Dave, your 'Nutans' is doing fine, this cultivar will never let itselve "tamed" I once saw a very nice older specimen in Bob's Fincham's garden and it was a very iregular specimen which grew in all directions. It's a semi pendulous form which you can't compare with other strict weeping forms. If you want a true weeping Picea orientalis form, you can better choose for the 'Pendula' aka 'Nana Pendula'. If you still want, you can also help your 'Stanley's Gold' to be an upright grower: Pick out the strongest branch and stake it and cut away all the other ones. You'll see that in a couple of years it shape will grow into the normal way... In a lot of other cases like a grafted Abies procera 'Glauca' which is staked till about 1,5 metre without making a leader by itselve, I'll adsvise to cut it back till about 40 cm above to ground. You'll be surprised how it will react the very next years, all it's lazyness will be gone... Here is a link that might be useful: Picea orientalis 'Nutans'

Punk, these talented gals here have taught me so much when it comes to creating tablescapes. The best thing I've learned is to shop Goodwill and places like Marshalls for bargains.That, and almost anything can be the start of a fun table centerpiece! I hardly ever buy a full set of dishes, though. Salad or dinner plates are easier to use . . . and store! DD: I wish you lived closer, too! I wish you all did, as it would be such fun to get together for shopping excursions and for some meals, too! Betty: More pinecone plates? Oooooh . . . that sounds tempting, but I think I'm at my limit with those. Thanks so much, though. Your kind offer means a lot! And yes, please do keep an eye out for more pieces of that other set. I'd love to get some of those dishes. As for my furkids, yes they do seem to like to pose for pics. They're both sweeties and I love them. Despite the bad rap dobies get, they are the sweetest, cuddly dogs. Ronin would like nothing better than to sit on our laps and sleep in our beds. We don't go that far, though! We dobie owners call them "Velcro dogs" because they always want to stay close enough to be touching you. Lynn

Fast work with the hand quilting! Very nice use of your blocks, I like the green boarder. What are you using for the binding? I like that helper, could use her around. TFS Jayne

Mk, your new little man going to get taught hosta-lore??? ;-) so Excited for you - 40 years later and I still remember details, especially the thrill of my firstborn. Best of luck - it's nice you shared that special news with us. This forum is one large family where strangers care for one another...simply because of one simple common denominator - the hosta. I'm sure we are not exclusive in this, that it exists on other forums, but this one is special to me. Have a wonderful day, mama-to-be. :-)