MAY FOTESS SWAP~~~IT WON'T COST YOU A PENNY"

last year

May FOTESS SWAP~~~ IT WON'T COST YOU A PENNY~~~

That's right....If you participate this month, you will not be spending any $$ on “stuff" for your partner or shipping. I am out of town for several days, so I need to do simple. Time is not on my side...LOL!

In fact, this May month of FOTESSING, there will be no partners,

All you have to do is sign up and then......

*** Create a flower/plant/natural arrangement made by you and you alone...and post a pic of it. As I know, many of you may not have flowers/color yet depending on where you live in the country....so go natural from your garden space and come up with a creation. This can be small or large. No need to overthink it....

Post the pic(s) prior to May 23. You can take various views of your arrangement and post.

My friends, aka “the wrecking crew” will be here on the 25th for an evening of fun and ????? They will have the duty of voting for there favorite arrangement. These guys and gals love seeing what you FOTESSERS (and OBFERS) create. You never know about this group.....many different tastes, which makes it even better...... Prize for there selection of besty arrangment...... The last time my buddies came over and decided there favorite cookbook title (OBF or FOTESS, can't remember), I think last Fall, they so enjoyed discussing and debating your titles. So have fun with it!!

No BINGO this month......

I would like to do a Kentucky Derby game....Kentucky Derby is next Saturday, May 7. Hopefully, I can pull this off...LOL!

So sign ups for this month close on Thursday, May 5.

Another game.......”ABOUT ME”

I want each participant to post facts about themselves,…. facts about you, that none of the FOTESSERS know about you. It is a great way to learn more about people that we garden with monthly via HOUZZ and will probably never meet in person. You can post as many facts as you like and it can be about WHATEVER. But I am not going to tell you how the winner will be decided. No, my group of friends will not be deciding this game...LOL. Just have fun.......post facts that you are comfortable with!!

Any Q's, please ask!!

Annie

Featured Answer

canyonwind
Original Author

last year

Jeanne and Beth,

Received notification that your prize packages are ready to be shipped.

Jeanne, your three prizes from KOHLS will be delivered to you in one package.....est delivery date is Fri., June 17.

Beth, your two prizes from KOHLS will be delivered to you in one package....est delivery date is Fri., June 17.

Enjoy your day!!

Comments (94)

