I have been seriously thinking of visiting the Bickelhaupt Arboretum in Clinton, Iowa this spring and it looks like Chadwick is on the way. Not sure when that would be though. What kind of items are you looking for and what do you have? tj

Mabel, when I try those huckleberries, I will report on the taste. I already know that I am going to like them, I am a fruity kind of person.:) Cathy, I have a very small and sharp knife that I use for peeling the loquats, I saw the knife recommended in one of those Cooking Light magazines. It can also chop herbs very fine. One day's picking is a lot of fruit, tomorrow I will be making an almond crust loquat pie. Later in the season I will be making jam and maybe chutney. And I hope to share the fruit with my friends also... Here is the recipe that I used. Loquat Crisp Fruit Mixture: 6 cups loquats, seeded, peeled and cut in quarters 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 TB all-purpose flour 1 TB fresh lime juice 1 pinch salt Streusel (keep in fridge cold if making ahead): 1/4 light brown sugar 4 TB butter 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup flour 1 TB grated orange zest To make Fruit Mixture: In a stainless steel bowl, combine the loquats, sugar, flour, lime juice and salt, mixing well. Place the mixture in an oven-proof 2 qt. baking dish. To make Streusel: Using a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse together the light brown sugar, butter, salt, flour and orange zest. Pulse only until it is combined and looks like the texture of small pebbles. Preheat oven to 350. Cover the loquat mixture loosely with the streusel. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Makes about 6 servings. Silvia

We just finished a swap recently. We usually have about three year. I was thinking of starting a summer one probably towards the end of June. There will be a thread started where those interested can sign up. Anyone that intends to participate should know that it is important to be a regular participating memember of the Cooking forum. Most members prefer to to send to someone that they have come to know rather than a complete stranger who has only posted a couple of times or joined the forum just to participate in a swap. Ann

Thanks Maryanne, your sweet compliments really brightened up my day! I appreciate the tip regarding the Nordicware bundt pans, I'm going over to that website when I'm done here:-) I am enjoying reading through this cookbook very much, there are some very easy recipes mixed in with some that require a bit more effort, which makes it a good recipe book for a wide range of cooks. Everyone seems to like my counter stools, and I'm glad because it took me a long time to pick the right ones for my kitchen. I should have just asked my forum friends, who would have been very helpful I'm sure! Hopefully everyone is enjoying their weekend. DONNA