fgoldberg - I got them all from different places, but Marietta Gardens has Baby Blues, Driving Me Wild, Mystical Rainbow, Seal of Approval (it seems expensive there) and Siloam David Kirchhoff. Homestead Farms has Baby Blues, Driving Me Wild, Pony and Sings the Blues. I've ordered from both and been happy with my orders. Also, if I remember correctly you live in Montgomery County - our daylily club is having a sale at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton on August 11 at 9 am (everything's $5 per double fan) and I'm going to try to divide Siloam David Kirchhoff and Sings the Blues for that sale. (Let me know if you want more info.) Juliet

I heard the "ping" and you're right, they're awesome!! That was fun ... stressful but fun. And I think I'll be much more relaxed next time when I know what I'm doing much better. Thanks so much for all the help and advice. I was worried about this but it all seemed to go pretty well. I might even take some pictures tomorrow of my efforts, once the jars have cooled for their 12-24 hours. 1 more question. If you're making a recipe, like Annie's Salsa or a cooked one like that and you add too much of something that is important to the pH, like an extra tomato, or too much of a fresh herb because you read the directions wrong, by mistake ... can you just add a little extra acid (vinegar) to the mix and let it go, or is it a major problem and you have to toss the batch and start again? Can adding a little extra acid compensate for small measuring mistakes? I do want to find a rack, the towels worked but were cumbersome and difficult to work with. I thought maybe next time I could use one of those racks that you put pies on to cool after cooking ... I have one that fits perfectly in the canner and it seems to be able to handle the heat. Perhaps that would be better. I also used towels between the jars so they didn't bang into each other. I did use the grape leaves, I didn't see your post in time. I guess if they taste bitter or odd, we'll know why and I won't use it again next time. Everyone seems to be a fan of pickle crisp, I'd never seen or heard of it but clearly I'll have to look and see if our grocery store carries it for next time! Again, thank you all so much for your help. I'm so glad I canned my first vegetables from the garden and I'm also glad I'm done for the night, lol. My feet hurt from standing so long! Thank you!!

Thank you all so much! It's nice to get to share with others even though it would get done the same way even if it were only the 5 sets of eyes living in this house who saw it. The family tree tree has been really fun to put together and can't wait until the nieces and nephews get to see it. As far as how long it takes, I would estimate probably a good 4 weeks (not constantly, still have to work and then have 3 kids at home) depending on what needs reworked, re-lit or just added to. I love all of it (with the exception of pulling lights that don't work off pre-lit trees), so I just take my time, tweak and add to until it's time to start taking it all down. It all gets stored next door in the little house we bought a few years ago to control the "rental situations". We also have our office over there so it works out great for me while waiting on customers to fluff and re-light garlands and trees. Electrical tape and paint is a good idea on those cords....that may be my project next year. I've also thought about whipping up some of those fabric cord covers in a solid color to match the walls. It gets ridiculous with the strategic planning of the extension cords and then not really being 100% sure of what is on what breaker. We've been at this house for about 10 yrs now also, and we are now starting "Phase II." It was so bad when we first bought it that are goal was to make it livable and then to go back and really start adding the features we want. By the time we get this darn thing done, we may very well be dead! LOL Again, thank you all so much for your kind comments and I'm so glad you all enjoyed! Alex

Hi, I would love to get some of your pigeon peas seeds. Please provide email so that I can send sase. Thank you, Alicia