I've also been longing for a fringe tree but have never seen it for sale in my area. From what I've read about them they can be grown as either an understory tree or out in the open. My mature dogwood is in decline and needs to be cut down but my young redbud is going strong. I really like both trees. You really lucked out getting what sounds like large trees for free! And so many of them! Here is a link that might be useful: http://forestry.about.com/od/silviculture/p/fringetree.htm

Yes I'm here - I've just been busy this past week or so. Had a lot of problem with cookies (computer) to get on line, then got very distracted by co-hosting a shower for a niece that is getting married. And all the snow has kept me busy - we have had 5 snow emergencies already and winter just started today. My life has has become: shovel, work, shovel, cross country ski, shovel, work, snow shoe! Too much black ice this winter to keep running so I took up two new activities. I mentioned at the shower to my nieces that I had purchased snow shoes at Costco and was having a blast. The 8 of them looked at me like I had gone mad! Ann - those are two really great sources for Minnesota Wild Rice. Gibbs sells cultivated (paddy grown) - which I don't think is organic. But Moose Lake has an excellent hand harvested product. In fact, I buy from Charlie Worrath of Moose Lake in the years my family's crop is not so abundent. And Charlie shipped some to me this year for my friend Karen from Texas. Karen grew up here and comes home for the holidays. I have her rice shipped to me and then give it to her when we meet for a drink. Karen and her husband drive back to Texas with a car full of Minnesota beers, wild rice, hazelnuts and who knows what else. Nothing wrong with Gibb's rice though. I have a couple pounds in my cupboard. I picked it up at the Farmer's Market - 2 pounds/$6. The vendor was throwing in the towel for the year and having a clearance. If I am going to have wild rice soup on a buffet - I actually prefer the paddy grown rice. It seems to hold up better over long periods of time. There are many areas of the country that don't have the rice readily available however. Rusty has never seen it while shopping nor has trixietx. And I believe Beverly also said it was not availble in her area. And who else in Florida said they don't travel much so they don't get wild rice anymore..... was it mustangs? I think we all have foods that are regional to our area. Paw paws!!! They have a short shelf life and can't be shipped. Anyone see those in your farmer's markets? My mother had them as a kid and always talks about them. Up North Teresa

Ann - Thank you, the guests left full and that was my price. I like when everyone eats and have a good time. Chase - You had a bright idea with the homemade ketchup, they were perfect pairing for the meats. I will make them again. Dixiedog - This morning we had some frost in the lawn, but when I went to check the tomatoes, it was warmer and sunny and they are still doing fine. I served the food buffet style and everyone served themselves as much as they wanted. Love to have guests and cook for them, if you were living closer, you would also be invited. From the appetizer dish that I don't know how I posted upside down,lol. I was left with puff pastry and for lunch I made more tomatoes. Silvia

Lake Mayor - if you click on "my page", then click on "my journal" and then click on "teresa_MN's page" it will bring you to a link to my email. Send me your address. I got to the post office today and there were no less than a couple hundred people. I will take an earlier bus tomorrow morning and go to the PO when they open at 6:30. So Shambo and all others should get their rice Saturday. Lou - no need to send me anthing. I found a package of goodies on my steps today that came from you! That will be a seperate thread. This was really fun! And Joshua did a great job picking a good mix of folks. A couple have never had the rice, some people I know, one I've never heard of! I was very happy to be able to share rice this year. I've never seen a crop like this, and I don't expect I ever will again. There have been years I have ordered rice from Deer River, Minnesota when our crop was slim. I ordered 30 lbs of rice from the guy a couple weeks ago for a friend who was coming to town for Thanksgiving. The shipping to my house was cheaper than shipping it to Texas. I had plans to meet this friend for drinks and I handed off the rice then. If anyone wants the name of that place, let me know. There are several rice sellers in Deer River, but only one has hand harvested lake rice. Teresa