It is true that if you (a homeowner) puts down some wheat straw (that is what it is called, not sure if it is really wheat), some seeds germinate and send up some tall grass. This is an annual and will disappear after a time (especially once you start mowing). There is another thing ... when road work is done, the crews spread down a mat of pre-seeded "stuff" on slopes and that sprouts and grows like crazy. Hopefully that is a combination of fast growing "grass" and long term grass, but I don't know what it is. You might could call DOT or some county department of roads and ask them if it is edible (and I imagine they will say No for liability reasons) or at least ask them what kind of seed it is. Or you could look on the web and see if you find any definition of these products. See link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Section 716Erosion Control Mats (Slopes)

I sure feel great when I come here and read all the sweet things. It definitely makes the work worth it to share with y'all. My two sons, and DH, could care less. Tho my DD and DDIL came over and said it looked really nice. (My Dad loves Christmas decor and especially the Village.) I had to laugh, yesterday a couple of friends stopped by. One absolutely hates Christmas, she doesn't decorate at all.. or even enjoy giving gifts (its a chore to her). The other one is Jewish, LOL. So not exactly an appreciative audience. Thank goodness for you guys. Yacht, the poinsettia is lit up in my fireplace, looks wonderful, and I love it. You find me the neatest things! That fireplace is open to both living-room and family-room, so I can enjoy it twice as much! Nhardy, the one thing I totally do NOT have is energy! Its taken me weeks, starting a few days before Thanksgiving, and I didn't actually finish some of the things I wanted to do. Garlands mostly. I decorate without energy by using a lot of determination! Fibromyalgia causes not-stop pain and over-whelming exhaustion every day. As several of our gang here knows all too well. We just have to force ourselves to do things at times. I love Christmas too much to let Fibro win out over the decorating. Fighting with garland is bad enough, strings of lights are absolutely the pits! A few years ago, I began leaving the lights on my trees and wreaths when I packed them away. So I don't have to do all that work each year. And slowly I am replacing them with pre-lit things. I'm glad you like the Nutcracker collection. Until a few years ago, I never liked Nutcrackers at all. I sure converted in a big way. LOL. But neither my DD or DDIL like them, so I told them they better 'learn to' or they'll be having the biggest Nutcracker Yard Sale in Az. LOL. hugs, Karen

Posted by bumblebeez (My Page) on Fri, Mar 18, 11 at 17:00 "We have a screened in porch that I have decorated and each spring, when pollen is winding down, I bring in a hose through the front door and hose everything down. It works like a charm and is clean in several minutes. Now, this would deeply distress dh so I always do it while he is at work. But I've been doing it for 10 years so somethings right :-) I might do it twice during the pollen season. And I always pick a warm, sunny day and start early in the morning so everything will dry out. " I do a 4 step process that is similar. First, I put on a mask and take the leaf blower to the porch. Then, I pull the central vac outdoors through a window (reminds me that I need to have the vac guys come add an outlet closer to this window.) Next, I bring in the hose and water down every surface from windows to floor. I don't touch the ceiling because it is wood, but do knock down the cobwebs. Luckily, we have a waterspout near the porch and do not have to come through the front door with the hose. :) Lastly, I wash the windows, glass tables, etc. with window cleaner.

Livnlife I admire you for tackling such a small ball and I love it with the iridescent glass background. Eklypz, I can't believe this is your first Van Gogh glass!!! Diamondjennie, your ball looks so dainty and elegant. Flagtruck, using cup handles to make a built in stand for that gorgeous ball, was absolutely brilliant!!! Ahem...I can't believe that the person who ran this exchange and told everyone to make sure they took a picture of their ball before they sent it, failed to do that with their own ball and is going to make us all wait anxiuosly for Momof3 to find her camera! LOL Hey momof3...did you find that camera yet? Barb