Diane, that doll is alarmingly real looking. Clearly your cat thinks so too! Evelyn sure is a beauty. G Nabonnand is growing like Topsy - one of the worst affected by die-back. I'm hopeful that the new growth will not be affected. Time will tell. But thankyou again for persuading me to try Phyton. I do spiced pecans too from time to time. I'd be interested to see your daughter's recipe. Mine is from Nigella.

I had friends to dinner here last week, and what a lot of work was involved! I hadn't done a dinner party for a while (only family, and that doesn't count). Three days of preparation, and one of cleaning up. I was a tired little bunny after!

I still can't figure out how to load photos onto my computer. I do what it says, but they don't load.

Deborah, I hope you get your own bed and shower soon. We have fires here from time to time but nothing like what you in the US are experiencing. And I agree, what a great attitude you have. My son sometimes makes comments such as "It's better than being in Syria", when either he or I complain about something quite trivial. I was walking Rosie earlier, past a house I often pass. It's on a street where every house has a huge amount of land (for this area), but the people have put a see-saw on the public verge in front of their land, to claim it too. It's been there for months. It's quite sad really.

As for stretching, my chiropractor gave me a good one, which I'm supposed to do 5 times a day (must do better). I have to lie on my back with my knees bent up, and cross one leg over the other, and push the knee over with one hand and pull on the ankle with the other. It works a treat.

Kristine, did you say anything to the store manager about Bad Santa? Yawning, wiping his nose!

Cori Ann, those photos are magical. Please keep them coming. I had no idea there were such huge hotels there - and yet no-one on the beach? You have been a wonderful host on this thread. I thought Justin had volunteered, but I haven't seen him post just recently. And I think Carol generously put her hand up again, if no-one else comes forward.

fragrancenutter, I had no idea that water would clear itself if left for a few months. Most curious.

ll, when is your mammoth journey?

Jim, what a little sweetie your nephew's son looks to be. He looks so calm and content.

Trish, I know what you mean when you say that "you do what it says, but it doesn't load". Story of my computer life!

Hope that dinner was fun, though it does sound exhausting! I'm going to try those stretches you mentioned, thank you! Not quite sure of the date of departure because of all of the ominous forecasts of ice, though they keep changing daily. Probably Christmas at 2AM so there's less traffic!

Yes you’re right Trish. Carol put her hand up and Justin said he would think about it. I’m sure it will become firm over the next day or two.

I just arrived in Mexico over the weekend... right after I finished my classes (and my kids finished theirs). Looks like we all got straight As. ;-) Kids are here this week, then they go home and the hubby comes for the next week and a half. I’m staying the whole time, almost 3 weeks. I’m such a lucky brat!!! I have never had a vacation over 7 Days. This is a huge luxury that I am going to savor.

I think I’m going to end the thread by posting photos of virtual Christmas presents I’m giving to each and every one of you. It’s the thought that counts right, so virtual presents count quite a bit, right? ;-) I have several picked out already. Just have to make sure I don’t leave anyone out.

I promise to post more photos over the next few weeks. Cabo is my favorite place to vacation. It’s easy to be healthy if you want here, with organic markets within walking distance, a state of the art gym and a private beach for running at sunrise.... or you can go for the all you can eat buffets and all you can drink refreshments. No judgements and everyone is happy to oblige no matter which way you vacation. It’s just fantastic.

Three weeks, WOW Cori Ann! You are so deserving of a break. I thought that you were only going to get a long weekend, congrats on all the A's!

Thanks all!

Cool pics Nanadoll! Oh no on your very cold weather coming!

Today hit 55 degrees here! Unheard of in Dec!

Our 6 inches of snow has all melted and it looks like mild weather now until after Christmas... So no white Christmas for us...lol

Thanks, Jim. You are so lucky on the weather. It sounds like the balmy winter that you had last year. We had a little snow that's melted in the last couple of days, but our highs were in the 40s. I think we've become a zone 5 or something. No global warming here.

