1. Is it a perennial??? yes (tender above zone 7?) 2. Does it have colorful or unusual foliage? NO (NOT COLORED FOLIAGE) 3. Are there many varieties? No 4. Does it bloom more than once a year? Yes 5. Does it grow taller than 12"? Yes 6. Is it a shrub? No 7. Is this plant valued for it's flowers? Sometimes 8. Is it collectible? YES, not by groups per se 9. Is it considered an Herb? NO 10. Is it a tree ? NO 11. Does it get taller than 36" ? NO 12. Does it bloom in spring? YES 13. Does it grow from a bulb? NO (not a bulb) 14. Can it grow from seed? YES (from what I have read) 15. Does it grow from a tuber? YES 16. Does it bloom all summer? YES 17. Does it come in red colors??? YES (?) Nope Bunny, guess again, I love callas. This is a plant I would LOVE to have too....I know doesn't help much... :) Fran

Hey all, One week down, 39 to go! The week was busy so it went fast, but some negative things with some students and one former collegue that I am not at liberty to discuss, but real downers. I'm glad it is the weekend. I guess I am officially 50 now. I got a phone call this morning from the gastroenterologist office to schedule my colonoscopy! It is not until November and I am NOT looking forward to it, but who does? I am doing WW CORE now. This is my first week. The points were just not working for me as I found myself using the bulk of them up eating 2 point snacks. I have spent a good part of the day making food to have for me, but I will share! So far I have made fruit salad, veggie soup, turkey chili and some puddings. Next I am going to make some brown rice to have on hand and some sort of oatmeal cookie thing I can have for breakfast. That is my only complaint about CORE is breakfast. I am used to some sort of bread in the morning, and I just can't do that, so I am trying to find alternatives that are quick and filling. Suzanne, I hope that you find your butt! I have been laughing reading last weeks posts. You guys have been entertaining! Donna, a good leader can make all the difference in WW. I only go to one leader because she really does motivate me. I have tried others and they just don't do it for me. Keep up the good work. OK, I have to hang my head in shame over the Patriots. I am so disappointed in our coach. I know he is a great guy and a great coach and I can't believe he did what he did. I am glad that he admitted his wrong doing and I hope that the team can just move on. I think the punishment was appropriate. Now they have to kick butt (not pork!) in tomorrows game to show the world that they are a great team regardless! Enjoy the weekend. Love, Besh

INDIVIDUAL AZTEC CHOCOLATE CAKES 10 ounces Mexican bittersweet chocolate, chopped 4 tablespoons salted butter 4 tablespoons sugar, divided 4 large eggs, separated, at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon brandy or rum 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (YES!) big pinch of ground cloves a few turns freshly ground black pepper (yes, again) Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Butter six heatproof coffee or custard cups. Dust the insides with sugar and tap out any excess. In a medium-sized bowl, melt the chocolate and butter over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in half of the sugar, then the yolks. Then mix in the vanilla, brandy, and spices. In a clean, dry bowl, whip the egg whites until fairly stiff. Beat in the sugar, and whisk until the whites form soft, droopy peaks. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the remainder, just until incorporated. Don't overfold. Divide the batter into the prepared cups. Bake the cakes for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the tops feel firm. Once done, remove the cakes from oven and cool for a minute before serving. If you wish, unmold the cakes onto plates for serving, or serve as is. Top with a tiny scoop of ice cream, sorbet, or a dollop of whipped cream. I like mine topped with "Naked Coconut" coconut-milk ice cream. You can make these little cakes in advance, leave them at room temperature for an hour or two, and then cook them at the last minute. You also can refrigerate them and let them come to room temperature before baking. Joe

Hi All, thought I would give an update on the birthday party flaps. So, I extend invitations to SS29 and SGS 8 1/2 to DS7's (he's now 7 hurray!) birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's last Saturday. DS7 chose the guests, short list including his 1/2 brother SS29 and SGS 8 1/2 and a few other kids friends. SS29's girlfriend, mother of his children, common law wife, calls and says they don't have bus/train fare to come! Nothing new but still a lot of nerve. As they have moved out to the desert, picking them up has become even more of an inconvinience. BUT, for the sake of DS7's birthday, DH does drive to pick up the crew from the desert. He gets there, then gf announces that the baby, SGS 2 1/2, is also coming to be cared for by DD36. Long story short, the crew shows up at Chuck E. Cheese courtesy of DH. Have not eaten, no gifts, dirty clothes it was unbelievable. SS29 spends the whole time playing with SGS 8 1/2, spends no time with my son, the one who invited him, DS7 whose feelings are hurt by this. SD 36 shows up with two more uninvited cousins from BM's side of the family but at least she pays for their play tokens. I won't continue the blow by tacky blow except, Because they live so far, we invited them all, SS29 included, to spend the night at our house, have a nice brunch and take them home. I get home with the balloons and gifts, SS29 has split, taken the bus for which he had supposedly no money to his mother's house to collect some items and basically dumped his kids on us to take care of over the weekend! No clothes, toiletries, no diapers or diaper stuff for the baby! I run down to Wal-Mart to buy pjs, Pull-Ups, diaper cream and a sippy cup. This time though, I let DH handle his people. I went on to church and brunch with my friends the next day after setting the kids up with some outdor games. Did not cook for them and put the Wal-Mart receipt on the counter. By the time I came back, he had insisted that his son, SS29 meet him at the train station to pick up his kids and take them back to the boondocks. If you want a nice LOL, SGS 8 1/2 left his library book at our house. SS29's gf called me and asked that I overnight it to her so it wouldn't be late. It took me a minute to collect myself from her gall. I told her I would pass it on to SD36 who could pass it on to BM, the grandmother, who could pass it on to them. Haven't heard from her since! Geez, they got a bag of new pj's, clothes, diapers, toiletries and fresh toothbrushes, I thought that was pretty good swag for some unexpected and not entirely welcome guests! Anyway, my son enjoyed his birthday admist all of the silly drama. The 2nd party planned at SD36 has been nixed.