Pam - I see you saw my comments on the rudbecka Rustic not-really-dwarf mix on the other thread. For folks who missed that, the 1/8 oz pack at Swallowtail (in their annual seeds section) contains about 3000-4000 seeds so that actually beats the prices on most of what they offer in their bulk section. The Swallowtail bulk section is always worth checking, but sometimes they also have wickedly huge seed packets at low prices in their regular section. Some of my faves there include: California poppies at 4500 seeds for $2.49 - $2.95 depending on type. Strawflowers, 5000 seeds for $2.49 Cosmos, 1300 seeds for $1.95 Foxgloves Excelsior hybrids at 20,000 seeds (yes, no typo) for $2.95 but currently out of stock. (But you could get 2500 seeds from ValueSeed.com for $0.99 if you need a bunch right now.) They've got some other bargains in there too but those are my favorites. Their xeranthemum and paper daisies have bargain packs but I wasn't impressed with the flowers or plants - especially when compared to their tall strawflower mix. That tall strawflower mix is a real winner. I didn't know they were as hardy as they were - my plants were green and flowering into the beginning of December here. In your area you might still have them blooming at Christmas. Another of my favorites is Helenium Autumanale - especially after seeing it as Bluestone's Perennial's cover flower in last year's catalog. I bought a pack from the bulk section at Swallowtail - 1000 seeds for just under $10. I got those in late May last year. The germinated fast (and with a very high germination rate), transplanted well, many bloomed the first year and I got a nice seed farm level of seed out of those. Helenium flowers are gorgeous with a lot of variety. They blow in the breeze in a super pretty way. I don't think it's possible to take a bad photo of them. I ended up hositing a photo group on Flickr just for helenium flowers because they are so beautiful. They are even super easy and fun to seed save from - seeds pop right off without fuss. AND they are long lived and perennial to zone 3. Oh, and they propagate easily by division so that once you have a favorite color you can divide it and make a garden full of clones if you like. I also think that they are likely to be a hot item for gardenweb seed and plant trading. Unless everyone who reads this ends up growing their own. :) Lynda Here is a link that might be useful: Slideshow from Flickr Helenium group

16 oz 110 copper sheet scraps stamped with a pin punch and wired on with 12 gauge electric wire scraps. Turns brown, then green. 110 copper is very malleable, 16 oz is right thickness.

Floating Island Punch 1 can of orange juice, frozen 1 can of white grape juice, frozen 1 cup water and one cup sugar cooked till sugar is dissolved. Let cool 1 jar of maraschino cherries, juice and all Add all the above and stir, then add a pint of orange sherbet Then pour in a two liter of ginger ale and a two liter of sparking water or club soda. Ice cubes may be added or an ice ring. We use this recipe for many holidays and events. I have had this recipe for 60 years. If you want this to be pink, swap out the orange juice for a can of frozen strawberry daiquiri. Use a carton of frozen sweet strawberries instead of the cherries and use strawberry or raspberry sherbet. We usually make two batches of this for our family. Sue

Lars I hope you get to try true chestnuts. They are a pain to shell but then the delicious flesh can be used in many ways. Using them for savoury dishes including chestnut soup and chestnut stuffing for chicken. Using them for sweets is my favourite and are mainly French based. With sweets you can use the cans of slightly sweetened puree… French Imported are the best. There is Mont Blanc which is a delicious slightly sweetened chestnut puree formed like vermicelli. Also chestnut mousse. My favourite are the Marron Glace - candied chestnuts. The imported from France boxed ones are better than the ones in a jar. Also adding that you can buy Unsweetened cans of chestnut puree as well and the trick is to read the french label and not buy the wrong one. Hah! ask me how I know.