@Deb... Little Business was one of my first hem purchases about 7 years ago along with Little Wine Cup, both have performed quite well and done a decent job of multiplying. LB is colorfast in full sun for 10+ hrs, but LWC can get quite ratty looking when it gets over 6 hours of direct sun. @Kay... Salieri surprised me with how dark it was. It wasnt blooming when I got it, and I wanted another dark hem to juxtapose with my mutiple clumps of Ed Murray. @Julia.. to the best of my knowledge Red Stella is an unregistered intro by an unknown hybridizer thats been sold at the big orange big box retailer. @Rita... Being a Depeche Mode fan I saw Route 66 and had to have it and Chicago Apache is an awesome big red bloom. Daring Deception, I am on the fence about, because the pic on the tag was obviously tweaked. The actual bloom matches with the registered color description, whereas what was pictured on the tag was pinky purple with the dark purple eyezone and picotee edge... so I'll give it another season or two to see how it shapes up.

I just received the most WONDERFUL box from Miss Sue! It was so big, it took 2 kids to carry it. :) And MERCY, I just about fell out of my chair when I saw how much it cost to mail! Prices are getting ridiculous!! I tried to keep track of everything as I unwrapped them, but I had 4 little helpers (the girls helped me...the boys couldn't have cared less- they know they're going to be recruited to help plant later on! LoL!) so I didn't get everything written down. But everything looks great, nothing is wilted! Which was SO surprising, considering the heat! I know there were 2 mini roses, red & blue salvia, many daylilies, 6 succulents, dianthus, lantana, rosemary & lavender. The rosemary & lavender made the box smell SOOOO good! If I've forgotten to mention anything, please forgive me! Thank you SO MUCH, Miss Sue! You outdid yourself with a WONDERFUL box, and I absolutely LOVE everything!

Georgysmom--Trader's wine actually crossed my mind! (But I thought it was 2-buck chuck--must be inflation! LOL!) Jannie: I've been to Stew Leonard's once--the same small chain as the store in either Norwalk or Danbury, Conn., correct? The only thing I recall was that they had big animated animals. (not live ones!) Yeah, people--find me something that will turn me into a once-a-month lush! LOL! There is actually chicken stock in the recipe, so there'd be no purpose in substituting, I fear.

I'm fortunate to live in an area that has 60-some wineries, some of which are quite good. Just tonight I went to one of my favorites, called Glass House Winery that is named for the large greenhouse full of tropical plants attached to the tasting room. An acquaintance of mine was booked there to play music with his jazz trio and I thought it would be a fun way to spend Friday night. In my opinion their white wines are good, but their three red wines are exceptional. Tonight I had this wine: C-Villian This red blend of 82% Chambourcin and 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot is smooth and bright, with strong aromas of fig and raisin, and a rich full-bodied mouth feel. It is affectionately named C-Villian to honor our city and our neighbors Although my favorite of theirs is: Glass House Winery Barbera Reserve This is a bold red made from 75% Barbera, 13% Merlot, 12% Malbec grapes and made in the Passito style of drying the grapes to enhance flavors and aromas, much like the Italian Amaroné wines. I was talking to the owner, and he said the 2012 Barbera was pretty much a total loss due to excessive rain late in the season, and that the 2013 will be pretty good when it is ready in August. He then went on to say that the 2014, in his opinion will be world class.