schoolhouse - sorry about your butterfly bushes. I'd been thinking about whacking mine back but held off wondering if we'd get a freeze. Now I'm glad I waited. The daffs are laying on the ground but they'd been blooming for several days before the frost hit. I covered my hydrangeas that had sent out new growth--used sheer curtains held on with clothespins. Anywhere the wind blew the curtains off, the leaves are turning black so we definitely got a hard freeze. I covered my hosta and cushion spurge with folded sheers held down with rocks and put a couple of light-colored 3-gallon pots over the new growth on my E. Pow Wow Wild Berry plants. Those appear to be fine. The tall phlox also seems to have weathered the cold. The wind blew two of my winter sown milk jugs off their tables so at least one of them is toast. The campanula had sprouts in it so I'm hoping those weather the storm (pun intended). sweetannie4u - I'm with you on that hate thing.

This month I've gotten one of the cheapest bills since the rate hike. Before the 73% rate hike this would have been around $85.00. I rarely run the AC, just close all of the blinds. All lights and ceiling fans are left off when not in use. I have a newer dishwasher that is run once a day, no heat dry. About 3 loads of laundry a week, and if they are sheets or towels they are air-dried. One TV is on consistently through the day. It is a constant battle to keep the electric bill down! Christy Electric Details Summer Rates in Effect Residential - Schedule R Billing Period: Jul 22, 2008 - Aug 20, 2008 Days Billed: 29 Meter Read on August 20 Meter # D000068501 Current Reading Previous Reading kWh Used 31871 - 30801 = 1070 BGE Electric Supply 1070 kWh x .11820000 126.47 BGE Electric Delivery Service Customer Charge 7.50 Distribution Charge 1070 kWh x .01910000 20.44 RSP Chg/Misc Credit 1070 kWh x .00518000 5.54 State / Local Taxes & Surcharges MD Universal Svc Prog .37 State Surcharge 1070 kWh x .00015000 .16 Franchise Tax 1070 kWh x .00062000 .66 Local Tax 1070 kWh x .00728600 7.80 Total BGE Electric Amount $168.94 The RSP Charge on this bill includes a qualified rate stabilization charge of $0.00763 per kWh approved by the Maryland PSC that BGE is collecting as servicer on behalf of RSB BondCo LLC, which owns the qualified rate stabilization charge.

Jim, That is a fantastic idea, but if that doesn't work out, a regular old mesh strainer will work. I have used one with a looser rather than tighter mesh. It was doable but a fair bit of work. You have to mash the berries around with a spoon until the pulp gets squished out of the mesh and the seeds are left above. I wouldn't try to use a fancy double mesh strainer as that would really be too much work. Make sure the berries are completely thawed when you start. Another option is the strainer attachment for a kitchenaid stand mixer if you happen to have one. The holes are big enough for some of the seed to get through, but it gets out enough to make me happy. Melly

I just got two of them this spring--they bloomed very nicely and then, low and behold, despite this absolutely miserable weather and minimal care on my part, they have re-budded and are blooming AGAIN!?! I was so tickled I went out and got two more and planted them this weekend. I'm thinking I may have 'lucked' out and found the perfect spot for them...They get sun in the morning and are in shade until the late afternoon. I'm impressed...now if they just make it through the winter I'll be over the moon!