Of course what complicates your situation, beyond the weather issues you mention, is that the roses often look different in your yard than described or even shown elsewhere. HMF is a fantastic resource, but if there aren't many photos or they're conflicting colors, it can make it hard to anticipate what a rose looks like. Then the rose decides to morph once it opens, or changes with the weather, and a combination you liked at first can change or vice versa. I noticed that with a corner of my mailbox bed this spring. I'm with Seil that virtually any color is OK in a rose, though I do try to plan against deliberate clashes of colors - no orange-reds next to crimson-reds if I can help it. In one corner, I had four roses blooming that were all reported to be coral-pink. Instead, Liverpool Remembers was neon highlighter coral, Pinocchio was Barbie pink, Grand Duc Henri was paler pink, and Rumba was an eyepopping tangerine with yellow centers. Fortunately World's Fair was nearby to tone things down with a dark red, but that view took care of my first dose of coffee that morning. By the time I'd gotten my camera in a day or two to capture the clash, Rumba had darkened down to a russet and all of a sudden everything meshed once more. My recommendation to you is also to put in neutral colors like white or buff roses and add in some purple perennials and annuals to make everyone play nicely. You can also compromise by having at least one color in each area that each of the 3 people likes (like your mother and Don Juan) so they only notice their preferred colors anyway. Cynthia

I love scarves for dressing up an outfit. I wore them a lot in Europe as they are an extra layer...over the shoulders for the cathedral, over the head for a drizzle, around the neck if it's chilly, around the purse if it's hot... Below is a nice video for ideas about how to tie a scarf. However, I too am in the camp of no more turtlenecks...when I have a hot flash, it feels like strangulation. Scarves I can take off, but turtlenecks, I'm stuck. Such a shame as I have a zillion of them...I lived in them all winter when I was working...they look so great under a jacket, with or without a scarf, necklace or lapel pin... I have a couple of white shirts, but I have trouble finding them opaque enough, I never have them ironed so when I'm rushing to get dressed, I by pass them for something that doesn't need ironing, and with my coloring, the white is a washout on me so I have to add color besides. I also have to worry about length as I'm short...tunic shapes just cut me off. Then there's the boobage issue...button fronts can gape on me which also isn't fun. (I remember giving a talk one time, and the fellow in the front row was staring at my belly. I realized my shirt had gaped and he was seeing skin. At least it wasn't in the boob arena. Last time I did that! After that it was pullovers, button in the back, long scarves in front or camis underneath!) So for me, it's not a go to item, though I can see how it could be for someone else. Also, these days, I'm so into comfort that knits are by far my favorites...they move and stretch with me. When I wear wovens without any lycra in them, I feel like I'm fighting my clothes. I didn't try them, but was tempted....I was in walmart and see that Lee is making a super comfortable jean now out of very stretchy, very soft denim with almost a flannel like feel...a real cross between a legging and a jean...but they also had them boot cut. Next time I'm at the VF outlet, I'll have to take a look. Here is a link that might be useful: how to tie a scarf

I would have to say some of the border punches! A BIG plus to any album! I have used the heart, bow and the one that looks like a scroll the most, they can REALLY make a drab album into something great in no time. As for a regular punches I like the flur de les (sp) teddy bear, butterfly, and the small mickey head, there are a number of different pages these can be used for. Penny

Hello all! I almost forgot about this thread. Thanks . Unfortunatly I lost this plant!! It fried in my greenhouse by accident. It fell behind a shelf and I never noticed until it was completely dead cleaning it up this past summer. I will forever miss this one. I am hoping to purchase another or some way get a cutting soon. It was one of my favorite and Greedyghost got the name right. if anyone knows a seller or a person willing to share, please let me know. Hopefully everyone is doing well) The description of the others here and the pictures are very nice. Thank you. Richard, it's the name that Greedyghost said shortly after I posted a pic of it. Mike