beth_b_kodiak
last year
unfortunately, the baby does nor look like the Dad at all. I'm looking for a clue that won't give the ID away. Yes the birds are native to US,though I think this variety is a hybrid. Their most famous relatives were developed in BeltsvilleMD
sandlapper_rose
last year
last modified: last year
It's a turkey! Am I right?
Related Discussions
After 2010 you won't be able to buy Austin from anyone but Austin
Q
Comments (127)
Jjpeace: that is your opinion, but it would be a sad day indeed if the only roses available to the rest of North America are determined by what is popular in Toronto! Kim: There will be demand for these obscure varieties again, everything is cyclical. The key is to have them propagated, distributed, and safely tucked away in many gardens instead of letting them disappear forever during the dark ages -- just like the ancient libraries of Alexandria or Timbuktu. A long time ago I was assistant to the curator at UC Berkeley Botanical Garden while doing my undergrad. The person in charge of the California section was kind enough to give me a rooted sucker of minutifolia because I was doing a research project. Afterwards, I kept the plant alive for ten years in a #1 pot in San Francisco, but lost it during an extended trip because my plant sitter didn't water it. Minutifolia was dormant at the time. I'm glad it's being more widely distributed, because through the years, the friends of the garden that run the plant sales rarely propagated it. I have plenty of experience keeping this ENDANGERED species alive, it prefers dappled shade in hot situations and produces bigger leaves & flowers with regular water. If the placement is correct, the plant explodes with growth. The growing media in the pot is fast draining, but it has no qualms sending roots through the holes into clay soil. Except for water, I basically just ignore it, no pruning, fertilizer, or spray. I'm glad you generously donated Pure Bea to the heritage group, I will treasure it. I had already contacted Tessie last year about PB. I asked her about hips but she didn't get any viable seedlings.... My 10+ year old Suncrest on its fourth flush this season:
...See More
MNF September 'Won't You Be My Neighbor'
Q
Comments (81)
Good morning! Today is the deadline. Linda had to drop out and I received Camen's information so I only need box names for two participants. I sent them a reminder email. If I don't hear from them by 7:00pm EST, they will have to skip the guessing name and will be placed last and 2nd to last in the picking order based on when they joined the swap, so I hope they remember in time. It's more fun when everyone plays! A short time after 7:00 pm I will post a guessing game and everyone will have until 1:00 pm tomorrow to post their answer. You can guess anytime between those times. I will explain when I post the game how the winner(s) will be determined. Anyone who does not guess will be placed at the end based on the order they signed up for the swap in. If you have any questions, shoot me an email. I am at home today and will check back often. Have a good one! ALana Vina/flowergirl34 Shirley/sjc48 Rose/rosemctier Dan/dan_the_mailman Margo/smitties Shirley/brittneysgran Robin/Robin1962-2008 Wendy/Sassybutterfly_2008 Faye/nottougly need box name Beth/beth_b_kodiak Carmen/gardencraze Heidi/hdiperna Shelly/sred98 need box name Kelly/kellyk49 Alana/poisondartfrog
...See More
If you see a penny do you pick it up????
Q
Comments (90)
Hi Bill, Sorry about your back. My friends gave me a "Merry Christmas" hat on Christmas Eve ... that the high wind blew off of my head after Christmas Eve communion at church, as I approached my back door. Found it in the morning ... frozen in. Slipped on ice, chopped it free with shovel, took it to the giver's house ... who took a pic of it, with ice on the peak, while it sat on my head. Later in the day, going to a friend's house for Christmas supper, slipped on glare ice while retrieving the hat to show him, fell heavily. A couple of days later, felt twinges in back, it got quite hurtful for a time when I moved in certain ways. It took about two months for it get back to normal, and during that time I'd have had a hard time getting down to pick up money, whether a penny or something more, or other thing of value, on the ground ... but, as I'm reasonably (or unreasonably) stubborn, I'd have probably found a way! Anyway, the back's almost completely back to normal now ... and I don't think that it cost me any unretrieved pennies during the ordeal (well, not really an "ordeal", unless one chooses to more or less make a mountain out of a molehill). Found a couple of pennies on the ground in the last while. By the way - how many coin slots in pay phones do you check out, for coin taking their ease therein? I haven't found any in quite a while, but find some from time to time. Once, when a couple of charities were collecting at the exit from a chain grocery ... I found two coins, in two phones ... and they got them. Don't think that I'd ever found two coins in two phones before ... or since! Good wishes for keeping our eye out for pennies! And not only hanging on to yours ... but putting them to work wisely! ole joyful
...See More
APRIL FOTESS ~ Reap What You Sow ~
Q
Comments (152)
wanted to post bingo around 9am so we may be able to wrap up early but i didn't have any helpers to pull for me and then i decided to take a mid-morning nap. fasting for ramadan has really gotten to me as most mornings I haven't been having my caffiene so am pretty much sleepy all the time. BINGO - Air Biodiversity Its really cold and wet here in dallas. there was an outdoor fast breaking celebration planned for today and that has been cancelled so we are indoors for dinner tonight. no gardening or yard work going on over here... today is the last day to guess the word that everyone has on their BINGO cards...
...See More
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, how about a Crane? Let Jeanne and I know yes or no on our guesses...
beth_b_kodiak
last year
YES Jeanne! A turkey. I have thought about trying them for years. They seem easier than chickens so far. We shall see how things go as they get bigger
sandlapper_rose
last year
Beth, you are the only person I know of who has turkeys! Quite excited to hear how that goes. I noticed the length of their necks and although the coloring was not what I would have expected (never having seen a turkey chick), I thought that might be it.

