I host the Raleigh Swaps and I've noticed that many gardening organizations in this area now do their plant exchanges in a similar manner. Back in the old days people organized swaps with all sorts of rules (bring a plant - get a plant or first come/first served). We don't do that. We try to keep rules to a minimum and chaos to a maximum. The one thing I have observed over the years with new swappers arriving at their first Raleigh Swap is that in the beginning it is quite intimidating. We get about 45 people, all with glazed over eyeballs and foam dripping from the corners of their mouths. These people simply love to spend the afternoon with a bunch of fellow gardeners, sharing advice, sharing ideas, sharing plants. I often have to explain that as a group the bulk of us only see each other twice a year (at the swaps). We may act like we see each other every weekend but that just isn't true. Some of us have been coming to the swaps for years and we know what others are looking for or what sort of gardening they do. More than once a special hard-to-find plant has been given to me by someone that read one of my posts. I think sometimes they actually went out and bought the plant just for me as a way of saying thank you. I cannot say why these afternoons are so much fun - they just are. When gardeners get to a certain level of expertise they enjoy propagating their plants so they are constantly looking for people to take away all those rooted cuttings. It isn't always about new or rare plants. Many times people are looking for more of something they already have, they just want more of it. Sometimes they just want something their grandmother grew. You never know. Bring what you have, what you are proud of,, someone will want it and I guarantee you'll have fun.

Well, it saves me answering 50 personal emails with this same message. It's nice to leave it at the top until the trade is over!!! I don't think people realize how many emails I get about the trade, on a daily basis. GGG

Hey ladies - well, the week of the 14th is my son's fall break so we're heading down to visit my parents. Whether we go down on Friday (the 12th) or on Monday (the 15th) will depend on the weather (I'm just going to head out of Dodge whenever Mother Nature gives me the go-ahead!). If we wind up being here on the 14th I can come in the afternoon. Don't know about what I have to share - I just put about fifty plants into my sister's yard! I'm sure I can find some things, though, there's always something that sends out a baby or needs dividing. All I really want is a few of those Angelique and Queen of Night tulips - swoon! They're two I've always wanted. I can earmark things for the spring swap...if I can't make this one! Will work on that when I know more. :)

My husband works for Sam's Club, and they do not take those check/coupons. My DS is on Isomil Similac and we have found the best deals at Walmart. For some reason, the Walmart by our house offers the huge can (1lb,14oz) for 2 dollars cheaper than the walmart by my work. My DH says it is b/c the income level is lower where we live. Anyway, the formula is always $15.54 and w/ a $2 coupon, it's only $13.54. At Kmart or Fry's, the SAME can is $22.50. The difference is amazing! Andrea