So, after 3 nights this week at 5, 2, 8 deg. F --- it has never been this cold here in February in over 100 years (ave temps should be 61/33 at this time of year). What made it the 'perfect storm' is that I was working out of town and had no way of protecting anything. So here's the blow-by-blow description: All of our Pindos (over 6 feet tall)wiped out. Two tall P. dactyliferas toast, yet 2 P. canariensis have a healthy appearing crown and several green fronds. More surprisingly, one of the Butiagrus Nabonanndii is still alive!!! Washingtonia Filiferas will probably survive, even some of the Robustas. Several Sabals (sold as Uresana) look competely untouched!!!!!! Sabal Mexicanas are probably gone. Brahea Armatas look relatively good. A Serenoa repens has lost some leaves but crown looks good; I think it made it because it is an underplanting below a large Filifera. Of course, the Rhapidophyllums came through unscathed ---- I will be planting more of those babies. Saddest of all, we had several Trichocereus Terscheckii over 8 feet tall. Our neighbors blanket wrapped them on day 2 since we were out of town. I can't bear to unwrap them yet. They were the sentinels of our garden. It's not just the monetary loss, which is huge enough. It's the sweat equity of creating a 2 acre garden over a 12 year period with species carefully chosen for what has been historically Zone 8 b. [Last year we were a solid Zone 9]. But it is not any different from what many of you have experienced with tornadoes in the Midwest or hurricanes in the Southeast. We will redo our garden, but probably with things like Sabal Minors, W. Filiferas and tree yucca species. At least all of our yuccas look great. Can't wait until Spring. Well, I'm off to the nursery to get some fungicide to spray the crowns. By the way, those Sabals I mentioned (which I think are Uresanas), are just starting to trunk and are big seed producers already ----- I am happy to send any of you seeds from this coming summer's crop, since these have proven to be so amazingly hardy Peace, DL

Thanks Jim.....since it was so darned cold and we had no specific plans except to entertain the grandkids it was a perfect opportunity to sit on my keester and look at the birds. We do get a pretty good mix of backyard birds...and this was really quite fun. I had never taken an entire day to record all the different backyard birds and I was really impressed with the variety...some times the very things we see each day are not noticed because of the familiarity...but, I did enjoy this and plan to do it again. Its nice when my husband and I can get some time off work and travel to Audubon Park, or the wildlife refuge to take a look at the birds...but, sometimes its amazing what you can see in your own backyard....thanks again Jim... ~Kathy~

Ooooh! More great advice! I LOVE the idea of Easter Brunch at the Kennedy Center! It is special enough for the occasion and unique to DC. Plus, I checked it out on Chowhound (thanks for the link!) and the reviews are very favorable. Oh, I'm getting excited now! I've also arranged for a Capitol tour with my Senator's office and requested a tour at the Bureau of Printing & Engraving. I passed on the White House tour because it seemed like a lot of security hassle for a short tour. Did I make a mistake - is it really not to be missed? Emma, you are not alone in your enthusiasm for Air & Space - I will go with an open mind! I booked our hotel at the Embassy Suites near Dupont Circle, but I'm not totally sold on that idea. It is a 5 block walk to the Metro which sounds kind of far to me. I'm wondering if I should change to the ES at either Chevy Chase (Friendship Heights) or Alexandria. Both have Metro stations very close by, and it sounds like lots of restaurants as well. Alexandria sounds very charming, I'm leaning towards that way. Will we miss anything if we stay too far out? (Are those places too far out?) I need good restaurants and shopping, don't need nightlife. We'll be there for a week. (I did check out the ES at the Convention Center but it is coming in at over $350/night including tax. I just can't bring myself to go that high!) Thanks again for the great ideas - keep 'em coming! Nicole

Eld6161 - I love your doorbell chimes, and that's such a nice way to display smaller seasonal items. I have always dyed eggs, too. I'll call my youngest brother a couple days before Easter and ask "Whatcha doin', baby bro?" "Coloring eggs." He's 47; I'm 61. We love our Easter prep. Murray's Mom - that is such a lovely story about your Mom sending you Easter baskets. I just know she had great joy in doing them. Were the pretty pink dishes included as the "basket?" Either way, that's a great gift. Carmelita should always wear hats; she quite fetching. Long ago when the Kitchen Table forum was still owned and run by Spike, we had great fun coming up with "Official this" and "Official that." The "Official Candy" of the KT was peeps! Shades - you're working too hard. The enclosure and new run is going to be great. Think "photos!"