Christopher...What???? Al, where did you find the Judy Garland quote? She's one of my favorites. Marjie...We have sun, but no warmth or humidity. Not yet. They're talking 59F. As to when, I have no idea. Someone posted a photo of people dressed in SUMMER garb. Shorts, T-shirts..lol. Funny, I have FB set for various news stations. Friday, two stations predicted two opposite forecasts. One said 1-2" of snow, the other said 59F. I like the latter, but we got the snow..woke up to brightness this morning. :( Sadie is your pup?? Coco loves rolling in wet..snow or rain..he's a mess... I'm waiting for warmer temps, then off to the vet he goes. Coco is terrified of scissors, so he has to be sedated for a groom. Wow, 35-40 warmer than normal this time of year...Wish it was the case here. Usually in February Snow Crocus and Hyacinths are flowering, but there's too much snow to tell. Brown tips!!! What gets me is plants that normally don't brown have browned this winter. I was cleaning the house, and noticed the humidifier needed filling. I was in a hurry, so grabbed the container, added water, then hurriedly placed on the base. Generic cap broke. I phoned the company and was told they no longer make that model. I found a replacement cap, but it's 7 and change plus 8.99 for shipping!!!! 20.00 for a cap!!! In the meantime I purchased a smaller humidifier..It works, but the motor isn't powerful enough for two rooms. I'm still hoping for that solarium. lol. I didn't know you wanted to be a Photographer...That's great! Practice, practice and practice more. Good luck. Thanks for reminding me about WJ. I bought a bag of soil at HD last year. An employee gave me several WJ cuttings..lol. It was nice of her, but I have no idea why she did this...Cuttings are sitting in a vase of water, and I bet it's empty...

I don't pretend to be an expert on orchids yet, but I've grown plants for years. I'm mostly testing my new knowledge about orchids and am waiting to be corrected. That's okay because it's just one of the ways to learn more :) It sounds to me like you are overwatering. Orchids "in the wild" don't sit in floods or puddles, they get rained on. If you don't want to waste distilled water because you are buying it, put something under it to catch the extra water, and and water till it runs out the hole in the pot, then run some more through. Letting it drain until it stops dripping is good. I don't put mine (a rescue plant) back on its saucer for probably 1/2 hour or so, just because I'm busy and I do it the next time I go through the kitchen. The dish/pot/whatever can catch what runs out and be used again. Depending on how warm or cool it is where the orchid is kept, once a week might be too often, as well. Like I said, I'm waiting for more info from the "real" orchid growers here to see if I'm getting the hang of this thing. LOL! Lynn

Hi Ya! I kicked that ol' tire right outta the yard into kingdom come (I actually had two beers - pointed them into my diary and still kept my day value) on Friday night and a strong sedative....boy...sleep I did and still somewhat groggy today got off my keister, did some light kitchen cleaning, ran some laundry, puttered with my darling baby plants (repotted some and gave my fern a massive heart attack by sawing the root ball down and repotted it) and just made some cinnamon rolls. Yep, cinnamon rolls. I cut them into small sizes and pointed them at 3.5 per roll (probably less). I used splenda and sugar with the cinnamon, drizzled honey to goo things up a little and low fat margarine in the mix. I also use LIGHT carnation evaporated milk - really gives it a lovely texture and taste. I still have 6 points left today and later this evening I am going to have a nice cuppa tea and a cin. roll - finish up my points for the day, freeze some of them for another day and take some over tomorrow when out visiting folk (I love to bake, I still do a lot but I give it away ASAP and freeze a few bites for later). Friday night the family has decided I will be going out for chinese dinner this week coming for my b'day...they never asked what I wanted (I don't really want this, especially on a Friday night - I am usually totally wiped by end week, but I will go with my best foot forward. Just means that Thurs/Friday I will PLAN AHEAD and save a few extra points for that meal. I appreciate their thought and Dave's parents are here for another week before going back home. I should not complain, it has been hard on them even more. Probably be in bed early again tonight but first, gotta read my gardening mag. and my National Enquirer (weekly international edition). I know, I know the NE is pretty much fiction but I enjoy it. Small pleasures. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Tomorrow we start another week and we carry on! Cheers, McPeg

Annie I received your e-mail. Glad you received the prizes and valentine gift. Love all the fairy packages. Rita I received your box today and loved it all. The post office is so rough on packages the cute little fairy arrived broken along with the heart box. Rita you sent so much, two boxes of candy (Yum), valentine card, two precious bear valentine figurines, angel figurine, valentine pencil-pencil sharpener-eraser and note pad. Thank you so much. Sheri-Sorry to read your Birthday gift was missing from the card...I found some black sharpie retractable markers and included one for plant labeling. If I find them again I will send you another. Melinda did receive hers so that one was still intact. Here is the message I received from Melinda via facebook. Dear Shirley, Thank you so much for the beautiful card and new marker pen! So needed that! I am trying to get on the new GW and have tried for days! Don't know if it is my computer or what, but can't sign it, can't connect with FB or anything. I may have to make a new Yahoo account and everything to make a new sign in, not sure. But it is extremely frustrating! Could you please say Thank you to all the ladies