You all sound like professionals...so here's a POV from a simple gardener. I love plants so I love going to those nurseries around town that cater to people who love plants...and they provide really cool seminars, great herb plant help for those of us who WANT more than the few types of main herbs sold at "box stores" (including someone getting me a plug of her own sweetgrass plant when they couldn't find one for me) ....they offer thousands and thousanmds of different plants at my favorite nursery. I just would never NOT support such a place!! and they do WELL here ...I know the owenrs and they are youngish, but they are both very open minded to working with the niche they have. They explore it very aggressively (but nicely) . And they do well. This is a free market and there are absolotely millions of people who DO know a thing of two about their plants and will go out of our way to support the places that are there for us. That said, I go to Home Depot too...do I buy plants there? Not so much, no....but I do like to go there and get this great organic compost they've got that I've seen nowhere else. And I have , on the rare occasion, bought a plant from there - they have done just fine, but only because I will only buy a plant that I can see is ok and not too stressed. I know what I'm looking for. I buy far, far more of my plants at the local nurseries and I am not the only one doing that for sure ! The upshot here , I think, is that this is a free market and the smaller establishments CAN cater to their target audience very nicely. I have worked part time at one nursery, another good one, and I have been at many in the area. Do I see them all catering well to their niche? No I don't . But I certainly see some that do incredibly well. And I thnk that is how things tend to fall out...it's just business, it's not about the masses who don't know plants or lost integrity of plant providers or morals or anything like that . In the end perhaps it's really just mostly how well you can flow with your own business. Selling plants is a business. You might love your plants and care for them better than the box stores (and this is definitely true from what I've noted ) however, the plant is a "unit" , no matter how great a unit...and selling units is the object of making money. Business is business. I think all you professionals who sell plants or design for a living are so incredibly blessed!! You are in the business of selling "units" that bring incredible joy , beauty - not mention "units' that can teach patience, love and caretaking ability - to everyone who buys form you or buys your designs. I think that rocks as a profession! Wishing you all a wonderful business year in 2006! Chris

Happy birthday!. Mine was the 15th. I'm sure we had a nice meal but i've forgotten. Most likely seafood. Pasta looks great. Hick-ups in loading on here. My issue is having to log in every time. You will like the silicone lids Annie. Super for little hands if a snack is prepped ahead or for opened salsa in the fridge. I use reverse osmosis water filters and keep jars in the fridge so not much ice is needed. I could use a few more 4 oz and six ounce jars. Making some fruit salads with yogurt and layered chia pudding. Blueberries are good this year. Just put in three more plants. Mine are 15+years old. I made my version of Greek lemon Chicken. Head start quartered steak potatoes. Lots of lemon with 6 small boneless skinless chicken thighs. After 1/2 hour i piled on olives, cherry tomatoes, baby artichoke hearts, tucked in big cubes of fetta and back in the oven for 20 to roast. Usually a Fall/Winter dish so seemed a bit heavy. Made chicken salad lunches but so much left-over we had it again but with thin sliced massaged greens and some pasta. So much better with lots of veg.

Thank you Debra. Really nice Emerald Tiara! I am sure in a couple of years your EN will make you very happy. Lol we are all enablers aren't we? Between you & Beth Eternal Flame will be going on many a list! old_dirt I admired Envy too. Shadow & old_dirt I really like Electrocution. I remember Paula having one, very fitting being an electrician. Gary we do not see Embroidery often. I will look forward to seeing it over the years. Ann you are so in the league with the rest of us and your yard is evidence of that!

Debra it is nice to see Nigrescens. I wonder if your 1st NOID could be Ventricosa, I know we never put a name to your 2nd one, I was surprised it was not an easy one to ID. gardengoon sorry your NF has not done better, it certainly looked good in that pic. Oh happy day Paula. That is a great surprise. Not an ideal shipping time for anyone let alone in Fla. They are hanging in so hopefully they will get a winter chill and be back with a vengance.