Karen those are wonderful ideas... and yes I still have all the recipes that were sent to me the book just got lost in the shuffle and with some many things going on with my family during Jan.- March... I didn't have the time. I will pull out all those recipes from email and see what we can do with those.
I want to post pictures but have only been able to do this once!!! I too enjoy the pictures and seeing people's garden. They are so beautiful and we have several new members now to join in. So I'm hoping things will liven up a LOT.

Cassie

Thank you "pal" I received my box today and it is wonderful as usual. Filled with goodies, candy, cookies soothing drink and cute yard art. You did a great job.
This heat here is really getting us down. It is great to get something to relax with.
Betty

I received a great package from my pal today.

A card with a nice note written inside.
A garden tote bag to hold supplies. She included some tools that fit in the outside pockets just perfectly.
An aromatherapy eye pillow. I can't wait to try that.
Some wonderful smelling rose body butter.
A couple of bottles of lotion, green & white tea which both smell great.
An adorable little fairy sitting on a lily pod.
The cutest floating candles I've ever seen, pink flamingos.
A pocket/purse size photo album.
A key ring watch in the shape of a cell phone.
A rose stencil that I plan to use to decorate flower pots.

Thank you pal for all your wonderful gifts. You make every month special.

Here's some answers to your questions:
I didn't do anything special on the 4th. I had plans to join friends at the lake but it was just so hot I stayed home with the AC blasting instead.

My arthritis seems to be taking a vacation, thankfully. So I have been busy in the yard, pulling weeds. Plus doing some chores indoors that I put off. Is it still called spring cleaning if I do it in July?

I will post some more pics of my flowers later. However I would be embarrassed to post pics of my "garden". My garden used to consist of beautiful sweeping beds scattered throughout my yard. Because of the RA, I let those go several years back.

Now I garden in raised beds & containers mostly. Since I never figured out how to make a landscape timber curve, my beds are all straight line, boxy looking things. LOL

Where are all my new folks?

Cassie, I've been out DAY after DAY measuring the corn growing. Do you know why?

I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
State of all the land,
Joy on ev-'ry hand.
I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
That's where the tall corn grows

My land is full of ripe-ning corn,
Yo-Ho, yo-ho, yo-ho
I've watched it grow both night and morn,
Yo-Ho, yo-ho, yo-ho
But now I rest, I've stood the test.
All that's good I have the best
I-O-way has reached the crest,
Yo-Ho, yo-ho, yo-ho

I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
State of all the land,
Joy on ev-'ry hand.
I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
That's where the tall corn grows

I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
State of all the land,
Joy on ev-'ry hand.
I'm from I-O-way, I-O-way.
That's where the tall corn grows

Just had to ask, didn't ya? : ) Mellen

Good Morning Everybody! My favorite flowers blooming right now are my Canna's..I bring them in the house for the winter, and keep them as house plants..Works great in this cold country, winters. My favorite perennials that bloom great every year, are my Hibiscus...I have several colors.. I too haven't figured out the trick to posting pictures here..
We had a great 4th of July..a cookout, fire & made smores, and did our own fireworks, all in the backyard.. as my husband & I are both disabled, don't like fighting the crowds, so we always do it all in the back yard..It was great!
Hope everybody has a great day today! Hugs to all!
Debi

Mellon: Too Funny.!!! After about 2 glasses of wine, I would sing right along with you.

Debi aka dsterzik: e-mail me and I'll tell you how to post pictures. Or try to. I have a digital and know how to do it that way.

I know why that nasty weed is called crab grass. After days of yanking it up, I AM crabby. Garden Club is at my house this month and I'm trying to tidy up.

Here's a few pics of my garden, which is mostly containers & raised beds.

May Night Salvia, yellow iris & Butterfly Blue Scabiosa
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Canna bed
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patio pots
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more patio pots
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west end of raised bed
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east end of raised bed
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west front bed & pots
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east front bed
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front porch
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datura
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Debbie those are beautiful plants. Tell me what kind and color cannas in your beds. I love those too. Also what are the plants in the pots on the pic that say front porch... they are under the numbers. I so enjoy seeing peoples garden pics. I'm going to try to take some of my sunflowers and my cannas from seed when they bloom!!!!

