I actually HAD one that I bought in 2012 very early in the season, and it grew well. I had it in sun for most of the morning, then dappled shade for most of the afternoon. Unfortunately it never came up in 2013. Digging around the area to investigate, it looked to me like voles got it. I haven't replaced it yet, but there's no reason why I wouldn't. I'll probably get it again. Great colors on it. Hope it does well for you. Don B.

I don't know if I have a particular "God given talent", but the things I enjoy doing, I seem to do well at. I've always had an interest in decorating, and my first project was in Home Ec, decorating my bedroom. I was always moving things around at home, and would tell Mom if I didn't like a lamp, paint color, furniture, or whatever. When I married, and was 'on my own' I was always aware of how my house looked, and not having a lot of money, would put things on layaway. Writing/i'm very descriptive! Flower arranging/this is something I do a lot for others as well as myself. I find it goes hand-in-hand with decorating, and love to 'put something together' when I get the chance. Painting/took lots of lessons, and at least know brush strokes. Haven't painted anything but furniture or walls in years. Singing/I *love* to sing, mainly in the car. I can reach some pretty high notes. I sang in the church choir when I was a kid, but didn't look forward to going to chrch, just singing. LOL Dancing/I can boogie-down with my 3 DD's pretty well! I took ballet lesson with my youngest DD several years ago and still remembered 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th position as well as tour jete, and plie'. I was still fairly light on my feet! DD found it difficult, and we only took 6 weeks of lessons. Sewing/sewed a dress for a beauty pageant oldest DD had entered years ago, and almost all her clothes in seventh grade. About the only thing I sew now are hems, on the machine, but will be attempting slipcovers for slipper chairs soon. Gardening/fairly successful w/Roses and various flowers, especially wild flowers. I don't have too many things die, unless it's lack of water! LOL Cooking & baking/great cook, too lazy to do much baking. I don't uses 'boxed' mixes, only cakes and brownies. I'm a 'from scratch' cook. Fashion/I worked in ladies ready-to-wear for 20+ years, so feel I have a very good sense of fashion, and what works for me and what doesn't. I don't spend as much $$$ as I used to, cause I would rather buy things for the house. Since i'm no longer out there working, I can save a lot! Most of all, I have a real passion for the things I do enjoy, and always put 100%+ into it! I have an antique space at a local antique mall, and find that's become my creative outlet for a lot of things. I get many compliments, which makes me want to do more, so I feel my efforts are not in vain. ;o)

Dcarch I think the coffee community would think french fries in a coffee roaster was utter blasphemy. You MUST try it. Each roast in my corn popper does only enough for one day's coffee (85 grams) and takes about 7 minutes. Then 5 or 6 minutes to cool down before the next batch. The corn popper has easily paid for itself and is easy to use, but I want to do at least half a pound in each roast, so just another corn popper doesn't cut it. Right now I also am not very impressed with either of the two I listed. They are indeed expensive to repair--and they seem to need repair fairly often. Burman Coffee says the Gene Cafe is their favorite. I am hoping to hear from someone who has one or the other. They seem to me to be tricky to use and, according I think to Sweet Maria's, to have only a two year life expectancy. That's not long for an appliance that costs several hundred $$$. I also posted a query on the Appliances Forum and have a few responses there. I must admit I have been thinking of trying your rotisserie roaster technique. My Capital range has a rotisserie. Can you post details of how you do the roasting? Temperature and time? I think I can find your instructions for making the basket. Is smoke in the oven a problem?

I have one also. It's been slow but was really small when I got it. I guess there is hope for mine to flower. I moved it this spring, I think it's happier in its new spot.