I'm thankful for Kittymoonbeam, who posted the following: Posted by kittymoonbeam sunset 23 CA (My Page) on Mon, Sep 26, 11 at 11:54 "I ordered 6 roses. 5 English and 1 Madame Alfred C. from DA in Texas early this year. Of the 6, 4 showed RMV (Rose Mosaic Virus) right away and all have grown slowly, never taking off even though we had a super year weather wise. My Queen of Sweden and Eglantyne especially are runts. Alnwick and Snow Goose are close behind. Jude had the worst mosaic patterning but has grown the best. I don't want to order again. My own root Austins from Heirloom and Northland Rosarium are superstars. Charlotte and Abraham D. are up to the roof! I never had such wimpy plants from DA before. Did this happen to anyone else this year?" Thanks to Kittymoonbeam alert, I didn't get David Austin's special deal of 4 for $85 - I ordered from Chamblee's instead and got 4 oldies but HUGE PLANTS: Evelyn, Scepter d'Isle, Charles Darwin, and Eglantyne. All 4 are healthy, Evelyn gave me at least 10 blooms as a 2-months old gallon. I'll take health and performance over a fancied item anytime. Own-root Austins are better since they don't become huge monsters like Grafted.

Hester, Thanks for posting those pictures. That sure didn't take you very long! :) Your COTS are so pretty. I have a large red and medium-sized, medium dark pink - the flowers look almost pinkish-red. They both came from Home Depot. Nothing as glamorous or garden bling as yours. (Like that term, "garden bling", do you?) I've read about the hybrids being a little more fussy and difficult - and also requiring more water and being harder to root. It is very kind and most generous of you to offer to pick some up for me at the Tropiflora sale, but don't do that. It will be about the same cost for me to mail order and then it won't use up your time and effort to buy, package and ship. And much more importantly, I know that your hands will be full of your own purchases at Tropiflora and I don't want you burdened down shlepping around extra stuff for me. (Not that you shlep!) I found some nice-looking ones online at Bob Smoley's Gardenworld (link below). I am looking at 'Tickled Pink', 'Pretty in Pink', 'Appleblossom', 'Festival' and 'Tuti-Fruity'. Do you have any of those? Thanks and hugs! Carol Here is a link that might be useful: Bob Smoley's Gardenworld - EUPHORBIAS

Oh, Oakley - yet another inspiration pic! I love French enamelware and have lusted after the "real deal" on Etsy and eBay, but can't bring myself to part with that kind of $$. I was standing in the checkout line at JoAnn's Fabric last week (with DH in tow) and noticed a woman carrying a couple of cream-colored replicas and am still kicking myself for not getting out of line and going to find them on the shelves. Yesterday I went to a garage sale that an acquaintance was having and loaded up on goodies: Two wonderful antique pitcher and bowl sets ($30 for the pair!), a 7-piece set of rose-decorated Victorian china including a pitcher (without the bowl) and a large chamber pot, a couple of sweet, snuggly throws, a set of quilted placemats and table runner, several small china pieces - pitchers and plates, and a cute quilted pillow. I think I spent $100 in all, and am so pleased with my good deals! I have an out-of-state work conference to attend this next week which is going to be grueling (16+ hour days), but perhaps the following week/end I'll focus on painting the fireplace surround in our bedroom. Still leaning toward BM Antique White. Still having fun transforming this little old house! :-)

I have bought many photo frames over the years--for me, to give as gifts, and for photo exhibits. Almost all came from AC Moore or Michaels, usually purchased with one of their coupons. As for printing enlargements, I'm a big fan of Mpix.com. I've also used Adoramapix.com. The latter costs a little less, but I often take advantage of Mpix's sales--as I did this week when I used them to make a photo book for 40% off. The many 11x14 and 16x20 enlargements I've made for exhibits were all done by Mpix, and so beautifully. They also do the Christmas cards I design. PS: Adoramapix just announced a 30% off print sale (code Prints30Now). It expires 9/25.