That is really cute! I just started feeding the birds, chickadees are my favorite. They're great for the garden. Thanks for the laugh! Jen

My secret? No secret, really... I do spend a lot of time caring for them... my recipe is as follows, though... I use nothing but unglazed clay pots, my medium is a mix of cocopeat, vermiculite, and a bit of Miracle Gro potting soil, with a layer of charcoal pieces on the pot bottom for drainage... I alternate between Miracle Gro liquid houseplant fertilizer and Schultz's Bloom Plus, both used rather dilute... every once in a while, I add a few drops of Superthrive to the fertilizer water... I also use fish emulsion fertilizer every once in a while... I sort of alternate fertilizers, since I can't seem to find the proper NPK numbers in any one type... I think the 2 things that have proven to show better growth for me are the Superthrive and the cocopeat, or coco coir, used as the medium base. Cocopeat, or coco coir, as it's called, can be found online at most Hydroponic type stores... a while back, there was a thread containing information and links about coco coir. I bought a whole bale of the stuff, and it'll take me quite a while to use it all... I just had it shipped right to my door! I made sure to get the kind that has been pre-washed to get rid of excess salts... I don't think there's any one secret to growing nice plants, per se... I think it's a combination of using good products, plus keeping a close eye on things... I tend to hover! I am definitely going to try adding a little sand to my mix, though... it sounds like it would aid in better drainage, and give the mix a better "feel" to it... What do you consider your best gardening secret? Do tell! :-)

Susan, I do remember that event! I had forgotten you were there. Let me see, Cindi from Texas, Rosebud (Steve) from Georgia, Susan from Northern California, and I'm not sure who else. Were Luanne and Carol Markell there that time? There were close to a dozen of us. It was the first but definitely not the last time that I met Gardenweb rose people in person. In fact if I am not mistaken it was the first time GW rose people got together in the Real World, something that happens a lot these days, or did before the pandemic. The event was centered on the ARS rose show in San Jose, and it was a good while ago. Maybe 1996? Thank you for bringing back that happy memory. I had such a good time. Also, am I remembering correctly that you had a problem with oak root fungus and your roses? I lost a Rosette Delizy to a root rot disease a few years ago, and I thought of you when it happened. Fortunately I haven't seen it happen to any other roses. Cutting back on the watering turns out to be good for something.

Kswl, glad you liked the tree topper. I love blue and white and have so much in the house, from various plates (antique and contemporary Spode and Burleigh etc) to some Asian pieces and my cobalt blue Bluestar range, but I've never done a tree. Maybe now that we are empty nesters : ) . Mtn, I could happily buy at least one of everything on her website!