Given as favors, I would give relatively large bulbs of something less expensive rather than small lily bulbs (which the JP bulbs are going to be) for this reason: Lilies are 'fresh' bulbs and never dormant. They need immediate planting after they're received from the shipper. When your guests plant their bulbs, they are going to expect something spectacular. Unless they're gardeners familiar with lily culture they may be disappointed by a small, inexpensive bulb that is slow to perform. In the fall, hyacinths might meet your needs. For non-gardeners, they can be forced in water and tossed after they bloom. People with flower beds can incorporate their hyacinth and it will return for a number of years. Pink or blue hyacinth bulbs are colorful as well. You'll need to warn people, however, that hyacinth bulbs handled with bare hands may have a tendency to make one itch. You also get a pretty bloom from the slightly smaller (less expensive) hyacinth bulbs-- they just don't have as long a stem, which tends to fall over anyway. In my experience, hyacinths are less likely to be eaten by squirrels than crocus, unless you use Tommies if you're giving spring crocus. You might research fall crocus; they are shipped in early September. Shipping dates may be a concern, too. Gladioli in May or June would work well. I've had good results from glads from the dollar store at 4/$1, so you could use inexpensive glad bulbs and expect good results. They're easy; plant and water. Glad bulbs are colorful too if you choose dark colors. I hope you find a bulb that will meet your needs and budget and give your guests something to look forward to bloom and remind of you for years. Nell

I just came in from finishing up the broccoli harvest. While I was out there a little gust front blew through and the temperature dropped 14 degrees in just a couple of minutes. It felt pretty nice out there at that point! I was expecting it based on what I'd seen earlier on radar....and the wind had completely stopped blowing about an hour before, so I knew that was the "calm before the storm". A big severe storm line that is down around Abilene is expected to hit the Fort Worth to Ardmore area right along I-35 between 6 and 7 pm, so get ready everyone. I'm watching the Weather Channel right now and this line of storms is showing rapid acceleration. Well, I need to run back out and finish pulling the weeds that were hiding under those big old broccoli plants. Dawn

if you weren't invited to the shower, you don't need to give them a shower gift. If you DID go to a shower, you would give both, as you know. If you wish you had been invited to the shower, you *could* give them a shower gift, but I wonder if that might make them feel bad for not inviting you--in which case, don't label it a shower gift. But the wedding gift alone is just fine--and I bet they'll like it, LOL! it'll certainly fit w/ their decorating scheme.

Thanks for the good wishes. We all had a wonderful time. Jenna,(the bride) will have quite an adjustment to make, after the honeymoon. She's going from living on a large dairy in CA, to Chicago, IL. She spent the past year in charge of the calves on the dairy, starting at 4:30am each day, bottle and bucket feeding hundreds of them. She worked very hard, physically. I'm sure apartment living, Chicago winters, and office work will take some getting used to. I don't know who did the flowers, Diane. I'm guessing a local florist, and not a family friend, or I would have heard about it. You're right, Carol. I've never really thought about it, but roses do play a significant role in many ceremonies. I wonder how that began, and why roses in particular? Cath, that is sweet about your late MIL. I just know someone who would do that, HAD to be a special woman. The fact that your FIL was willing to stop for her to do so, tells me he's probably a sweetheart, too. He must have loved her very much. This rose in one of the arrangements reminds me of a cross between Abraham Darby and a large size Earth Angel bloom. Yes, Kristine. Here's a picture with my daughter and SIL. Lisa