I might try to make my "floral" arrangement later today. We are supposed to get hotter weather later in the week. Not sure I have anything in bloom right now, but I do have twigs and greenery of all types. I was out trimming loropetalum and camellias a few days ago and sure got all bit up by something. That and digging holes are my least favorite part of gardening.

Have a good week, everyone!
beth_b_kodiak
last year
Jeanne, I have been thinking about raising turkeys for a couple years. When I saw what looks like the perfect pen for a good price, I was ready to go.

Also giving thought today to "The Arrangment". So much is blooming right now it is exciting. Spring and fall are my favorites. If I could I would spend every summer in Alaska, lol. I can not remember liking HOT weather since junior highschool unless I was at a nice, breezy beach. Annie, Hope your visit and the graduation are going well.
sandlapper_rose
last year
No arrangement yet. I only had 2 white irises in bloom in the entire yard the past few days. I think my daylilies will begin to open this week so I'll see what I can do with them sometime soon. I don't even know what color they are since they were here with the house.

Beth, you are in luck with your garden. Normally I always have something in bloom, but apparently this is the time of the year when there's not. I'm sure things will be in bloom again soon.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Not a thing in bloom here and super hot. The daylilies are drooping as soon as they open. I will make some kind of arrangement before the deadline though. I have various shades of green, red, and burgundy foliage so they might be wilted and not too attractive but I will do it! I have 6 house plants that sometimes bloom but none of them are cooperating either. Crazy timing since I've had so many blossoms for so long. Maybe I will go to buy a blooming plant to help me out. I always love having geraniums if they have any at the local store and if not, I would love to buy an herb or two. I have a shortage of herbs. I moved some plants but only managed to get rosemary established and it's small ... I bought one lavender plant earlier in the year and the last time I looked it's still alive. I love my herbs so I need to establish some again. For some reason winter sowing did not go well. Things sprouted and then did nothing. Most of them have died by now.

On a positive note, I had a plumber come out and install a faucet outside so I can water in the back yard with a hose. That hook up in the front yard was not going to work; I had been carrying water out in a watering can to water the backyard. For sure I was not doing that through the long hot summer!

So who's doing what in their gardens these days?
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Happy Friday Jeanne and Beth.....

I am home....GREAT TRIP!!

Remember, post your "arrangement by the 23rd......and don't overthink it. Flowers are not necessary to make it an arrangement......

Post your "About Me" facts.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Glad you had a wonderful trip, Annie.

Here's my floral arrangement. As it turned out I did some shopping for annuals and bags of garden soil at Lowe's but then I just used things that were previously planted here in the garden by former owners. The daylily is one that blooms in front of my mail box and I believe the white flower (just started to open) is a gardenia.

Hope you enjoy seeing it.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Here's an All About Me. Just finished watching the Preakness on TV so I'll share this. Once I saw a Triple Crown race in person. It was years ago and for The Belmont in New York. What fun! I have also been to Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby is run but was not there on race day.
beth_b_kodiak
last year
No arrangement yet, though this was fun to construct for the church Pot Luck

HOT and sweaty last week then heavy storms and 54 degrees, glad I got stuff mowed and trimmed last week.

Factoid, I grew up on a small farm in_____________ with _____ brothers. Added another after we moved to town. I still think of myself as The Farmers daughter.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Jeanne, very cool fact....Beth, I will say Missouri and 2 brothers. Jeanne, lovely arrangement!! Beth, pretty salad for the potluck.
Beth Brownberry
last year
Annie, correct on the # of brothers wrong on the state.

arrangements are very pretty... I better get busy
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, how about Kansas??
sandlapper_rose
last year
Beautiful salad, Beth and beautiful arrangement, Annie!

How about Idaho for the state?
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, how about Iowa??????

Beth, post your arrangement!!! The wrecking crew is coming over tomorrow night to party and judge your arrangements!!

And ladies more facts "About Me"......

About me.....I love cottage cheese swimming in hot sauce.....YUM, YUM!!

