I've started getting my fall catalogs too. It's really neat to see the "New for 2009" stuff. It's also nice to see the newer fall plants that didn't make it into the spring catalogs. Not to mention drooling over some of the new Iris, daylilies and tulips. If nothing else, it whiles away several hours while I make a wish list (usually added to my wants on my trade list!) It will also amuse the kids and I to sit and work out dream garden plans. Now, keep in mind, my two most ardent gardening children are boys ages 8 and 11 (as of tomorrow!). So to see them debating the merits of one daylily over another is very amusing and adorable. They also do this with any veggies they see and it helps me decide what we're going to plant next spring, or winter sow, or even plant as part of our fall garden. It helps to expand their palates, which aren't bad considering they adore the dinner I made last night - simmered purple hull peas with a little ham bone for flavoring, (low oil) fried potatoes and cornbread. I was rather glad I'd made more peas than I'd really thought we would eat, thinking to have some leftover to make a side dish next week, because they went back for generous seconds. It's wonderful that they enjoy their veggies and I attribute part of that to helping grow our own veggies from the time they could crawl virtually. But it's really cool because there are so many lessons they learn with the catalogs, and don't even realize it. We're getting ready to go back to school, so fall catalogs become reading brush ups, math lessons, science lessons, history lessons and even geography and social studies lessons. The same is true of spring catalogs, but then we're "reviewing" for end of year tests. And they don't even realize it! They're busy figuring out if something will grow well in our area, if we could perhaps try it with some chance of success, if the soil is right in a certain spot for it, if the sunlight is right, what we would need to amend the soil, how much the seed or plant costs, how much they would need to save or extra chores to be done, what the plant could be used for, where else it grows well, how much each seed costs, where else they might find the seed and the price per seed difference there, germination rates, seedling needs... the list goes on and on. So for us, fall catalogs are more than just an indication that we're nearing the season change. It provides an excellent brush up that helps ready them for school. And no, I don't home school, they attend public school. I enjoy the fact that they enjoy gardening, and enjoy a way to help them become ready once more for school. Fall catalogs are so much more than veggies and flowers :) Kathy

Tonight I heard the spring peepers for the first time this year. I LOVE them!! I don't have them at my house, I have a CD I can listen to while I fall asleep. I just started blogging about gardening last week and hope to put up some pictures of my spring flowers that I expect to open this week when the temps climb into the 70's!! Can you believe it?? 75 degrees for April 4th predicted!! LOVE IT!! Here is a link that might be useful: Here a Garden, There a Garden blog

Karen, so happy I found this post before hitting the hay. Lovely set your friend sent. Love your Mikasa figurines you found and your sleigh is pretty also. I think from the looks of things your showing you may have to invite the DD and DDIL over again if your not careful.LOL Are you the reason the saying SHOP TILL YOU DROP came about? I am so excited to see what the kids come up with for me for Christmas. I told them things for tablescapes. I'm so hooked!!! Punk

I am adding Toni_ne. Yes, I am signing up, I just haven't added me to the list. I'll be last! Please, if you want to sign up, do it now. I want to make sure everyone receives their cards in time to decorate with them. Please, remember that it will take a week for the Canadian people to receive their cards from the US and at least two weeks for Europe/Australia to receive theirs. I know times are tough this year. If you would like to participate, but the postage for regular cards is a little much, post cards are 27 cents in the US. You can always buy the post cards in the business section (like labels and business cards) where you find the photo paper, ect in Walmart, and run them thru you photo program with whatever picture you would like on them, and send those! Maybe you have a great pic of last year's tree, or a beautiful waterfall, or snow scene. Make use of them! I have started using some of the pictures we take on our travels and turning them into cards, get well, thinking of you, birthday, ect. Could even be your pets. Can you tell I am trying to learn to think outside the box?! Please join us. If you are a newbie, there are a number of people willing to exchange with you. I guess next year, if I organize it, I won't restrict it like I have in the past, due to the reaction I got this year. 01.Vannie GramzeeinMD Zipper_TX Kathsgrdn Pattico Janie_ga Jackie_ok Minnie_tx Monica_pa Ont_gal Terilyn Phyllis_mn Tannatonk Mombondo Gneegirl Lydia1959 country_bumpkin_al Bigfoot_liz Msprettyky Marilyn_c Daisy_3 Angela_nor_calif Happy_go_lucky_gayle Nookie Mamatoad Dances in garden Scissors Cheryl_ok Nicole_ont Gabby_girl Heather_ONT Nan_nc Mscsippy Danihoney Stoneybaloney Lindalou MaryAnn tx Jacquelyn Toni_ne Tami_ohio Tami