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!

I'm very behind in my thank yous. We had our Christmas this past weekend since this was the only time the whole family could be home. My grandchildren were here helping Granny with her cards so some may not be exactly right. From Christine - socalgardengal I received Kaley's Pink hollyhock seeds, dwarf czech bush tomato, foxglove, ingeglio gigante liscio tomato, and Jaune Flamme tomato. Jim and Tonya - jimryder sent sea holly, sunshine coneflower, zinnia giant flower mix, tiki torch coneflower, and nyagous tomato. Lorabell - I also got one of her very cute poems. The card was very nice. She sent columbine lime sorbit, red romaine lettuce, and ornamental sunflower. Detroitgrl77 sent Abe Licoln tomato and Azoychka tomato. Clipclop - Linda sent poppy and 2 castor beans (yea). Sjc48 - Shirley sent a beautiful handmade card, I just loved it. I got Raspberry daiquiri with the card. From Karen, I received Alcea rosea "spring celebration", dianthus " velvet n lace", dianthus "indian carpet", a poppy, and agastache "giant white". Lexiegurs - Dawn sent Carolina cucumber, Pink Caspian tomato, Alaska pea, Sub Artic Plenty tomato, Black seed simpson lettuce, Gajo de Melon tomato, Green Grape tomato, White libon onion, Blacktail Mountain watermelon. Laura - sent cracker jack marigold, orange marigold, hollyhock, Lady tomato, red poppy, yellow black-eyed susan vine, and Hale's cantalope. I think that is it for now but I have to go through the cards to make sure I haven't missed anyone. I thank everyone very much for the time, effort and thought sent with each card. Debby

"Why is it wrong for a 10 year old to want to buy underwear at a store that she knows has the undies that her peers like? I am curious about what bathing suits your young girls wear...." Because it is not age appropriate for ten years olds to be concerned about their underwear. They are not teenagers, they are ten year olds. Wanting to look like other kids (ie shoes) is one thing but 10 year olds do not dress out for gym, hopefully they are not flashing their undies, they are still children. Where I live we have 10 year olds engaging in sexual activities. And you can always trace it back to one or another of these things. No father taking an active role in his DD's life,hoochie mama parent, or a well meaning mom who is encouraging her lil darlin to be a lil teenager (how cute) far too soon. As for swim wear my DD always wore bikinis. Age appropriate bikinis meaning no high cut legs, no pubes hanging out the bottom and a fully covered booty. She started wearing suits with a contoured bra at the same time she needed a realbra. Not at size 6x which used to mean between a size 6 and 7 not what some moms seem to think it means today....a little girl running around with the word "hottie or juicy" on her butt is not cute...she's prey.

I found this on the internet of the tea at Empress Hotel. Afternoon Tea Indulge in one of Victoria's grandest traditions - Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress. For almost a century, the majestic lobby of this landmark hotel has played host to England's most beloved ritual - the taking of Afternoon Tea. Award-winning Pastry Chef D'Oyen Christie works his magic, ensuring an authentic and memorable experience - from your very first sip of our secret Tea at The Empress blend tea, right through to his freshly baked raisin scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserves. Served in the relaxing atmosphere of the elegantly restored Tea Lobby, overlooking Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbor in the stately Harborside Room or under the hand-painted ceiling of the Library, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit Victoria. Afternoon Royal Tea As you take your seats in the opulent surroundings of the Empress Tea Lobby, treat yourself to a glass of award winning Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut with the unrivalled selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones, pastries & teas...you'll feel like royalty. Afternoon Royal Tea is subject to our regular tea pricing, plus an additional $12.00 CAD per person charge, plus taxes. Menu: Tea at The Empress blend tea* Fresh seasonal fruit topped with Chantilly cream Tea sandwiches; cucumber with light horseradish, smoked salmon pinwheel, mango and curried chicken, carrot and ginger, multigrain crostini topped with a mixed mushroom pate. Traditional English raisin scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserves Delicate bite-size pastries, lemon curd tarts with glazed berries, Battenburg cake, Earl Grey tea shortbread, chocolate cake and a marble chocolate tulip *Tea at The Empress blend is a selection of seasonal, quality teas, created exclusively for The Fairmont Empress by the Metropolitan Tea Company. With components from Assam (thick malty and full bodied), Kenya (floral-like flavor and a golden coppery infusion), South India (superb fruity and sprightly flavor), Ceylon (airy, almost piquant flavor), and China (burgundy depth with light oaky notes), it is truly one of the finest blends in the world. From Our Chef: 'I believe in creating a balance between the flavor and presentation of my desserts, it adds a personal touch I feel leaves guests with a lasting impression.' ~ D'oyen Christie, Pastry Chef ~ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seatings: Afternoon Tea: Daily seatings starting from 12:00 p.m. Pricing: Afternoon Tea ranges in price from $49.00 - $60.00 CAD, per person, plus taxes. Prices fluctuate based on seasonality, please contact hotel for exact pricing. *Afternoon Royal Tea is subject to our regular tea pricing, plus an additional $12.00 CAD per person charge, plus taxes. Dress Code: Smart casual (no torn jeans, short shorts, beach wear or flip-flops, jogging pants or tank tops). Reservations: Reservations are required and should be made direct with the hotel, one to two weeks in advance to avoid disappointment. Tables are held for ten minutes after reservation time. Please contact Resort Reservations at (250) 389-2727 or book on-line with a room reservation. Please Note: For the comfort of those around you, it is requested that cell phones be turned off during Afternoon Tea.