Thank you for your warm welcome. I appreciate it. It's nice to be able reach out and touch you guys and have some back and forth. Oh, and BTW folks, I left poor Mrs. B R Cant off my list. Don't know how I could do that -- she's such a good one. Sabalmatt, how nice to know you're within hollering distance. I work just north of I-20 and east of Mountain Creek Lake at the university there. I'd love to see your rose list.

Ours was yesterday, Sunday - but still turkeying today. Triple b, it was probably good for you, yet a very sad feeling to take that walk. It must have been hard to do that, and yet have Thanksgiving on the same day. Though I am sure you have lots and lots to be thankful for. As we do not live close to our kids and usually do not even celebrate as we choose to garden instead, this year, I decided, I am ready for turkey so invited two sets of good friends. It turned out wonderfully. We had a glass of Champagne, well, you know "bubbly" - not the real McCoy, to begin with. I was pleased with the turkey and all the trimmings. We are all British ex-pats so we had roast potoates with our turkey. Was pleased with the way dinner turned out. For dessert, I offered pumpkin pie and cream or apple pie and custard! (or both). Unlike north Americans, everyone chose the apple pie and custard. Pumkin still in fridge untouched. So we still have that to look forward to. H mm! After dinner I made special coffees, called them Cafe Canadian, just like Irish coffe but with Rye, Canadian whiskey! Turkey is such good value. Separated it all and had another turkey dinner tonight, the rest is in the freezer for caserolls etc. and made the soup stock. I must sound patheic, but it is a number of years since I have done this. We spend Christmasses at our daughter's on the mainland. I am glad I got the attention of a couple of Cannucks anyway, but I know there are more of you out there. Missing Niecey lately - not seen her around, also Carol, really been thinking about her, she posted so much, then I know she was having a big move from Edmonton to Calgary. That is the last I heard. If you are looking Carol. I do hope all is well and you are settling down nicely. Hugs and cheers to all? Pauline - Vancouver Island.

Rutgers in a pot (looks scrawny but has quite a few tomatoes) Black Cherry (bush very small, hope it wakes up soon) Unknown tiny orange tomato (very tasty, bush still small also) It's going to be a while before I see any ripe tomatoes. Also 3 peppers, 2 zucchini, 2 kinds of pumpkin (just for fun)

frdnicholas - You will get much more expert advice than mine from some other folks here, as also being a relatively new Albuquerquean, I have been amazed at the knowledge of some folks on this board local to this area. At any event, you asked about what zone # we are in. And truly, the best way I think I can explain what I have learned regarding zones in Albuquerque is that really, you have to realize that it is more prudent to consider the city in thoughts of two zones, rather than just one. If you live in a valley area - North or South Valley or Corrales area, etc. (anything lower and near the Rio Grande) - or, in the Foothills area from Juan Tabo or especially Tramway east, you probably would be most prudent to consider yourself in a zone 6 or 6b area (maybe 7-like on more mild years)...nightimes in the Valley areas or in the Foothills can get significantly colder than in the other parts of the city. (Should note though, that while Valley temps are colder at night, they typically do get a bit hotter in the daytime as well). However, if you are in the Heights areas of Albuquerque, or on the West Side, you can more consider yourself in a solid zone 7b area. Again, more mild years in this area bump it more at selected times to more of a zone 8a, and there are thermal belt areas such as by UNM that are more common to an 8a annually. But probably a safe, general rule would be a 6 or 6b in the Valley, and a 7b in the Heights or West Side. As for vegetables to plant, again, other folks on here will give you much more solid info, however, I do know that tomatoes and peppers (2 of the 4 you mentioned) do generally do very well in Albuquerque. (A somewhat unrelated side-note...I live in the NE Heights and have a Georgia peach tree, and already as of last week - not even March yet - it is budding its blossoms extensively...with proper care, you will enjoy growing things here!)... Best of success!