jemdandy, I recall my grandmother making kraut and pickles in crocks--unfortunately none of mine were inherited from her. She would take a lid from a smaller crock, so that it fit inside the pickle crock, then weigh it down with a clean stone or brick, wrapped in cloth, to keep the cabbage or cukes below the level of the brine. Thanks, triciae, I was hoping that I had a treasure! :[ If you left a link, it didn't make the jump, but I'd love to see more pics. I googled 'sharp eared crocks' hoping to find info on the potter, and found this informative site. Scroll down for American stoneware. I think I might have a cream pot: "The stoneware cream pot ... appears throughout the eastern seaboard down through the Carolinas and west to Indiana. This vessel, illustrated here, has a high shoulder and wide mouth, where the shoulder slopes in slightly to a flat, shaped rim. There are two semi-cicular(sic) lug handles on the shoulder. The interior of this vessel was glazed with Albany slip, which was more common in the North. They were made in sizes from one to five gallons. They were often used to separate milk from cream and to store cream. Many of the vessels had an incised line at the level of the handles."

Time for the answer! It's rainwater that has pooled in the leaves of a lupin. The flowers aren't out yet.

Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that. I start my day by checking the movie post, but I can understand that you are tired of doing it. Honestly, I was amazed that you took the time for so long. Sometimes I knew the movie, sometimes I could figure it out based on the actor shown and sometimes I had no clue, but I always had fun thinking about it. Many thanks for your kind efforts including your site of the day posts. Fun2BHere (formerly Forhgtv)

Joey and Lorelei, you are right! Who'd a thunk sansiverrias could be appreciated for their delicious fragrance? Not me anyway. Annie and Joanna, no -- you do not get to be jealous of the rain! ... LOL Because, on average Austin gets about three inches more a year than San Antonio (you lucky people :-) and not only that it's comes more regularly. So enjoy it! ... :-) Lorelei, after I learned what a wafer ash looks like I saw one growing less than half a mile from my house! I looked for seedlings, but couldn't find any. I did collect some seeds to share. Pam, thanks for enjoying my yard with me, and that goes for all of you. Much appreciation.