That was a good dinner, I make a delicious one almost every night by just wandering in there and channeling the munch muse, but this one was definitely a repeater, a write-it-downer. Mmmmm. Rhizo, I'm all about substitutions. That's why I don't use recipes, except sometimes I write down what I did if I want to remind myself later. I still probably won't do it exactly the same way because it's not good odds that I would have the exact same stuff. An organized person would make a list that had everything needed written on it, remember to bring it to the store, buy the things on it, and cook predetermined meals. I think I've met a few... Toni, probably red delicious, they're usually the biggest. It probably doesn't matter in a cookie. If I throw some oats in there, I'm good with calling these breakfast. Are those snowballs with butter, flour, bit of powdered sugar & chopped nuts? I've also heard them called tea cookies and wedding balls. Common names, huh? LOL! I make these a LOT and last time I put some cocoa powder in the powdered sugar to roll them in after baking, about 25% cocoa powder. That was really good! Also put choc chips in them sometimes, and once I half-dipped them in melted choc after baking/cooling but that was more trouble than it's worth. Drizzling would have been a lot easier. Stole the idea from candy buckeyes. Do you ever make those? This is some unknown person's picture, but exactly what it looks like when we make them. I always vow I'm not going to do these again, but I already know I'm going to be cussing at these cookies again this year. I will end up doing it. They are the star of the cookie package, they make it all make sense. And it always seems like you're going to have to throw it away and start over, but I don't think I've ever actually done this, it will work if you keep stirring with your already-numb arm. I know, you're like, "What in the world is she talking about?" Sigh... holly cookies. Made the same as rice krispie bars but you corn flakes instead, and a lot of green food coloring. Put in cookie-size clumps on wax paper to set, and stick on 2-3 "red hots candies" on each one. Looks like holly with red berries. Found a pic of those too (thanks unknown people): Larry, are you getting more or less than you expected from this thread? Muahahaha!! (A leftover Halloween vampire cackle.)

Must admit that my "work" in the biz of late has just included greening up Holiday arrangements until 2am to help out a client. That said, combining business and creative into a successful business is never, ever easy. The discipline involved is overwhelming when one would really rather be out deadheading on a gorgeous day instead of paying bills. Having consulted to many new-start business on this exact subject -- how to use your talent and stay in business, too -- the biggest failure factor is a lack of discipline. It's why 70% of new restaurants fold, and why "craft shops" spring up and go away just as quickly. The professions that are disciplined to start with -- accountants, lawyers, doctors, etc. -- know that in the beginning it's good to have someone available to help them through. When I first met with wouldbe clients I'd tell them straight out -- plan on spending 50% of your time on what you love about your business and the other 50% of your time being a business person. Take advantage of GOOD advertising reps and join the Chamber of Commerce for the information found there. See if your county/city/state has an Economic Development Commission that's sole purpose is to help businesses stay in business. If, after that, my wouldbe client was still paying attention, I'd talk to them about my services. The only other "must have" for my new clients was that theirr business be a legal entity. If you don't have the $400 to become an LLC, you aren't ready to start in business. Period. Keeping yourself personally open to legal exposure, no matter what creative juices you can't wait to use, keeps an edge of fear going after the novelty wears off. Usually that takes about three months, and usually AFTER something has happened. It doesn't matter what the business is. Inevitably someone will try and take advantage of something that went wrong. It amazes me to this day how many people met the above with a blank stare. Enthusiasm is needed, but is not exclusive to keeping a successful business running. Martie, who is still nursing floral-knife blisters but had a blast, anyway :-)

Andrew, PS. Sonia does have great plants as I have bought from her several times. Since I have known John for a long time I generally buy directly from him, but sometimes Sonia finds a rare one so I just get it from her as she takes good care of her plumies. Gina is one of my fav's I have 3 of them. The first one I bought from John was when he brought them in from Thailand and paid about 150.00 for a 3 tipper in a 6" pot. Also I never keep multiples of the same variety so I really love Gina..lol The other thing is depending on the heat and temps you have during supper Jenny, and Jackie may not take on its look with the coloring or curling of the petals Here is a pic of Jackie blooming last season in my cooler coastal area, pic was taken in late Aug: Pics of other Jungle Jacks plumeis you got from my cooler patch: Elsie without heat in mid June Christina cooler temp first blooming Blooming in Sept when temps where in the upper 80s Gina Taken in warmer temp in Sept Jenny without heat in late June in my costal area Jenny in heat Penang Peach in late June when its cooler Smith Candy Apple is a good one for cooler areas and good growth habit. Pic from cooler June Samirie with heat Samirie needs some heat to pop, with out heat Lava Flow in cooler temps in June So basically some plumies require heat and bright bright sun to look like the pics sometimes. If you live in an area that has cooler summers or near the coast you need to be more selective. Here are a few other plumies that do not perform well in cooler areas. Purple Jack (looks pink, unless you have heat) University Hawaii Orange Emmersons Pink Nova (the white eye will not appear or pop without sun and heat) Flames of the sun Bonnie Fox Dane Madam Poni Wild Fire only stays red never gets deep Ruby Gold Heart of Gold Thai Peach, etc.

tracyjohnson1, thanks for the compliment. It's been amazing how relaxing it has been in the pool. We swim every evening and watch the sun go down. We have enjoyed our cleaner we named Bob. The PB set him up to clean for 3 hours a day. He really does a great job. I have to use the brush to sweep off the baja shelf and the benches, but he comes along and vacuums it up off the floor of the pool. The first few days the little bag was very full of PebbleTec pebbles and rock chips from construction. Be sure and empty it every day. It is gross, but the other day we unzipped the bag and there was a dead frog in it. BLAH!! Good luck with your pool. Can't wait to see pics.