Many good points have been made abour meters and calibraton but an extremely important point is missing thus far. Take a proper sample. For instance, if you have a garden that has uniform soil over a 20' x 20' area, sample that area to the depth of the root system of the crop(s) you have or plan to plant there. A very common range is between 6 - 10" deep. Don't take one sample from the plot and think you are done, take at least 10 if not more, the more the better. If you aren't lucky like me (I have a sampling probe which makes it very quick and easy to take many samples) You should use a shovel or a trowel to do the digging and here is how. Put the shovel blade in the ground to your desired depth and then gently remove the soil leaving the soil directly behind where the shovel went in an intact wall. Next, take your shovel and shave off about an inch thick slice at the same angle and depth as your first spade full and retain the slice of soil in a clean bucket. repeat this in another 9 or more locations throughout the plot. Mix all of the subsamples in the bucket thoroughly and from that well blended soil, take your sample for analysis. If you are picky like me you'll dry the soil in an oven at about 140 deg. F until thoroughly dry then weigh out 30 grams of soil into a 100 ml beaker and add 30 mL of D.I. water, mix thoroughly and then let sit for 30 minutes. Next, after calibrating the pH meter, it's test time! Keep in mind that the time of year and cultural practices (I.E. applying fertilizers, irrigating) can affect pH so go hog wild and use it a lot to see what effect time and your practices have on pH. Michael

purplemoon, thanks for adding my wreath to your collection. You can really find some pretty flowers at Walmart. I know they are not the larger, more expensive flowers, but I think they are just as colorful:) Oh, on the spring wreath, most of those flowers came from Dollar Tree Store. You can find nice ones there too, but you really have to look. The only flowers that came for Walmart on that wreath are the little lavender and white clustered ones. The wired ribbon came from DTS also. sunnyca, if I were to start selling wreaths, I'd definitely glue the flowers. Since I only make them for myself, I like the fact that if any flower(s) looks out of place, I can easily move them elsewhere on the wreath. daisydal, that spring wreath is my favorite one that I've made so far. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I just love the red, oranges and yellows. Once the leaves are gone and it is gray and cold out, I'll be waiting for spring!! I have yet to try making wreaths using anything besides artificial flowers, besides the school wreath. Looking at the spring wreath, I can see that I have too many yellow flowers clumped together on the bottom right side. Plus, it does look uneven, but I don't let it bother me. I can always move flowers around next spring LOL.

