Here's my goodie package. Let me start by saying it smelled so good. Beth sent a homemade plant hanging which is on my dining room wall as I type. Love it. She also sent a baggie of homemade smudge. I'm excited to burn it but not sure where I have a heatproof dish. I'll find one soon. I also received grandpa Otts morning glory and since the previous owner has several trellises, I have places to plant them. Watermelon, columbine, and globe thistle which will all have a place to be planted. I also received a sunflower photo bookmark. Thank you Beth. Love it all.

Here are the answers to your questions Maggie

1. Your sent seed - Did you

• save from your garden or personally collect it this season?
• Yes. One variety
• save from your garden or personally collect it in 2016 ?
• Yes. The additional seeds are from 2016.

2 . Your sent recipes - are they something THAT YOU MAKE?

yes

3. Your sent gift - did you craft the item yourself?

yes

4. Your sent card - did you craft the card.

yes

5. DId you ONLY send the four gifts mentioned above and nothing else? (I think we can let an extra recipe fly).

yep

The blanketflower from this year. I will try to find the pics from 2016. They are on my computer.

Thanks Margo This is my first year growing gallardia but I'm sure I'll be adding more types. I like them a lot

Seeds are from my yard this year recipes are ones i do use. Love the one for homemade burger rolls

Yep, I made the gift

Card??? I used my pictures but made the card on the machine at WalMart.

And , on the package I cheated and slipped in a "House Warming" gift

Seeds that I sent Heidi:

broken colors four o'clocks, dark purple columbine and toothache plant. Sorry I could not find the columbine picture

Two cute posts on Facebook. One from the US Fish and Wildlife Service page https://www.facebook.com/usfws/photos/a.419357095774.215156.28248315774/10155593649475775/?type=3&theater AND One from an Oregon Master Gardener Group https://www.facebook.com/douglascountymgs/photos/a.281983851857008.73653.251882398200487/1428731570515558/?type=3&theater

Seeds are from my yard 2016. Yes, recipes are ones I use.

No, I didn't make the card or gift(I'm craft challenged lol)

I did send what I was supposed to but I couldn't resist putting in an extra... Lol

Here is a pic of the Carolina rock rose

BINGO WORD 7. decorate It's a close game with two folks at 8 words and one at 7.

Beth - Great gift!

Amy - those 4 o'clocks are gorgeous! I'd looked up the toothache plant when I got seeds and in bloom it appears to be a great plant for adding a different shape/texture to the garden. Besides, it's kinda cute.

Brooke - your Carolina Rock Rose photo is gorgeous.

Margo the traditional container for smudging is an abalone shell. Since I don't have one I find an old fashioned heavy ashtray works fine

Grandpa Otts, my favorite Morning Glory

Thanks Beth. Was thinking I'd go to the resale shop for an ashtray. I'm looking forward to burning it.

Margo - you can use any oven dish (pyrex, corning ware, aluminum, cookie sheet, 8X8, pie plate...) . I'd just line it with foil as some might get a burn mark if the smudge is right on it.

Beth - your Grandpa Ott's look fantastic!

This is so weird - I'd posted and seen the posts on both swaps last night. Sigh. Kind of like Amy's gift from Susan on one of these swaps, swear it wasn't there the eve before but showed up the next day.

Maggie, thanks for the great idea. Not sure why I didn't think of it. Lol. I'm going to do it Monday. I'm at my daughter and her fiancés new house. Cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen from top to bottom. The house is really nice but previous owners were not clean people. The owner sold candles and the whole house has a gray film on it. The house smells strongly like scented candles to which isn't so bad to me. :)

Bingo Word #6 Craft.

Answers to questions :

1. Your sent seed - 2/4 were collected the others were commercial

2 . Your sent recipes - YES all are family recipes that i've made many times

3. Your sent gift - Yes, i bought the base burlap flags and then decorated them

4. Your sent card - Yes, I colored a "coloring book" card

5. DId you ONLY send the four gifts mentioned above and nothing else? Yes, but i sent extra recipes ;) - because i love sharing them

I believe i bought those flags with the little grommets from either michaels or hobby lobby - i know some of you said you like them...i just added my own creations to the top with hot glue, but i LOVE making buntings and these little flags make it so easy to make them for every season/occasion :)

Brooke! OMG the picture of the Rock Rose...Yellow is my absolute favorite color. Do these spread? I cannot tell you how perfect that flower is for what i've been wanting. I cannot wait to spread these little beauties everywhere! Here is a photo of my sweet basil that i sent to Brooke Please ignore the weeds bwaahahahaha :)

Received the recipes Beth missed including in my package.

Half time spoon rolls

cornmeal corn fritters

Both look great but since I have a lot of corn on th3 cob, I'll try the fritters today.

Thanks Beth

I made them. Too yummy.

Margo - what a great momma you are - still recovering from your own move but helping your daughter with the clean up! And, those fritters are making my mouth water.

