SHe's a beauty! How could you wanna hurt a deer? Even though they taste pretty yummy, lol. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hunting, as long as you do it right, and are doing it for food. I guess I still like them cuz they don't eat my gardens, lol. Only had 1 in the yard here so far, and that was just a run thru. But ya gotta remember..the animals were here first..we are on THEIR land, invading THEIR homes. That subject alone really ticks me off..I dont even wanna get started. I'll never forget the 1st time my son saw a dead deer my brother got..that poor lil boy cried his eyes out when he realized it was dead. I dont even wanna talk about weather..grumble grumble..

All this bug talk, Anne-Marie! You've got me inspecting everything now! I went out to look at my HH carefully after reading your post. I do see some leaves chomped so I bet it's the JB's! You can see the leaves to the right have holes. I wonder if my toads eat the JB's? (Lots of toad this year)! I'll have to relocate some around them to see what happens. Can't say that I can stomach picking off bettles (especially before breakfast)! The plants are budding now. They are so pretty - looking forward to seeing them bloom. My sweet pea climber didn't make it from the swap :(. I'll have to move the arbor over so it will look like the HH's are climbing up it. I'm having a heck of a time getting something to climb up that thing. My Clem on the other side hasn't done much in the last 4-5 years. Anyway, back to BUGS. My Goat's Beard is in bloom and you would not BELIEVE the bugs all over the flower. They are little tiny black things - they seem to hop but not fly around. I'll see if I can get an up close shot of them for you tomorrow. Here it is in bloom. Very airy - reminds me of an astilbe. Do you have any of these in your garden? I also noticed a ladybug today sitting on a perennial sunflower waiting to bloom. The aphids always move in a day or two before my Rudbeckia starts to bloom. As soon as I see them move it - I know I'll be getting flowers shortly. You have turned me into a bug lady!

Annie, I know it's hard to believe that we would leave that beautiful snow in Michigan, but, it's true. We are going to Cathy and Ray's for lunch tomorrow in sunny Florida and we are really excited. Jim, glad you found us pleasant and we will vouch for you also. Cathy said, to come early and "roll up your sleeves" and we will cook together. That will be so much fun! However, Cathy do you want us there around 8:00 a.m. to get everything ready by noon or 1:00 p.m.? LOL Karen

Dinner was amazing and the company was even better! Raymond and Cathy are absolutely delightful and lots of fun. Don't think there was one moment of silence the entire evening! Truly it felt like we had known them for years. Just a great evening but I'll wait for Cathy to post pics before saying more. ........and remember Cathy you promised not to post any embarrassing ones ! LOL