Trish, it's so good to have you post a nice long letter. I know what you mean about entertaining, which I now do very little of--a few tea parties, and helping with family dinners like Thanksgiving, though I am getting stuck with Christmas Eve. I think washing all the "good" china, glassware, etc, by hand, then using it, then hand washing it again, is the pits. Cooking is fun, for the most part, but the other stuff--bah, humbug!....I'm happy that your roses are growing so well. What a nice reward for the hard work and not giving up on them. I now know that Phyton at least helps, and I may have to use it in the future here. We have lots of bacterial cane blight around here.......The doll in the photo has an interesting story. Clare buys the doll parts like ball jointed body, plain head, etc on Amazon. These dolls began as very expensive Japanese dolls based on Manga looking characters. Then other Asian countries began producing them, and the price came down. Clare makes the eyes, the wigs from yarn, eyelashes, paints the faces, makes shoes, and clothing, too. She enjoys pulling plain old yarn into the finest of fibers and roots them in the doll's scalp. So the doll you see she did extensive work on......I should have a granddaughter do a tutorial for you on uploading photos to your computer. Clare just uploaded some photos for me a few minutes ago. How lucky am I? I don't know what I would do without them.

Thanks, LL. Evelyn is a favorite. The "cute" kitty is cranky Ol' Clancy, cat of a thousand ailments. Actually, I feel very sorry for him with all his tribulations. Our cutie kitty is Finn, the Food Obsessed. Need I say he has a slight weight problem? He's a sweetie and a fairly young one and not the least bit crotchety.

Cori Ann, keep on having fun and posting those pics. I can forget for a moment where I live while looking at them. That's neat that the whole family is joining you in shifts. Diane

This is Isadore and he's a guy. Manga style males all look vaguely intersexual, or whatever the word is. Clare did all the painting, made the eyes, etc.

This is Beatrix

An illustration class assignment--do something "frank" said the teacher.

So Clare chose the Young Frank Sinatra to illustrate.

Care, self portrait illustration. She now has short, reddish brown hair.

Diane, those dolls are extraordinary. Beatrix's pose is so amazingly life-like. What a talent. When you say 'she makes the eyes', are you talking about painting them, or something more? What did her teacher say to 'frank' Sinatra?

ll, the dinner party went very well, thanks, and was satisfying. Worth four days (well, not whole days, just doing bits and pieces on two of them)? Yes, I'm surprised to answer myself. I have been to their houses on more than one occasion, so I 'owed'! They all have spouses, which makes it easier for them, but they are good, good friends, and mean a lot to me.

Cori Ann, congratulations to you and your children on all those A's, and enjoy your very well deserved holiday.

It's raining here after a very hot and humid day. I have just lain about, after a brief sojourn in the garden before 7am, which left me sweating, and a walk for Rosie -ditto!

Hi Trish, I'm back again one last time for the night. Thanks for the nice things you said about the dolls. Clare makes the tiny eyes out of clay, fires them in the kitchen oven, paints them, and then gives them a glaze so they shine like real eyes. They are pretty cool. The teacher liked Frank--Clare also got all A's. I just worry about what a hard field illustration is to break into. Most of her illustrating is done using the computer, but she's had a lot of fun this year with good old fashioned oil painting.

Your dinner party sounds like it was very elegant. Can you tell us the menu?

Sweating in the garden--I'd love that right now. Diane

Titian, yes it's funny that water in a new pond will mature like wine and the cloudy stuff will settle to the bottom. I learnt that first from my brother in law who also has a pond. What I didn't know was that the mosquito larvae will disappear completely when the water matures even before I put any fish in. It must be some sort of bacteria or micro-organisms that kill off the larvae, as I had thousands of larvae to begin with and I was getting worried. I was planning to put a lot of fish in to eat them but before I did that they all vanished by themselves.

