I am glad you guys liked the pics. Wendy, I didn't really have to do anything to the butterfly. As soon as this plant flowered, they were just all over it. Even when I got up close they didn't move. The flowers are kind of small and the foliage is big and tall. Probably 6 feet tall. Bug, you are too good on the plant ID:) I didn't know a cynara was an artichoke, but now that you mention it, it sure looks like one. I got the green pot at Lowe's. It was marked down to 8.99, so I got two. Deanne, my mondarda does eventually get mildewy, but I can't help it, I really like it, and it likes my yard. Plus the hummingbirds come every year, and I don't have to fill up my hummingbird feeder.. which I ususally don't get to. D.

veilchen: yes in general it is milder here, because of the costal location (We have the sea all around us ...so it takes longer time to get cold here (water takes longer time to cool down than land surfaces) than places with inland climate) and as long the the west wind blows and we have a constant stream of low pressures coming in from west it is mild here 34-45 degrees most of the winter. But every year a high pressure builds up and the bitter cold from east and north comes our way and temps drops below -16F- -10F or more for weeks sometimes months. And then it is certainly a zone 5 here and I choose roses accordingly. Only push the zones in sheltered locations and south facing walls. (Last winter was more like a zone 8 winter ...never seen that before here!!!).I always hope the winter is going to be mild ... At the end of winter in February and march we see very low temps since the ocean has become so much colder ... but yes a zone 5 with inland climate is much colder for longer time than here since the cold are more constant and comes earlier than here where we see great fluctuations. I love Papa Meilland. For me it is the quintessential red rose. Dark red, with a sheen like velvet! And a very, very strong perfume. Perfume Exceptional as Meilland says... It may not be an easy rose to grow (very mildew-prone here) and the plants are very small and barely hardy here. I have a few groups with 3-5 plants in my garden and a row of 12 in my cutting garden so I can cut one of these wonderful red roses many times during the season. There are many better HTs out there that are more disease resistant and hardier than this and looks better as garden plants...but that exceptional strong rose perfume and the velvety petals make forgive the flaws this rose have. And sometimes I am lucky enough to capture the beauty of almost perfect flower like this one... I really do like all classes of roses ... but I prefer roses with a very strong scent. Yes I also like the glowing colors on the Autumn picture. It may not be very sharp and a bit out of focus, but it did not make the impression worse since it captured the essence of Autumn some of the places I go fishing (Another one my hobbies). I sometimes make large prints of some of my pictures and frame them. I have really bought better cameras and lenses and hope you will enjoy some of the results next season. And no I do not Hibernate ... These days I really try to get in better shape so I can handle working harder ... making gardens for my clients (which takes good strength, especially a strong back and stronger shoulders)... I swim, do Pilates and work out with weights and work on better and healthier eating habits. I have lost 45 pounds during the last 15 weeks. I also need to take some courses so I can make some good homepages. One for my garden design business and one about the joy of gardening and roses. And another one about flyfishing and flytying (I am one of the best fly tiers in Northen Europe and have won many awards for my innovative designs). So I certainly do not have time to hibernate. Soon the holidays are coming and I am visiting friends in Chicago and Iowa. Hope to get to meet Foghorn Leghorn and maybe Aliska? Take Care all of my rose friends on this forum. Niels

Crafty, thanks for taking time out from all of your delicious canning endeavors to wish me happy birthday! Woodie, who knew you were such a party gal - any excuse! Annie, I can't be that evil, it just doesn't come naturally:-) Hey Kathleen, you coming up for air after partying with the Monsignor? How's the humidity in Lawng Island? May, it was such a lovely birthday, I was so sorry when the day was over. The boys were on their best behavior, and everyone pretended I was a Queen for the day. Sol, I do love fudge, but I think my day may have actually been better than the best fudge! Thanks for that great wish:-) Lee and Katie, if I combine your wishes, I'll end up partying perfectly all week long. I can deal with that! DONNA

I'm a little late to the party. I've been crocheting all night and now my hands are numb. I hope it was a great day. Dottie