We have some very large Oaks to remove. Two are storm damaged, only two real branches left. The other is close by, rotten in the center, some dead limbs, but has a nice green top every year. They are on both sides of the large truck parking pad, husband is afraid they will fall or drop limbs on his trailers. We are working on various scenarios, will need special equipment to take off branches before felling the trunks. Tall trunks, with other trees, the barn, HOUSE, in the way to dropping them. One is a Burr Oak, has the cutest acorns each year, with fuzzy caps. I have a number of shrubs I dug up to be out of the tree removal, will have to go back in. Then I need to put in another couple trees for replacing these. I am thinking of Beeches, not common locally. Plenty of room to grow big there. Need to add dirt at all the gates, have tracked it away so we are seeing geotextile fabric again. Extra dirt keeps the gate areas from being mud pits with animals going thru daily. Have to get the wood sides on the stock trailer in case we want to use it this winter. Not planning to use it, but sometimes you want to. Warmer with wood over the slats. Husband has some other projects, will have to help when he gets at them. The garden shed needs organizing too, that will be a good days work on a warmish day. Have just been piling stuff inside as I go on to other jobs. Have a couple harness racks to hang up. He plans to do a lot more with the horses, so handy racks will have stuff right at hand for him. Young horses are getting more reliable, so they will be learning more this winter, then they can go out and be seen next summer. Lots of hours in developing young animals. Most winterizing stuff is done, I feel PREPARED! Still have to net the pond, prevents leaves in the bottom. Cleaning the filter often, trying to get any loose stuff cleaned out. Much harder to clean the filter once the nets are on. Bird feeders are up, but still lots of seeds about, so not feeding them yet. Holes fixed in privacy fence so small dog can't escape the yard. Mulched those things needing it. Have to rabbit fence some shrubs they really find tasty. I feel guilty not enjoying the sunshine while we have it. Once cold and gray days come, then I can work on inside projects like harness cleaning and conditioning, sewing. LOTS of leather that needs attention.

I had not really thought about any plans for next year until we were cleaning out a space in the basement the other day that had a couple of bags of milk jugs in it and DH wanted to throw some out. That was fine with me. We decided to keep 20 milk jugs. The first year I only did about 25 and the the second year I did about 100 and close to that the next year, and then cut back to about 20 since then. I think 2010 will be year 6 since I first started winter sowing. I hope to focus on home improvements instead of the garden next spring, but I'm sure I will still find at least 20 seed that I will want to winter sow. I have a small 1/4 acre property and I am getting pretty filled up in all my beds and have started to focus more on shrubs. I have plans to add a couple of roses next year if I can and I want to propagate some chrysanthemums. I still have two areas of my garden that need renovating and I will need shade plants for those two areas when I get around to it, but I may find I can divide what I have instead of starting from seed. I would love to be starting over with a large property and be starting hundreds of seeds. I have always enjoyed seeing seeds sprout and grow. It's fascinating to read along with those who are doing hundreds of containers. It is such an adventure...lol.

This is what i actually added my original list queen palm mexican fan palm chinese fan palm another pindo palm giant varigated reed cordylines and dracenea in the ground yucca rostrata yucca alofolia yucca elephantipes musa basjoo sabal loisiana elepnt ears more cannas some more hardy cactus what i actually added queen palm- died because i over fertilized it another pindo palm i planted a seedling giant varigated reed cordylines in the ground- im trying to overwinter several green ones yucca alofolia - small one yucca elephantipes - seedling musa basjoo - 5 feet over the summer sabal loisiana - i added two sabal minors and planted two sabal louisiana seedlings elepnt ears - 1 alocasia being overwintered inside more cannas - yes lots of them some more hardy cactus- cow tounge opuntia and thornless opuntia here are some picture http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg1116291621269.html?7 i added it as a link for next year i plan on adding ensete bannanas papaya purple castor beans elephant ears Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg1116291621269.html?7

Sounds like you have a plan. Since I decorate EVERYTHING in my house including over 7 trees that are 6' or taller and several more that are over 5', I start Black Friday (which is red & green Friday for me, LOL) and it takes all that weekend and then my Mom comes over on Monday to help with the 9' tree. I have the outside of the house ready to turn on lights Thanksgiving night, except the front porch is still Thanksgiving, so right now I have a schizophrenic house, LOL. I highly recommend the pencil tree for bang for the buck! It is tall enough, but takes up very little floor space. A live tree would be fun and smell so good, but I have them up for over a month, so live trees aren't an option for me. Your little basket tree was darling! Tinsel is so pretty, but very time consuming! Unless you use the toss method, LOL. Have fun planning and purchasing! TFS, Candy