Hi Guys! Sorry to be so late checkin' in! We're good down here, got our rain after the temps. were above freezing. It has been a rough winter. Most everything was killed down to the ground, I'm not complaining, I know you have that every winter. We had hard freezes in Dec., Jan., and Feb. The only thing I have blooming are violas. I wish now that I had planted snapdragons and petunias last fall. You know when you get lemons, you should make lemonade, so while everything is cut down, if I can get a couple of days above 70, I'm going to pressure wash the fences. I took down most all the free standing trellises and arbors, and moved to the driveway, where I will pressure wash then give them a coat of cedar stain before returning to the garden. I've got a gazillion poppies up and growing, so looks like it will be a good year if spring ever gets here. Maybe this winter will set the chili thrips back on their heels for awhile. Jim

Good Morning All, Raeanne, Happy Belated Birthday! I am so sorry I missed it. I haven't been checking in an missed it. Birthday or not I hope you know how much I love you and cherish your friendship! I hope this year is filled with lots of love and happiness for you. Marci's gifts sound wonderful and that is because she IS wonderful. I got my wake up calls from Gretchen and Marci about being MIA. Thank you two. I have alot going on and I will share. It is with great saddness that I share we lost the vernerable elder goat, Fred two weeks ago. He had been doing so well and I actually thought he was going to make the winter and have a great spring, summer and fall. But on February 19th I walked into the barn and found Fred in his stall. It was not pretty but there did not appear to be any signs of struggle or distress. He went on his own terms and that makes me happy. I was lucky enough to have my DH home who was able to take care of him. We had to be in Albany, NY that morning to deliver a cart that I sold so we had to move him to the garage, deliver the cart and deal with digging a hole in the frozen tundra when we got home about 1pm. It took us til 6pm to finally bury poor old Fred. We sent him off well and he is resting under the white pines beside our barn with his mother and my beloved Paddy. DH took this very, very hard. We are both very raw still. I am sure it's hard for some to imagine this distress over a goat. Well, all I can tell you is that to know a goat is to love a goat! They are one of God's most charming creations! Also, I have been working alot of weekends which is all consuming. This week was deadline........made my goal again this month! I am working again this weekend at a trade show in Strubridge, MA. There seems to be no end to these things. Better now than when it's riding season. It's DH 50th birthday on Tuesday and I am planning a family dinner at my inlaws farm on the 12th. That is time consuming. I am also putting together a scrapbook which is fun but really time consuming! This morning I am tired. I wish I had a weekend before this dinner to get myself centered. On top of it all winter is starting to drone on. We have had endless snow here and it's cold and windy. March is usually when I start seeing the sublte signs of spring but they aren't happening yet! I am anxious to have the snow gone and it seems far off right now. I will spend time to get caught up. I hope everyone is well. Marci and Gretchen thanks again for my wake up call!

Pat, I didn't put the cheese on until I took them out of the oven. AND spoon the syrup over them when serving. That melts the cheese as well. Don't think the cheese will be good with the blueberries, but will be great with apple pie filling as well. Enjoy

Oh Diane those things always look so painful. I hope you get all healed up fast. I hate that you have to have surgery. Hang in there and it will be over before you know it!!