Diane, the papaya is an interesting plant. It's not really a tree but a giant herb. The sexuality side of it is also very interesting. A bisexual x bisexual will give you all three types - male, female and bisexual. A male x female will only produce males and females (if I remember correctly), and bisexual x female will only produce bisexuals and females. A Male x bisexual will also produce all three types but in different proportions.

Anyway in practice I keep a few seedlings of bisexual types and when they flower I pull out all the males and keep only the females and bisexuals. You cannot keep only females as they won't be able to set fruit by themselves. You can keep only the bisexuals but I prefer the females as they are more fruit fly resistant and cold tolerant.

Buenos Dias! I learn so much from each of your experiences. Ponds, Manga, papayas and the intricacies of doll making.

Diane please tell Clare that the artwork of Isador’s eyes is so impressive. He’s moody, a bit forlorn and mysterious. His facial expression makes me wonder what’s on his mind. I have never seen a doll with such expressive features. She is quite talented.

Fragrancenutter I had no idea papaya was a giant herb... or anything at all about its sexuality and the effect it has on setting fruit. So fascinating!

I will have some more photos to post a bit later. ;-)

Yoga, running and photography on the beach at sunrise. Many others here like to spend their mornings the same as me while on vacation, including this pelican, perched on a rock, watching the sunrise...

When I was here last year I met a college geology professor and we went hiking together. What an experience. She inspired a deep appreciation of the rock formations here.

For those of you familiar with the area, we are on the pacific side, at the tip of Lovers beach and Divorced beach.

It’s going to be a glorious day! What a perfect way to say adios to fall and hola to winter.

So.... who am I handing the seasonal thread over to? Tomorrow is the first day of winter/summer. ;-)

Diane - we just got some snow!! A whole boatload - well about 9 inches. There were so many accidents on the roads. I can just imagine you hollering at those deer! We protect our roses, that's for sure. :) I've done similar neighbor cringing things when I used to feed my dogs raw food. I'd be running after the magpies..."Leave that food alone!!!" And I would smash wasps with a shoe in my hand...so they would leave the meat alone and not sting my dogs (which they never did). But it's a wonder that my neighbors never committed me. :) Oh my!!! I just saw your Evelyn pictures!!! Oh drool and beyond!!! Gorgeous!!!! I loved the story of your daughter moving away from Santa still. :) Wow!! Talk about talented!! I can't imagine being able to do stuff like that!

Jim - my heart is melted!!! What a cute baby boy!!! Darling!! Your Mr. Lincoln looks amazing...the coloring is exquisite! And your Living Easy bush shot is utterly gorgeous!!! Wow!!

Lavenderlace - I love Elvis...and especially his song Suspicious Minds. It's a great song! Good luck with your long drive. :)

Fragrancenutter - wow!!! I love!! your pond!! What a great idea. Maybe you could still go swimming in the pond with the fish. :)

Kristine - what a shame to have a crappy santa claus! Didn't they do interviews? Oh well, I guess it's not the guy's dream job.

Cori Ann - Gasp!!!! That looks gorgeous!!! oh my!! You really deserve this vacation!! I especially love the amazing rock formations!! They've probably been painted quite a few times!!

Deborah - thankfully, it sounds like things are getting better in your area. It's amazing how a person can miss being home. The beach looks like a piece of art!

Oh, and it's Lavenderlace who's going on the long drive...not me. :)

So, Justin or someone else...do you want me to host? It's pretty easy to do. :)

Carol

Cori Ann, your photos are stunning, especially the pro level first photo. Loved the tiny pelican, but the sunrise was a treat cause I'm never up to see one--haha. How can you ever return to the real world in the ole USA? And thanks so much for taking on this thread, which you've done a splendid job of leading and contributing to, in spite of being crazy busy on many other serious projects! Thank youthankyothankyou. And thanks for your comments on Clare's dolls. It's just a fun sideline for her. She's so picky she sometimes strips off all the face paint because one little thing doesn't please her, or tosses eyes out that aren't just right. The illustrations were done totally on a computer--I think she uses a mouse as a pencil or pen most of the time.