Happy Evening!
beth_b_kodiak
last year
no, it was east coast one of the original 13
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, how about New York??
sandlapper_rose
last year
I'll try Connecticut
Beth Brownberry
last year
Nope, think of "Great Food".... some people visit for the great food. Those who move away go back the get their favorites again.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth....hhhmmm... I love the food in the South so I am going with South Carolina.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Great food didn't bring me to an answer, but I'll try Virginia.

I watched something on You Tube about using tulle (fabric like in the poofy slips for under fancy dresses) to keep critters like squirrel and rabbits away from your plants so I ordered some. Haven't put it into use yet, but I'll let you know if I see a difference. I ordered it in brown so it wouldn't look too ridiculous. I have problems with something nipping off the ends of some plants and then also something digging in my potted plants. We'll see how this goes.
jdmom78
last year
Just checking in. Love all the floral arrangements and fun facts I'm learning about you guys!

I've gotta start planning for the June swap!

The bulbs I received from one of the swaps are coming up! My dad helped plant them so I don't have the labels. Will post photos when they come up.
sandlapper_rose
last year
My first attempt at covering my soil with tulle. I'm so glad I got the brown. You don't even notice it until you get very close to the plant. I'll be draping some other pots and in ground plants and see how it goes.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Jeanne, covering the container soil with tulle....wow....what a great idea!!

Curious to see how this works out for you.

OK, some of my buddies, aka the wrecking crew were here last night for some fun...23 of them. Beth, you did not post your arrangement, so Jeanne wins "bestie arrangement" by default. Congratulations Jeanne!! The group liked the simplicity of your arrangement, especially the guys.

Happy day!!
sandlapper_rose
last year
Thanks so much for the "bestie" award!

Yesterday I worked on my screened porch. It was a mess and still had all the pollen coating everything plus I had been repotting things out there so unless you are much neater than I am, you know what a mess that makes. Anyway, I moved a 4 shelf table from the garage to the porch and it holds lot of my plants - vacuumed and wiped down much of the pollen and took some pictures inside and outside the porch. The white flowers in bloom are gardenias. Unfortunately I really don't like floral fragrances and these are producing plenty. Wonder how long they keep blooming? If too long I may need to start cutting off the buds before they open. First time I have disliked something that was already planted here. Maybe I've said it before, but when I would select roses, I tried to buy ones that had little if any scent. (I know, weird. Floral fragrances give me a headache and make me sneeze!)
beth_b_kodiak
last year
last modified: last year
Annie, seems so 'sad" to me, to not be able to enjoy the floral fragrance. That is something that will sway me to buy a plant. DH and younger daughter both suffer, from fragrance allergies Smelly flowers stayed outside.

Computer has been in for repair for three days AND the rain has beat most things to death so....no great loss or regrets for the arrangements. Here is a photo (at last) of some of the peonies and the last iris. My grass is knee high and the weeds are going wild.we shall see what I can get done over the weekend.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Very pretty flowers, Beth! We have been getting lots of rain, too.
beth_b_kodiak
last year
Two wonderful neighbors came up and spent almost 2 hours helping

in the yard and a minor repair to the shed roof.. I am feeling very blessed and thankful.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Jeanne and Beth, so sorry I hung you out to dry.....I had an emergency situation and had to leave town. But this is now May 31 and the end of the month. How this month has flown by in so many ways! This is a wrap. I will no doubt get to prizes until next week as I have to leave town again in a couple of days. I just returned tonight and have a few things I need to take of and then bye-bye again.

Beth, did you ever reply to what state you farmed in with your two brothers? If you did, I can not find it.

Thanks Jeanne and Beth for playing this month. I will let you know when prizes are sent out here on this post.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Hope things are improving with your "emergency situation", Annie. With alternating heat and heavy rains, I think a calm month for those of us participating was a blessing.
jdmom78
last year
annie hope all is well and your emergency won't stop you from joining the june swap. its posted! emailing the group now.
Beth Brownberry
last year
Annie,(and Jeannie) It was PA. We always thought the PA Dutch cooking was famous, "everywhere" judging from all the cars at the Dutch Buffet restaurants. Annie is correct in the evaluation of a calm month too. All is well here and other than beautiful peonies.... this has been about the slowest garden month I can remember.

