Runmede, that is a pretty sweet setup! I don't think I have the room for a big tent, but I really like those big tubs of milkweed that you can swap out. I may have to come up with a bigger enclosure so I can try tubs like that outside. The enclosure I have now has a curved zippered door and a little threshold that I have to lift the pot over and kind of tip it in at an angle, which is not too easy. I had tried using my enclosure inside to move the chrysalids to so that when they eclose I can just bring the whole thing outside and release them. The only problem was that it wouldn't fit through the doorway! I had to carry each butterfly outside in my hands. Here is a picture of the enclosure. From 2009_08 These enclosures get pretty nasty after being outside for even a short period of time unfortunately. Plus being exposed to the heat means the pots dry out very quickly. Last year I set it up outside without enough bricks in the bottom and the whole thing blew over! I'm wondering if I should get some smaller versions of this type of enclosure to use inside and have several extra smaller pots of milkweed growing outside that I can rotate inside for each fresh batch of cats. Does anyone do this? How long can a pot of tropical milkweed survive indoors with the lower light? Right now I am doing the floral foam wrapped in plastic wrap to hold cuttings in clear rubbermaid containers. Living plants are a lot easier than doing cuttings. It is hard to gauge how much they are going to eat before the next cleaning. Last week I found myself outside at midnight during a thunderstorm getting more milkweed :) Oh well, the neighbors already know I am a nutball after seeing me moving around my 200 milk jugs in the snow for my wintersowing!

Here is a picture with Salvia Victoria Blue in one of my potted planters that I made. It's in the middle. Around it is a pink verbena so just ignore the outside leaves and look at the leaves of the plant in the middle. I made some real progress today. Planted my two flats of zinnias out front and that really helps make that entire area look much better. That slope in front was just too empty and needed plants. I would have loved to have done it sooner but was waiting to get the last of the daylilies planted. They weren't shipped until this week and I got them Thursday. I would have wanted them weeks and weeks sooner. At least it's done now. Then I also planted my Mexican Sunflowers, which I had started as seeds in some pots. And also planted Four O'Clocks I had potted that I also started myself. So the array of pots and flats sitting here needing planting is slowely going down. Still more to do though as I have to plant my poppies that I started from seed in pots and that big High Country Gardens order that came the other day and I haven't even thought about getting to do anything with as yet. Then there was lots of watering to do as everything I have been planting now for weeks has to be kept watered until it settles in. i have those little Lupines I planted yesterday, which I gave a big soak to. Plus I have been watering those little (and I mean LITTLE TINY) Geum plants twice a day but I don't know if I will be able to keep them alive. They had almot no roots and are so small, so they dry out fast.

We don't have a large family (yet), but we recently catered our own wedding, with 70 people, so I learned a few things! The smartest thing we did, was to shop at a wholesale, discount place. We went to Costco's (others: "BJ's" and "Sam's"). I noticed a lot of people with large families there. Not only is it cheaper, but the large sizes really inspire you to do batch-cooking. Here was one recipe we loved, which freezes well, is easy to reheat, and was well tailored to the portions at Costco...Quesadillas (similar to fajitas): 1 large bag of grated cheese (about 5 lbs for $11!) 20-30 tortillas any combo of pre-cooked veggies or meat We went vegetarian, using onions, mushrooms and peppers--but try spinach, zucchini, chicken, anything that's on sale! Even just plain cheese works. Fill the tortillas with the stuff. Fold them in half (omelette-style). Then, stack them and put them in a bag and freeze (I put saran wrap between each one to keep them from sticking together, but it may not have been necessary). To cook, just grill, fry, or toaster-oven them (I like to thaw them, then toaster-oven for 10-15 minutes). Microwave probably works too. We bought a big-sized container of salsa to go with it, and some sour cream. These are soooooo yummy, I promise your kids will love them. Total servings: 20-30 Total cost (at Costco's): $20-$30, including veggies & salsa

I would listen to keithw. I had the same issue. My chlorine just would not stay up. It wasn't until I found out that my pool had zero stabilizer in it. But take your time. You must fix one thing at a time. Trying to fix two things at the same time will only cost you a buttload of money. I first had to get my stabilizer right. Once I did that, my chlorine kept falling, but i think I was fighting a algae bloom that I could not see. But my first clue was green on my waterfall rocks. Once I got the bloom under control, now my chlorine stays about 3-4ppm. I use to have to crank my automatic chlorinator up, but now I've had to turn it back down. Just stay with it and don't go overboard. Once you pour your chemicals in, let the pool circulate. And don't freak out if it doesn't become "normal" overnite. Just do a little bit at a time. Its easier to catch up than to go overboard. You go overboard and you may end up having to drain some of your pool water. And most of all don't go overboard on the CYA. Remember it dissolves real slow.