hi melba..have some bressingham mix which might have red flowers that i could add to our trade while waiting for the bella seeds which should come any day! commercial 2005 seed..let me know :) pam mallowmallow

That's a great idea! I talked to "my girls" (ages 11-13) from the garden club about the Solstice over the summer, explaining that this would be the starting time for W/Sing. Maybe I should plan a party for them and get our pots ready. I had been thinking of starting after the holidays, when they were off school. Now would be a good time for me to get another look at that school calendar! Thank you for the reminder! :)

I sowed 12 containers, but the ones I sowed with significance were: Faith - Callicarpa americana - I've had a hard time germinating this Remembrance - 20 Sunflower "Elf" seeds, for the lost children in the Newtown, CT massacre Mother Nature - Cornus stolonifera, for the crone in winter Life - Monarda, Panorama Red, for the bees, and maybe hummingbirds? Hope you all had a wonderful day - in addition to solstice sowing, mine included candles, spiritual readings, Trans Siberian orchestra, dance, and the first stitches on an embroidered tablecloth for my daughter. Oh, and a posy of rosemary, sage, and holly for my hair. It doesn't get any better than that.

Isn't that poem perfect for the theme of this swap? I too received that card from Chelsie and was very pleased to hear from her! Thanks, Chelsie! Well, I've checked and everyone who signed up to send cards this month have done so. I want to thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your busy lives to participate in this swap. And thanks again for sending the extra, last minute cards! I love this swap and you all helped make it very special for me. Many, many thanks! And I was so glad to hear from our other members too! Nice to catch up with everyone! Please remember, everyone, if you can't join in on any of the swaps, we would love to have you stop by and visit with us. Cards were sent to ALL members of FOTESS, but there are some who haven't responded yet. To those who haven't posted, please let us know if you received Winter Solstice cards, okay? Posting on this swap site will be fine. Jeanne has posted the January FOTESS swap and it sounds like it is going to be FUN!! She always has the best ideas! Check it out and join in! To close this swap, I want to wish all our members a peace-filled New Year, and remember, the Winter Solstice Season lasts for a few months, make the most of it! Shirley! PS - one Winter Solstice Season activity I totally forgot to mention was: feeding the birds. I'll leave you with one last WSS pic.