Stay safe and take one day at a time
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
OK Jeanne and Beth....prizes have been ordered.

Jeanne, you have 3 prizes coming....two prizes for your Kentucky Derby...Show and fourth place and one prize for your bestie arrangement.

Beth, you have two prizes coming....Win and Place Kentucky Derby

No one got a prize for "About Me"....you needed to post at least 15 facts about yourself.....sorry girls!! LOL!

Prizes will be delivered direct from KOHLS to you.....they may come together or not.
sandlapper_rose
last year
I'll watch for them and post when they get here. Thank you, Annie!
canyonwind thanked sandlapper_rose
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Jeanne, looks like your package was delivered yesterday (Friday)...says it went to a PO Box??

Let me know when you get a chance if it showed up.

Beth, your package is sitting somewhere waiting for UPS to pick it up...according to the tracking number. I just called KOHLS and they told me to check back with them on Tues.
sandlapper_rose
last year
Annie, I did receive your package. Thank you so much. I love everything. You are so generous to have sent all that.

Yesterday was a busy day. I have been looking for about 2 months to adopt a cat. Never did get one to my house before but I saw one I liked online on Friday and contacted them and they approved me for adoption, then it turned out the cat was at the vet and didn't have a foster home so after some discussion I became a FOSTER TO ADOPT. She's a 4 year old female and wasn't eating much which was why she was at the vet for observation. Anyway, she's here and I really like her and she's eating fine now that she's here. Hooray! If everything continues to go well, I'll certainly adopt her. It will be a few more days before I start having her and my dog interact ... and I need to do that very carefully so she doesn't get spooked by the whole thing.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, your order is still showing that it is waiting to be picked up by UPS.........so....I called KOHLS back and they agreed it is probably missing in action.....so.....I put in a new order for the same items. He said you should receive between June 27 and June 30. I will post here when I get a shipping notice. In the past, when this has happened, usually the package turns up. In other words, you might receive it in the future. Sorry about this.

Happy Tuesday!!
Beth Brownberry
last year
life seems rather unpredictable these days. No worry. i'll let you know.....
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth....LOL....OK the "missing package" has been delivered to your PO. That came out of nowhere. The replacement package has been shipped. So you will no doubt get double prizes.

Happy Weekend!
beth_b_kodiak
last year
OHHHH!! Wow Yes! Package arrived today and I found a very cute green pillow that says "Plant Lady" I call myself that Crazy Plant Lady so the pillow is both appropriate and kind. Other prize is great pair of garden shears. Definately useful and appreciated. Many thanks.

So, if a duplicate package arrives I don't need to just return it Kohls? Unopened packages still ship return for free, so far as I know
sandlapper_rose
last year
Beth, I also got that Plant Lady pillow as one of my prizes. Proudly displayed on my screened porch!
Beth Brownberry
last year
Mine is currently on the couch. Like it extra well because a few months ago, I got

"business cards", that say..."that crazy plant lady". I attach them to seeds that I share at local seed swaps or leave at the thrift store to be given away. I might have bought it myself if I had seen it
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Jeanne and Beth, plant ladies for sure. Happy Sunday!!
Beth Brownberry
last year
Getting ready for July.

So thankful we are getting a break from the heat. It was brutal for about the last 10 days.. I still need to mail my seeds.

Received seeds from Kim... some I hope to start now and the tomato I'm saving for next spring. Tomatoes never do well here but I love them enough to keep trying. Still crazy after all these years.
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, looks like you got another PLANT LADY pillow and KITCHEN SHEARS.....I think delivered today.....Enjoy!
Beth Brownberry
last year
yes, but I have not opened it. Will they accept a return and credit you ?
canyonwind
Original Author
last year
Beth, I only paid for one of them, so there would not be any credit. If you go in to a KOHLS store you can return it.....How close are you to a KOHLS?