Congrats on your Savoy! I can understand why you want to keep that to yourself. I love the look of acid stains...that would be my first choice for outdoor leaves too if I could find a good green stain that could hold up to the elements. Any ideas? A bonus of casting the Tetrapanax is that the leaf peels away from the castings so easily....exact opposite of the large gunnera leaves! Steamboat Island in Olympia does have them in 1 gallon pots for $22.50. Also Steamboat sells them to Jungle Exotics in Tacoma(doesn't that sound like a great place to find wonderful leaf casting material!) I know neither of these places is exactly in the neighborhood... you might ask Laine @ Steamboat if she will bring one to Sorticulture in Everett next weekend. I know she will be at the NPA plant study weekend, but unless you're a participant I don't think you can buy plants there.Or you can wait till the end of the season and try Coldsprings, I help out there so I can keep an eye out for you...If you ever want to make another alder twig chair, I've got plenty of alder saplings on our acreage and nail guns. I would love to have someone show me the procedure!

I received a bottomless box of presents from Monica today. Monica I had so much fun taking everything out. You sure do know how to pack a box. Firstly, there were two novels that I haven't read. I'm never without a book to read! Then came the candle making supplies-Tea Light Cups, a Stacking Candle Set, Floating Candle Mold, Scents (Paradise Breeze and Spiced Pumpkin) and Candle Wicking. I called my daughter (Carol) to tell her because we make candles together. She was just as excited as I was. Also a pair of heavy duty garden pruners with cushion grips. I love these Monica can't wait to put them to use. There was a packet of thank you cards (always need these), Fimo butterfly and dragonfly slice and bake (what fun!), a container of beads and jewelry findings, 2 packages of plant markers (forever running out of those) and a bag of Lemonade Hard Candy (which I can suck on while reading the books you sent). Had to post a picture of the 3 cute animal garden ornaments: Rabbit, Squirrel and a Doggy The endless box continues with Dutch Iris Bulbs, Gladiola Corms and Mixed Oriental Lilies and 2 flower plant diffusers (they are so pretty). I also received an incredible selection of seeds: Morning Glories, Cosmos Daydream, Peony Poppy, Verbena, Gaillardia, California Poppy, Poppy-Fluffy Ruffles, Milkweed, Cosmos Picotee, Tomato San Mazano, Tomato Mrs. Maxwell's Big Italian, Rutgers, Eggplant and Gourds. Monica, thank you for everything. You really went over my Questionnaire with a fine tooth comb. I am touched by your thoughtfulness and I love all your gifts. Hugs, Mariann

Cece- those were two good shows today, weren't they! I especially likes the cloisonne book cover. I printed that project out. The pasta maker I have is an Atlas. You can get them in a store that sell kitchen stuff- maybe a chain like Lechter's or a local culinary shop. It was funny when I got mine cause my Dad got it as a xmas present for me. He thought he was doing good by getting a big schmancy electric model with all types of controls on it. When I saw it, my face fell, and I had to tell him I wanted the old hand-cranker for crafting, not cooking! He had to take it back & order a new one, lol! I am not sure what the going price is- maybe $50? Check on Ebay to get an idea- I know they have them all the time. HTH, Karen

WOW, what great ideas...I'm going to have a hard time deciding... The Lioness group is the lady's version of the men's Lion's...We work to raise money for the sight impaired. Just a couple of our projects are, sponsoring a couple kids to go to one of our local sight impaired camps and having fund raisers for the care and training of the leader dogs...It's a very worthwhile group, very satisfying..... Thanks again for all the ideas...