I had to direct sow last year after my zinnia seedlings failed and the daffs flopped. So I never did get it too look like what I had in mind. But this year is different. Jean, I know zinnias need lots of sun and the get lots of sun there all afternoon from about noon on. Just shady earlier in the morning.

Ok, you asked so here's the 2010 version. What do you think? I purchased this linen woven runner. I tried it with the red tablecloth but I think the green looks much better in my kitchen. I also took away the white candles and added the green ones. Please ignore the arrangement of the greens. I just placed it quickly for the effect. I won't actually put it on the table until our party next weekend. Thanks for all the positive reinforcement! :)

LOL, Blfenton!!! Something to think about. I love those boys with all my heart, but they sure can create chaos at the table! Their parents are wonderful, intelligent, very educated friends of ours and we love them like family, but letting their kids literally cram food into their mouths with their hands sure makes for a big mess sometimes. At almost-5 and almost-4, they do know how to use a fork, knife and spoon just fine. They just think it's cute to use their hands for the attention they get, and their mom and dad let them. Bonnie: Yes, I serve buffet style, setting up stations around my kitchen to keep people moving: appetizers, main & side dishes, and drinks. I set up our dessert bar on the dining room hutch. You all have convinced me (although I should have thought of it myself!) to use the candles grouped together out in the kitchen or set up the dessert bar in the kitchen as well, and group the candles on the hutch. Thank you for your great ideas! And, yes, I'm going to look into buy fresh greenery that I'm NOT allergic to (LOL)!

Cloning from clones over the long term will turn your yield to leaves. You need to start from seed. Put seed in saturated wet peat pellet on heating mat 2 days MAX, place in small cup, cover with plastic wrap. When you see green leaves or similar transplant to a 4" pot(saturate with water,last time you'll ever saturate anything 100%, To not saturate=only watering one side only then the other side another time). If cup content becomes dry spray lightly. Always only use plain water. PH is 6.0, watch Temperature only at 75F, max 78F, never over 80F(that's when the heat mat was used). When You see 4/8 bottom holes with roots transplant to 6" pots then to home(biggest pot). Get a hydroponic cloning machine. Temps is as cold as you can, but 72F. Spray every 2 days, 1 per day max. Use/add liquid compost to the regular cloning solutions. When something goes wrong you stop and regularly start over with seeds...