deb- you are too sweet! i couldn't have done it without the help and advice of so many of you! ESPECIALLY TJ!! thanks, john! my family has been doing most of it alongside me (some more willingly than others, ahem), so they deserve the credit, too. i think i'd err on the side of caution if you have the space, deb. so if it's a small dicliptera i think i'd wait. they are hardy here, but you're a zone colder, and i'd think it may not have time to get enough in the ground to overwinter. i don't know about the other shrubs, but if they are small, i think i'd do them in the basement, too. the beautyberry is the one exception- they are plenty hardy and it will probably do just fine. matter of fact, i had a potted one above ground last yr unprotected that did just fine. (long story) i also think the ajuga would be fine, and the salvia would depend on hardiness, size & root mass. i got some tiny ones i will definitely protect. i got an akebia, too, and think it will be protected. the roots didn't look really filled out. i've posted on the exchange page, but in case not everyone is looking there, there is an album of pix posted. it also has the spring swap. (and brenda i fixed the credit to reflect that it's mike- sorry!) you can see it here: Here is a link that might be useful: fall & spring swap '06

OOps my computer locked up while I was posting and only a partial post went through evidently... to continue... Carrie, do you ever go visit her? Am planning a trip to Loneoak Daylily farm soon, when I can find the time to get away. Ever been there? It is supposed to be fairly close to where your friend lives. Good luck on your planting! bunchie, will you be at the plant swap at Mercer? I don't have any rooted, but could bring you a cutting to try. Malmason, Mine is planted on the east side of a building so it doesn't get any hot afternoon sun. I can't give you any first hand advice on that, but you might consider amending the soil if it is clay, before planting.

I honestly don't know anything about what would be an appropriate gift in Boston. In fact, as far as Houston (where I've lived my whole life), AFIK there's no "custom" gift. Not that I'm up on all that stuff!! The thing is, I give what I feel comfortable giving rather than trying to figure out what the couple expects or what the local tradition might be. If money is the custom there, they'll already be getting a lot of checks. Why not make your gift one of the few personal items that stand out and get remembered? I have a few quotes below from a very wise person who frequents this forum. See if you can figure out who said all this: When I got married, I did not have enough experience to know what would REALLY come in handy as my family and entertaining needs grew. Even then, I could see the difference between the gifts our peers gave us -- "unique," fun, or short-term stuff (e.g., a bed tray and a subscription to a book review) -- and the things the "grown-ups" got us: serving pieces, carving board, tablecloths, dishes, flatware, etc. We liked and appreciated all of it, but I could see the older generation had the better idea, and theirs are the gifts I am still gratefully using almost 26 years later. Registries tell me colors, styles, etc. I often give a silverplate water pitcher (there's an example of something you don't know you'll need but never have enough of, if you entertain). I look at the couple's registry to decide whether to choose a very simple or more ornate style. Not many young couples need giant serving platters or dishes, flatware, and crystal for 12 or 18. But years later, when they start to take their turn hosting holiday meals and family get-togethers -- for a family that will probably be getting larger -- they are going to need all that stuff -- at least many people do. Twenty-six years ago, I never imagined serving 29 people dinner in my home. But that is what we are doing tomorrow! So even though at the time it seemed like we would never use all the platters, bowls, and pitchers, I have used every one of them many times over the years. The nicest bonus is that every time I use the "boring" items, even all these years later, I think fondly of the person who gave it to me. That is a very lovely experience you don't get if all you get is cash or things you registered for yourself. My favorite gift was a big, fancy silver plate platter from my great aunt. She had received it as a wedding gift when she married into our family in the 1950s. I certainly didn't have occasion to use it much in the early years of our marriage, but I use it all the time now, and I think of her every time I see it. This is probably more a matter of local and ethnic custom than anything else. In many communities the northeast, for example, it seems that cash gifts are so customary that "thing" gifts are unusual (for wedding gifts \-\- these people also often give very large "thing" gifts for engagements and showers). But several posters who live in the south have reported that in their communities cash gifts are considered impersonal to the point of being a no\-no. Both are common here. I prefer to give a "thing" gift, but that's just my preference.

I know, I don't think either of the CafePress designs are as nice as your old ones. I still think something similar must be out there, somewhere... I think the Mimbres collection at the Western NM University in Silver City is the largest one in existence. On our last visit, they told us they rotate different pieces through the display routinely (too many items to display all at once.) It's just fabulous, so if you get back out this way, maybe pencil that in! I had to get comfy with bats in my last home, because they lived in the attic of our old detached rock garage. That building also housed our washer and dryer. I will admit there were a few evenings I did a U-turn with the laundry basket, when I saw a bat flitting around the light bulb over the washer. I don't mind them, but don't really want them flying around my head! But they never gave me any trouble. Interesting little critters.