In cold zones, the easiest way to have happy healthy Dwarf Alberta Spruce is to plant them in a location out of the winter and early spring sun ... such as on the north side of a building or structure. I have the very attractive selection named 'Sander's Blue', though it always burnt badly in March and looked so crappy that I had shovel pruned it. I got another one at a good price at Canadian Tire and put the thing near to the north foundation where it's now been very happy and looking darn good. I always water it well prior to winter and only safeguard it from the neighbor's dogs peeing on it.

Ken, you must have read Diane Keaton's book. I have it on audio version, she reads the book herself. That's the second time you've mentioned "it ain't pretty" which is why I think you may be familiar with it. (thong was the first).....hehehehehhe Well, I'm glad you said it, because my eyes were bugging out. I thought maybe the hosta chosen were all miniature or smalls. TNC, you have been saved from a terrible heart attack when your hosta explode in the spring two years from now. Ask me how I know. :) So welcome to the forum. Ken is serious about taking a 10 foot string and drawing an arc in that corner. The hosta you have will end up making your dogwood disappear except for the limbs up top. Or almost. Google the names of each hosta and you can identify the posts related to them, read the ones you wish, and learn what happens to each plant in or near your zone. We have a few folks growing hosta in TX, so you should find something helpful about the eventual size of each hosta. Don't read the promo card, but read how big it becomes in your growing zone. What to watch for in your zone. I'm in zone 9a. It is interesting to me that more high zone folks are becoming interested in hosta. That is great! Hosta are on the move, and the direction is south! I always knew the hosta had a game plan for climate change. :)

I am anxiously awaiting tomorrow's arrival of my first embroidery machine. I have had a Kenmore sewing machine for over 30 years and decided it was time I treated myself to an upgrade. I ordered the Brother SE400 and am anxious to get started! I have (great-nephew) twins that I want to make shirts for that I saw recently. One will say COPY and the other one will say PASTE. I thought that was so cute. The blankets are great! I see your original post is from several years ago. I'm sure you are enjoying your grandchildren. My first granddaughter will be 2 in a couple of weeks and I'm sure she'll be the recipient of many embroidered goodies from Nonna.

Thanks, everyone! Glad you enjoyed the pictures. Bebe, you called that one right. Those strands took me 15 mins. apiece, and that was if I didn't make any mistakes (I made a lot of booboos since each strand had its own pattern). The math/pattern alone on that was tough enough to figure out. I started out thinking I'd bead fringe for the whole thing, but quickly changed my mind. If you're not insane already, doing that job will put you there. lol I'm putting the surgery off till I finish the toy box. Both hands have bad osteoarthritis in the thumb joint, and hurt all the time, so I'm eager to get them fixed!