Mellen, The box from you arrived today. Wow! I was thinking it was like Christmas morning as I pulled one thing after another out of the box. The only bad part is that I am almost certain that I was here when the mail was delivered (probably around 1:30 or 2 p.m.) and the postal worker did not let me know. They usually beep the horn so you can walk out and get the box. Around 7:30 p.m. I said to my husband that maybe we should check the front porch in case the box came and there it was! My husband was a dear and helped me get the plants either in the ground of in pots for the night. You sent me so many plants that I love, I just hope they settle in okay. I put some water on them even though it was almost dark at that point. Anyway, I can't possibly list it all - Mary Ellen sent a beautiful Christmas ornament decorated with fancy lace that I will certainly keep from year to year. I also got a candle, memo pad, journal, angel plant poke and squirrel pot hanger (these two are so cute!) With the journal, I decided I will try to keep myself a little better organized with my plants and will write it what I received and who it came from. I completely lose track of that. Mary Ellen also was a true treasure as a friend because she had already prepared plant markers with the plants' names to stick alongside them. That is so good. I usually rush to put them in a pot or the ground and think I will remember and do a label later and I don't get around to it and forget the name. (I know no one else does that! LOL) Anyway, as for the plants, I got: Sweet Potato Vine 'Marguerita' (I have two sweet potato vines but didn't have this one), a Polka Weigela - it is a shrub - couldn't believe it when this came out of the box! - a cigar plant, a Sum and Substance Hosta that I have wanted for a few years now, a heuchera 'Chatterbox', two daylilies - Heron, and Custard Candy, and a flowering maple (also called Abutilon - I have a different variety that I bought at the Botanical Gardens plant sale this spring and it bloomed all summer and I love it so I am really happy to have another!) Does anyone grow these? I am wondering how to get more (root or save seeds)? I also wonder if they are winter hardy in our weather. Guess I will do a little research. Anyway, I know I did not list some of it. Thanks so much Mary Ellen. I know you weren't feeling well and I don't know how you put all this effort into the box that you sent. Thank you so much! Sandlapper

Thanks for the compliments! I had so much fun with this table. DS helping made it special. Slinky, I'm hoping he will get more into this "dish-iese" with me. My DD likes them, but with 2 boys and another coming any minute, she hasn't gotten addicted yet. I'm going to start on a purple collection for her. She also says she has no place to keep them and the boys will break them. I may have to find her a china closet on Craig's List or at a thrift store. Mine came from a DAV store. She is sort of bummed out at never having a daughter. We had so much fun when she was growing up. It was basically just the 2 of us since she was 4 years old and she wanted someone to share girly stuff with, too. Thanks, Luvs. I've admired everyone's F&F for so long here. Never found anything on their site that made me want to pay those prices. These pieces were reasonable and fit in with my table. I found the one piece one month and the other piece the next! How cool is that? Donna, Love your table. How long have you collected state plates? My Aunt had a whole wall covered in state plates. I wish I would have asked for one when she died to remember her by. I so admire your napkins. It makes them so special when you make them. Sure wish I could have eaten with you! I LOVE pork BBQ! Kathleen, Thanks for the compliments. You and Judith got me hooked. I always come here hoping to see something from you! I'm sure missing Judith. Betty

I'm sure there'll be a corn field just down the road. Few cobs roasted in the coals??? If temperatures continue to be cool (60s at night here) in the mountains, we just might want that fireplace!! Wouldn't that create great ambiance!

Anyone's feelings for "The country" and any patriotism about it should be unaffected by the doings or positions of any temporary politician/office holder. The country is diverse and is the same from year to year, no matter who's in office and no matter what the government does or doesn't do. If you love the country, you should also respect the diversity of views (without needing to agree with them). That's a concept many don't understand or want to deal with. The frequency of Americans' overt expressions of patriotism, along with the same of overt religiousity, are two things about the US that many Europeans find puzzling. Most people around the world (other than political dissidents, and often even them) have affection and pride for their countries, they just don't feel the need to express them publicly or as frequently as Americans do. The flag represents everyone and every point of view, not just one's particularly favorite position.