It's a brand new non-stick pan that the cake sticks to Rococogurl, I was about to throw my hands up in the air, until I read the above. And you're gonna hate me for saying this, but get rid of that new, non-stick pan! Well, don't toss the pan, instead, use non-stick pans for pound cakes, and other butter cakes, but NOT Angel Food cakes. Angel Food cakes need a non-stick surface to give the batter something to cling onto, in order to rise. I use an old, heavy gauge aluminum pan. I pour the batter right in it, no prep. It always rises to its fullest, but never collapses. I've even baked AF cakes in sheet pans, sin problemas. Invert your cake (don't worry, the cake won't fall out). After the cake is allowed to cool for about 1-1 hours, use a spatula -instead of a knife- to loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Don't jab the spatula into the sides. You'll damage the cake and scratch the pan. Just insert the spatula about half-way into the side of the pan, and go all the way around, gently pulling cake away from the pan. Don't forget to do the same to the core before you try releasing the cake. Please try these simple techniques, and you'll have a cake that'll make angels sing. Sol

I don't know where you live, but maybe you could force a branch of a flowering shrub? Like forsythia or a witch hazel or even cherry or apple blossoms? I'm naming things for my area; in a warmer climate you might just be able to get something already flowering or with just interesting growth pattern. Like this with a maple branch

Sharon (and anyone else) - Please do not think you did the wrong thing by signing the blocks! The question simply had not come up before. (The hostess learns a lot the first year of being hostess! LOL) Also, I think your technique of signing them on the seam allownace is a WONDERFUL one. We may hear from someone in the groups who will like to have them signed like that or who will want to add the names that way after they receive their blocks. I guess my problem is I couldn't write that small to keep them a quarter inch in height. LOL Gwen, I see you, too, are cold. On the weather last evening they said this was the longest period of consecutive very cold nights that we have had in 25 years! If it's this cold in the south, I can imagine how cold everyone else is! Stay warm! Jeanne

Imagine if your loving grandmother, was Judge Judy! Which I dislike as much as Barny toy! Act of God applies to public trees as well. And since root lifting sidewalk does not actually trip someone, cement does. Government is usually protected against suit by past proceedings settingprecedent. Hey ilovemytrees, even as a Treestorian. I agree with you, fence line trees worst. Along with ones under power lines. And with so many utilities having right of way on parkways, that also could be worst. With planting...Tree owners never take full species size into consideration. Fact is most back yard trees over 55 years old, began growing wild during an era when most property owners did not have fences between each other. Only common gardens where wild tree seeds liked growing, then latter with fences, seeds snagged on fence lines. And fence line trees are the worst, getting tangled in fence. Also because fence trees lack any competition on either side of yards, their low limbs grow well into each neighbors yard. Unfortunately worst problem is since young trees never get "Structurally pruned" for one main trunk, like in nursery until sold. Wild trees produce Multiple poorly attached stems which inevitably fail in future. And become issues. California is a state with extreme private tree guidelines. Requiring professional arborist to make official report on trees condition. Multiple trunk trees have become such a safety issue, that many insurance companies require property owners to either "Cable limbs together" of remove tree entirely before insuring. Because of ordinances here in Chicago area, neighbor has right to have next doors tree pruned all the way back to line. Roots also. Then some trees end up looking like a townhouse when 1/2 owner installs different color roof or paint job. One side harshly pruned, and other still natural. Everyone needs to know that each individual situation is different. Many times protecting tree owners from more and more property owners that just want tree gone. Because of extra maintenance required in fall raking leaves and cleaning gutters. Sometimes old growth trees that have been in same spot for 350 years become part of legal issue.