Carol, how nice to see your comments---buuuut, nine inches of snow for the first snowfall. I actually would like some snowfall for Christmas, but it doesn't look like we'll get any. Arctic air mass is a coming, but I don't think it's going to be as cold as first predicted. There's a lot of clickbait in weather predictions around Boise.....I have more ridiculous and cute stories about my granddaughters avoiding Santa. He is not universally loved by all, I guess. Thanks for your comments, but the talented one in art is my granddaughter, Clare. Sorry for all the bragging. Everybody's got lots of talent around here, so it gets confusing.....I hope your eye consultation went well and you got some good information from the specialist.

Fragrance, thanks for the information on papaya reproduction. I really like to learn about these things. And about the mosquito larva. Now that's a new one for me. We have a problem with West Nile virus in these parts, and the mosquito virus carriers are tightly controlled by aerial spraying. Not a fun thought.....Your papaya info reminded me a bit of sweet corn hybridizing. When I was a teen, I worked for the seed company that developed, and still develops, some of the best eating corn. We had to detassle all the corn except for the "bull row" which was used to pollinate the entire field of corn plants. If you goofed and detassled that row, you were out of a job-ha.

Good news! Idaho is now the fastest growing state in the USA, according to census figures. I don't regard that as good news, actually. Tomorrow, the sun will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, and we will have day 8hrs and 56minutes long. Then it's onward to spring! That's good news. Diane

Colette during summer 2017

I must have taken this pic under different light conditions.

Diane, what a lot of work Clare puts into those dolls. Has she been doing it long? How on earth did she get into it? Does she have a friend who does it too? I agree with Cori Ann - the eyes on the male doll are extraordinary. Quite disturbing. Does she make the clothes and shoes? I like the suspenders - thankfully, I haven't used those in a while!

The menu was

Entrée: Pear, rocket, walnut and blue cheese salad. My son volunteered to do the last minute prep on this one, and his girlfriend plated it, so it looked wonderful.

Main: Pan-fried salmon fillets with Béarnaise sauce (fortunately it didn't turn into scrambled eggs!) with potato salad and a green salad

Dessert: Eton Mess, a fancy name for broken up meringues mixed with whipped cream and strawberries, only I use a packet of defrosted frozen raspberries, as I prefer the tang, and the juice turns the cream pink. Very easy, and went down a treat.

I'm amazed at my past self, as I used to do this sort of thing quite regularly with one or two small children in tow. We all did in those days. Why?........

My SIL says I only know how to cook with eggs and cream, and she's quite right!

fragrancenutter, didn't you have masses of mosquitoes during those three months till the water cleared? I know I would have. I had a water pot, and didn't realise the mosquito fish had disappeared (sucked into the pump, I'm horribly afraid), and it was crawling with mosquito larvae after only a few days, and we had a bumper crop of mossies.

Cori Ann, I love your photos. Great shots of the sunrise. What are the rocks? They look like they've melted. I like the adobe? look of the apartments - very attractive, and what an eye-filling shot of the bouganvilleas.

flowers, where are you?

Carol, thanks for volunteering. It doesn't look as though anyone else is going to put their hand up.

No problem...when does winter officially start?

Tomorrow! :-)

Thank you so much Carol for raising your hand to host the next seasonal thread. To end this thread, I want to say thank you to everyone on here because each and every one of you has given me input as I designed my own yard, or has shared your experiences in your garden that helped me. To say thank you, and to say Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays), I have picked our virtual presents to everyone on this thread. I think I have gotten everyone, but if I have left anyone out please forgive me.

This will take a few posts, so bear with me....

for Sam, some garden bunnies to keep Fred company...

For Carol, some rose honey...

For Jim, some more nematodes...

And a funny gardening shirt to keep you laughing...

For Fragrancenutter, a mango tree...

For Toolbelt a garden dragon sculpture because I think it’s cool and I think you will too...

