An update: the bamboo survived 3 blizzards with barely a scratch! It was totally exposed to the wind/snow, and the only difference is that there's some leaf burn on top. I gave up on the fishing line after a few hours--I was too worried it would damage the culms, even with something soft placed in between. However, the winter weather made me realize that these plants are just too big and tall for the space. I plan to move them to large raised planters in the backyard and will plant something more appropriate (a shorter, clumping variety probably) in this space. Any ideas? Whatever I plant there will get full sun and wind.

I really need birthday lists for March for those that can start posting them! I want to have the page done no later than March 1st, but hopefully before for those that have early March birthdays! Please, post your lists as soon as you can! J.J., sorry for your loss... I agree with Dan and everyone... They have a special place in heaven... Kim, I'm really sorry about the computer issues. I hope you get it all ironed out soon so you can have your computer back and protected. J.J. (shropshire_lad) - Thanks so much for the marigolds and Joseph's Coat Amaranthus tricolor! I just adore the card that you sent, too! I thought the inside words had been printed from a program at first because they looked SO good! Annette (playintheyard) - Thanks so much for sharing with me the Marglobe Tomato, Israeli Melon, Collective Farm Woman Melon, and Tortarelo Melon! I giggled reading your note to me. I'll reply to you personally in a minute. :-) Sarah Kate & Nikki (nikkineel) - Awwww! I love the homemade card! I especially like the green cake as that is my favorite color! Thanks so much for the Agastache anisata, Dwarf Cherry Rose Nasturtium, Dragon Tongue Beans, and White Hyacinth Bean Vine! I can't tell you all enough how much this birthday month means to me and how special you all have made me feel! Again, WOW!!! Blessings, Angela Here is a link that might be useful: February Birthday Wish Lists

With all the talk of cookies and cookie dough I couldn't stopped laughing after seeing debrak's photo!! (and of that super-loaded corner one id'd upthread with dibs! And as far as rescuing cookies visiting the floor, agree with annkh -especially since if I can cut the burnt bottoms off, I can and would just wipe them off if needed! Springroz - Just loved that shot of JR pulling the sleigh - ooohh just gorgeous! a2gemini - glad to see someone mention the blizzard of 66. As a young teenager my older sibs and I spent many extra days at home alone when our parents were stuck returning from an out-of-state funeral. They were nearly killed on the interstate and were lucky to get the last room at a motel. Snow levels were 8 feet with drifts over 12. As far as stocking up, I've often wonder if our interest in stocking up is a leftover evolutionary behavior...cannot for the life of me recall the actual term/phrase. I did only my regular shopping a day early, but did feel pressed to go before rather than after! Interesting thread! ...

Amberley, I haven't decided on my doors yet, but Leon at Scherrs is a customer service dream ;-) Go to their page and "contact us" and you'll get an email back in no time (well, unless North Dakota is snowed under...then maybe it will take a while!) I am so doing the skirted sink. Anywhere I can shave money off my bleeding (okay, gushing) restoration budget I will. Of course, grain sack probably costs more than wood doors these days! We have a typical Shaw's sink, but I'm not entirely clear on the install. I really just want it set on a shelf with a drip rail below. I'm in the wilderness here without a KD and hoping I can make myself clear to whomever picks up our derailed project and puts it back down on the tracks. After New Orleans gets back to normal (next Thursday) I'm going full force on my project (I hope). Of course, the kitchen is way off in the future. Liked that blog. Why can I never find cute stuff on Craigslist?!