Don . Always glad to enable. :p I had no intentions of looking at or even buying GwtW. Chris has it listed in his catalog but there is no picture, so I hadn’t paid it any mind when I was scouting my first order earlier this year. Then BAM I saw it. I mistook it for Bridal Falls at first, but looking at my Bridal Falls now, the only similarity is the white margin. The leaf shape, overall size, and mound shape are completely different with GwtW. The picture that Olga has on her website does it justice. It’s going to be a biggun’ so mind where you plant it once you do decide to purchase it. :) Ademink . I actually ordered from Chris this spring as well via mail order. There were 43 hostas total in that order. After this second order arrives I’m going to need a sign in my front yard that says “Garden brought to you by Hallson”. Here is the link to my original post when my first order came . . . it was a great day. :) My First Hallson Order Jan . Shopping for new plants is something I do best !!! I do have a big task ahead of me getting these all in the ground, but it will so be worth it in 5 years when everything starts filling in and my hours of toying back and forth endlessly over which plant should go where will pay off. Thanks again everyone ! Ludi

Oh my goodness girl, are you crazy? I was only the hostess, not your swap partner. WHAT A BOX!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy oh boy, did you jam pack this box and spoil me rotten! I received gold candy coins; an assortment of cocoa mixes; jelly belly Christmas mix; chocolate nut fudge; some mini candy canes and a Christmas pencil. There was also a package of pet greens - wheat seed and a dearly depotted (for the serial plant killer), this is too cool, I have never seen anything like this at all. Okay, this should have been enough, but theres more. A wall calendar; a set of Christmas tile coasters in a holder (these are excellent); a snowman candle and the cutest little bear that counts off the days until Christmas (there are 370 days until Christmas -- ARE YOU READY LOL); and the neatest candy stirrers another something I have never seen before; a magnetic santa notepad; two heresy chocolate bars and a set of candy cane lip gloss (which will feed my chapstick addiction). A wonderful keychain with a beautiful biblical verse on the reverse; a little mini game called "lot to love" (and its NOT a weight thang!); a charm bracelet; an issue of birds and blooms magazine; and the most magnificient smelling mason jar candle in the honeysuckle scent. I love it, its burning now - its smell is just so excellent. Im sitting upstairs and its lit sitting on the dining room table and the scent is just permeating the house. Honeysuckle takes me back to my youth and when I opened the jar, I had some fond, fond memories! I also appreciate the mini swiss army type knife that can go on a keychain. I had something very similar to this that broke off maybe not even a month ago and Im lost without it. This is GREAT!!!!! Wow Susann, you outdid yourself. The rules were "a little token to the host". You really put that over the top. This certainly qualifies as a swap box. I must say each and every one of my bloomin friends has been so kind, generous and giving to me as hostess. I feel so blessed and thank God for each of you. I enjoy our conversations and friendships, whether it is online, through mail or by telephone; and I certainly enjoy getting to know each and everyone of you a little more each and every day. You are all very special ladies, with such loving personalities and traits that rank very high in my book, with hearts of gold and green thumbs. It has certainly been my pleasure hosting this months swap but more so for the love, support and friendship you bring to this group. Ive been spoiled rotten by all the wonderful hostess goodies that I have already enjoyed or will enjoy soon or will treasure for a long time to come. Since everyone has received their swap box from their respective partner, THIS SWAP IS OFFICIAL CLOSED. Onward to fruitier things.take it away klick!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with gratitude, maryanne

Wow mtn, those sound like amazing trips. I truly believe the planning part of the trip is almost as pleasureable as the trip itself. But I love to plan and research, sounds like you do too. I read recently that spending money on travel can make good economic sense in terms of value for money spent. First you research, plan and dream of the trip, then you do it, then you continue to reap benefits through memories, photos and the knowledge (and possible friendships) you gain. I'm convinced! :) Regarding MP in December, the issue is rain. Given your time constraints I'm guessing you're not hiking in on the Inca trail? It could be miserable hiking (unless you enjoy hiking in the rain, many people do. I'm a wimp though). If you're not hiking try to leave yourself a couple of days open to make the ascent by train/bus from Cusco. That way you should have enough flexibility to get up there in a rain free window. Cusco is a wonderful place to spend a couple of days. I didn't make it to Lake Titicaca, but I've heard it is definitely worth the trip. I enjoyed the Nazca lines ( we flew over them) in Peru, and the pyramids near Trujillo. I didn't make it to the Peruvian amazon, wish I did. And I just loved th Pisco Sour I had in Pisco! I had planned a nearly year long trip for 2016, my kids will be in grades 3 and 6 then. I wanted to circle the Pacific, down through Peru and Chile, to Easter Island, then on to NZ, Australa, up through Asia to Vladivostok then back to Vancouver. It would be an incredible learning experience for them, but I'm starting to pull back a bit. First it is likely too ambitious with relatively young kids, ie exhausting. Second, my kids go to school in French and a year away from French may be too much. So I may just take the easy path and spend the better part of the year based in France, with frequent excursions around Europe. Fun planning regardless. I've lived in St. Lucia, Austria (Vienna), Russia (Moscow & St. Petersburg), the UK (outside London) along with some shorter working stints in Bosnia and Romania. My parents spent a decade in Costa Rica, so I spent a fair bit of time there too, and in Panama. Most of my young adulthood was spent in Europe, or planning to get to Europe, so my travel experience in largely Euro based. I need to get out more! :)

Thanks J, I will pick up a copy of that book. In the meantimeâ¦I got into a slight panic when trying to book rooms for the whole trip. It seems nearly everything in Scotland, Wales and the Cornwall areas I wanted to go are almost 80% booked all ready. I had to make a decision on the Scotland stay so picked Kirkcudbright. Although everything but a small B&B showed sold out I decided to email the Selkirk Arms directly and was lucky to get a small suite room. We will be there for three nights so your book recommendation will help with the day trips from there. My husband is happy because his breakfast is included and there is a bar lol. It should be fun getting info on his surname that could possibly be a link to his linage in the areas between and around Drummore, Kircudbright and later mirgration⦠Dumfries. I will spend some time on Ancestry dot com before for more clues.