Cheri - I've been unpacking boxes too. We've finally moved back into our house after a kitchen fire in August. It took much longer than we expected to do the remodeling. Somewhere I have some seeds packed away but not sure where. They were heat and smoke damaged but I saved them anyway. They were also exposed to cold for awhile because I stuck them in the shed and forgot about them. It will be interesting to see if they germinate. Oakleif - I am bad to drop stuff down in my kitchen drawers also and trying so hard this time not to start a "junk drawer" as I put things away but have a feeling it won't last long. In the home forums, someone was showing off pictures of their new "clutter room" with with cabinets and drawers. That's what I need. lol It would have to be a fairly large room.

Well, I guess we can't complain much about the weather, or neighbors to the north and west have had it so bad. We've had a snow/slush mix for several days, only accumlation is on the deck, and windbreaks in the pasture. Horses decided they needed a different pasture, so the onery one just pushed her bulk against the gate till it gave way.Only benefit is, they dont want hay now. On another forum , a poster in N.Y said she was still paying 1.00 per square bale. Did you get your stitches out, Gldno? Did everyone have a nice Christmas? Its so nice to see new posters, and former ones coming back, missed you even if I dont know you personally, keep posting. Do you like a journal type entry? William, I'm in trouble!! The site I mentioned Gary Ibsens Tomato Fest, wants a 15.00 order!! Do you know how many tomato seeds that would be?? And I SIMPLY MUST have San Marzeno Redorta, and Long Tom, so guess I'll be adding to storage seeds. And then!!LOL--did you see Tangerine Mama in Burpees? Yes, my name is-------- and I'm addicted to growing, tomatoes especially. And, Hope springs eternal, I'm going to try yellow, purple, and green cauliflower again--just not so much. I cut my garden down some last year, told myself that at my age, I didnt need so much--but myself dont listen to me in the spring!! I find myself admiring how well the beds are looking, with the leaves mounded over them. Gldno, I read another Catherine Coulter book yesterday, F.B.I series, the sheriff finally found his wife (from a previous book) It was "Double Take". I've also read James Patterson's "Quickie" and Sandra Browns "Play Dirty" With all this mixture falling from the sky, its either gaze wistfully out the window at the garden, or curl up by the fire with a good book--or a seed catalog. Got territoral yesterday, Havent gotten Baker Creek, despite complaining, so guess they wont get a order. Oh, and I must tell you about my Christmas Turkey!! It was PURPLE!! I was ready to put it in the oven when I noticed under the skin, the entire bird was purple! It didnt have a off smell, just like a raw turkey, so I apprehensively went ahead and cooked it. When it came out, it did have a off odor, so it was buried deep. No, really, I didnt cook Barney, as some suggested. Good thing we were going to daughters for dinner. Everyone stay safe for the New Yesr.

Jessica, Thanks for sharing, I love this! Your guys are very fortunate. I don't do parades HOWEVER, I have always been fascinated with the mystic of the floats in specifically the Rose Parade. I was having dinner with a client in LA and mentioned my fascination with the floats and their construction. She said her company (Unocal76, pre-Chevron merger) had a float in the parade every year (wink, wink, I knew that) and perhaps she could get me on the decorating list. I didn't let her forget that comment and used a number of business excuses to stay in contact with her. She came through and sent me the application; the whole process was like applying for a job. I signed up for the last three shifts on the schedule (worked 12 hours straight) thinking I would be there for the finishing touches and then stay for the parade the next morning. I was flying in from Florida; DH came with me. My job was to fetch supplies from the prep center then apply the stripes to the zebra. I glued seeds on to a full size zebra. Poppy seeds for the black and sesame for the white stripes. Talk about tedious. However, it was a fabulous experience one that I will never forget. I strolled around the float barn between shifts taking in as much of the process as I could, seeing celebrates (although, I am NOT a celebrate watcher), listening to the tantrums of the float designers (who knew they had such an elevated status), and checking out the amazing and industrious ways the floats are decorated. After resting in the hotel for a few hours, it was back to the parade route. My client had gotten reserved seats for us at the beginning of the parade. We watched the parade and were out of there and on the way to the airport before the parade was through. Again, it is a very lasting experience for me.

love the Rose Parade! i want to go see it and just told my DH he's lucky i have the twins (neice & nephew) and my sis to take w/ me lol. if we ever end up in southern CA (i would love that lol) i'd love to volunteer to work on the floats. my fav is Mountain Majesty by Rain Bird, they had Heliconia rostrata, proteas, orchids and lots of other exotic tropical flowers i have in my garden. plus Jack Hanna. i just love all the diverse groups that march! o.k my second fav is the terracotta warriors lol ~ liz