I'm hosting one in Rutherfordton, NC on August 27th. This is near the Biltmore, Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway . . many lovely sights to see. So far 71 people have responded. I look very forward to meeting many GW people, friends I've come to know 'on here', no Newbie will go home empty handed, working on how to keep confusion to a minimum now (going to send an Update letter so prearranged swaps/rides can be set up now, also want name tags worn -- any suggestions very welcome) especially since August is a common VAC month (gardeners divide perennials, some will wish to totally do away with plants to make space for new cultivars, go through seeds to plan next year's garden and much more), many are taking the week or weekend to come to the swap from afar and then visit friends in the area and/or VAC. All is open to swap -- plants, seeds, tools, birdhouses, gourds, magazines, books . . . if you can fit it in the car and want to trade may be the time. Katie

I think that was the coldest and wettest swap I've ever attended -- but it was as much fun as any I've been to! Big ups to the organizers -- excellent job! I think the "side trades" table was particularly inspired -- it saved a lot of time running around looking for a lot of people you'd never actually met, while still giving you the *option* of running around and looking for people if you wanted to! Wonderful plants, wonderful people, and would whoever made that lovely red apple dish give me the recipe? If you didn't get any, they were thick apple rings, maybe 1/2 or so; bright red, and sweet. But not sticky, syrupy sweet, just straight up apple taste. I thought they were going to be the standard 'apples in syrup with cinnamon red hots' but they were fantastic! Thanks all for a lovely time - now, who's going to plant these things for me?

hello I'm soo happy that s many people have gotten their stockings and are happy with them. I looked up those that have nt gotten theirs yet threeshyacres - your is in Phil. being prossesed prob deliver today neonposey - your was checked in the King NC PO so it should also be delivered today astilbezilla - they tried to deliver on the 30th but did not leave it, if it is not picked up soon they will send it back to me and I can't afford to ship it again. I just love the gifts I kept, rainbow hummingbird spinner, doggie stocking(Timmy insisted, he loves animals), grow your own christmas tree kit,some nice smalling candles and so on. I also got some great seeds from all those sent in, I think I sent almost everyone at least one packet of milkweed, please find a place to plant some, to keep it from spreading just deadhead. it is so wonderfull to watch the little caterpillars munch away and grow, timmy and I raised and relesed over 50 monarchs this year and 40 blackswallow tails, and a hand full of of other butterflies. it is very gratifing to help the little "fairies" I enjoy watching so much. sorry got a little caried away ther. have a very merry christmas everyone michelle

Carrlinesue's package arrived today. I know Moonphase's will be here soon, so I am busily sorting & doing a preliminary check for each person on what was sent vs. what was sent in for them. One of the neat things about this swap is having two ways of packaging. Those that package by individual player make it very easy on the initial sort process. But of course, some of the things that are sent in for a player are the exact varieties they sent to others - since I try to send back all new stuff (don't always succeed 100%, but I have a pretty good track record), the ones who send in seeds packaged by themes they will fit into - and I decide where they go - make the second round much easier. It's all good! :) Kim, the master of the run-on sentence (yikes!)