good afternoon As spring starts we are having some great fun. Could use sun. I have 200 petunias in a plactic tub on a heat mat on the deck. But all the tomatoes and peppers tucked safely away from the chill, in the back room. Yes all the critters are out. I let orange and onion peels on the deck to make to the compost bin. But this morning something cleaned the orange peels. Have to be more careful now. Robins and geese everywhere. And a bright red cardinal caught my eye. Signs of spring. [hint] talk to you later Susan

TGIF 2 Every1 :)

Rec'd some happy mail 2day and thanks 2 Miss EricaBraun 4 sending me a runner-up prize of tomato seeds that I have been eyeing to have. Thank you for hosting this month and appreciate all the work you did!!

Btw, Happy Spring and received e-mail from American Meadows saying free shipping today.

Our wonderful hostess sent me a prize package of Baker Creek seeds that I will truly enjoy: Paul Robeson tomatoes, Prospero eggplant and Yellow Canary Creeper nasturtium. I will be growing eggplant for the first time this season. This is a great first day of spring surprise! That and knowing the squirrel is OK. Thank you so much, Erica!!

Mary, how did I miss the post about your garden squirrel?

Exciting news, my garden box came with a huge lizard. I think he's 8 to 10 inches and very snake like. Wonder what he eats. My little wasp has cleared out all the aphids but she fastidiously patrols for more.

Here are the grow boxes my friend gave me.

Connie -- Thanks for posting the pic of your grow boxes. I'm going to have to look more into how to make those. Those big, gray storage boxes look very similar to the ones I use for my hydroponic set-up (recently dismantled due to having to deal with aphids all winter).

Here is the sent/received list so far. If I have accidentally missed someone, holler at me. Don't forget to post when you send and receive, so we can track the progress of the swap.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

EricaBraun - Erica (sent & received)

sweetkitten51 - Rita (sent & received)

bluee19 - Nicole (sent & received)

Christine00 - Christine (sent & received)

ruthz - Ruth (sent & received)

skyblue52 - Susan (sent)

cottonwood468 - Mary (received)

brittneysgran - Shirley (sent)

dawn1972 - Tonya

dm_kelly - Dawn

mcc371 - Tammy (sent)

Wild Haired Mavens - Connie (sent & received)

nottougly - Faye (received)

patton40 - Jamie (sent & received)

cinnie0 - Nikki (sent)

toomanyanimals - Sharon (sent)

hello just checked my package to Faye. It was delivered today at 10. It was missent on the 19th. supposed to be 2 day . But not Ohios fault. But we have closed out large post branch in Dayton and 2 small post in run down areas. [ I am saying it as nice as I can] I will just have to not send anything pershiable. Well the sun is out more potting up plants. Made a double lemon pie. Never has enough filling .

Good spring day

Susan -- Yum! Your pie looks delicious. I think you have us all a little envious right now.

Oh, Susan have a piece for me! Are some of you crossing/breeding daylillies? How is that going? Or any other bulbs? Mary E.

I am proud of how beautiful it looks. Monday I am going to try to firm up and eat right. Going to Fla. the month of May. Oh I am not ready for dresses and the dreaded swimsuit.

Shirley -- I received your fabulous pack today. Thank you so much!!

Here's what Shirley sent:
lilium tango passion push off
mona lisa oriental lily
tiny hope lily
tiny diamond lily
4 packs of seeds (Ceasars Brother Siberian Iris, Piano Man Daylily, Partridge Pea, Painters Palette Virginia Knotweed)
Buttermint candies

Fabulous pack. Thank you, Shirley.

Arrived safe, my well packed bulbs. Thank you, Sharon! Out digging and she included name tags for them! They are Siberian Iris Jiggles, Frittillaria Meleagris and OT Lily Touch. That last one is a big fat bulb. Oh and Rezha Macedonian pepper seeds, it is an embroidered pepper we are both going to try. All new to me and she sent an extra treat, Rain gum. Love all of it. You rock, Sharon! Mary E.

Mary, it sure got there fast. I sent such a big bulb because I thought it would be nice for you to see it bloom this year. I pulled off several of the bulb petals and through them into the hole ... hoping I end up with a couple more of that lily in a few years. Boy that 'rain' gum sure smelled great. I will have to try it next time I buy gum ... which isn't often.

Susan, your pie looks delicious!

Connie, nice set up! Way to go!

sharon

Sharon, I didn't buy gum before Rain either. I must have had a coupon for a free pack. The fat bulb, that is my first lily ever. I will be getting yours out, some might come separately but it will be fun.

It is snowing here! Snowing but no shoveling. Enjoying some pizza with son and kittens. Mary E.

Erica-Glad you received your package and liked what I sent. I have planted bulbs until I dream about them.

Had a wonderful week-end, weather was fantastic Saturday. Monday is fast approaching, night ladies.