Cassie

Debbie,
I love the pictures. You have a lovely yard. I like the raised beds with the interesting design in the middle. You do have a lot of angels. I especially like the angel birdbath with the face and wings.

Debi,
I just typed in posting pictures in the search area in this website and it came up with instructions. I followed them and was able to post a picture in the June links, so I am sure if I can do it you will do it easily. I am pretty computer challenged. I am trying to get some picture of my garden together to post.

I also wanted to welcome my new secret pal. I hope you will have as much fun as the rest of us have been having.

I received a great frog figure from my pal this month. It was to go in my herb garden. It is a frog climbing over a rock..it's made of metal and I just love it. In fact, I decided to put it in the bathroom instead of the yard. That way I can look at it everyday!

Thanks pal!
I love it.

Becky

Thanks y'all. :)

Cassie,
The cannas in that bed are Richard Wallace- yellow & Indica -red.

I also have Princess Di- creamish pink, Aida & Miss Oklahoma- both salmon pink & Eureka -yellow. I moved all those in the spring to different beds & none are blooming yet.

I have a few I grew from seed but they are not blooming yet either. I forgot what exactly those are.

The plants in the pot under the numbers are the datura that is blooming in the last pic. The other plant with it is Intense Purple Amaranthus but it's not blooming yet. Here's a close up of it, in another pot that is blooming.

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Rainbow,
I do have a lot of angels in the yard. However I didn't buy many of them, most were gifts. That angel birdbath is one of my treasured possessions. I ran into it about 10 years ago & fell in love with it. The price tag prevented me from buying it though.
My daughter convinced her dad to loan her the money to buy it for my mother's day gift. He offered to buy it but she wouldn't let him, she wanted it be the first gift she bought me with money from her job.
The funny part is I won't let the birds use it. I don't want them staining it. LOL I'm using it as a decoration only.
Here's a close up of her.
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Please ignore the dirt, she needs a bath!

Ohhh I have constego, orange perfection, apricot frost which I am growing from seed. I then have tropical sunrise which is not yet up so probably will not bloom... it is just not peeping up however I am just happy for that.. this is my 3rd try with it. I then have an assortment sent me by a generous person last year that is a mixture of things. I overwintered most of them here some didn't make it however all the tags came off so I don't know what survived and what did not. I will know when they bloom!! I have some seeds of awesome purple amaranthus but they are not doing well

Cassie

Debbie_SW_OK : Such a beautiful Angel. Lucky you.

Debbie, Being an angel collector, I LOVE your angel. Such a look of serenity on her face. Thank you for sharing your pics. Mellen

Debbie,
Your angel is just beautiful and the story attached is very neat. One of the things I enjoy most about gardening is that a lot of the plants or ornaments are attached to friends and loved ones so that you think of them whenever you are out and about in your garden. I have a few plants that were given to me by friends who have passed away, and it always brings a smile to my face when the plants are blooming and I think of the friend who gave it to me. In face, my first husband died over 7 years ago and I have a row of Bradford Pear trees that he gave me for an anniversary present and also several rose bushes. I like to think that I will be able to show them to my granddaughter when she is bigger and be able to tell her all about her granddad. I am in the process of training my present husband to buy gardening gifts. In fact, he is working on installing a fairy fountain that he bought me for Christmas.

Cassie, I was just reading another of the robins and saw that the 14th was your birthday.

Happy Birthday! (a little belated)

Mine was July 6. It was a very nice one too.

Happy Birthday to you... BELATED. We July babies are special aren't we? GRIN!!!!

