Good morning Idylls, Its a pretty dreary, gray day here but its just SOP for this time of the year. I think we are supposed to get a few inches of snow sometime today and Doug is anxiously waiting for his new snow blower to come in. We finally broke down and ordered a new machine as the old one was beyond its last legs. Wed bought it shortly after we bought this house so it doesnt owe us anything. Doug ordered an 11.5 horsepower Ariens so it should be able to throw the snow into the next county. Of course now that weve taken the plunge it probably wont snow for the rest of the winter. LOL Yesterday Wendy, Chelone, Saucy, Sue and I met in Chelmsford for lunch and had a terrific visit. Lots of laughs and good wishes were shared by all. What a treat to see so many smiling gardener faces. We are talking about having a get-together at Tower Hill sometime in the next couple months and Im going to be planning our annual Thumb our Noses at Winter party, probably for the last week in Feb or beginning of March. The Idyll social calendar is getting off to a good start for 08. Speaking of which, where are we going to IU5????? Anybody have any great ideas out there???? Personally, Id love to go back to Michigan and see Davids new gardens and visit Edens and Honeys gardens again. That was a marvelous trip and pretty central. Jump in anyone please with ideas and suggestions. Im loving all the birthday and Christmas photographs. What fun. Michelle, I just love that Chickadee on the sundial photo. Wonderful! And Norma, what is that columbine? What a beauty! Your DH is so cute. He looks pretty happy with his Christmas present. Michelle, Oh yes, I almost forgot to answer your question, I DID buy that ribbon at Sams. They have some lovely ribbon this year too and I want to pick up a couple rolls when it goes on sale. Mary, I ROTFLOL when I saw the lime green panties gingerbread woman. You are just too clever. Monique, glad to hear you had a great birthday. OK Ive got to get off this computer and get to the gym and begin to work some of this excess baggage I picked up over the holidays off my bum. Have a great day everyone. Deanne

Having a 2 year old around for Christmas sure makes things exciting! She loves candy and it was hard to keep her out of it. She got a oak doll cradle from my parents. The first thing she did was take the blanket and pillow out and sit in it and rock herself. She would like to wish all the Idylls a "Merry Missmas" :o) I forgot my camera at my parents house. I'll have to post some pictures later. Jerri, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother. How great that she didn't have to be in a nursing home. Cynthia, great to hear from you. Deanne, I love the Christmas card. The cardinal is just perfect in the wreath. Eden, your cookies look delicous and the silver trays are a nice touch. It looks like Bella is enjoying Christmas and it is so great so see your mom doing well. Jennie and BF make a handsome couple. Norma, no snow here either. That is our grove last winter. Mary, your sister will love the bag. Mine is black with a purple stripe and some purple beads. It is very special to me. Enjoy! Michelle

she sure does hahahahahaha oh at least I now know that I am GLUED to the chair hahahahaha thanks Daniella. My brain only knows ONE word right now and that is BINGO lol Lucy I tricked ya, didn't I ! You thought I would be gone for FIVE minutes. I cut it short

Schoolhouse, I don't exactly know what a butter tart is, but going by just the name, they must be delicious. We've had a neighbor drop off her homemade chocolate covered toffee, and another a loaf of banana-nut bread. Both are very tasty indeed. Your dogs must have been a hoot. I can just see them in my mind. Patti, a three day case of CL sounds a lot like a bad migraine, except you can still function and there's no medication for it. (I suppose self-medication is always an option.) Mary Lu, your weather sounds like our weather, though maybe colder. The ski hill owners are loving it, though. It's good to hear from you. Eduarda, it sounds like your house is still infested with masons and other assorted workers. Isn't there some kind of spray for that? Thank you for mentioning James Taylor's album. I had forgotten about it and I need to get it playing immediately before I run out of season. TM