Thanks Susie :D This cheers me up,too! Hey Kirk, that's what the tree looked like when I was growing up. We planted hundreds and hundreds with our mother it seemed like,even staying out in the woods til well past dark with all sorts of wild animals jumping around at us out there,(back then it was moonshiners you ran into on your property, now it's meth labs) and it was scary when you're only about 6 or 7 years old! I never inherited my mother's ability or want, to wander alone in the woods til wee hours of the morning. After I was married and lived here, we still cut down our own trees, until trespassers stole all of them(to sell, I guess)one year. Some grew back up from the trunks, but we didn't feel like fooling with them any more after that. The smell is great, there's no comparison to a live tree, but we broke down and got an ARTIFICIAL pre-lit one :D lol Too many allergies, they dried out quickly,too. Boy could I tell you some FUNNNNY stories us and the kids endured with live trees ( one year involving a crazy Himalayan cat we had :D ) I can't wait til next Christmas!oh and I see Carol's tree skirt! It's just perfect. Cherry/Kudzu

I may be back here for some recommendations for more "lovable" hoyas once a few things settle down. I really love the flowers, and if I had the space, there would be more hoyas in my life. My obsession tends toward succulents (I work on the top floor of glass building, and sit next to a south-facing wall... it's almost TOO MUCH sun) and orchids (because I'm crazy ... is there any other answer?). The next few months will, I hope, see me moving to a new apartment, where I can hopefully have more dedicated space for my little green friends (Greentoe, I live in Sunnyside, just next to Astoria!). I'm glad I took that photo above, because looking at it made it more obvious that the darn cat had uprooted a piece and left it in the pot (see the more withered bit on the left?). It has since been saved. This weekend it goes out on the patio. It is has lasted long enough in the house, poor thing!

Hi everyone! Don't know what happened to my last version of this posting. I had it all written turned around and it was gone :(. Well my brugs are here at home. The very sweet woman who gave this to me and her equally nice husband who dug up and put into my truck each one of these trees made me feel warm and welcomed. Kristi, the woman who gave this to me even brought out toys for my kids so they wouldn't get bored. Not hand me downs - which are prefectly good in my book too - but new, in the box toys she keeps around for just this kind of event. When greeting with this kind of generosity, a simple thanks does not seem enough but she didn't want anything in return. What I brought home were trees taller than me, taller than the inside of my greenhouse. Well they've been well trimmed now and I have cuttings ready to go. Here's what I have to share: Rosamond Versi Peach - limited amount Mayan Magic Maya Arlene's pink Beauty Golden Lady - nice double - but be warned it has a virus. The virus does not spread easily but you have to clean your pruners before you go near another brug. It's lived side by side with the other brugs with no ill effects and grows nicely anyways. I just want you to be warned. Unnamed seedlings of her own crosses. I didn't get butterfly or the big Creamsickle :(. Someone else beat me to it. I can't really complain too loud because the person who got it was a friend who has given me sooooo many plants. Jaye - what kind of truck did you get? DH loves trucks. We've had quite a few. For anyone who wants one post it here or email me with which ones you want. Canna - sorry to hear about your kitty! I had that happen to one once. She survived fine but what a fright! I shudder to think of the pain. MaryS - Can I move in with you??????? That lake looks so peaceful. MaryB - Thanks! Dawn - Did you get my email? Please tell me that you've forgiven my rash comment :( Will more brug cuttings help?????? Hmmm just what I needed - Another plant to collect! Anyone ever had bursitis - just got it in the shoulder. I feel like an invalid. What did you do to help it. My mom said she heard something about Vitamin B. Does this sound familiar? Ellen

Wow Jeanne! I love these pictures of your tree...its Magnificent with the blue lights and all the Lovely Angels. I mentioned in another post to you how I enjoy seeing Mr & Mrs Claus....as a Holiday Tradition here! Love their 'Group of Friends' too. TFS jane