If you have a tarp or plastic paint protection sheet, I would probably cover my containers with them. Or get Sterlite/Rubbermaid containers with lids (the large, rectangular ones) and place the containers inside them-- cover them at night, leave them uncovered when it is warm and sunny. My seedlings (AND the ones I'd planted out already) survived the weather early this week of 14 degree Farenheit windchills, snow, and nights down to about 25. They should no stress what so ever. I left the planted out seedlings uncovered. The ones in containers, I had in Sterlite containers with the lids on at night. They all got snowed on in the day. Chances are all the plants are hardier than you think. (but I still don't know how the buds on my Hydrangea faired all the weather we had this week). Linda

CAthy, I'm happy as long as the tank heater is keeping up, I HATE chopping ice from the tank. Actually, chopping it isn't the bad part, it's dipping the ice chunks out with a hay fork, I always get wet, and it's cold. Ugh. Hate that..... Wind chill factors of 20 to 30 below zero ought to tell me, I've made a wooden cover for the stock tank with a hole just big enough for the animals to put their heads through, I'm hoping it helps, at least enough to keep the tank unfrozen. We set a bale this afternoon, a big round bale will last 3-4 days, so hopefully it'll last until Wednesday morning, when it breaks a little and will be back up to a high of 17, and no below zero temps. I can do everything else manually, but the tractor doesn't always want to start when it's that cold and I need the tractor to move those big bales. As for school, they will probably not have school Monday or Tuesday, we have so many rural students that ride busses and it's just not safe to have small children out in that weather. When it hits zero they are not allowed to go outside for recess and when it's colder, they eventually give up and close school. Annie

Here's a soup recipe that I've been making this winter It is SO GOOD. I shared it with all our family members and they have all been making it and raving about it. UNSTUFFED PEPPER SOUP * 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef * 3 large green peppers, chopped * 1 large onion, chopped * 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth * 2 (10 ounce) cans tomato soup, undiluted * 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained * 1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, drained (I haven't used mushrooms yet, I didn't have any both times I made it) * 1 1/2 cups cooked rice Directions In a dutch oven or large saucepan, cook beef, peppers, and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the broth, soup, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rice, heat through and serve.

I love Matelasse, I have several coverlets and bedspreads in various colors and prints of Matelasse. I will add a light weight fleece blanket in the winter. I don't like a lot of covers, I generally am not under the covers much. I will have the cleaning lady take the blanket off this week. Might change to a new pretty summery print Matelasse I bought but have never used yet. I currently have my favorite one which is raspberry color on the bed. I find one of those with the sheets is just right, I prefer a very cool room. The ceiling fan is on high all year, plus I have a 10" fan that is aimed at my head on all the time, we have a good size metal antique style fan on a stand that I have on a fair amount of time. I must have lots of air movement on me, my Dad was the same way. I feel like I can't breathe if I don't. I really think that we could have gone with out the blanket this winter since it never got very cold.