Court for myself, REALLY like that one as well! I'll be involved with the EIS sale this year so I'll probably have more bags to give away after everything settles. I'll yell back here when/if that happens. Anyone wanting to get first dibs on their offerings for the year should come out to the sale, last weekend in July at Spencer's in the Springs. Am told that they'll be digging/dividing their historic display bed for this sale as well as taking member contributions of rhizomes so it should be a great selection with some seldom offered older varieties as well as newer releases! Can't wait!