Plants thrive by being given a specific time of growing, then they should be given a 'rest'. Forcing a plant to grow 24/7 would be like putting yourself on a steady diet of food and sunlight. You wouldn't like it, neither does a plant. It must have a rest. Usually the seed or seedling is given up to 16 hours of growth phase, then 8 hours of rest. Time your growth phase with a timer. Water only as the plant requires to keep it damp...no more.

Looks like a good chance for a freeze here on Monday (31F forecasted). Not too happy about that since that will definitely mean I have to bring many (most) of my potted plants inside and I might even consider covering a few hardy plants that are in bud and/or bloom right now (camellias in bloom, roses have full foliage, wax begonias survived the winter and are quickly growing). We are back to average temperatures here in NYC. Upper 50s maybe a 60 or 2 in the forecast this whole week. Average for this time of the year is 58F and we will have more days below average than above this week. Midwest and south still look very very mild though. Hope that weather comes here soon, but I dont think I will be bringing my tropical plants back outside again for several more weeks because I cant keep bringing things in and out. -Alex

Christmas day we were 12...6 of the twelve teenagers...well but for the 22 year old...but... I fixed 1 1/2 poun ds of shrimp, 2 pounds of meat made into meatballs, a ring of Dutch baloney fixed as snackers, 4 kinds of cheeses, crackers, rye bread, herring in sour cream and veggies and dip and about a pound of cubed prime rib with dipping sauce....AND 2 pounds of little smokies in Sweet Baby Ray's.....the smokies went POOF!...I never had one! They ate all the shrimp and all the beef and lots of cheese.... But the smokies were gone first! I heated them on the stove top and kept them warm over a candle warmer. Linda C

Sharing a favorite Thanksgiving Recipe... Posted by babblingbetty in 2003 Dressing has never been the same at our house! Get lots of request for the recipe....if you don't have a Crock Pot...it bakes up nicely in a 9X13 pan...just be careful not to overbake...remembering there really isn't a lot to cook...because if you were real smart...you cooked the eggs in the cornbread when it was baking! This is a very moist dressing...just in case you prefer a dry one...my family says yuck to dry dressing! This is a family favorite....so good and so easy! Gives you time to sit and visit a while with your family. Notice #1 calls for celery...my family does not care for celery so I use #2 Crockpot Cornbread Dressing #1 Cornbread Dressing 1 cornbread, 8 inch pan 8 slices day old bread, toasted and cubed 4 eggs 1 medium onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 tsp. poultry seasoning 1/2 tsp. black pepper 2 cans cream of chicken soup 2 Tbsp butter Lightly grease crock pot. Crumble cornbread into mixer bowl. Add all ingredients except butter. Pour mixture into crock pot. Dot top with butter. Cook on high 2 hours or on low 3-4 hours. __________________________________________________ Crockpot Dressing #2 1 (8 inch) pan cornbread 8 slices dry white bread 4 eggs 2 c. chicken broth 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 tsp. sage 1/2 tsp. black pepper Celery to taste 1 med. onion 2 tbsp. butter Mix ingredients except butter. Place in crock pot. Dot butter on top. Cook 2 hours on High then 4 hours on low. Have a Wonderful Holiday!