Breanne - Your basil is SO HEALTHY. It looks great!

Heidi - you might want to tie that thing up with some old nylon so you do't lose it. Your marigolds are so cheery.

Got my packet from Orooj today - THANK YOU OROOJ!!! Her handmade card is just beautiful with multiple decorations and layers, the beaded book mark is made by her aunt and oh so pretty - it even comes in a wonderful little box with ribbon and my photo isn't doing those beads justice. I've made some of these myself and hadn't yet kept one for me - I'm putting this right into my Julia and Jacques Cookbook to mark one of the recipes there. The banana nut muffins are something she and her girls cook up often and she'd sent me some of her Vietnamese special melon, cantaloupe and morning glory - all collected from her garden. Stuck those Ghiradelli chocolates right into the fridge and I'll be looking forward to having them as a treat after my dinners. Lovely packet. Thank you so much.

Bingo Word #15 Offering

Just had to show you how cute the bookmark is marking my favorite cranberry chutney recipe (really really tart thick cranberry sauce). I may have to make a few more to bling up that bookshelf a bit.

And, if anyone else is curious, I did check and both Ruth Z. and Orooj (JDmom) are right by Dallas. So, they'll have lots of rain but not flooding.

That is a blessing, they were not in the storm.

Hope everyone is out of the way of the flooding and fires. Prayers are with those in Texas and those in northwest dealing with the fires. I wish we could somehow douse the fires with the floodwaters...crazy how one problem could literally solve another if it was feasible. Loving everyone's photos of food and plants. The fritters look oh so tasty! Maggie - I was pretty proud of how the basil did. I grew 5 varieties and they took off so we were referring to It as the basil empire. I dried a bunch but I think I'm going to use the last of it to make a huge batch of pesto :)

Bingo Word #1 Aos si, also known as the supernatural race of lore in Ireland, the fairy host and People of the Mounds. I'll post a second word tonight that I drew just now.

Catching up on the FOTESS read for the month of August....you girls sent off some mighty fine recipes this month!!

Happy Tuesday!

Annie

LAST CALL - points are close on this swap - I'll post our winner tomorrow afternoon. Until then, you can still post and get points:

• Your Sent Seed 1 point per picture with a 3 point max
• 1 point each recipe picture (we'll go with sent or rec'd)
• A few folks haven't shared their favorite berry recipe if they have one (2 points)
• No one sat in their garden and gave thanks (2 points, Aug 5th post "n your garden or somewhere natural and quiet, sit for a moment and quietly give thanks for the abundance and generosity of nature. Saying any prayer from your religious faith is also perfect or you may speak to your local fairies, elves and earth spirits as you reflect and thank. Do not focus on the “to do” tasks, but notice what is working and just breathe for that moment.")
• There's still time to share your thoughts on fairies - we had 1 point for fairy mound info you can add to and 2 points for fairy offerings - many of you got the 2 points but a few have not.

Unfortunately, back on the heat wave here - yesterday 109° with a "felt like 114°" notation, Friday expected to hit 113°. I'd started my fall plantings but not sure if they'll make it (put them in shade as direct sun when they're teeny will kill them, they then become leggy, haven't found the right balance between scorching them to death and not enough sun). Nabbed most tomatoes yesterday as they'll crack by Friday if I don't. Left a bunch of green ones on the vine but might head out and harvest those too (cracks become oozing bubbly germy messes in an afternoon in the heat). Have hit my end August "maybe I should rip everything out and cover the areas with mulch" weariness. With fires burning in Yosemite, the smoke travels up the Sierras - so it isn't just the heat but the smoke/smog hanging in the air and stinging eyes - not good for being outside trying to do extra watering! But, I"ll focus on the abundance and get tomatoes in the freezer and a few more squash breads baked up. :-)

• I love blueberries so I had to share a cobbler recipe.
• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 cup whole milk
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Add flour, 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and baking powder to a mixing bowl; stir to combine.
2. Add in milk and butter; stir to combine.
3. Spread batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.
4. Sprinkle blueberries evenly over batter.
5. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup sugar and drizzle with vanilla.
6. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a pick comes out clean.
7. Can serve plain or with ice cream on top.

I totally missed the post of sitting in my garden and giving thanks. I have to say that since we've moved here, I sit in awe every day enjoying and giving thanks for my gardens and the wonders of nature. I sit in awe of everything we have here and I thank God for my health and are ability to be able to make the move we did.

On top of that, I have to share that I was offfered two jobs today and actually have a chance for another. I did accept one at a new Burlington store to open soon. I'm a lucky lady.

Margo

Giving thanks today for my brother n law's successful surgery. This is his second surgery within a few days for a brain aneurysm and today it was successful. I am thanking God for his care and protection over him.

This evening's promised Bingo word #17 Truth.

Margo - you've got me hungry again - that sounds sooo good. :-) And, it is so wonderful that you feel smiled upon in your new place. It'll just get better as you settle in!

