Woefully behind (no hope of catching up as the field rounds the far turn and heads down the homestretch). I am mastering the woodstove in the Salon (where I've been puttin' in quality time). It's an interesting exercise in how to maintain the comfortable temperature without having the furnace come on to augment the heat over night. I feed the stove 3 times/day; early morning, upon return from work, and before going to bed. I have a nice bed of coals at the end of every burn and have not had to start a fire "from scratch" in nearly 5 days now. I have asked Santa to bring me a new poker (long handle) and a coal rake. The coal rake will allow me to save the coals and empty accumulated ashes at the same time with minimal inconvenience. Christmas decorations are not yet finished, but could be by the end of this snowy day. :) It's beautiful outdoors today which reminds me to tell Michelle your snowy door shots are terrific. I have not poached the topiary idea, BTW. I love watching the Cardinals here. The colors of both Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal are just beautiful; one so bright and the other a restrained variation on the color scheme. I like to study the detail of the feathers in your shots, Deanne. It reminds me of Larry. Knowing a bird personally over many years (17) gave me a great appreciation of them. OK, I have to go play with the stapler and greenery. :) Waving to all, esp. Woody!

Karyn, I have them all in the green room ;-) Even dug out the ones that were growing outside all summer. Kristy leaves hers in...but I am scared that the soil will stay to wet anytime during the winter and they will rot. This one was one of them that grew in the ground. So I am SO LUCKY :-) Lucy

Let's keep this thread in sight. If others are interested in joining us, please do! This got started back in March, and I think the 24th was the consensus. Could possible garden hosts confirm that the 24th is still ok? Nutmeg Tour June 23/24 2007 Monique Wallingford Ct - I'd prefer Sunday the 24th, but can do the Saturday as long as my garden isn't on the agenda for the morning. debl - Wallingford Ct - 23rd is also fine with me. The 24th is the CT NOFA organic farm tour. Vtskier Wethersfield Ct - Most weekends in June should be OK with me but later is better. burnthill_ctz5 Central Ct - June 23rd Ego45 - Westport Ct -Westport Historical Society 16th Annual Hidden Garden Tour on June 10

Tricia - I have fiddleheads at the bottom of my hill. I have not checked on them this year because the snow just melted Friday. I moved a clump of 4 (ostrich ferns) from my Mom's farm before she sold it. They multiply like crazy and last year I had at least a couple dozen. Maybe I have another treat in my near future! :-) Unless we get that 4" of snow they say is coming our way. Upper 70's today - winter later in the week. I've got both flip flops and boots at the door. Jim, your post gave me a smile. Goes to show the MOREL of the story - there is no room for strife on a "yay - it's spring!" thread. Even a simple discussion can sometimes MUSHROOM into a big fight. [ pun intended :-) ] My Dad had so many morels on his property that he would dry them and give them away to his co-workers at the airline and the neighbors. I like them as a treat - on occasion. My dad could eat them everyday and often did as he had a never ending supply of dried morels on hand. Dcarch - too bad I did not know you 6 years ago when my Mom still owned the property! You'd be getting boxes of Morels! Teresa This post was edited by teresa_mn on Sun, Apr 28, 13 at 16:00