Thanks for the encouraging comments.The Pendula blond sport is on a mature specimen,approx.7m tall .It boggles my mind to think of a blond version of this remarkable plant,though at my age I'd be happy to see a small example.Doug

You're going to have more trouble than the birds are. Birds are immune to the effects of capsaicin, unlike mammals (I figured out that the squirrel digging in my potted peppers was burying nuts in the nice soft dirt, he didn't nibble. But the turkeys were eating the peppers in the garden til I put the deer netting we'd taken down for Irene back up.). In fact, they often include dried chiles in parrot mixes. Too bad for your friend, though.

Congratulations! We'll celebrate 39 years in December. Trailrunner, I know what you mean about "whole new territory". My DH retired May 29th. And, while tears come to my eyes to think of life without him, if he relocates one more item in this house, I may have to beat him to death with a ballbat in his sleep. (My daughter says I shouldn't publicly announce this because the prosecutor could call everyone as witnesses. I say it would be justifiable homicide) Dee

First thing I thought of was Sandy's Buffalo Chicken Dip Buffalo Chicken Dip 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs) 1 12oz. bottle Frank's Hot Sauce 2 8oz pkgs. cream cheese 1 16oz. bottle blue cheese salad dressing(or Ranch if you prefer) 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar, Mont. Jack or a combo Boil chicken until cooked through, shred with 2 forks. Preheat oven to 350. In a 13x9, combine chicken with hot sauce and spread evenly. In a large saucepan over med. heat, combine the cream cheese and dressing, stirring until smooth and hot. Pour evenly over chicken. Bake uncovered for 20 min., then sprinkly with shredded cheese and bake uncovered for another 10 min. Let stand 10 min. before serving. or FIESTA BEAN DIP 1 can (16 oz.) refried beans 1 can (10 oz.) Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies 1/4 cup sour cream 1 medium tomato, chopped 1/2 cup chopped green onion 1/4 cup sliced black olives 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese In a medium saucepan combine refried beans, rotel, and sour cream. Stir over medium-low heat until hot. Remove from heat. Stir in tomato, onion and black olives. Pour into serving dish, top with cheese. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes about 4 cups dip or Pull-Apart Bacon Bread 12 slices bacon, diced I use a pack of precooked 1(1pound) loaf frozen bread dough, thawed 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided 1cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix Directions 1 In skillet, cook bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes or until partially cooked; drain on paper towels 2 Roll out dough to ½ inch thickness; brush with one of oil. Cut into 1 inch pieces; place in large bowl. Add the bacon, cheese, dressing mix and remain oil: toss to coat. Arrange pieces in a 9 inch x 5 inch oval on a greased baking sheet, layering as needed. (I use a pie dish) Cover and let rise in warm place foe 30 minutes or until doubled. 3 Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cover with foil; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until golden brown. or Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps Recipe courtesy Paula Deen See this recipe on air Friday Dec. 22 at 1:00 PM ET/PT. Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: Sports Party 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 4 breasts) 1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons chili powder Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Another that is good is the bacon wrapped Lil Smokies. I make them lots! This year I didn't tho. Line a pan with foil, cut a pound of bacon into thirds, wrap each Lil Smokie with bacon and secure with toothpick. Put in single layer on baking pan, sprinkle generously with brown sugar, bake in oven til bacon is nice and crisp (30-40 minutes??) and then put in crock pot.