The deadline is quickly approaching... Friday at midnight (PST). Remember no late-comers since once we send out names there is no one left to match people up with. When you wake up Saturday morning, you should have a Secret Santa person! Ho Ho Ho! Santa always comes at night! I'll start a post in which you can let us know that you received your person's name. I keep a check-off list just so I know that everyone received their e-mail. Some people didn't respond for weeks last year and I worried terribly. This is a great time to update your "My Page" for your Secret Santa person. Jeanne, I had the same problem last year with up-dating "My Page". I would type in the information, and the changes wouldn't show up. Soooo, I typed it up on WORD and then quickly cut and pasted and submitted it, and it worked. Hope that helps! This is going to be sooooooooooo much fun! Thanks for letting us organize the exchange. Bear Hugs! Kirk (alias Santa) and his accomplice Carol

Good morning all, Happy Autumn to everyone! Can you even believe it? Seems like yesterday it was spring and we were all planning all the summer festivities and here it is another summer gone. As Im looking out at the September gardens here I have to thank all my Idyll and Garden friends whove given me so much information and inspiration over the last four years. There never used to be this much interest in the fall gardens. Ive learned so much here not to mention making friends for life. One of my lifes many blessings. So speaking of friends, I so wish you all could have been here for the afternoon yesterday. We started in a bit of a rush because Dougs cars battery died at the grocery store and he was stuck there for the longest time and got home barely in time to mow the lawn. I was running late because he was running late and anyway I was just finishing getting my hair put up when Chelone arrived. Normally Id be in a froth to be running that late but, no worries, these friends just are so laid back and mellow, no problems. Everyone arrived within twenty minutes of each other and Les and Monique brought up my bargain urn which took several of us to decant from Les minivan. Here is a pic I love the egg and dart detailing around the rim. What a buy, $50. for this because the corner is broken off. Detailing on the sides Anyway, originally I was going to put this in the way back on a rock I have back there but Im thinking I want to keep this in the front of the house as its such a beautiful piece. After we got the urn out of the car we had a lovely, leisurely tour of the gardens. As Ive said before and Ill say again, there is nothing as enjoyable as sharing the gardens with other gardeners. The high points were the Charles Grimaldi and all the lovely fuchsias are putting on quite a show at the moment. I was able to get some ideas for the new shrub border and show everyone the new pieced, rock mowing strip I put in a month ago. While we were doing the garden touring Doug was making salad and opened some wine then caught up with us outside and brought us a beverage of choice. What a peach! After the tour we settled in on the patio for our al fresco dining event. We started with Dougs famous smoked salmon served with the diners choice of pickled ginger, sour cream with dill, capers or hot pepper jelly as a garnish. I dont know how he does it but it is seriously the best salmon Ive ever eaten. Saucy brought a lovely home made bean dip, and a brillian bruschetta, Yum, yum! Wendy made her splendid spinach/feta/lemon dip. (Recipes please ladies) and Les made his gustatory delight guacamole. So who needed dinner after those appetizers? Well, we persevered, took a short breather and did justice to the main course of a crisp, tossed salad, Chelone brought fresh tomato/basil/mozzarella salad, Doug prepared grilled, marinated zucchini and the piece de resistance supplied by Sue/Tom/Monique and Les, gigantic prawns, marinated in garlic, cilantro grilled to perfection. Monique took some pics of these brilliant edibles from the sea and I hope she shares them with you all today. They looked like little lobster tails on the platter. What a superb meal! Whoops, almost forgot the corn on the cob but maybe I was trying to because Im now the laughing stock of the group because I eat my corn one row at a time. So maybe Im a bit OCD. LOL After another breather to make room (yes indeed there were home made desserts as well) we had Moniques magnificent apple cake with warmed caramel/pecan sauce and Wendys wonderful chocolate org - sm. (She assures us that really is the name of this decadent dessert.) Ahhhhh.. I dont think I need to eat for at least two days now. LOL As I said hopefully Monique will post pics of the food selections. (However, she really could avoid posting that unfortunate photograph of me and Doug with our faces pressed into the screen door. ) OK Ill post this then read the Idylls as there are lots of comments I want to make. Deanne

Dan, I say old pantyhose are indispensible! They make great filters for your washing machine. Catches all the fluffy lint that might clog your drain! LOL! I am going to have to pass on the Christmas in June Swap. I am booked solid with obligations. Ted is graduating, we have Communion Parties up the wazoo, plus the other swaps I have already signed on for. Happy Swapping you guys and Merry Christmas! LOL! Melissa, I forgot to tell you that I was searching diligently earlier to try to find the name of your iris this morning before pre-school drop off but I came up empty so far. I do believe it is a dwarf judging by the height of the blooms. I am still working on it. Did you perhaps get that in one of the Halloween swaps last fall? I seem to remember some really cool "black" german irises that some people received.

3 Cards today! Yippee! Moonflowers with a gorgeous golden Christmas card from daveedgeguitar - I am so happy you sent these! I originally got the moonflowers I grew this year FROM you! They never set seed for me, so I am grateful that you sent more! Thanks!!! Mexican Flame Vine with a fun snowman/reindeer card from rbrady - I have NEVER ever tried these, and I have been wanting to forever! I am SO. EXCITED! about these!!! Thanks a million! From dem-pa, I got some Philadelphia White Box Radishes, Flamingo Feather Celosias, and Sugar Baby Watermelons! I have never grown the first 2 varieties and can always use more watermelon seeds! The radishes look really neat - and I will happily save seeds from them to share with others in the future. Those celosias look stunning. I have only grown mixes of celosias so I am just really psyched about the ones you sent. Thank you!!! I am so excited about all the new seeds I have received. Every variety will be planted and loved. Thank you again so much for everything!