It has been a good year for me, finding all the tools I wanted/needed on SALE. Except the Maslin pan, of course, since it's always full price, but so worth it. My 40+ son came for a visit, helped me make Apple Pie Jam, and now wants a Maslin of his own! He's going to need a really big stocking. I've asked Santa for a pocket camera to take photos of what I bake and can for my farm's Facebook page and website. The Olympus Stylus actually has a setting for "cuisine"!!!! LOL MY SIL, the chef, gave me a little potato peeler with a ceramic blade - wonderful for apples too large or too soft to fit into the rotary peeler - it looks like a disposable shaver. On my wish list is a Kyocera Mega-peeler with a much wider ceramic blade that could also be used to shave cheese or chocolate, besides those huge Wolf River apples. The little peeler is on my shopping list for gifting my friends who cook, bake, and/or can, and a Side-Swipe blade for my DD's Kitchenaid stand mixer since she keeps drooling over mine when she uses it. I always love to receive a handmade/homemade gift of any type. Draw it, bake it, can it, knit or sew it - I treasure those gifts the most. Nancy, whose wish is for peace/truce/contentment for all

Hello Everyone, Sounds like we all have been busy!!! : ) K, I really am glad to hear that Plumeria are hypoallergenic!!! LOL...now i can tell the DH thats it is truly not the Plumeria that is causing the "eye roll.." LMAO. Maybe, its a "winter thing.." LOL... Seriously, i did the dance yesterday when i brought in another cutting from a friend when we had lunch! I thought that i was quick enough to place it upstairs with all of the other gems..but i was caught in the act.. : ) Its a good thing that it was small!! Thanks Peg!! Psycho is a wonderful choice, im sure you will have great success in finding a cutting!! : ) Mike, I know what you mean about all of the $ going for the kids, just wait until they get older...the price of each item only gets bigger!!! My kids are all grown and will be here for CHristmas, im looking forward to a fun and relaxing time with them. Enjoy your little ones..they sure do grow up way to fast!!! : ) Colors are a wonderful thing... Im sure you will have a few colors in your spring collection... Have a wonderful Christmas!!! Alex, I sure hope that your Pudica will turn around for you!!! How has your weather been up north? Sounds like your Plumies want to stay active... The ones that i have under lights and the ones just sitting in my great room are doing well. They are all still happy and with most of their leaves. I am just letting them do what they want. It is very interesting to see how all of the different varieties react to winter. Some are ready to rest, others dont want to be silent at all. I will just listen to what they want to do. I agree with wanting more colors... I also forgot to mention that California Sally is another "wish..." Nice to see you, how are your Palms doing, have you put up any protection yet? Qaguy, Love all of the pictures!!! You have certainly been busy!! All of your decorations look wonderful. I hope you are having a great turnout for your charity!! What a great way to help out..You and your wife have done a great job. I can undertand that she is ready to take it all down since you started in Nov. My tree is up, lights are on...but the ornaments will be on soon. Maybe tomorrow... Glad to hear you have a new camera. The old ones sure are easy to use, especially when you have had them for awhile... Mike, I dont know what to say, Thank you for that special post! You have truly warmed my heart... Thank you!!! I am very happy.. : ) My kids are doing well, Hubby has new "eye drops" LOL... Really, he is doing great and so is my Mom!! Thanks for your concern... The greenhouse will be fixed, hopefully soon. It has been a problem, but i have had some wonderful help!!! The baking is mostly done, and now i am ready to relax. I do have time off for the holidays and i am really enjoying the time with my family and with the joy of what Christmas brings... You have always been so generous as well, thank you for all that you do. I know that someone else has been a big help to you here on this forum. Very kind and generous as well! : ) Thank you for everything Mike!!! Merry Christmas to you all.. Laura

Creative ideas! well, so many lights that i even can't see the tree' leaves! shining, shining...... Here is a link that might be useful: Christmas gift, DIY DVD photo show for Xmas, share Xmas video online

For some reason I'm reading like crazy! I started in December when I had a couple weeks off from work (I read 5 books the month of December!). I'm now in the last quarter of "Lonesome Dove" and I can't put it down. I have a couple of others waiting to be read after this one, but I think I will pick up another in the "Lonesome Dove" series to read in the Springtime. I never saw the television version of Lonesome Dove...but the book is really really good! ~Susan