Hi everyone! Well the garden tour was Wednesday and last evening we got to tour all the other gardens on the tour. It was alot of fun once the major work was done! My DH said my gardens had never looked so good! I admit I did stress a little over the weeds! Now I can relax a little and enjoy the rest of summer! My DLs were just starting to bloom but the Asiatic and Oriental lilies were really putting on a show! I will post some pics of the tour soon. Shirley, I am glad to see the trade is still on and I am now ready! Melinda, I will be out of town starting on Friday, July 18-22 so lets just wait till after then to ship my trade, OK... unless it will get here before the 18th??? Ellen are you going to be away anytime? I am so ready to trade again!I have not done any this summer D/T the garden tour. Marea, I will email you soon about our pending hosta trade! Annette, Hope we can finish our Valentines trade now, too. We are going to the Lakehouse either today later or tomorrow. It is a nice get-away! I hate to complain but we could really use a good rain. Our corner of the state is about the only place in Iowa that was not hit with the flooding. Well back outside to pick out some plants to send to Ellen! Mary

Happy Fourth of July to my dear, old and new friends! I cannot begin to tell you how happy it has made me to read through this thread. I really needed the smiles. I'm not sure how many threads I've missed and I'm terribly sorry for being absent. Debbie, I am so sad to hear of your daughters dx. HUGS I'd like to talk to you via email and will send a note along soon. I had been hoping to get back here many times since the birth of my sweet boy 2 years ago, but life keeps getting in the way. My family is now in crisis once again and I ask for your thoughts and prayers. We really, really need them. I will send out a group email soon - hope I have all the correct addresses. Marea, 'Snazzy Memories' is in it's full glory - magnificent! We never got around to dividing it yet and the fans have grown into a nice clump at the entrance to my Sis' home. My little one is doing so well. How amazing to watch him grow and learn! He is a wonderful garden helper too! Loves to put the weeds in the wheelbarrow, and digging is his middle name. :) I lost my dear dog to old age - he was over 15 years old! He was laid to rest up on our Bluebird Hill. I sure do miss him. Our birds are doing well, but I know they miss us because we are always working. I can't wait until we get the house done and can spend more time with them again. We still haven't moved, but the house is coming along. I do have water now so that is wonderful. But only a hose- no luxuries such as a sink yet. Working on stoning our fireplace now. Electric is done. We have our insulation ready to put in after an inspection next week and then we can finally sheetrock. Still have to put in septic system as well as our furnace, but all ductwork is done. Kind of running out of money so things are slowing down. I did manage to put in a beautiful organic veggie garden w/ DH's help. It was supposed to be a temporary one but it turned out so nice I have to keep it. Daylilies are in full bloom here in Western PA and I think of you all when I step out the door and see all the color you have shared with me. HUGS, Dawn (mamabirrd)

gloria an outside garden wedding is just so perfect. what a great way to honor your daughter in all your hard work, and show it off at the same time!!!! to start with - either a local church, the firehouse hall or a local funeral home will rent (the church if you are active should just allow) for a nominal fee, the chairs and tables. they don't deliver, but a friend with a truck or a van comes in real handy. as for table covers, if the tables are the long ones, i would make my way to a linen warehouse and buy flat sheets in (assorted) colors or patterns. they can be used later on for the same purpose or for bed linens after being laundered. some of these you can get (especially the irregular ones) for just a few bucks each. or in the alternative, a bolt of fabric for a great price. as for centerpieces, we are working on my nephew's, which is outside. we are using ball jars, ribbon and/or wire and hanging beads around the throat, filling with wildflowers, grasses, greens, hosta -- whatever is growing. the ribbon will hang down and curl, as will the beads. real easy to do, and you cut the flowers that morning. i suggest if you use this method, experiment with it just to see how full, or not you want it. if you had more time, i would tell you another method of thse ball jars (or even coffee or smaller cans) that's one of my favorites. a turkey breast and a ham sliced down, can be served at room temp. hot roast beef or meat balls in a crock pot. a tray of ziti. or maybe some friend/baked chicken and then veggies and of course salads - i'm sure a friend or relative will offer to help ya or bring a dish. the wedding cake should be quite