Shirley

I received my package from skyblue52. Thank you Susan for the wonderful gifts. She sent me Purple Prince Tulips from her garden, Nasturtium Orange Traika and Black Eye Susan Bush Seeds. She also included Peas and Carrots Jelly Belly and Starburst Gum. Thank you so much for this great package. I will have yours sent out by Tuesday. I will send you a confirmation number. Thanks for everything. Faye!

Mary E. , the OT lily Touch is a lily, not a daylily. If I had known you wanted daylilies, I would have gladly sent you one. Maybe we can be partners again and you may get some daylilies. :o)

See? That's how much I know about lilies. Or snow. I just came in from shoveling and it is still falling. Mary

Tonya - Your package went out today, est delivery is 3/25 your tracking is 9114 9999 4431 4069 3287 37

We got rain today's! The yard is now a beautiful muddy mess :) and the rain is going to help my new babies- 5 blue spruce and 2 apple trees.

I have Tammy's package ready to go but missed the post office hours twice now and tomorrow's not looking any better. Wednesday's! I WILL make it to the post office during open hours Wednesday.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Dawn

Omg, the lizard from my garden jumped through the window to narrowly excape being eaten and I'm trying everything I know to get him to leave.

I'm legally blind and that lizard will sneak right next to me and quietly lie in the sunlight. He probably been in my garden a long time because he seems use to me. Oh he changes colors so he always blends in. Anybody know what kinda lizard it is.

When I get up, I hear him scurrying back to the kitchen. Since I turned my head towards the noise he has learned to tiptoe. He moves real slow and doesn't make noise when he is next to me anymore.

I built a staircase so he can climb back out. So far he is hanging around the lizard staircase and drank the water out of the plant I sat on the ground For him to climb out.

Dawn's (dmkelly) package went in the mail this morning. Hope you enjoy it all! This has been a fun swap! Here is the tracking number 9114901159815210888269

They said you will get it friday.

Have a beautiful day!

Tammy

Moving this down.

Here is the sent/received list so far. If I have accidentally missed
someone, holler at me. Don't forget to post when you send and receive,
so we can track the progress of the swap.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

EricaBraun - Erica (sent & received)

sweetkitten51 - Rita (sent & received)

bluee19 - Nicole (sent & received)

Christine00 - Christine (sent & received)

ruthz - Ruth (sent & received)

skyblue52 - Susan (sent)

cottonwood468 - Mary (sent & received)

brittneysgran - Shirley (sent & received)

dawn1972 - Tonya (sent & received)

dm_kelly - Dawn (sent & received)

mcc371 - Tammy (sent & received)

Wild Haired Mavens - Connie (sent & received)

nottougly - Faye (sent & received)

patton40 - Jamie (sent & received)

cinnie0 - Nikki (sent & received)

toomanyanimals - Sharon (sent & received)

Nicole -- Thank you so much for the gift of Chef's Choice Orange Hybrid Tomato seeds from Burpee!

Erica-Thank you so much for my wonderful package of goodies.

I received:

Harmony Dwarf Iris

Red Impression Tulip

Tete a Tete Narcisscis

Seeds-Blue Bird Rose Of Sharon (from my want list)

Lindt Hazelnut Milk Cocolate Candy (Yum)

Can't wait to see all these beauties bloom.

Shirley

Shirley -- So glad that everything got there safely.

I know I haven't been online much lately, but here are the thank you's for more birthday cards that I received. I love getting them in the mail. Thank you to Jamie (patton40), Tammy (mcc371), and Sharon (toomanyanimals).

Spring is so beautiful here in South Carolina, but the pollen showers are not so much fun. Soon everything will turn a yucky share of yellow-green. I hope between my bad back and trying to avoid the heavy pollen days I can get my gardens cleaned up a bit. We are still dealing with large branches that broke in the snow storm that we had on Nov. 1, 2014. My husband has had some health issues to deal with lately: three days of going for doctor's appointments and medical tests just this week. He has surgery right after Easter and it's supposed to have him in the hospital for only 2 days so we hope that is all that's involved. If you think of it, say a prayer that all goes well.

I should be back online before Easter, but if not - Happy Easter to everyone!

Jeanne

Jeanne -- I'll be sure to keep both you and your hubby in my prayers.

If anyone is interested, SeedsNow has 25% until midnight. Here's the code:
YOUR 25% DISCOUNT CODE:

FR8GC8

I made it to the post office today so Tammy's package is on its way. The tracking number is 9505511169325084586551 and it should be there on Friday.

I emailed Sharon her tracking number, package mailed Thursday morning. Mary E.

Only 5 more days till the end of the month. Please make sure you get your packages out in the mail, if you haven't already. Also, when you receive your package, be sure to post here.

