Hi - guess I've been holding out - but inspite of 5 days of almost constant rain and flooding, the veggies are thriving in my back yard. We are still on the established every-other-day water rationing schedule, but guess that is one chore I won't have to worry about - maybe for at least a month or more. The ground is saturated, but cutting lots of lettuces, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, bibb and romaine types. Earlier - the end of summer - we had so much cold weather, that I thought the peppers would surely die before they turned red - but with patience - they survived and managed to get enough warmth in Oct/Nov to do so - and are still hanging on for daily picks. The mandarin orange tree is loaded - as usual, with many harvest for the freezer, and a Christmas dish of mandarin, pineapple, fruit cocktail and whipped cream is planned. The banana tree looks a bit forlorn, but holding up strong against the south facing concrete block wall, and maybe I will enjoy some fruit this year. It has sprouted 2 or 3 pups and maybe I can find room to start a plantation (perish the thought), although have very little gardening space left. According to the locals - the beach was only habitable for 2 days this summer - although our usual influx of "zonies" (Arizona summer birds) were only too happy to visit and find respite from their unbearable summers. They bought lots of warm weather jackets to withstand the beach chill tho. Some seedlings of cabbage and broccoli are still in their cups, being hardened off, waiting for the floods to recede, and hopefully some warmer weather. The fruit trees are sadly in need of dormant spraying, but just like last year, the rains kept coming and they didn't get it. Funny thing, we had a bumper crop of apricots, peach, almonds, plums, etc., last year. Stay dry and if you come to Ca., bring your water wings! Bejay

Susie-Woo Hoo great haul on the BINGO win...Have fun spending all that money. Elizabeth-Good luck on your gall bladder surgery...The most people I know have either had theirs taken out or going to. Sassy-I did see the new daylight savings change for this year when I put up my new calendar. The days are already getting longer...Can't wait until Spring gets here...I love when it gets dark at 9:30 not 6:00... Remy-I'm behind on my WS seeds...I have all my containers but don't have them started yet. Hope to do them this week. I am the speaker at the February Garden Club meeting and definetely not prepared. I had hoped to take some containers with Pretty green plants in them but not now. Laura-I have Canna Australia I can send you...I would love some of your clematis's also...Need to get with you on those. mmqchdygg-Would love some of your Fat Spike seeds. Maryanne-I got your sweet package yesterday and could not get through the letter for crying. My DH had to read it. The Scared Heart Spiritual Society plaque for Dad was divine. I had never seen one of those and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for it. It will always be one of my prized possessions. Beth, Jeanne, Jenell, Tina, & Susan-I received all your cards and thank you so much for thinking of me. I hope to be a shoulder to lean on one day for you. Life is something all of us must borrow, returning it in time to whence it came. Love you ladies. On a happier note, Maryanne I have not had anyone call me Shirley Sue since I was small. I think Mom, my Aunts and Cousins put Sue in all of our names. Good grief everyone I knew middle name was Sue...There was Shirley Sue, Rita Sue, Mary Sue, Linda Sue, Connie Sue and etc. etc. LOL Shirley

Hi All, Not much going one here, just work, cleaning, etc. boring stuff. It will be exciting this week though. I'm going to a beer tasting/education on Tues. I have a web site meeting on Thurs. On Friday I'm going to Gardenscape which is the Rochester garden show I attend every year. It is a really nice one! I will also be working it too for the Rock Garden Society. Dottie, Congrats on the grandson! Lol, about getting over excited about the sprouts. Lettuce, broccoli family plants, and violas are very tough and can handle light freezes when they are babies. So you can take the lids off, but if it is going to dip really low like you said, you will need to re-cap them. Marie, I'm glad to hear of the good news!! Do we all have the wrong address now? lol. Your bloom is gorgeous! 4 years, you are a patient woman. Jeanne, Are those pics of flowers blooming now with your garden critters? If so I'm very jealous! Here's my stab at Carol's questions. 1. I have a statue overlooking my garden what is it ? gargoyle - I have one out front for Gary so I'll guess the same 2. I have several statues and faces of my favorite animal in my gardens what is it any how many do I have ? Wolves 10 3. my no tresspassing sign says violaters will be shot, survivors will be _____ ______? Shot Again 4. a critter climbs my fence and eats my cat food every night. what is it ? Raccoon 5. I have a critter key holder in my garden. what is the critter ? Frog 6. I have 9 windchimes 4 are ? butterflies 7. 1 is wolf 8.1. is ? frog 9 1 is ? abstract Talk to you all later, Remy

Super swap packages! I love the Big Red Barn. Annie, that is fine for you to post before the end of the month. You are always so creative with the swaps you are hostess for - can't wait to see what it will be. Many of my seeds get stored in those decorative boxes (shoe box sized) that are intended for storing photos. I add alphabetical dividers and then place my seed packets in clear baggies behind the letter that it goes under (for example marigold, morning glories, etc. all in a zip lock bag together after the divider for M. I also have a big shopping bag with others - this is where my tin storage container with my tomato seeds and seeds I am planning to plant soon, etc. go. (Of course with those that are set aside to get planted soon - it doesn't always happen!) Here's where we are at with the swap: Swap to be sent by Jeanne SENT ** AliceâÂÂs Adventures in Wonderland chosen by Erica Swap to be sent by Nicole RECEIVED BY SHERI ** Big Red Barn chosen by Sheri Swap to be sent by Annie SENT ** Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chosen by Mary Swap to be sent by Margo **If You Give a Mouse a Cookie chosen by Susan Swap to be sent by Shirley ** Jake Hatches a Plan chosen by NonnaG Swap to be sent by Mary ** Linnea in MonetâÂÂs Garden chosen by Shirley Swap to be sent by Susan ** Magic Locket chosen by by Jayeanne Swap to be sent by Jayeanne - SENT ** Pinkalicious chosen by Margo Swap to be sent by Sheri RECEIVED BY JEANNE ** Pinocchio chosen by Jeanne Swap to be sent by Erica RECEIVED BY NICOLE ** Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs chosen by Nicole Swap to be sent by NonnaG SENT ** The Hungry Caterpiller chosen by Promise Swap to be sent by Promise ** The Wizard of Oz chosen by Annie I hope that's right. If not, just correct me. I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this theme and it's so interesting to see what has been sent! Jeanne