Yes, I do currently have this variety. Someone very recently donated Cowlick's Brandywine to WinterSown, I deeply appreciate their generosity, I am honored to share their seeds, and the seeds of so many other good folk too. Recent online discussion does generate interest, so I can't determine how long this seed stock will last. It's always first come first served, so do send your SASE as soon as you can. Cowlicks is one of the choices on the list, but there are also many other wonderful varieties too. There's a form to print out and fill in, put in six first choices and four defaults ;-) T

I use fermentation regardless of batch size. On the drying table right now are 30 little seeds from a variety I found growing by the road. It was one 2 inch round bright red globe - nearly perfectly round. I also just finished packing over 800 Cherokee Purple seeds from one batch. (Trudi!!!?? :>) -) I cut the larger tomatoes into thick slices and using the point of a very sharp knife, carefully cut the seed gel masses away from the meat of the fruit and into a strainer. The strainer is above a container which catches the juice. This allows me to put the remainder of the tomato into the dehydrator. The seeds which are still in the gel mass are then gently scrubbed against the screen of the strainer enough to break up the globs and catch more juice. Breaking up the globs like this, I feel gives the little "microbe critters" a head start, a thinner gel to dissolve, and a much better chance of getting their job done. I also think we have to stir the mixture often during fermentation to further help break up gel around the seeds. Several tap water rinses get rid of all the debris and a 4 to 1 water/bleach rinse followed by more rinsing until I don't smell the bleach finishes the chemistry part. I spread them on a paper plate (cheapest, flimsiest) and after 2 to 3 days take a credit card size piece of plastic and gently loosen the seeds that are still gently stuck to the plate. 2 more days and into small ziplocks and a coin envelope marked with the variety and the date saved. I don't think I care for the TSP or AJAX or Comet or other scouring cleaners. It's because I just don't like even the "possibility" of damaging the seed coat. Having said that, I DON'T KNOW that the grit WILL damage the seed coat, but until time proves differently, I choose to think the possibility is there. Good tomatoes are hard enough to grow. For me, damaged seed coats would be like starting the race with an unnecessary, self-imposed handicap.

Yes, I survived. I have been trying to download pics and my internet connection is not cooperating. (OT-does it make a difference in speed when you have several people using the same wireless connection at the same time? DS21 is home from college this week and the internet has been running frustratingly slow since he has been online too.) Anyhoo, I served 19 ladies and everyone loved the tables. The dining room table didn't change from the last pic I posted. The folding table in the LR had the vase filled w/ black-eyed susan's and then I had 2 small votive candle holders made of black metal and shaped in kind of a "S" curve on each side of the centerpiece. The kitchen table had the milk glass bowl that was shown in the first pic filled w/ hedge apples. (Luvs-real veges would have looked great, but time constraints made me use what I already had. I'll definitely keep it in mind for next time!) I also had votives w/ bright green candles and small milk glass dishes w/ nuts and chocolate. While the tables were all kept pretty simple by some standards, they suited the occasion and I was very pleased. Everyone enjoyed hearing about how we collected the hedge balls! I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and help. I will continue to try and post final pics. (DS21 is only home for 2 weeks this summer!) Thanks again! mommacass

You could continue the leaf theme and add a selection of nuts piled like a squirels cache with the name written on a large nut. small apples, written on, or with the name carved, or spelled out with cloves purchase the turkey shaped chocolates and lean the place card against it or attach with a touch of glue to the back of the tail feathers if they are foil wrapped, use frosting if they are not, (also if they are not wrapped, you might want to lay down a paper doiley, covered with toasted coconut straw to prevent chocolate transfering to your table or tablecloth. Marzipan fruit cornucopias at each place setting I can't think of any other right now. Susan