Sign up for the 2006 Hosta Secret Swap is officially closed. I've got the following people on the list: annzn5 badzoe bonsai63 bragu buff24 bukaeast caliloo cathgreen cindy528 dbowemd digs57 dukegg1 easttexasgirl fenceberry flower_power_nc garischa goldfinchtn gottahosta granny57 gregory2327 grumpygardenguy halcyone hosta_mom hostabuff hostas1000 indyrose intrepidgardner keithrnjd kiterloo kymmieann lavendargrrl lgkovalcik lori79 lroyrose lynnda lynnem mainma melati michiana minnow mjjones453 newhostaaddict paws4pets pcmcg petlover roz11 serenity_kate spencer1400 splashdown timhensley twin_too wbloonatic zztopsoil If you sent me an e-mail and do not see your name here, please contact me immediately. I'll send everyone an e-mail this weekend with the information on their Secret Pal. Almost time to get started! :-)

Since work put me behind schedule this week, I'LL EXTEND THE SIGN-UPS TILL MONDAY 5/19 AT MIDNIGHT CST. Melati--just got your message and will take you off the list. Hope everything works out.

I personally don't think buying seeds for someone else is necessary. Nor is it expected. If you want to, I guess that is fine. I look through other's lists and some are getting 3 things and others are not getting any (from me). But as I see it, others that have things that I don't have, and will have some for them (the person I din't have any for) and perhaps none for someone else. If someone has a short want list they might not get much of anything since we can't fill their wants if they don't want anything. The host will have to fill in the gaps for them with extras seeds, and hope there is something in there that might please this person. If the person with a short list is not sure what they want, perhaps they can be vague and say I like blue flowers that like the shade. Or any flowers, I am new and I have no clue what will grow here yet. Then maybe someone can toss in something that fits that requirement. Personally, I am tossing my extra veggie seeds in the extras baggie. So, if someone that asks for any veggie or any tomato, Fran can fill in with my extra veggies in a fair way. I have no way of knowing if one person needs more seeds and another has an overflowing amount already. But really, I think this should be fun, and as Fran said it is not a one for one thing, just share what you have, and it will all be ok. (really) For example: I once participated in the give to a newbie thing as a newbie gardener. I really did not receive much of anything I could use (mostly flowers). But is was still fun. I kept what I could use and SASE'ed what I did not need. So the seeds found nice homes, even if not mine. All is good. Surprises are fun. Giving is good for the heart, and sole. I hope my interpretation of this Swap is not not way off. Yes I should try starting seeds inside in early spring. I found out out that natural beginnings seeds starter mix is a very good all natural mix from gardens alive. My rutabagas did very well in this mix. I had always thought of starting seeds inside as a northern thing to do. But I guess it is not. We are trying to beat heat and the northerners are trying to beat the frost. I have some soup peas in damp paper towels now to try to give them a early go for it this spring. Last spring direct sowed peas took 3 weeks to come up. So by the time they matured, it was too hot. I'm learning. My garden is on the side of the house were veggies get shade after 2 pm. First year I made the mistake of thinking full sun, I will plant on west of the house. UG. Learned that, that is too much sun for Texas! So this year all will hopefully be better due to: water ditches starting some things under pop bottle cloches Sprouting peas inside living mulch verses dead mulch cover crops over winter reorienting garden beds so sorghum and sunflowers can help shade off the rest of the garden. avoiding overly thirsty crops smaller tomato varieties trying beany things along ground But anyway, time to go to the dentist. I have to realize I am not the only one having garden woes. It is just that since I am a new gardener, all years have been extreme weather years. I have nothing to compare it to. Hope every has some fun with this SWAP. Mary

Hi Everyone,,, Well, today in Quebec was a day to sit out the storm - and it's still falling - we should have about 40cm by the time it's over...for the non-metric members, just divide by 2.5 for the number of inches..it's way too many.. Well, in sitting out the storm I decided to get out my fabrics and get Cheryl's block completed....and Cheryl, it's done - and will be in tomorrow's mail... I hope you enjoy it....I am new to quilting - and the block exchange is a great way for me to practice and get really into my work - and I can't tell you the fun that I had today....I made a duplicate for myself at the same time since this block is my first quilt block..... I was going to attached a photo but I forgot how to put pictures on here....- I hope that you enjoy it..I know that your birthday is not until Jan. 03rd but I wanted to get it in the mail early to make sure that you get it on time. I was going to email you directly but I don't see an email address for you on the list. Have a great evening, Bill