The only garden related item I got for Christmas was a book called "The Essential Garden" which appears to be not much more than an advertisement for various garden tools and equipment. So as a consolation, I treated myself to my first begonia (6" with orange blossoms, very elegant looking) and my first marginata dracaena, which is too big for the spot I was trying to fill. There are 4 plants in the pot, so as soon as I can purchase some more decorative pots, I will divide it. I'd like to put something else in the pot with it, that will spill over the side. What pairs well with the marginata dracaena? I have always had one type of plant per pot, but I want to create little indoor container gardens. I just want to be sure I pair up plants that have similar needs. Anyone have any suggestions?

i've already spent about$300 on compost and potting mix.I bought 2 yards of the potting mix for my plants I bring home from work and my ws babies.I do my own cuttings also. i use the seed exchange forum for about 95% of my seeds so not too much cost there.. just stamps I think I spent $20. recycle the bubble mailers. I used to spend a ton of money on plants. i've cut way back. hubby builds my arbors and fences and such with wood off of jobs he's done. He brought me a sunflower bird bath from a demo job and brought me posts and troughs, a swinging bench that he dug out of the dump. he's a very cool guy. my brother is giving me a bunch of pavers and edging and soil that he and his wife decided not to use. decided they don't have a green thumb and are moving to an apartment. they are taking the lavander rose I gave them as a wedding present. it was thier color for the wedding. she's going to have me pot it for her. she's afraid she'll kill it. But, back to the original question i spend about $500 a year or so. Oh, I havent gone out to Northwest gardens yet....oh my...do I hear a cha ching coming on? flowerchild5

My mom always bought the largest turkey she could find -- had to be over 20 lbs and was 24 lbs one year. For Thanksgiving, I have tended to follow suit because I now have the gang, and the saddest thing ever at Thanksgiving is not having leftovers (it happened one year. I was really upset and cooked another turkey that weekend. :D This year, we had a 20-21 lb turkey but only had 10 coming. We had more leftover than usual, but it wasn't too much. The turkey was free in a grocery store promotion, so it is a lot of good eating for very little money (some with the rub and brine), it's easy to cook and everyone loves it. I have cooked 2 smaller turkeys side by side in a very large roasting pan. That works too. If it is just for us, I will cook a 12-14 lb turkey. Rhome, have you used the convection roast cycle on that Wolf oven of yours for roasting turkey or whole chickens? Fabulous! We brine our turkey, but not the chickens. I use a dry rub, may stick some lemon or orange in the cavity (the rub we use most often has citrus in it too) and pop them in on the preset convection roast cycle. The hot air of the convection sears the skin, seals in juices and it cooks fast. I think our 21 lb bird took about 3 hours - and it was moist, juicy and the flavor was fantastic. We may do turkey at Christmas or New Year's and experiment, but I doubt we will every make our Thanksgiving turkey any other way. I love that convection roast cycle.

My budget is $6200 (taxes in) based on items I already have picked out, but that could easily change. Gas range - LP converted, french door fridge and whatever dishwasher has good reviews haha! The range and fridge are obviously going to be the bulk of that expense. I think where you live varies greatly in this thread. I'm in Canada so I pay significantly higher prices for appliances. Our washer/dryer were on a really good sale a few months back with 18mths no payments, no interest so we jumped on it before we had even broken ground on the house! Planning on getting the pedestals in the future but not willing to spend the money right now. I rarely use a microwave so I have a base cabinet where it will be hidden and plan on getting something relatively inexpensive.