My absolute favorite lately has been The New Basics Cookbook--notes I wrote in the margins say OMG!! and Awesome! which is not what I usually write. I love those group cookbooks from churches, schools, and special groups. I love some of the little cookbooks I've bought at the grocery store checkout. I often refer to the web or my files of recipes that I've collected from newspapers and magazines. +The Betty Crocker Cookbook binder that my mom gave me as a wedding shower gift. +Betty Crocker's New Boys and Girls Cook Book--a gift from my parents for my 8th birthday. I still refer to it! I'm trying to use my appliances more so have discovered these great books: +The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook +Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook +The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook (johnliu you had me laughing so hard!! Thanks!!)

Mary, my question to you wasn't rhetorical: I'm trying to get at what you mean by compelling. Since I've only read one book on your list, I need some more information to see if I've read anything this year that might apply. Now, "Best Books" or favorites, as the writer of the blog does a good job of explaining the whys of, are a whole other kettle of fish. I can find a book compelling without really thinking it's one of the best books I've read -- or even liking it, for that matter. Though compelling and "liking" are sometimes simultaneous, only one is requisite for me to consider it for my "Best of the Year." Maybe I'm splitting hairs, though. I tend to overanalyze when I'm puzzled. :-( Okay, I'll just list my favorites of the year, compelling or not. Birds Without Wings - I can't believe I read it way back in January! The Wilderness Journals of Everett Ruess, edited by W.L. Rusho Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War - Nathaniel Philbrick Below the Convergence: Voyages Toward Antarctica, 1699-1839 by Alan Gurney Vee, I read Frankie and Stankie back in June. I liked it quite a bit, perhaps because it had a more memoirish feel to it than most fiction. What about it appealed most to you? Sheri, I was taken with The Big House, too. I wrote a review of it over at Bibliophil when it was still fresh on my mind. I reread what I wrote and now a couple of years later I'm delighted that I still remember it remarkably well.

Hello everyone, I just thought I will thank you again (Diane, Kate and frangrancenutter) and show you what the area looks like. From the opposite side I used my roses and added some bare roots (Jubilee Celebration and some Abraham Darby). I ended up with this list as planted from most sun to most shade: Double delight (3) Isabelle autissier Harlekin (kiss of desire?) Augusta luisa (2) Penelope Vendee imperiale (2) Peace Elektron (bought as Gartentraume, turns out to be mistagged) Chinatown Golden celebration (2) Abraham darby Charles de Gaule Belle story (2) Jubilee Celebration Isabelle autissier (2) William Morris (3) Golden celebration (2) Heritage Abraham Darby Augusta luisa (2) Gartentraume (3) Olive tree #2 (shades the following roses) Pat Austin (3) Gertrude Jekyl Gertrude has been a problem indeed, on both sides of my house (morning sun, afternoon sun) It has been leggy, stingy (not one rose), diseased, etc... I got some blackspots with Abraham Darby and Augusta Luisa getting most, so I sprayed with Tebuconazole (0,4). No mildew at all. The other side of my house gets 4-6 hours of morning sun. I got almost no blackspot there except some on Pat and Gertrude, and some mildew just starting on Blossomtime and both my Nahemas. It's mostly sunny here and there is so much growth going on! These are Heritage and Princess Alex. of Kent from the morning sunny side (today) : Thanks again! I will update you again probably in May, when the hedge starts blooming :) Gladis

Just a follow-up here re Heirloom Roses. I ordered two from their website, then two more from their website, then changed my mind twice and changed my orders! I got the first two - in one gallon pots (far from the bands I got from the former Heirloom folks). I re-potted both of them into 5 gallon cans for later fall planting. I was very impressed with the roots fully holding the soil, but not pot-bound. Stems looked healthy. they are already growing and leafing out, even though I got them in the midst of a record heat wave for us. I had also found an Heirloom rose I wanted on Amazon, so ordered it there because I coudn't be bothered to go get my purse and enter my credit card info for the Heirloom site. I got the Amazon rose right away. My other two from Heirloom that I ordered a couple of months ago come tomorrow or the next day. The Amazon rose also looked great, and when I re-potted it to larger can the roots seemed perfect. I talked with someone at Heirloom who explained that Amazon requires immediate shipping - so that's why you get them right away. AND, I learned that with Amazon you get a 30 day guarantee, but direct from Heirloom you get a one year guarantee (or warranty?). Via the Heirloom website you can be part of the buds and blooms, but not via Amazon. So...if you want rewards and a one-year guarantee - shop the website. If you need to "hide" your rose purchases, shop Amazon. So far, I couldn't be happier with my Heirloom purchases. As I say above, ask me after a year if I still feel that way! :-)