I know it's been a while and even the ending has ended, but I just thought that anyone interested in seeing what my 'Martin Frobisher' looks like as a bush wouldn't mind a little thread resurrection. My parents took this on Monday, and the rocks you can sort of make out in the lower left are already about two and a half feet above the ground where MF is planted (the border beds are terraced). I believe the shrub is about five or six feet high. My mother said the blooms have a nice, sweet, spicy fragrance (I'm assuming this means they're somewhat like rugosa); it also isn't terribly armed even by ordinary rose standards, so it's remarkably smooth for a rugosa. The look of the leaves and plant indicate strong influence from something else like R. beggeriana or R. laxa. My mother also spontaneously commented on how the blooms of 'Martin Frobisher' are almost identical in appearance to 'Marchesa Boccella' - which is planted in the bed above. Sorry for the wild color combinations, but this is one of the few places on the property where sun, soil and water make it possible to grow a lot of shrubs and perennials well, so the color scheme is "rainbow" to maximize what can be enjoyed there. It looks much better when viewed overall :) The plant is hardier than a rock in Minnesota, never any winter injury whatsoever. Stefan

Okay, my camera finally has found its way home so here are the pictures I promised! First is a jar of Tayberry Jam. Still unopened, but not for long: Then a jar of half eaten Caramel Spice Pear Butter (too fabulous!): This bag of Mukilteo Happy Hippie coffee looked a lot better before I opened it. I wish you could smell the aroma! I recommend it highly: And here is my wonderful cookbook. I truly love it and have carried it to work a couple times so I could have it with me to pick up ingredients: Here is the very best item. The beautiful handsewn without a pattern apron. Notice the pretty scalloped edge: Here it is from the back so you can see the careful binding around the edge: And -- get your tissues out -- read this wonderful label Terri sewed inside!: And here is the whole wonderful package. You can also see the darling kitchen cloths Terri used to wrap the jars of Jam and Butter: I am typing this with sticky fingers because I am licking pear butter off of them. I am down to the bottom of the jar now. Thank goodness Terri posted the recipe. This was a wonderful swap box and I just can't thank Terri enough. Thanks too for your patience in waiting for the pictures! Pam

Love to garage sale. But then I need to make room for my new found things so donate to goodwill or ARC. Just sent my son to Spain on a class trip with all "new" easy care clothes. (usually wears cotton knit/jean shorts and they don't hand wash and drip dry well)All shirts and pants/shorts were thrift store finds, most higher quality($$$) than what I would normally buy.(Don't tell him but I buy most of his clothes from thrift store and no one would ever know)I told this to my nephew, who was/is a clothes-aholic but his mom won't buy expensive stuff for him any more (22yr old student)He confided to me he is buying clothes there now. New found hobby:toothbrush rugs/rag rugs. Made with old sheets, purchsed from thrift store. I found really good video instructions on utube/toothbrush rag rugs/done by laura-jane. Here is a link that might be useful: rug instructions

I also like Pendleton for a more finished, business look. MaiTai's website is a great resource - especially if you happen to have square scarves. She sells and shows you how to use scarf rings. I have three Hermes scarves which are 35" by 35" and I never quite mastered the art arranging them. But the scarf rings make it much simpler. https://maitaicollection.com/collections/classique-scarf-rings-1 I prefer the type of scarf show in Annie's video. They are more versatile and easier to tie.