GEEEEZZZ, I like this web site. You all are the greatest, thanks for all the encouragement and support. Suzi, I figured I had to do something, nothing much was happening at my flower stand in front of the house, and my husband was giving me those "looks", and saying, "SO how much money are you going to put into this?" (That's why I come here for suport. HA.) So, as someone suggested once, it's better to give them away than to compost them. I put some bouquets together, one for a restaurant here in the village, then a B&B, bank, dentist office, doctors office and a pottery shop, which also sells local artists wares. Everyone was very receptive to "Free", and allowed me to put some brochures and my cards next to the vase. The bank is the Royal Bank, one of the largest in Canada, but of course we do live in a village, and that bank is 15 minutes away in a larger town. The tellers were all smiles when I brought in the bouquet. It was slow in there that day, and they all came over to talk to me about the flowers. The lady that would make the decision about ordering was on vacation, (of course) but they took my brochure and asked for cards. I guess they had soo many comments on the flowers that when I picked up the vase the following week, they said they wanted an 8 week subscription and to bring them a bill for the total amount and they'd pay right away. They also said not to worry if there was a lull in between weeks, just that they wanted 8 bouquets. Nobody else ordered a subscription that I delivered too, but as the tourist season picks up, and more people see the flowers in the bank, some may change their mind. There are 3 banks in town, so I'll try the others too. Or at least one more of them. I'm also thinking about trying another doctors office, and maybe some lawyers. The good thing is, all these businesses have to go to the bank, where they'll see the flowers, so I definitely think banks are worth a try. I charge $20.00 a week for a subscription, and $25.00 for occassional bouquets. That includes tax and delivery. I will deliver on Mondays. I work in that town anyway doing my gardening, so I'll make the most out of the drive in. I have a big sign out in front of my house now, and someone stopped in yesterday to buy a bouquet to take to a friend in the hospital. I'm hoping things will continue to pick up, now I just worry about getting my glads and annuals planted. We have only had 6 days of sun this entire month, and tons of rain. I can't plant until it dries out a bit. But I'm convinced this is going to work, and very excited about that. Thanks to all of you for listening, and best of luck with your season. Cheryl

Very interesting pepper and beautiful too. I am very interested in peppers with good flavour. I use almost all my peppers for sauces, and blending them produces different flavours . The addition of a smoky flavour would all an interesting element. Must try this one sometime.

Ealdwood, we've had some rain here and temps have gone up to the 80's from 60/40 deg. - I was amazed by all the colors - it seems to be aloe blooming season, it was like wonderland, so brilliant especially in the afternoon light. No favorites, or should I say, one was quickly supplanted by the next a few steps away! Rina, I've been going to The Huntington since I was a child - it was free back then to get in, now it's $15. There have been many additions since the Huntingtons' day, I supposed it has to be funded somehow. I'm not sure how many employees are on the payroll but there is an army of volunteers caring for the plants. The only thing I don't like about The Huntington is their cruel policy of trapping and killing coyotes.

I'm down to two - House Beautiful and the UK version of House & Garden. I intend to cancel HB soon - just nothing to it anymore and the houses featured look like HGTV. I have shoes older than the editor! I adore the UK version of House & Garden. It's a wonderful magazine, filled with great things, even recipes. I much prefer it to World of Interiors. I haven't gotten hard copy of the daily paper since DH died - he loved the daily ritual of walking up to get the paper at a nearby store. I subscribe to the local paper, the NYTimes and the Wall Street Journal, but all online. Lots less trash!