I don't know if I have a particular "God given talent", but the things I enjoy doing, I seem to do well at. I've always had an interest in decorating, and my first project was in Home Ec, decorating my bedroom. I was always moving things around at home, and would tell Mom if I didn't like a lamp, paint color, furniture, or whatever. When I married, and was 'on my own' I was always aware of how my house looked, and not having a lot of money, would put things on layaway. Writing/i'm very descriptive! Flower arranging/this is something I do a lot for others as well as myself. I find it goes hand-in-hand with decorating, and love to 'put something together' when I get the chance. Painting/took lots of lessons, and at least know brush strokes. Haven't painted anything but furniture or walls in years. Singing/I *love* to sing, mainly in the car. I can reach some pretty high notes. I sang in the church choir when I was a kid, but didn't look forward to going to chrch, just singing. LOL Dancing/I can boogie-down with my 3 DD's pretty well! I took ballet lesson with my youngest DD several years ago and still remembered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th position as well as tour jete, and plie'. I was still fairly light on my feet! DD found it difficult, and we only took 6 weeks of lessons. Sewing/sewed a dress for a beauty pageant oldest DD had entered years ago, and almost all her clothes in seventh grade. About the only thing I sew now are hems, on the machine, but will be attempting slipcovers for slipper chairs soon. Gardening/fairly successful w/Roses and various flowers, especially wild flowers. I don't have too many things die, unless it's lack of water! LOL Cooking & baking/great cook, too lazy to do much baking. I don't uses 'boxed' mixes, only cakes and brownies. I'm a 'from scratch' cook. Fashion/I worked in ladies ready-to-wear for 20+ years, so feel I have a very good sense of fashion, and what works for me and what doesn't. I don't spend as much $$$ as I used to, cause I would rather buy things for the house. Since i'm no longer out there working, I can save a lot! Most of all, I have a real passion for the things I do enjoy, and always put 100%+ into it! I have an antique space at a local antique mall, and find that's become my creative outlet for a lot of things. I get many compliments, which makes me want to do more, so I feel my efforts are not in vain. ;o)

Hey guys..I am getting no time in towns when there is a library open or else I have no time. We spent 2 days in Austin and had a wonderful time but I never got to a library and also it was too fun to be inside :) I really appreciate the cheers from everyone. We are in Wimberly TX tonight at an EMS station that lets cyclists stay with them. I can only have these few minutes. Maybe in Del Rio I will get more time LOVE YOU GUYS ! c

LilyfinchLilyfinch, welcome to California :-) You've been give such wonderful advice already on this thread, I don't have much more to offer you, however here are a few things you might find useful... The jasmine you mentioned that you are seeing everywhere right now is called Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) and you can find it just about everywhere and grow it so many different applications. For instance, you can get an entire flat of it at Home Depot for about $18, and plant the plugs to make a ground cover of sorts, or you can pick up a 5g staked jasmine for about $12-$15 at a wholesale nursery near you, and grow it on a trellis or up a fence. Its evergreen here, and once it's done with it's first flush of flowers, you can prune it back and it will send out another whole flush of wonderfully fragrant flowers. Of course there are lots of varieties of jasmine, but the one you seeing all over town is star jasmine. You also mentioned nurseries. There are tons of nurseries around Southern California, some being retail, some wholesale (many are open to the public so use yelp to find the ones closest to you) and also growers galore here. When you feel up to exploring and driving a bit further that your city, consider checking out Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar, you will be in love from the moment you pull into the parking lot! And try the Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano, its a large nursery with tons to look at and inspiration all around. One more is called Green Thumb, in San Marcos. There are of course lots of nurseries in between these, I just thought I'd mention some for when you are out exploring your surroundings :-)))

I too grew up with the Cambridge tea full of milk and sugar. I still love it, but can't drink much tea due to a bladder condition, sigh. I also love to do a Sunday dinner with the nice dishes and crystal stuff and nice linens. I have my grandmother's little roll basket liner embroidered with the words "Hot rolls" on the flaps. And her pressed glass salt shakers and a couple of her old china soup bowls with her initials on them. Most are chipped and the pattern is worn, but I use them occasionally still. Also have tea sets from both grandmothers plus my late Mother, but sadly little opportunity to use them. I also have a couple of candy dishes from my grandmothers. That tradition, having a candy dish sitting out in the dining room or living room, has died out, probably for the best for our figures and teeth. Mom told me a story about my cousin who used to go over to my grandma's house as a child and say, "Grandma, I smell candy!" Which was probably unlikely as my grandmother kept it in a dish with a lid, as did most. I do have memories of trying to sneak the lid off and get a piece . . . I use the lidless candy dishes occasionally for serving some type of fancy pickled thing or other condiment, and the lidded one can hold mixed nuts or party mix too if I wanted to revive the tradition of having a dish of treats left out long term. Doesn't make much sense now considering how rarely we entertain guests and how few of them would want to imbibe in a snack while visiting . . . Agmss I never grew up with that kind of zuppa de pesce but once I tried a recipe for it, it became one of our favorites. It's on my "to do" list to make for this month to use up some fish and shrimp we have in the freezer, not enough for a meal but good for soup if combined. Now whenever I will make it I will be reminded of your grandfather and uncle!