Thank you so much for both of your help! Now to find a great spot to plant it in my yard, thanks again!

Hi Marty, thanks for the link. So probably it is some kind of new cultivar, not some well known classic... And it does look similar to some of those Swan Island pics. I will definetely use it for my next year`s color scheme (pink, pastel yallow, lime green). THe plant performed well till the end, healthy foliage and all. And I cant imagine that the lady I got it from would have tolerated a degrading Dahlia, rather culled it. Well thanks, it was worth a try, bye, Lin

I have one of those can openers that removes the whole top of a can and I make tons of gifts in cans, such as snowman soup. I simply remove the tops, wash and dry the pieces very well, then once I put everything inside I use dots of rubber cement in the rim of the top/lid and reseal it. This holds well but will allow people to remove the top by simply pulling on it. Hope this all makes sense!!! Good luck, Jude! PS: Almost forgot, I just set cans of veggies on top to hold the lids until the glue sets up. You might want to check out one of these can openers, they cost about $10.00 at Walmart

You don't say if your classmate has had other children, but I'm going to assume no. In that case, her home may not have some of the customary things that accumulate with children - board games, craft supplies, markers, crayons, etc. I really think some board games might be great - it will give the new family some time to sit together and get to know each other, while having fun. A craft box of markers, crayons, glues, craft scissors, glitter, paper, felt, etc. will give a young girl and her mom many hours of fun. Her new home will need some refrigerator art! I also think an inexpensive camera (maybe get disposables) and a photo album might be a good gift. The young girl might like to record the first days of her new family life, create new memories for herself. If the disposables are successful, then Mom and Dad can get her a real camera for Christmas/Hanukah. When you said a 10-year old girl being adopted, I immediately thought of the Anne of Green Gables books, although I think the reading level be higher than a 10-year old. The complete Harry Potter books might be great - then the new family can read them out loud together. But I do think a nice collection of classic books might be a wonderful retreat for someone who is adjusting to a new life. Whatever you do will be greatly appreciated. It warms your heart to see a new family get started, doesn't it?