simple. it doesn't have to be that $700 cake from the bakery (and i am a baker that gets $700 for cakes!!! LOL) a sweet, simple large one or a two-tiered cake that gives the bride and groom something to cut for the purpose of picture (and it also should serve as dessert) and decorated with fresh flowers, and then some side cakes and cookies or pies or whatever. or in the alternative, you know those round pans that have the large circle in them - not bundt ones, but ring pans? two of them, side by side offset of each other, like a lopsided figure eight, representing their union, and in the middle fresh flowers. you can just google for edible flower information if you don't already know this. simple tea sandwiches are nice addition too. use cookie cutters in the shape of hearts or something else appealing. fresh veggies that you cut yourself -- not those overprices ones from the market because they did it and marked it up by 200%, cut them the night before, rinse real well and put in ziplocks...don't dry them so they stay fresh and perky. just shake them dry the next day before you plate them. prepare what you can ahead of time, you would be surprised there's no time that morning for anything. pitchers of iced tea and lemonade, coffee and hot tea. i'm not much on alcohol, but that's where the money comes in and to me, are you coming to put a load on, or are you here to share in our special day? just have plenty of ice. and also pitchers of ice water. slice lemons or limes or even cucumbers iand put in pitchers of water with lots of ice. very refreshing especially when you are outside. everything you use should be disposable, unless you have enough plates and glasses to go around and want to be be doing dishes for the next couple of days. chinet is a good one, it's sturdy. have smaller cocktail napkins or smaller plates for desserts. let the bride's table be a smaller one, for just the two of them to set it apart from everything else. ideas will flow as you start. if there are a bunch of kids, i'ld make a tray of PB&J sandwiches, with the crusts cut off. they can eat and run and play. also, when it came to desserts, i'd make sure there were cup cakes for them. heck for that matter, if you have stacking cake plates, cupcakes can be the bride and groom cakes as well. that's a big thing anymore. also, depending on the kids, if they are there, fill a llaundry basket with cards, some games or bubbles or sidewalk chalk so they are occupied. place a few "picnic" blankets around. i don't know your property situation, as to where you can keep the food, maybe there's a deck or an outbuilding or something with electricity. you will have to figure on that. if your reception is going to run into the night, be prepared. get out those twinkle christmas lights and string them around before hand. add candles in ball jars (with sand in the bottom). based on the number of people, the one thing i might consider is renting a port-a-john. the ones you rent for outside functions are nice. you can even hook up your outside hose to a make shift sink inside so there is running water. just make sure you remember a healthy dose of TP. keep a basket full of some essentials in there too so people don't have to bother you for bandaids, feminine products, hand cream .... you'll know. also, if this is what you are doing, a basket of popourri or scented candles burning in there - up high remember if there are kids. someone invited has to have a digital or otherwise camera and takes nice pictures, all the daughter should be obliged to do is pay for the development or that digital card or maybe that person wants it to be their gift. i'm sure there are other things that others could chime in about, but this is off the top of my head. me personally, i would never waste all that money for a wedding. i'm not cheap, but i would rather get a new appliance or a repair to the house or buy a zillion dollars worth of flowers before i would spent that money just for one day. with all the gorgeous staionary out there and do it yourself invites and no need for that RSVP by return mail - what a waste of postage and paper! Call me, or my designated person, talk to me, tell me you can't wait to share in my day. there's so many beautiful creative things one can do for simplicity yet beauty and wonderful memories. as for paying for a wedding planner...that shouldn't even come into play. that's a waste of money IMO. i would just make sure you have one person aside from yourself that is responsible and designated as your right hand man to keep a watchful eye and be an extra set of hands. if she's a gardener, as a thanks at the end, or the next day, dig something up she's been eyeing for quite some time as your thanks for all her help. come on ladies and gent(s) chime in with your thoughts. my 14 cents on a hot, humid sunday morning. looks like i'll be doing housework today! (does sorting seeds count as housework???) have a great sunday everyone.

