Hi there- I do hope all of the seeds have found their way home to you all- I did send a few of my this seasons favorites to you all (or tried to get them all in the return envelopes)- I thought I would show you a few pics- The very best Castor Bean I have ever grown is the New Zealand Purple. It was quite something to behold- over 10' tall and near the end of the season- the side branches were more that 8' across- and bronze and purple all the way through- The leaves had a sheen to them that shifted shades of the color as you looked at it. Many folks came down the driveway to ask about it... The aristolachia fimbriata has been a favorite of mine since my first participation in the RUNV exchange- Aristolochia Fimbriata, the White Veined Hardy Dutchman's Pipe, is an excellent hanging basket plant. Its small stem, make it more suitable than other Aristolochia for basket culture. This smaller tropical vine climbs to only 1-2 meters. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. A rare find. A must for those who collect the unusual. It always attracts the attention by the strange flowers that are produced amongst the white-veined leaves. Flowers are solitary and are formed under the leaves. The cute little 1-2" long yellow and brown flowers, resembling miniature elephant trunks, are produced along the stem all Summer. The flowers are green on the tube, brown on the mouth entrance and veined purple brown inside. The mouth entrance has a bizzare and striking arrangement of hairs that stick out like a rough material. This is one of the most attractive foliage plants you can grow. This really cool deciduous groundcover Dutchman's Pipe spreads out to 3 feet on little green stems. Each rounded leaf is medium green, highlighted with dramatic silver veining. In Winter, the stems retreat back to the base if cultivated outside, so no invasive problems. Hardiness zones 7-9, (-15C/5°F,-5°C/25°F) in Winter. Aristolochia Fimbriata likes to grow in a light and airy place, but not in direct sunlight. Keep Summer temperatures from 68-78°F and Winter temperatures above 50°F. Water regularly during the growth period, once or twice a week. Water no more than once a week during Winter. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every third watering throughout the growing season. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil. That said- I put it in hanging baskets and forgot to water way too many times- and I almost never fertilize- and they still did great!! I bring mine in to overwinter- and they live through our long cold winters in the basement with hardly any light... Germinating tips- Soak 48 hours in hand hot water Time to germinate: 30-90 days (The usual time period in which a particular variety will germinate given optimum conditions) Temperature: 70-80°F (24-29°C) - a steady temperature is generally recommended - fluctuating temperatures can damage a seedling in its critical early stages Growth Medium: Peaty Sowing Depth: Sow on the surface, point end down and do not cover Light or Dark: No special requirements Slow or Erratic: Not all seeds will show at once - prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle and don't discard the container until well over the time suggested. The Morning Glory Wine and Roses (Heirloom Ipomoea Nil I found both on the web...), is the best ever performing MG I have ever tried! And the Triple Yellow Datura, var chlorantha- Well, you will find that all over the web- I do hope all have made their way home by now- and am very happy to have been able to host this swap- Thanks again- Julie

Happy Sunday !!! Pseudacris....Hope you are on ur feelng better soon ! I had mine out 4 weeks after my son was born. Was having attacks during my pregnancy and they kept tellin me it was false labor. Hope you are doing well ! Velsgarden, I am so thankful your sister is ok !! Cars can be replaced...sounds like she is lucky she wasnt hurt !! Dorisl is determined to mail..we kidnapped u Doris, ur suppose to just ENJOY this season !! Agnela...too funny ! It happens to me too, if I go out, it is only bills..lol My father trades baseball cards, and we always "race" to the mailbox... Keiki, and all others....PLEASE dont get discouraged...I have asked many elves to slowly mail their cards..to allow the "RECEIVING" to last until Christmas !!!!! I still need reports from a few people...would you kindly email me...so that I can finish up on those that need some cards. To those that offered to help me with a second round of cards, THANKS, the list has been going around..I update it and then send to the next person. Thanks for all the Bingo Cards, words will be posted today...feel free to post that you got words...just not which ones :D Had about 2 inches of snow last night..sure made it feel more like Christmas... Have a wonderful Day !!! (Im off to my sons "Superbowl game")

I've opened the packages I have today, and it was so much fun! I'm glad I waited because I just got more excited as I went along, sort of like a kid on Christmas morning, y'know? Care to see some pictures? Well then, let's start the show! Here's the first picture I took of all the envies laid out like a 9-patch block... Then, while I'm pulling out all the cards and reading them, my roommie finds one I dropped on the way to my bedroom... I'll be able to put together an extra block thanks to those of you who sent extra pieces, thank you!!! And here are the blocks I've received so far. When I receive Bevs, I'll post a picture of that block for you all to see. Ladies, thank you one and all! The cards were great to read, and I'm looking forward to putting all these wonderful blocks into something which will keep me warm in the winters and remind me that summer is on its way! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME INDEED! Dan

Well, I just got off the phone with Swiss Colony again because I was concerned about how their food items were sent to guarantee freshness. She said food packages are sent in refrigerated trucks and besides that the cheesecake is packed so that all the air is drawn out(something like that)and it certainly can sit in a Post Office for one day. In fact, the method of packaging is so that in case a person were to forget and lay it aside for 48hrs.(or more) it still isn't going to spoil unless it's sitting in 107 degree temps. Now, she didn't say what the cheesecake will actually look like when I open it, but I'm not too worried.