Thanks for the compliments! Ed, Tuscawilla Tigress is a GREAT grower here. I don't know if it performs that well in other places, typically, but it's vigorous and has huge blooms. I wish all of mine did that well. Casey, Julia: Tahitian Waterfall is really pretty. I'm glad you liked the photo because I think it's prettier in real life... Mantis, Adorable Tiger did nothing for the first three years here. Not a single flower. Last year it bloomed for the first time, and this year, finally, it had multiple scapes, so perhaps it will bloom eventually for you, too. I like its colors. Mike

SS11 has gone through several stages like that. He's in one now, actually. Our approach has been multipronged: - We remind him that he wants privileges (such as being allowed to go to the store alone) but that privileges come with showing maturity and responsibility. Lying doesn't show those things and makes it hard for us to believe he is ready for the things he would like to do or have. - We've had him write apology letters or write a list of 5 reasons that lying is wrong. None of the reasons can relate to getting caught or being punished. - We've explained to him that we greatly prefer to trust him. It's easier and happier for everyone if we don't have to police his every move. We've presented it like this: "A__, you don't like when we nag you and check on your every move, right? You like when we trust you and give you your own space. Well, when you lie to us about simple things, like brushing your teeth, it shows us that we NEED to be nagging you and checking on your every move. If we could trust that you'd brush your teeth when asked to, we wouldn't have to pester you about and it wouldn't turn into a fight. If there's no fight, then everybody is happier." Then he sees that our actions (nagging him) are a direct result of his actions (lying to us) and is more willing to change his actions. - We issue rewards for completed tasks. If he wants to watch a show that will be end a bit later than his usual bedtime, so we say "If you are ALL ready for bed BEFORE the show starts, then yes, you can stay up late to watch it. So that means you have to have your backpack ready for tomorrow, be showered with your teeth brushed, and in your pajamas. If ANY of those things aren't done by the time the show starts, then no show. Deal?" He knows that we mean it. If he skips something, he won't be watching and it will be his own fault. - This one is underhanded and a bit manipulative. We don't use it regularly. SS is always really worried about what other people think - he doesn't do well in social situations or make friends very easily, which is too bad because he's a nice boy and I've seen that he is a loyal friend. So we've reminded him that people don't like liars. We've said "People don't want to be friends with someone who lies to them. No one wants a friend they can't trust; they want a friend who will be truthful." For this case, we thought a little peer pressure might be a good thing, although it isn't a technique I'd usually advocate. - For personal hygiene issues, we've shown him pictures of gum disease and so on. He also doesn't like to brush his teeth or bathe. We explained that we don't tell him to do these tasks to spite him, but so that he is healthy and well. "Yup, brushing your teeth is a pain in the butt. But we don't make you do it to be mean to you or to think up clever ways to torment you. We make you brush your teeth because it's important for your health. ~Insert explanation of gum disease, complete with photos, here~. Now do you understand why it's important for you to brush your teeth?" We've had to do this roughly once a year since he was about 8. - And, of course, we try to praise and be positive for the things he does when asked and for telling the truth. To be honest, I get a bit frustrated with having to tell an 11yo that he did a good job because he put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket, or praise what a very good choice it was that he told us the truth about something... But he needs it, so I do it. I think it will continue to be an ongoing battle for us, for the same reason you just mentioned. SS doesn't really understand cause and effect or that actions cause reactions.

I found this recipe yesterday when looking through some craft sites. Looks so refreshing, a must try. Lemony Lemon Bread This recipe makes two loaves and freezes well, so you can enjoy one when you make it, and enjoy the other loaf at a later date. This bread takes a bit of time to prepare, and requires at least 4 fresh lemons, but it is just as good (maybe better) the next day, so feel free to make it the day before you plan to serve it . ~ For the Lemon Cake ~ 1 1/2 cups cake flour 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 1/4 cups sugar 8 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup grated lemon zest (from about 4 lemons) 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract ~ For the Lemon Syrup ~ 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup sugar ~ For the Lemon Glaze ~ 2 cups confectioners' sugar 4-6 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice Making the Lemon Cakes (Recipe yields two 9"x5" loaves) Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray sides and bottom of pans with non-stick cooking spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper and spray the paper as well. Sift both flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Blend the sugar, eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix until combined. Slowly add the melted butter, while mixing. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until just combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour mixture, one third at a time, until all the flour is combined. Do not overmix. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes, rotate the pans, reduce the oven temperature to 325*F and bake another 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the Lemon Syrup ~ In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and invert the baked and (mostly) cooled loaves onto the pan. Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the loaves. Brush the tops and sides of the loaves with the lemon syrup. Let the syrup soak into the cake and brush again. Let the cakes cool completely, at least 30 minutes. (The soaked, but unglazed loaves will keep well, wrapped in two layers of plastic wrap and frozen, for up to 6 weeks.) Make the Lemon Glaze ~ In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. The mixture should be thick but pourable. If the mixture is too stiff, add up to another 2 tablespoons lemon juice (a little at a time) and whisk again. Pour the glaze over the top of each loaf and let it drip down the sides. Let the lemon glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving. The glazed loaves will keep for up to 3 days, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature. Recipe Source ~ Baked, New Frontiers in Baking

I'm making these this weekend, but I won't use all that garlic--maybe half. SPICY BAKED WINGS (Jo Cooks - Foodmaker) 3 dozen chicken wings 9 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tsp fresh grated ginger 2 tsp sesame oil 1/4 cup light soy sauce 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp hot sauce 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar salt and pepper to taste chives for garnish Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or silpat. Salt and pepper the wings and then place them on the baking sheet. Bake them for 45 min to an hour depending on how crispy you want them. To make the vinaigrette, mix all remaining ingredients, minus the chives and whisk everything together. Pour the vinaigrette over the wings while they are hot and toss them around, making sure the wings soak up all the vinaigrette. Garnish with chives.