Here you go -- these are big sellers at our Holiday craft shows -- lots of Christmas mugs around then for 2/$1.00 at the Dollar stores: Diane's Home Cookin Chapter: In a Jar Dustcatchers Crafts , gifts in a Mug Upside Down Cake Mix ==================== For these recipes you will need a mug that is oven proof to be able to cook the item in the mug. Your mug should fit around 1 1/2 cups of liquid into it. Fill the mug with the mug ingredients that have been placed into an airtight or ziplock bag and attach the recipe card instructions. Tie the whole mug up with some cellophane or add some curling ribbons and a bow to finish off this gift Mug Ingredients: 1/3 cup of flour 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder 3 tablespoons of sugar 1 tablespoon of dessicated coconut 4 ounces /120g can of diced pineapple pieces . Mix the dry ingredients together and place into a airtight bag and place into the mug, top the mug off with the small can of pineapples. (yes still in the can do not open it) Tag Instructions: 2 1/2 tbs of shortening 1 egg 3 tbs of milk 1/2 tsp of vanilla 1/2 tbs of melted butter 1 tbs of brown sugar 4 maraschino cherries Preheat oven to 350'F or 165'C in a small bowl add the ingredients from the mug and using your fingers mix in the shortening. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and mix until well combined. Place the melted butter and the mug and sprinkle the mug with brown sugar. Place the cherries and the drained pineapple into the bottom of the mug. Pour the cake batter over the pineapple bake in an oven for 15-20 minutes. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Brownie in a Mug ================= 4 T. Instant Brownie Mix Measure all small Ziploc baggie, seal. Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper, attach pretty tag. Attach Tag: Pour mix into mug add. 2 Tbsp water & mix well. Microwave for 1 minute. . Add ins: (Choose 1 of the following) 1 T. mini m&m's 1 T. Chopped Walnuts 1 T. Chopped Pecans 1 T. Dried Chopped Cherries ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hot Cookie Pudding & Kiss Mix In A Mug ====================================== 6 vanilla sandwich cookies, broken into pieces 1 tablespoon powdered milk 1/3 cup mini marshmallows Measure into small Ziploc baggie, seal & shake to combine. . Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper & place 3 wrapped hershey's kisses on top, attach pretty tag & small whisk. Attach Tag: Empty mix into mug, add 2/3 c. hot water, whisk well. Microwave 1 minute until marshmallows melt, stir & add in hershey's kisses (unwrapped of course) and serve +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Microwave Chocolate Peppermint Fudge ==================================== Your mug should fit around 1 1/2 cups of liquid into it. Fill the mug with the mug ingredients that have been placed into an airtight or ziplock bag and attach the recipe card instructions. Tie the whole mug up with some cellophane or add some curling ribbons and a bow to finish off this gift Mug Ingredients: 1/4 cup of chocolate chip 1/4 cup of sugar 1 tablespoon of chopped unslated peanuts in a seperate bag add 5 crushed peppermint sweets and 1/2 cup if mini marshmallow . Mix well and place into airitight bag and place into mug. Tag Instructions: Combine the mug mix with 2 1/2 tbs of oil and cook on high for 3 minutes stir in marshmallow and mints whilst still hot. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then eat. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pasta Alfredo Mix In A Mug ========================== 1/3 cup angel hair pasta (broken into pieces) 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce Mix 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/4 teaspoon Garlic & Herb Seasoning Shake of pepper . Measure into small Ziploc baggie, seal & shake to combine. Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper & attach tag & small wire whisk with ribbon. Attach Tag: Empty Mix into mug, add 1 tsp margarine & 1 cup of boiling water, cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir well. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Peach Cobbler Mix In A Mug ========================== 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder Measure all into small Ziploc baggie, seal & shake to combine. 1 (4 ounce) container snack size peaches . Place the peaches cup in a mug lined with tissue paper, add the cobbler mix on to . Attach Tag: Melt 1 T. margarine in mug & melt, when done, add mix & 2 T. Milk, whisk well. add peaches on batter and cook 2 more minutes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Potato Soup Mix In A Mug ======================== 1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes 1-1/2 cups dry milk 2 tablespoons instant chicken bullion 2 teaspoons dried minced onion 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/8 teaspoon turmeric 1-1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt . Combine all & then divide by measuring 1/2 c. into each small ziploc bag. Place 1 mix in a Mug lined with Tissue paper & attach tag & small wire whisk with ribbon. Attach Tag: Empty mix into mug and fill with boiling water, whisk, allow to set 3 minutes, enjoy. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In-The-Mug Hot Mince Pie ======================== 8 ounces condensed mince pie mix 8 shortbread cookies . Instead of reserving mincemeat pie for just the Christmas season, reader Ron Bonig spreads the traditional food around the calendar. "I serve hot mince pie in a mug to trailmates on the first night out, particularly in winter. It tastes exactly like mince pie, except it takes only a one-burner stove to make." In Camp: Follow the package instructions for preparing the mince pie. Break up two cookies in each mug. Ladle the hot mince into the mugs and stir. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lunch In A Mug: Soup ==================== 3/4 cup Non-fat dry milk powder 1/4 cup Non-dairy creamer 2 tablespoons Instant chicken bouillon -granules 1 tablespoon Dried vegetable flakes 1/2 teaspoon Dried parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon Dried summer savory 1/2 teaspoon Salt 1/4 teaspoon Onion powder 1/4 teaspoon Pepper To serve: 2 Tbsp uncooked instant rice, optional, 3/4 cup water . In small bowl, combine milk powder, creamer, bouillon granules, vegetable flakes, parsley flakes, savory, salt, onion powder and pepper. Store in airtight container for no longer than 6 months. To make one serving of soup, place instant rice (Minute Rice) and 3 Tbsp dry soup mix in microwave safe mug. Place 3/4 cup water in 1 cup measure and microwave on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 3 minutes or until it boils. Pour boiling water into mug with rice and soup mix; stir. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender. _______________________________________ Fudgy "Cup" Cakes ================= Cake Mix: 1 package (18.25 ounce) chocolate cake mix 1 package (4 servings) instant chocolate pudding mix Glaze Mix: 2-2/3 cups confectioners` sugar 1/4 cup powdered cocoa mix . 1. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake and pudding mixes; blend well with a whisk. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners` sugar and cocoa mix. 3. Divide the cake mix evenly into 8 small plastic bags, about 1/2 cup each; seal and label as cake mix. Do the same with the glaze mix, packing about 1/3 cup mix in each bag; seal and label as glaze mix. 4. Make individual microwave Fudgy "Cup" Cakes, or pack the mixes to give as gift . -------------------------------------------------- Giving Fudgy "Cup" Cake Mix as a Gift: Place 1 sealed cake mix bag and 1 sealed glaze mix bag into a microwave-safe mug, and attach the recipe for Fudgy "Cup" Cake (below). -------------------------------------------------- Making a Fudgy "Cup" Cake: Spray the inside of a microwave-safe mug generously with nonstick cooking spray. Pour prepared bag of cake mix into the mug. Add 1 egg, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon water. Mix until all the ingredients are combined. Microwave at 100% power for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, place prepared bag of glaze mix in a small bowl and add 1-1/2 teaspoons milk; mix well then pour glaze over the mug cake immediately after removing it from the microwave. Serve cake warm in the mug. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jello Cake Mix In A Mug ======================= 1/3 cup any flavor cake mix 1 tablespoon any flavor Jello . Combine the following into a small baggie & label as Glaze Mix: 2 T. Powdered sugar 1/2 tsp Jello Place in a Mug lined with Tissue paper & attach tag & small wire whisk with ribbon. Attach Tag: Empty mix into mug, add 2 tsp oil, 1 T. Water & 1 egg white, Whisk WELL. Microwave on high 2 minutes. In the meantime, mix glaze while cake is cooking by adding a couple drops of water to the glaze mix (mix it right in the bag!) snip off a corner and squeeze gently onto your cake

I've had a rotten time with the Command hooks too, even if I followed directions to the letter and left them overnight before putting anything on them. I ended up Freecycling a bunch of them. If your current wreath hanger is nicely decorative, you can pad the inside with those stick-on felt or rubbery-stuff pads that go on furniture feet until it doesn't slide anymore. You can get it in strips at Home Depot, costs about 3 bucks a package. I hear ya on the "compressed industrial waste" doors, too. We have two exterior doors that we don't know what the devil they're made out of. They're not wood, they don't feel like fiberglass, and they're not steel because they won't take even a strong magnet. We might have to take out the doorknob and look. LOL