hoovb your description of pruning your climbers reminded me of my friend who though retired, prunes roses for extra income. When I asked how much he charges for climbers he immediately said $500 each. When I asked if people would pay that much, he just smiled and said, no. Al

I hope Santa is very good to you all and brings you whatever garden gifts you want. I'd really like a garden helper/handyman but they are pretty scarce. I would also like a garden bench altho I might spend too much time just sitting and not gardening! ;-D I think those Travelocity gnomes are cute also and QVC does have them - link below. There are not a lot of 'things' I need for my garden and I like to choose them myself so I'm not making garden gift suggestions to family. No longer buying gardening books. Would like a new birdbath to replace the cheap plastic one but I made the birds a glass totem birdbath and only the chipmunks use it. The birds seem to prefer the cheap plastic one that's elevated 6' high - I guess they feel safer there. I buy a few garden decorations every year mostly at yard sales and have made more totems, etc. than my garden needs. Mother's Day is when I get my garden goodies, not Christmas, as the plant nurseries have just opened here and my enthusiasm is high. Right now I'm hibernating just like my garden! LOL Here is a link that might be useful: Travelocity gnome

Melissa, We spend Christmas with my family in Toronto, then zip on Boxing Day (the 26th, also the Feast of St. Stephen) down to Tennessee to get together with my in-laws. But we leave just before everyone down here breaks out the black-eyed peas and hog jowls (it always amuses me as a northerner to see them advertised in the paper), to return to Toronto where for over a decade I've celebrated New Year's Eve with a sumptuous dinner at a dear friend's place. She's someone who, when I first knew her, didn't cook at all. But she took it on as a project and now lays on a multi-course extravaganza (foie gras appetizers, standing rib roasts, trous normands of homemade sorbets, etc.) for a dozen or more people every 31st. We feel very lucky to make the guest list. Some years our travel plans only allow us to arrive part way thorugh the festivities, but this year we've got a non-stop flight and are looking forward to being there from the first munch.... Happy 2008 to all my harvesting friends. Zabby

Wait a minute. A truck crashed into your house? Did I miss this story? My MIL once was having lunch in Georgetown and a car crashed through the window of the restaurant. The waiters had to get her to move to another table, I think she would have sat there eating her salad while the radiator of the car was releasing its steam. :) I also want to say thank you to everybody for all the help and hand holding you are providing me with lately. Wishing you Joy during this Holiday Season. Bee