I checked tracking and it says that Tonya received her package yesterday.

Nikki- Yes I received the package yesterday and love the glad bulbs and the iron cross which I have never seen or heard of. Your pkg is in the mail.

Skyblue52 I am mailing out your package tomorrow Friday March - 27. Your confirmation number is 9405503699300022451292. I am so sorry in getting this out so late but I hope you enjoy it.

Faye!

Nobody knows better then me that life gets away from you. I think that is why I try do things early . I just feel happy to be included in your life. Susan

Tammy's package made it here with an assortment of goodies... a cute garden flag with a frog on it, a note pad, Reese's Pieces- hubby's favorite so he absconded with those claiming they were sent for him :), fun garden vegies- including squash and kale so hubby will pay!, and bulbs that are new to me and need to be looked up. Thank you Tammy for such a wonderful package!!

I'll post a picture once the I-Pad recharges.

Happy Friday one and all!

Nikki- here is your tracking number 9114 9011 8986 6599 8712 13. Expected delivery Monday March 30.

I think everyone has sent their packs off. Great job ladies! As soon as the last packs arrive at their destinations, we'll be all done for the month.

Skyblue has posted the April OBF Swap, too! Sounds like fun, Susan. I might find something for it at an event tomorrow morning!

We keep waking up to snow here! What's up?

Erica, I'm enjoying your edible flowers info on your new swap. Zinnias? who knew? Mary E.

Mary -- I'd love to have you, if you're interested in joining.

Susan -- I'm hoping to get out tomorrow as well. I want to see if I can find something before I sign up.

OBF friends: Free seeds to help bees/butterflies from Bayer Corp. feedabee.com

Read the post under Exchanges/Seed trades and there is a link. Mary E.

Thanks for the info Mary. I've got my pack ordered and noticed more than half of what they recommend is growing in my yard.

Hi Susan,

I too am trying to come up with something for the swap before I sign up. Maybe I'll find something today?

I received my package from Dawn (dmkelly). Thank you for all the wonderful things. I got several different types of bulbs- Love begonias! Received several types of different teas, a notepad. A big bar of chocolate, Yum!! Thanks again! I will post a picture later once again I am sitting in my car like a little kid on christmas morning who couldn't wait unitl I got home to open it...

Have a beautiful day!!

Tammy

P.S. Thanks to all the wonderful garden friends who have sent me birthday cards and seeds!! It has been better than a queen for a month! I am not going to list names for fear I will leave someone out. The thought is what counts and I have been blessed beyond measure!

Thanks Everyone!!

I got tonyas package today.
Thank you for the caladium john peed, candidum, and carolyn whorton bulbs and the palmers chocolate carrots.

I received my package from Mary E. yesterday. Lovely package! She sent a Toffee Crunch Bar ... looks yummy, but I'm not a big chocolate lover, but I'm sure my daughter will love it! Also a purse calendar, glass eye droppers, a nice card. For bulbs, I'm super happy to say Mary sent me some liatris blazing stars ... I had these years ago and they disappeared. I'll be so glad to have them in my garden again. :o) 2 Different dinner plate Dahlias ... Otto's Thrill and Islander. Both pink and eye catching. Mary, you mentioned some pine cones, but they were not in the box ... just thought you'd like to know. Thank you again for a very nice spring box here in the cold.

sharon

Sharon, yes, I forgot to stick them in when I was making sure the box would close. It wasn't an April Fool's joke! That must have been really puzzling. But I remembered the needle nose glass eyedroppers this time. I will get those little pine cones to you in April. Sharon, are you the one that likes red twizzlers? Butterflies and liatris go together, like little pine cones and fairies. Mary E.

Hello I got my package frpm Faye. I will post later. I am gonna take a picture and get out planted. Got papaya yesterday. Looked for recipes . Nothing turned me on. Does anybody dry the seeds for seasoning? I tried them raw they weren't to bad. It might be smoothie time . Susan

And here it is, the final list. We are officially complete. Great job everyone!

EricaBraun - Erica (sent & received)

sweetkitten51 - Rita (sent & received)

bluee19 - Nicole (sent & received)

Christine00 - Christine (sent & received)

ruthz - Ruth (sent & received)

skyblue52 - Susan (sent & received)

cottonwood468 - Mary (sent & received)

brittneysgran - Shirley (sent & received)

dawn1972 - Tonya (sent & received)

dm_kelly - Dawn (sent & received)

mcc371 - Tammy (sent & received)

Wild Haired Mavens - Connie (sent & received)

nottougly - Faye (sent & received)

patton40 - Jamie (sent & received)

cinnie0 - Nikki (sent & received)

toomanyanimals - Sharon (sent & received)

Here is the great package from Faye full of Bulbs, seeds, chocolate bunnies, and a glitterly handmade cared. LOVE IT.