Thanks Girls ;> I think it's neat that gardening is one of the few hobbies that has so much diversity in the people it brings together. DH has been trying to tease me about how old I'm getting but then I remind him that it's been over a decade since he saw 25...LOL! (Cradle robber ;o> Syreeta...the waders are Northern Escape's, that have the boot built in. They're not really expensive ones, but DH has had his for 8+ years and not had any problems. Shauna...guess that's why he picked up a second pair for me...light weight nylon/pvc ones...that have lots of belly room. :o) I think we'll have to get a picture of me and the bump out in the river this summer!! (And considering I already look 6-7 months along...it should be quite the bump by then!) Being pregnant is about as likely to stop my fishing/hunting, as it is to stop me from gardening... ;o) Verena (Heading out to check on my 'babies' in the greenhouse...sun's shining what a beautiful day!!)

Hi Brian!! I almost missed this until a friend mentioned for me to check this thread!!! You are so nice to give such kind compliments.. Just don't know what to say except Mahalo my friend!!! I have learned from you as well.. we all learn from each other and i agree, this is a great forum!!! Talk about hot and Humid.. today it felt like a tropical rainforest. I could hardly breath, but im sure the trees are in heaven!!! Please send me an email next time you are here in VB. it would be wonderful to meet you and for you to come over and see the trees!!! We always love to share experiences.. Peg lives close to me too! Take care and thank you again. It means so much.!! Laura

Happy Birthday Jessica, Evil One, and swap partner! Hope you got something new and fun for the tool box...LOL! RR, I remember her coaching the boys with laundry at Canny Camp...I'm guesssing they are well trained by now. David

I brought panforte - first time I made it and I over-baked it a little, but it got gobbled up anyway, and these old favourites: Spice cake 850 g (30 oz) flour 850 g (30 oz) dark brown sugar (this can safely be reduced to 700 g (25 oz)) 2 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon, ground 1 tbs ginger, ground 1 tbs cloves, ground 1 tbs nutmeg, ground 660 ml (22 fl.oz) sweet brown ale (Egils Malt if you can get it) Mix all the dry ingredients well together and then mix in the ale. Pour into an oven pan or 2 loaf pans and bake at 175°C (350°F) for about an hour. Very good with or without butter. -- Devil's Cake with Angel Créme Icing Ingredients: 1 3/4 cup flour 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp salt 2/3 cup milk 1 tsp baking soda 2 eggs or 1 egg and egg 2 yolks (if you're making Angel's créme icing) 1/2 cup dark cocoa 100 g margarine/butter (soft) 1 tsp vanilla essence Mix together the dry ingredients. Add milk and mix well. Add eggs, soft margarine/butter and vanilla essence and mix well. Pour into two cake pans and bake at 175° Celsius until firm (usually 25-30 minutes). Remove gently from pans and cool. When cold, spread one half with icing, sandwich the halves together and spread with Angel Créme Icing. To this basic recipe I added about a cup of chocolate chips. The chocolate gives the cake an extra rich chocolate flavour and moistness. Englakrem - Angel's Créme Icing: 1 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 2 egg whites Boil water and sugar together until a clear syrup forms. Cool slightly. Be careful not to burn. Whip the egg whites until they are stiff and form peaks. Continue whipping and pour the warm syrup very slowly into the egg whites. Continue whipping until mixture is cold. This créme should be quite stiff. Spread on the cake and decorate with chocolate shavings.