For Ingrid a necklace made from antique broken China, with of course a rose...

For Witchygirrl, some snow...

For Deborah a homemade pie with apples sculpted into roses and pie crust foliage (I think we both have to try to really make this now)

For Lavenderlace a healthy version with zucchini vegetable lasagna style (yum!)

For WildWhiteRose (Justin), some very special Russian caravan tea and chocolate...

For Moses, a rose lapel pin...

For Beth, some rose gold sewing scissors...

For Kristine, an arch of sweetpeas...

For Flowersaremusic, some vase bookends...

for LG, a seed starting and potting table...

For Lilyfinch, a mother/daughter, big/little vase...

For Sheila some rosey rain boots...

For Rachel, a garden dinosaur eating garden gnomes and being attacked by garden army men (I think your bunch of boys might find it funny)...

Diane, some delicious rose chocolates...

For Lisa... a cute kitty welcome mat...

for Titian (Trish), some helpful hands (there’s enough here that I think you can share)...

For Curdle, more helpful hands (definitely share)...

For Sun2Shinie, some cute “mood” vases...

for Pinkrose, a lovely rose pen...for Grace, a colorful garden kinetic sculpture...

For Vaporvac, some copper garden calla lily sculptures...

For Ann, a garden obelisk...

For Modestgoddess, a rosey apron (I want one of these myself actually)...

and for Jasminerose4u, a watering can pendant...

I believe that’s everyone! But if I missed anyone, here’s a few extra presents and please accept my apologies...

And another homemade rose crust pie that we can all aspire to make one day....

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, And happy change of the seasons! You all have made my fall extraordinary and I’m proud to call you my rose friends!

Thank you, Cori Ann, and I'm also proud to call you my rose friend, too. But why do the Australians get all the hunks? I want a hunk to help me garden. Nevermind. You've inspired me with all these clever rosy gifts. I love them. Now, I'm going to photograph all my rose jewelry--a winter project! Happy Christmas to you and your hubby in Mexico. See you next year. Diane

Cori Ann, I love my present. And yes, I'll share! I'm sure Diane would like one to run the deer off her property, and lavenderlace needs one to wrestle her armadillos. Funnily enough, up until around 3 or 4 years ago, my neighbour, who is a personal fitness trainer, used to odd jobs for me, including heavy garden jobs. Or perhaps, in your witchlike capacity, you already knew this?!

Oh my goodness, how extraordinary Cori Ann! Thank you SO much for my delicious healthy present! It's really amazing how you've kept track of these things, what a thoughtful thing to do!

Trish, that's so funny that you would be willing to share your lawn boys for armadillo wrestling! I just walked in from literally that. Don't ask me why, but I had people here (macho males) who were willing to stick their hands in and grab tonight's visitor that the dog had cornered in a hole.

All you could see was the creepy prehistoric looking tail and the male species was able to reach in and do what I could never do! I could never do it, even with gloves.

And Trish, your dinner menu sounded fabulous and I'm sure was appreciated by your lucky guests! So happy to hear that your garden is behaving again and that you're having happy times with Rosie. Is she named after our favorite hobby?

Diane, Clancy was the name that I was looking for! I remembered that it was a fine classic name like Cagney, but knew that was Jim's sweet kitty. Finn is yellow and a sweetheart, right?

There seems to be no end to the wondrous things that your grandchildren can do, you must be so proud. And I'l need to make an appointment with them for computer issues when Trish is done. Collette is so dreamy looking.

Carol, thanks so much for stepping up but wow, nine inches is a lot of snow! Is that normal for you? I'll bet your cute dog is thrilled though with that much to play in! Are you feeling OK these days?

Jim, are you busy with holiday chores this week?

Thinking of our California friends and thanks again to Cori for the wonderful job hosting!

I too, Cori Ann, love my boots present. You have been a real inspiration to all of us here, I am sure! Have a great, well deserved, vacation!

