Laura, I wondered if you've tried propagating your sansevierias from leaf cuttings. It's a fun and interesting process, and I consider it a creative one as well. All species and hybrids propagate true from leaf cuttings, so new plants will be the same as the one that provided the leaf. The rules are different when it comes to varieties, some propagate true, some don't. So your new species grandicuspis, parva, gracilis and hyacinthoides will all propagate true. Your 'Stellette', being a hybrid, will also propagate true from leaf cuts. 'Compacta' and 'Laurentii Argentea' will almost always produce the species trifasciata but any plant arising from the variegated tissue will usually be an albino without chlorophyll and will not live if separated from the green propagation leaf. On occasion, a leaf of 'Compacta' will produce 'Nelsoni'. 'Skyline' will produce the species cylindrica. Your 'Silver Hahnii' is one of the varieties that will propagate true from leaf cuts. 'Silver Hahnii Marginated', the same as your plant but with cream-colored variegated leaf margins, also produces 'Silver Hahnii', the variegated margins will be lost. All this said, I encourage you to propagate leaves from 'Compacta' and 'Argentea' even though chances are high that only trifasciata will be produced. Very rarely something else will arise, a new variety, and one never knows when that will happen. Please ask if you'd like more info on leaf propagation, culture, or whatever. No question too basic. By the way, ATB Helli... you must have a wonderful collection of sans in having access to Ernst Specks' offerings in Germany as well as Alan Butler's Vivaio Brookside Nursery in Italy. Then there's also Al Laius in Great Britain... I wish we had access to these great sources here in the U.S. Russ

Karen, thanks, ya can't help but love kids and what they come up with. OA, the light silverware are cream colored and what a great idea being able to use both on one table. And to think I was thinking I needed more. Now I can ask for other colors. U R so smart.LOL How's the eye infection today? That's not good! I was catching up on my laundry and housework. Dream, I wish I had a birthday to celebrate right now so I could see the ice cream dishes on a table. Oh, that's right, we don't use the tables I set so maybe I'll try one soon. Jane, you sound like all my older B & S and they made me this way.haha They must not think I'm to bad or they wouldn't come and stay for months with me. I'm going to try to come up with a table to use these ice cr dishes so I can get help from all of you pros here. This way when it's time for DGD's bd it should look great. NanaKaren, GD's are so much fun. No one should be w/o at least one. I do love my family. Frou, you are so right with the colors on the ice cr dishes. They would be perfect in your kitchen. Sorry I'm not ready to part with them.LOL Magpie, I was ready to tell you to "get out of here" but went and looked at your page and we do share the same birthday.LOL Happy Belated Birthday to you. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a pattern for the placemats on the net. Do you crochet? Send me an email and I'll see what I can find if you are interested. Can never plant enough trees. Where do you live? If I am close I will come and pick you up and take you shopping and buy you lunch! You will be able to think about what you want so when DH gets to feeling better you can pick up your trees and more. thanks so much for letting us know it was your birthday. If I ever get organized, I will put all of your names on a calendar next to my computer. J, my family never ceases to amaze me and I love them. Thanks for the blessings for Magpie and I. Luvs, I will never get back to painting if my family keeps this up. Maybe I should ask for more painting books for Christmas. I hope these dishes are ones I can use for DGD birthdays for several years and then pass them on to her for a keepsake. DD delights in making everyone's gifts SPECIAL. Party, the placemats came from Dillard's so are not handmade. Jeanne, you are so stinkin' funny,"cheerleading pic". I just turned 55 and would not want to be caught chunky dunkin'.LOL Oh, if you don't know what chunky dunkin is, it's what I do now instead of skinny dippin'. Thanks so much everyone for all the sweet comments and Belated Birthday Wishes for myself and "Magpie". Punk

Sigh. I am bothered by rude children and I do not hesitate to correct my nieces and nephews, my grandkids, heck, even the neighbor's kids. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, I don't think at the party is a good time to do it. If you see these boys in advance I'd probably take them aside, tell them that this year is a bit tight and ask for their help in making sure there's enough for everyone. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for and they do not need to be protected or insulated from all of life's realities. Other than that, I think putting out portions at different intervals is a good idea, it'll keep the buffet line fresher anyway. If you really can't afford to throw all those wings into the bottomless pits that are your nephews, I'd change the menu to something less expensive. You could ditch the wings and personally, I love a baked potato bar and never eat chicken wings. They are all skin and bones and here they are $3 a pound. I can get chicken breasts more cheaply than I can get wings and I can get thighs for even less. Cut those into strips or chunks, add the sauce you'd use for the wings and you have the same thing, but cheaper. Good luck, and happy holidays. I'm thinking good thoughts for your DH and the work situation. Above all, have a good time, this is a celebration. Annie

I hosted Christmas Eve (7 adults, one toddler, one infant) and had a lot of fun doing so. Deep cleaning & decorating were done a week ago. All cookie & pie doughs were made on the 22nd & 'fridged. So the heavy lifting was over & done with. On the 23rd, I picked up a prime rib roast & did my baking -- two types of rolled cookies, one batch of drop cookies, and a huge pumpkin pie made in a 12" quiche dish. I adore pre-holiday baking and like to listen to classical holiday music while working in the kitchen. Such a beautiful time. Then I set the table & got out serving pieces in the evening. On the 24th, I placed the roast in a pan in a convection oven, peeled/boiled/mashed potatoes, made gravy, and fixed what turned out to be the surprise hit of the meal -- Brussels sprouts combined with baby carrots, microwaved & sprinkled with a touch of nutmeg. So easy! Baby carrots & Brussels sprouts are a good combo, and the hint of nutmeg sets off the flavors really well -- everybody kept asking why are the veggies so good, lol! So the meal wasn't anything complicated, just easy basics done well. Champagne, coffee, & desserts followed, and we had a grand time playing with our adorable grandbabies. My gallant DIL hosted Christmas day, bless her heart, and did a fine job with delicious foods & a pretty table setting. She works part-time in health care and has been having 12- 14 hour shifts as flu & colds season sets in. Plus she has two little ones under the age of two, and she and my son have awful commutes -- an hour at least. So my hat's off to her for organizing our Christmas day so beautifully despite the stresses she's under. She is amazing, and we love her dearly. I love to photograph my holiday settings. Sometimes I use the Friendly Village buffet plates, as shown here, sometimes a white Homer Laughlin earthenware set. Either are so festive this time of year : I bought the Smith & Hawken cast aluminum patio chairs for $80 each when S&H went out of business. Back then, my wooden dining chairs were beyond repair, & I got the aluminum ones as temporary replacements. They're so practical (light, strong, roomy) that I've just never replaced them with proper dining room chairs yet. I have a black metal chandelier & black iron curtain rod to kind of tie them visually. A bit odd, decorating-wise, but they sure are comfy. Oakley & lukkiirish, wishing you both peace and healing in 2017.