Cassie

hello,
just wanted to let my sectret pal know i haven't forgotten her and i am going to have it out hopefully by the end of the week. i just made it home with my new addition to the family eli alexander he was born 7-7-05 weighing in at 7lbs 6oz 20in. and after a 4 day stay in the hospital and a week stay at my moms house i am finally home with driving restrictions for 2 weeks due to the c-section but i will have you a pkg on its way i promise. i love all the pics and the angel is beautiful i collect little boys for the yard and i have ran across a couple of porcelin dolls of little boys that i liked but after seeing the price decided against them. ihave a few fairies ppl have gotten me that are made of pewter with stained glass wings. i love to draw them as a past time. i'm glad to be a part of this swap thanks cassie.
Jamie

Congrats to you Jaime and welcome to our swap!!! Let me tell everyone how my week has started. This morning at 6:50am I go out to go to work a little early to get some extra work done. My daughters car which is a beat up care has a flat tire so I go to MY car and I have a flat tire sooooo I look am then upset and think now WHO did this and as I walk around I see my NEIGHBOR'S car has a flat tire on the same side as our two. It is RAINING AND MUGGY... so I start walking and EVERYONE in our complex has a slashed flat tire on the right passenger side front all SIXTEEN cars in the complex and one has 2 front flats. Poor girl had just bought two brand new tires less than a month ago. So I wake up my neighbor since all of us work for the state of WV and we then wake up all the others, call the police and then proceed and wait until all the reports are filled out. Now 150.00 later and a very tired and upset people I am home. I even feel sorry for me smiling and all my other neighbors today. I hope my week improves.

Cassie

Arrrgggg Cassie, I sure hope they catch whoever it is that slashed the tires.
Sorry to hear that your week started off like that.

We will be on the "Indiana Koi Society" pond tour this Saturday. We have been busy tidying up(pulling weeds) the gardens and pond. We finally got some rain so the grass in not as brown as it was. They say more rain tonight. Heck, we might have green grass by Saturday ;)

I did some shopping for my secret pal at lunch today. I hope to get my package shipped tomorrow. That is if I can find the address ;)
Happy Gardening,
Joy

Cassie, sorry to hear of all your troubles. I hope they catch the culprit. I don't know why some people consider it fun to destroy other peoples property.

Jamie, Congrats on Eli. I have two boys myself, but they are fully grown (one with a baby of his own.) Enjoy them while they are little, they grow up too fast.

So Indy, do you enjoy being on the tour? They have them in my area but I have never signed up for one.

Thought I would Let my Pal for July know I recieved the pkg today in the mail and it had 2 mums - Grace and Barbara in it and a fringed bleeding heart all of which I love and can't wait to find a place to put them so I can admire them and my pal also enclosed gifts for my boys- Dalton got a bucket of foam abc's and 123's for the bath and Eli got a blu onsie with a frog onit. Thank you so much secret pal you did great we love it all. Thnak you so much. TO my pal I haven't forgot you and I'm almost finished with your box.
Jamie

Please post if you have not received for the month!!!

Cassie

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Here is a picture of some of my flowers. This was taken in June. Roses, coreposis and daisies.

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This is a clematis and rose on my front porch

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and a view of my garden by the front road

Oh, such beautiful flowers rainbow.
"So Indy, do you enjoy being on the tour? They have them in my area but I have never signed up for one."
This is our first time. I will let you know how it goes. It is sort of like having a party to get the house cleaned. It seems like everyone is more helpful with all of the work if there is a goal and deadline at the end.
We got a good rain last night. I will let you all know the pound tour goes.
Happy Gardening,
Joy

Rainbow,
Your flowers are beautiful. I bet your flowers by the road are traffic stoppers! I would love to see a picture of your fountain, once it's up & running. I have two fountains & I love listening to them.

Cassie,
My pal should have her package by now. I'm hoping she's just been too busy to post. I hope it's not lost out there somewhere. :(

Thank you Joy and Debbie for you compliments.

I will try to post a picture of the fountain once we get it operational. We discovered a small hole in the basin so it will not hold water at this point. I have tried to patch it but the water keeps finding its way out. I guess I will have to buy a large sheet of black plastic to line it. Hopefully, then it will be up and running.

Oh, and Cassie, I have still not received this month so far.

