That is way more texture on the Maui Buttercups than I was expecting ! That picture makes it look like a bright Drinking Gourd , which is fine with me that is a look I can appreciate. As for the Luna Moth, I don't know why, but it so interesting to see the original plant... It also seems to show the adult traits early. As to the second picture, What a nice range of colors ..it cheers me up having just looked at it. Next year we all need to hold some pictures back to share over the cold winter. I just hope I can get caught up with some of the great stuff that is posted here all summer long.

Stush, they are cleaning the air, so that's something... Hopefully I have at least a month before the f-word gets in the forecast, averages smaverages. Made it to late Nov. last year. Good luck to everyone when the time comes! It will be an interesting cram here, with decorative things that usually occupy some spaces put away until spring. I've been forced into more reality time lately, cleaning and dealing with all of the junk that seems to multiply when one's not looking. It sucks being the only person with the magic to make things go where they belong. Gave Martha Stewart ample opportunity to show me how to do it right, but I'm starting to suspect she's not coming and I had to do it all wrong, alone. Oh well, her loss. I remain clueless and inept. My fav magnet: "Dust testing in progress. Please do not disturb the samples."

Hi Clara (and Pamela and Leahcate)! I just saw your post. My sister was just here and she quilts (I don't). Quilting is so intricate and detailed that I wouldn't even be able to get started, least of all enjoy it! My hat is off to you for realizing it's supposed to be fun. Clara, I haven't really found any forums for support, but decided to do what I knew how to do when I was first diagnosed. (There were a few on the cooking forum who helped me out initially.) I jumped immediately into an old Weight Watcher's diet until I got Diabetes nutrition education, along with my blood testing kit. I felt like I was flying blind until I started testing my Blood Glucose (BG), but after that was easily able to see the correlation between what I was eating and how it affected me. What's important are Little Meals, with some protein always included, with definite snacks in-between keep your BG more stable. I've been eating apples with a little peanut butter, or celery with PB or cheese. You'll have to limit your carbs and spread them out throughout the day...it's amazing how many carbs are in a large apple! I started actively reading labels and seeing how much a portion was (much less than I had been enjoying.) Google Diabetic Gourmet Magazine; there is good information there, and I periodically check to remind myself of how important it is keep tight control of Diabetes. My doctor suggested ''Diabetes for Dummies'' which was very helpful to me. I still pull it out to read when I have a question about something. There's some good info on the Mojo thread about the Glycemic Index (good carbs that are slower to raise BG), which helped me a lot. The thing you have to do is eat! Then wait two hours before you eat again. If you'd like a support buddy, please e-mail me (My Page) and we'll chat. I know how overwhelming it is at first, but once you push through this and get regulated with meds/diet, you'll have so much energy you'll feel like your old (in my case very old!) self. I'll look forward to hearing from you!

I had my mom & MIL for most of May & did some traveling with mom. They left & we went camping at Rocky Mtn National Park for 6 days ... now trying to get ready for our neighborhood garage sale on Friday night & Saturday. I swore I would never do this again (and it has been about 5 years) but I just have too much stuff so cleaned the garage and now hauling stuff out to sell. I did do a little fabric shopping with camping friends in Estes Park, CO. I pulled out a UFO (queen size) that I started handquilting 10+ years ago & sandwiched the Disappearing 16patch. Son's GF LOVED her birthday quilt I left here for her while we were camping. (he said she jumped off the sofa & was beaming!) That's the kind of reviews you like to get! She did leave a lovely thank you card. I need to get started on a baby quilt for July & decide on a pattern for a bunch of Oriental fabrics I have been collecting. I'm thinking of a fan type pattern ... just not sure yet. Still lots of UFOs to get going on also. The weather is FINALLY starting to get nice (even though it rained/snowed/sleeted on us while camping!) so the flowerbeds are calling me to pull weeds - that will wait until next week. Back to work now on the garage! Sue