Good Morning Everyone:), Thank you all for being HAPPY for me, I am so excited, 2 days to go:). I received a WONDERFUL September box from Marea, I got: Daylily Siloam Sunburst " Copper Summer " Arabian Magic " Derby Bound " Karla Kitamura Iris Glazed Gold Gladiola & Butterfly Ginger MAREA, Thank you so much, Loved everything:) I need to know what to do with the Butterfly Ginger? I have no clue, HELP!!!!!!!!!! Dawn, I grow H. Breathless Beauty, But with all that has gone on I did not get a PIC of it this year, Will try again in 2006. I am going to try to make it to my sisters today, I had planned on going Monday, Well I never made it.. I WILL NOT FORGET YOU:) Looks like the Luau was a blast:) Still ear to ear smiles here:) Cody, Your September box went out yesterday your DC is 0303 0130 0002 4591 9796, I hope you like what I sent:) better add to the 15 new, But I am not telling how many to add:) I wish you luck getting everything done, I know I wont, I never do. Come spring I am going to KICK BUTT dividing, I have to do it in 2006 no matter what!! Canna, I can relate to your MIL, Maybe things will turn around for her as well, It has hurt so bad, I cannot even put in to word's the pain. Debbie, You cracked me up with that wink wink, Yes it felt like a 2nd honeymoon:) You would be suprised as to how far one would go for fresh STRAWBERRIES:) I had a very nice place close by called Botchers garden's, It is now a stupid housing development.. Some people... Ellen, Yes, it did feel like forever, Did you get my post on your post of FRUSTRATED? Dianne, Kissing him, Oh no not me...Big grin here, Already have an issue with my neighbor wanting to steal him 1 of the days I have him... I think NOT, maybe next time, but this trip he is ALL mine. It will be a total of 54 days come Friday. I am not parting with 1 minute of seeing him. Sorry about her luck. Grass seed germinates FAST, it should do well if it get it done soon. (((Jo))), My funky self had to spend the day meeting Joey's new lawyer & then off to Bath to get his PA services going again, I did send you an E-mail...I thought letting you know I would not be home Tuesday:( Tanarae, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! March 2006 is not that far off. My dream is in 2008 it will be called David's Daylilies, In honor of my DH & Grandson, Gilbert H. Wilds has a first ever Wholesale sale going on right now. 260 named Daylilies for $390.00, or they can be bought individually, as I had to do, as of right now I do not have a bed ready to accommodate 260 new Dl's, so I just got 30 of them. I need to use the new bed I have ready for breaking up some of my original Daylilies. Come Spring I HAVE to do it in 2006 or I will never be ready in 2008. Mamma G, Say it aint so, Please say it aint so, It uhh WHAT????? Tell me, come on tell me, I had 1 very week bloom on mine this year, Tell me what's up with yours. If one did have fleas, they would not waste money on the $11.00 a can bomb crap, ( sorry Ellen) That's if one did, Oh, OK So as many of you know I have 2 cats & 2 dogs, well lets just say if one did have 2 cats & 2 dogs, one may have fleas. Susie, Vinegar water??? Oh I am so going to try that, I mean if one had fleas they should try it, Thanks & I do buy my vinegar in bulk works wonders on cleaning the pond pumps out... Speaking of Sue's, Our very own Axelsrose sent me this & yes I was thinking of her this morning also, when I walked out & seen it had opened.......WE MISS YOU!!!!!! Apricot ????? Come back Susan & tell me so I can get the tag right on it:) :)Anita off to plant Marea's babies in my garden. & get Marea's, Dawn's & Debbie's ready to go out...Thanks again Marea