Thanks Karen

Rainbow those pictures are quite lovely, your spirits must be elevated everytime you go outside!

I have CANNAS blooming grown from SEED!!!! YIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Cassie

Lily, thank you. I do have a special feeling about my garden. It is like going to a different country or an enchanted land. I guess that is what keeps me gardening.

Cassie, congratulations! You will have to post pictures. It is always fun to grow something from seeds. Sort of makes you feel like you're a parent.

Congrats, Cassie!!! Fun, isn't it? Yes, we want to see pics, if possible. BTW, no gift yet this month, but I am not worried. You asked. Mellen

Hello Everybody! Sorry I have'nt posted in a while, been on vacation. We went camping for two weeks, had a wonderful & relaxing time...Cassie, my package went out today to my Secret Pal... Have'nt recieved mine yet, but my Secret Pal is always dependable...
Hugs to all...
Debi

To everyone who has said you have not received I have sent emails. Rainbow if I do not hear from your pal... you will have a new pal assigned. Not to fear... thank you so much for your patience.

Cassie

Hello Everyone ...

Sorry I am late posting. My computer seems to have a mind of it's own and works when it feels like it ...Time for a new one lol. Anyways, My AWESOME Pal surprised me and sent me a Banana tree ... I was so excited. I planted it outside and it grew a foot already. DH says he never seen anything grow so fast in his life..lol. He was amazed as well. Thank you Secret Pal for another amazing send .. I appreciate it so much.

Hugs,
Marilyn

... Cassie ...

July's Package was mailed !!!!

HEY-- SECRET PAL!!!! How did you know that I was out of chocolate ???

Today I received my July SP package. Lots of lovely things.....

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Isn't this just the cutest thermometer ?!. I love decorative birdhouses.

TWO chocoholic sized candy bars.

2 white on white brocade placements

Pop-open mesh laundry hamper. It happens that we were just looking at these in the store, thinking that it would be perfect for the RV. Thanks, you mind reader....

A Photo frame with with a lovely verse on one side and placement for the photo on the other. This frame is done very nicely; it has a suble gold tone on tone plaid-like finish to it. Now I will have to find a classy photo to put in it. Might be a tough job.......

Something called a "Garden Hardy". Place this in the plant pot saucer under the pot and it automatically feeds the plant. Hello Mr. Spider plant..

Garden Spinner, metallic, two toned, love these gizmos.

And last, but not least, for Snickers, 'pepperoni' treats. She thanks you. (by drooling) No wonder she likes the mail delivery person.

Thanks Secret Pal, you made a good day even better.

Marsha

Hey, hey, I received a box from my secret pal. I received a darling country angel which I just love. She is ceramic with metal wings. She has a blue/white checked hem on her apron, carrying a pale blue watering can with a heart on it and flowers in it, flowers on the bodice of the apron, sparkling lavender flowers in her other hand, a lavender hat with flowers on it, with the loveliest smile on her face. I thank you for her, dear pal. You asked about the kinds of angels that I like, and I can tell you that I like ALL kinds. I do already have a Willow Tree brand Angel of the Garden angel that you often see in Hallmark stores. I also received a wall plaque that says, "It takes a long time to grow old friends." It will go perfectly in my kitchen. Another item is a pad of pretty paper for taking/making notes. I have it by the phone already. Also in the box was a windsock with a bright, cheery flower on it. It is already hanging outside. .......and some flower-shaped bath fizzies that smell like cotton candy. Yummy! .....and a cloth patriotic bag with the flag and stars on it--inside were BUBBLES!!! I haven't played with bubbles since I can't remember when. What fun!!! ...and a drink cooler--the kind you put in the fridge, it freezes the liquid in it, etc. GREAT idea in our hot, hot weather we have been having. ....and last, but definitely NOT least this AWESOME gift book called "FLOWERS-Beautiful Quotes and Paintings." Pal, I can't thank you enough for the thoughtful and fun things that you sent. I want to end with a quote from the book that you sent.
"Love of flowers has opened many doors for me. I have
made many friends throughout the world because of their
love and outstanding knowledge of flowers."
Princess Grade of Monaco

Mellen

P.S. You asked about my cats. Kiki is 12 years old--she is black and white and very, very plump. Precious is 2 years old and yellow.

