Hello friends, FINALLY home from gallavanting around the country. This last trip was to take our son and his girlfriend back to MN. They had been here visiting for a week. We then stayed an extra 3 days to do some more sightseeing. DS also took along his cat, Precious, so we now have 1 cat and 1 dog. Sniff, sniff. Vee, Happy to hear you liked your gifts. The wolf on the stone came from our visit to Kansas City sometime in the spring. Was hoping you might like it. The alstromeria was looking a little tough, I know, but it came all the way from Texas in the car with us. It came from the Wildseed Farm down there just west of Austin near Fredricksburg. Think it will make it? It looked a LOT better earlier. LOL The "can can" heuchera is from Iowa. Nothing special about it. Stephanie, is the guy in the photo available? Earthly is looking! I have no idea if we got any rain while we have been gone, but last night and today we have been having some nice showers on and off. We have really been needing them! Tomorrow I'm going to go to a friend's house in Gifford--little unincorporated burgh of maybe??? 100 people maybe less--and help her in her flower gardens, etc. Every year this little burgh has a huge 4th of July parade. It's known all over the county. I'm guessing they easily have 75+ entries in the parade yearly. Anyway, she always wants her yard to look spotless. The whole little "town" spiffs up for the event. At least the rain will make pulling any weeds easier. Deb, I am so sorry to hear of your Grandmother's passing. It is so sad to lose a Grandma. Have already said prayers for you. Am enjoying the pictures. I have a number of Asiatic lilies blooming right now along with other perennials. I need to try to post them. Maybe DH can help me figure out how to do it. I still have directions on how to do it. Just can't quite figure it out, though. I'm NOT giving up! Alicia--I was just in Austin about a week-and-a-half ago. WOW, is it hot!!! DH and I were there for a long week-end visiting my sister. Never got below 100! She tells us they/you didn't really have a winter this year either. No freezes? When you move you are in for a CHANGE! Where did you live before TX? What are the trees/bushes that are in bloom right now down there? They are a deep red or pink then the flowers fall off and there are berries. Aaaaaagh....My mind.....They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!! As you can see, my mind is gone. Later everyone, Mellen

Mellen.....box got there quick! the one thing i wanted to include i could not find. I wanted to send paula deens bbq sauce or marinade BUT it was no where around here to be found. will have to track some down to stock up. last time i bought it i got the last 2 jars. now i cant find any! the envie should be arriving soon also Woot I got a box from IOWA it arrived Saturday! I got the plants in the ground yesterday. and for life of me cannot remember what they were! Read your lovely note to kiddo. She said wow mom she knows all about her state. We know nothing about ours like that! as i was reading it i showed her the goodies! I had 2 cookbooks - now i have a total of 6 in my collection! (see what you guys got started? lol) nah cant blame it on yall. although ive gotten 3 total from obf trades-my grandmother had like a gazillion when she died but my aunt took them all!)One from Iowas sesquicentennial anniversary. one from the church mellen grew up in - full of her family recipes! ( your note is in the cookbook now so i can remember which are family of yours!) I will quote some from the note maryellen wrote. and tell ya what i got! besides 2 cookbooks. Iowa is one of the top hog producing states - i got a box of ready to eat bacon - heat in the microwave and its ready@! Iowa is one of the top cattle producing states - i got beef sausage made in IA. ( while reading this kiddo said oooo do we get a calf? lol some reason she wants a baby calf. i said NONONO!) lol IA also known for corn - so we got some popcorn grown in IA. Great for movie night next weekend. BBQ sauce made in IA. some new hersheys chocolate truffles! were a little melted but but them in fridge and they are good! OOOOOOo i love a box with food! ty so much mellen!!!

I am all too familiar with clutter. So acquainted, in fact, that I think most of it has become permanent features to the house. We have so much stuff now, we are having to move & build a bigger house. All of this "clutter" is actually things that we need & use regularly. We are just running out of spaces to put things. My husband & I each have our own hobbies that require a room all to ourselves to store everything. My plants have taken over the only usable guest bedroom, our closest shelves are on the verge of falling off the walls, his computer room can barely contain what he has in there, my art room you have to be an expert rock climber to get around in. I have always been one of those people who has the compulsion to hide things. I have things stuffed away in all cabinets through out the house, on top of the cabinets & refrigerator, stuff is under the beds, in drawers with clothes-if it can fit in a spot, I will squirrel it away. It helps keep my house looking nice & tidy.

Dem-Pa, I love your pics. I can't wait to see flowers again. Some of my camellias are blooming, so it isn't like I don't have color in the yard, I am just too ready for spring. I know it will arrive here sooner than a lot of other places, I am just not a winter person. After about a month I am ready for spring again. I started about 40 different varieties in ziplock baggies yesterday. Now the waiting begins. I have checked the two wintersow jugs I have already started, but there is no sign of life yet. I have been collecting jugs and bottles of all shapes and sizes. I have a question though, when you cut windows in the jugs, do you let them sit open all winter? I haven't ever done that and wonder with my temperatures fluxuating ( sp) as much as they do if the windows would help. It will be 52 here tonight, but 30 tomorrow night....