Gosh Amy - 2 deaths and now this. August has been a horrible month for you and your family. So happy the surgery went well as you folks have had more than enough difficulties to deal with. Sending prayers.

Maggie, Thank you so much. It has been a very difficult month. It really makes me realize how short and precious life is and how important family and friends are.

Finally got to a batch of the spiced summer squash bread I'd posted above plus the absolutely yummy Double Chocolate Zucchini bread I love. Will share some with a friend at lunch and freeze a few. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/double-chocolate-zucchini-bread-recipe  The sunken looking spice ones on the lower rack are actually upside down. I have these odd little part bundt pans where the center part only come halfway up.

I did let myself make short work of one of them (have to test them out before I share!).

• feeling a bit ashamed of myself here. I have not taken time to sit in the garden and give thanks. Summer has not been kind to us this year but my nephew, who has been battling cancer for over a year just posted.......... Pray and give thanks. Don't ask for anything, just take time to give thanks for all the things you already have.
• Time for an attitude adjustment. The Texas Hurricane is an epic disaster but what an example of people helping each other and doing what they can.
• Yes, give thanks for health and strength and daily food.

I've stopped in to read the posts throughout the month. What a fun theme!

I hope it's okay if I post the September heading tomorrow morning. It will be a day early, but I thought that might give people the opportunity to see it before they got busy with weekend trips or other plans.

September will definitely be a simple swap. We will be getting in touch with our inner artist. I know everyone is so busy these days and my thoughts and prayers for all who are dealing with the terrible weather and fire related events. I've been watching TV news coverage of Harvey and looked at some social media sites last night where the photos conveyed even more of the devastation, at least in my eyes.

Stay safe and hug your loved ones.

Jeanne

Drumming fingers ...... someone needs to check their BINGO words ;-)

Jeanne - post away anytime!

CONGRATULATIONS to Amy - it's been a tough month and you managed to contribute the most. You're the total points winner for CELEBRATE ABUNDANCE. Hoping a few little prizes coming your way can spark a tiny ray of happiness.

There is a BINGO WINNER - check your words :-)

It's not me. I still need the word "festival"

Please continue, but I wanted to let you know the September FOTESS Swap has been posted.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4836659/fotess-sept-2017-find-your-inner-artist

Maggie, thanks for being such a wonderful hostess this month.

Jeanne

Amy, congratulations. Nice work

OK, if you play Bingo in a room full of people and get Bingo, but don't tell anyone - you don't get any prizes .... so those of you playing who haven't checked, you might want to check your words again :-)

Making sure it's not me that's the silent bingo winner lol doesn't look like it! I can't stop thinking about that double chocolate zucchini bread it looks soooo amazing

Maybe you could list all the words called. I know when I went back to look at the other swap, i had missed a word.

Bingo!

Sorry I've been AWOL. School started Aug. 19, our Moms In Prayer group started up again (we pray for the schools/students/teachers). We had the Eclipse (Nebraska was one of the best places to view it and lots of hubbub). I attended a training on Native American Children/ICWA Indian Children Welfare Act. Very enlightening. The tribes are a nation within a nation. They have their own courts, social workers, etc. If the tribe chooses to return a child to the household with a parent who is neglectful/abusive the American courts have to let it happen. On the other hand, the Native Americans have a strong culture and often use non-traditional ways to cure drug addiction such as music therapy and animal therapy. My husband had a birthday so we had a party and now he's trying to put together his own business. That's been a life-long dream. Trouble is...he's an entrepreneur and I'm the anchor who keeps dousing him with questions and pieces of reality. I can see where he wants to go, but he can't see the 200 steps he has to take to get there. In his mind he's already there (wherever he sees himself in his video playback in his head). I may need valium. My double click cosmos bloomed! That's been my good news to keep me going!!! Ii got my daughter's video complete from her trip to Japan and got it uploaded to Facebook. Heidi

Heidi, I'm exhausted reading your post. Glad you're surviving it all. Lol

Congrats Heidi!! (Bingo). You have been one busy lady :-) .

Maggie sent me an exciting package and Bingo Prize. Look at the angel she made. She remembered I liked angels when we had discussions about gnomes and fairy gardens so she made one I can hang on my Christmas tree. She also sent Sour Dough starter mix which she dehydrated. I can start this and as it grows, use it to create many different recipes (one at a time) or share the starter with friends. This will be lots of fun and I've got some friends I can't wait to share it with. Thank you x 100! Heidi

Hello ladies. Still recovering from my trip because of jet lag but was so excited to see a package from Maggie in the mail yesterday. Since it was my first swap I had no idea I was going to get a gift!!! Maggie went above and beyond and sent me sour dough starter with many ideas and recipes. I shared a photo with my brotherinlaw and no doubt hes got his eye on my starter dough!!!

Thank you Maggie! You're a great host!

So happy to hear Heidi and Orooj! If you have any questions at all, just let me know. :-)