Lilyviolet,
Note from your pal... your pal has had a family emergency and package is not sent and cannot be sent yet as she has not returned home however it will be arriving in about a week or so.
IndyJoy package in the mail.
Rainbow no communication from your pal yet.
Nothing from your pal either yet dsterzik.

Cassie

Mellon: Really liked that quote !! It is so true. Thanks for sharing it and thanks to your SP for sending the book to you.

Well, once again I have been forgotten by my secret pal. This is the third month that I haven't received a thing (April, June and July) I am feeling very discouraged and left out. I had high hopes when I was assigned a new pal but this one doesn't seem to be participating either. Why do people sign up if they aren't going to follow thru? Cassie, perhaps you could try one more time to find a reliable person to join our robin as my secret pal. Thanks
Karen

Karen,

That news really stinks !!! When I find out who it is, that person will be on "My List" which, by the way I share with other good, reliable, & trustworthy traders.
I feel bad for you and certainly understand that you are feeling discouraged. Try not to take it personally, they would have stiffed anyone of us. We all know that Cassie is doing her best to keep us going. Yes, I know that life happens sometimes and we can get behind, but 3 months is not "getting behind", it is taking advantage.

Hi Everybody! How's everybody doing? I'm still waiting to hear from my secret Pal, but she has never let me down..Hope all is all right with her & her family...

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear that! I feel bad for you, it's so much fun to give, but it's fun & exciting to recieve too..

Cassie, You have mail..
Hugs all,
Debi

Debbie your pal sent a note and she actually had sent something last week.. family problems has kept her from getting package out in time. She will send last month and this month together.

Karen don't be discouraged. I still have not heard from your pal however someone is sending you a package from this list. I assure you I have assigned you a reliable pal for the rest of the swap. I apologize for the pal you were assigned. Presents are coming your way

Cassie

Cassie,
You must be talking to Debi, not Debbie, about getting 2 months packages together. My pal has never skipped me.

In fact she has sent more than one package a month a few times. Plus each package always has the nicest note included. My pal is Rainbow & I think it stinks that she has been left out so often.

Rainbow,
Please skip me this month & buy yourself something. That would bring me more pleasure than anything you could send. Don't get me wrong, I love all your gifts. However I would love for you to treat yourself even more. :)

I should have said "I think my pal is Rainbow". It hasn't been confirmed. LOL

I was just so upset thinking it was her & she has been ignored, I posted before thinking. Sorry!

I am posting a new link please go there for August and Karen there is a message there for you

Cassie

My july pal will have her pkg next week and so wil my august pal. I have had a ruff couple of weeks since having th ebaby and I am now in th eprocess of moving and I go back to work Thursday so i'm in a tight squeeze a tthe moment but will be caught back up by this mnonth i will still be going to my old house daily and recieving mail there until i get moved in at my new house it is only 10 minutes down the rd. Sorry for July being so late won't happen again hopefully. thnaks again for doing this swap.\
Jamie

Thank you everyone for the kind messages. I'm not so upset at not receiving things, its the fact that I was passed over. I read all the neat messages about the special effort that the secret pals in this robin are going to for each other and the extra thought put into each package and then mine hadn't even bothered to send a note. I just got feeling kind left out. Also mad that someone would be receiving from their secret pal and not bothering to follow thru on the other end. All these nice words have made me feel much better.

Debbie I will say that I enjoy getting my packages ready each month (and I hope that I put the special care into them that all the others are doing) I have my August package ready to send. I appreciate you comments but really I do enjoy getting surprises ready for someone else.
(Your "guesses" were very amusing and accurate! LOL)

Cassi could you please email me my pals info i have lost it all in the move and need everyones addys and would you please tell my pals my new address
Jamie Kindrix
231 Coffey Rd
Oak Grove la 71263
thank you so much..