Hi, mrlike2u =) yea, all the ones that rooted in bark seem to be doing real good. There's by far more oxygen that flows to the roots, vs compacted soil; and the watering can almost be equal to a rainforest as it just flows straight through, and quickly dries. Also, the EC has very small roots compared to the other two holiday cacti, so maybe next spring I'll transplant if it looks to need it. Good morning Josh! You're always too kind. I think that the almost immediate success of pure bark is what drove me to post about it. If you look through the threads, all you see are a good few handfuls of people that are failing to keep their holiday cacti, and orchids alive; and they either give up on them throwing them in the trash (which is really sad) or have some sliver of hope left to keep them alive (but most the time they're really nervous about it) So it's like, if I can provide some insight that I've learned through my experiences, and those learned by people like you, and show through pictures how easy it is; then maybe we can have more success stories. People need to understand that super market holeless pot, and this over dried out soil that never seems to get wet, doesn't success make. I'll go into stores and can tell that rot has set in, or that they're on their last leg, and I honestly just want to rescue all of them! I also notice that everyone comments with their own successful potting mediums, and they're all so different, and so many of them that people get confused and still don't end up with the answer that they originally asked (I think in a way it kind of scares them off.) So if by chance someone with a question clicks here and sees close up pictures of what mine are in, and how they're able to grow so successful; hopefully that person can take something away and have just the same (or even better) success story. Greg J.

Thanks everyone. Karen - I don't have enough kids or the space to do a separate table, I wish I did! I'll be using both leaves(sp?) in my table in order to accommodate as many at the table as possible. I usually have other guests who don't want to sit at the table and find a seat in the l/r which adjoins my d/r. The dinner won't be formal by any stretch of the imagination. I think I just need to pass by some things in the store and say to myself, aren't they cute, and not pick them up and buy them. Luvs - the eggs are plastic and I found them in January for a steal at Home Goods. I was having a problem finding something to go with my pewter and they seemed to be a possible answer. I found the garland and a wreath that matches later at TJ Maxx so it all came together. The eggs were on a garland and I just cut them off, voila! I like the natural look of the table. I found the green egg bowl as well as a very natural "speckled" white bowl that matches the eggs at Kohls. BTW - My kitchen is done in a farmhouse/rooster theme so I am having the same problem with buying too many of those type items. I am in a rooster frenzy. LOL The kids table is a great idea tho. I really think the bunny and chick rings are too "cute" for the center items on the table. Just wanted to bounce it off you guys for confirmation. I don't have enough space to do a "kids table" as we are doing buffet on the kitchen island just to accomodate everyone. We are having 15 for dinner and our home is small. I don't think I like the "cute" rings with what I have on down the center of the table, but I couldn't resist them! I think I am going to go with the sage napkins and my Lenox china. That is today, tho. Tomorrow may hold a different idea altogether depending what I find in the stores today.LOL I am wondering whether to use a table cloth? What do you think? I have a table cloth that matches the napkins, but I am wondering how the garland down the table will look on a table cloth. Time to get it out and take a look:)). Thanks again.

Luvs...lol... I'll share my - Tarpin Springs - memory.. I was there with DH and my two BILs and SILs.. We were looking around one of the shops, when all of a sudden I had the 'urge' to go to the BR..and knowing my history..they all started to taunt me..rather than help me find a BR. I stopped to ask this little old lady, who looked like she worked in the store. I didn't realize she was a little senile. She gave me this big smile and hug, and started talking to me, like she knew me. I didn't want to be rude and brush her off, so I smiled politely and listened. Then I started doing a my 'wiggle' dance. As she rambled on, I noticed in the background, my BILs..making faces and mimicking my 'wiggle dance'. Of course, this made me start to laugh uncontrolably..which, of course led me to ...You guessed it. So there went my SILs, running around finding clothes to buy for me to change into!! (by the way the little old lady was the owner's mother)... Funny, how I 'connect' my trips to these 'Special Events'.. I don't do well on trips!! ... lol jane

Jeanne, very tastefully decorated and looks like you can leave it all out for awhile. One of my hydrangeas is coming back so hopefully I'll be able to dry some one of these years. Your tulips are way ahead of mine. Ours grew alot this past week in between snow storms and sun tho. Jane, red tulips are the only ones the deer don't care for at DD's!LOL She finally quit planting the other colors for this reason. Adorable picture...I also had one of those red hats when I was a little cowgirl. DM use to make all of our fancy western shirts growing up. Most of the time we wore Levis and cowboy boots too. Hope you get better every day. Several have bronchitis and whooping cough around here. I'm blaming our weather for this! One has to wear layers to be comfortable these days. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful decor with us. I sure enjoyed looking. Punk