Mike, Thanks, but they're not all thriving...I've been doing this for a while, and most of my plants are easy to grow. No, I don't have lots of room, but I have enough for now. That could change when I get more plants - it is Christmas, after all. Hi Sharon, Thank you; it's just experience, and trying to not overwater them. Porous mix, eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog Penny, As long as you're keeping them on the dry side (only spritzing, you shouldn't be). Paul, Thanks - me too. Glen, I think it's also called that - I don't really follow the names as well as some folks here do. That is what it's called in Germany, sort of, at least 'Crassula obliqua solana Lemon' n Lime'. Sounds like nomenclutter to me but it's important to know what one's talking about, right, otherwise my dislike of common names means nothing. Josh, I was disappointed in realizing I should have repotted a year ago. The local moose water must agree with it. CG, I'm afraid you'll have to get in line for this one - you're currently about #17, so it will be a while. I'd normally be happy to share, but I can't with this plant yet.

Wow, I just love these birds! I just put out a window feeder near a boxwood and they have found it & visit frequently. I've got other feeders out back, but this is the only one out front and the only window feeder. Now I can get my close up views! I like your photo and I think I'll be sharing my own photos soon!

Lisa, I thought that I read on this forum that some birds are more sensitive to disturbances than others. All I know about nest-box monitoring I learn from this forum. I respect and appreciate the efforts (and results!) of bluebird landlords, who reestablished EABBs in the eastern US. I do question, personally, the monitoring of other songbirds whose populations are not in trouble; my concern, also, is that some people, way less knowledgeable than the pros here, will think that they can and should monitor all nests, including cup nests. On the BWF, someone took a picture of almost fledged 'dees. I worry about flushing out chicks that age. Not that anyone knowledgeable on this forum would do it, but you all know your stuff. Many people glean information from forums instead of researching, and cannot keep their hands out of nests. Not that I am "scolding" anyone; it's just what I think of, as a visitor, when I come here. Not everyone knows there stuff. But I guess we can't help that. My instincts and background urge me to leave nests alone (except EABBs), because unknowingly, we create more trouble than help with birds that are doing well already, and need the experience of nesting failures to get them right in other tries. Although Janie's save is impossible to argue with!! But Janie, your gut (sorry for the metaphor) is greater than most other's : ) Which nest boxes then are you supposed to not check? Which species was I thinking of? Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your experience. It is so cool when the birds land so close by- the chickadees especially are so social, they are a delight. I had a baby one land on the feeder while I was filling it this summer and he (she) looked at me in such a trusting way, no hurry to fly off. It was great. The best thing about backyard birding, to me, making a connection.