Thank you so much for my sweet pea arches, just what I wanted, seriously.

Thank you for being g such a great host for the summer/fall thread. You have been the hostess with the mostest.

Feliz Navidad

LL, thank you, I will pass your nice message on to the girls. My younger one, Jemma, sang carols with her high school music groups in the Idaho capitol building rotunda tonight. They usually end up briefly on TEEVEE. And back in the mid eighties, my daughter did the same thing with her HS music groups....You had quite an adventure tonight with the disgusting army. I love how you always describe their tails. Just like I have the blasted quail, and d*mned deer. What did the guys do with the army? Will you be having him for Christmas dinner? That doesn't bear contemplating. But I do think we merit a hunk each to help us with these pests. Yes, Finn is a dark yellow sweetie. He is my baby. But he needs to diet and I can't do it to him, since I myself have no willpower. I've already eaten Cori's gift up while I typed this.

Trish, thanks for loaning me one of your hunks. And you already had one a while back helping out. You seem to have lots of very nice men around (as does LL and her guys). Your dinner sounds wonderful especially the salmon, and that dessert, of course. Americans are too goody goody to name a dessert a mess, but I loved it. Do you ever make ANZACS? Diane

Dainty Bess this summer

ll, I'm so glad my virtual hunk (inhabiting one of your guests), was there to help. Funnily enough, the name Rosie wasn't deliberate. I would have called her Tigger (because of her stripes), but the dog I adopted for my son on the same day, was already called Trigger. So I went through all the dog names. The one I liked best was Bindi, but my daughter said "Bleeeech" or however that is spelt, and the only other one I felt suited was Rosie. She's snoring slightly, with her head on my arm, as I write.

Diane, that Dainty Bess is very pretty. I used to make Anzacs. I made them quite often when the children were young, as they're a reasonably healthy biscuit.

Cori Ann, you really are the most extraordinary person. What fitting gifts you've given us all.

Diane I don’t know why the Australians get all the hunks.... but they just do. Have you ever met a “ho hum” looking Australian man? I never have. Just look at the Hemsworth brothers. They all swim and surf, are golden and muscular. They’re all just absolutely gorgeous and we have to learn to live with it.

I hope all of my rose friends here enjoy the “thoughts” of Christmas presents. I had a great time hosting the fall thread. It was wonderful getting to know all of you better.

Goodnight moon, goodnight sun, goodnight fall (Northern Hemisphere) goodnight spring (Southern Hemisphere), goodnight 2017.

Welcome a new year, a new season, a new adventure.

See you all in the next seasonal thread. :-)

Cori Ann, I have never met an Australian man, just an Australian woman--in 1969, before you were born. Her husband was working for a year or two in the US in the tech field. But yes, I agree with you, Aussie men are hunky, and it is so unfair. I did marry a blonde surfer from So Cal, and my daughter is a California native, but born in Los Gatos near San Jose. The blonde surfer has no hair, anymore, unfortunately. And now is an Idaho hang glider (actually, he gave that up, but he does fly his plane once in a while at age 73). Oh, well. Time moves on. Diane

Trish, thank you. Dainty Bess has lovely blooms, but is such an awkward growing thing. It kind of ruins the effect of the flowers....I think I asked you before about the Anzacs--sorry for repeating. I don't make healthy biscuits. Diane

Diane, I didn't realise your ex was still in Boise. I wonder if he knows the fellow (I think I mentioned before) who I 'went out' with at one stage. He's more of a climber, though.

I think you and your fellow are a lot younger than we are. But my ex lives in Nampa, a town about 20 miles from Boise. I don't think he knows any or few climbers. He knows quite a few flyers of planes, and used to know a lot of guys who hang glide. Still does, I think. Diane

Thanks CoriAnn I love the mango tree! You have got some great photos up there! (esp the helpers .... ;P )You must be having a good time.

Trish yes I did have lots of mossies for the first three months but that was winter so I didn't go out much anyway. I thought the mosquito numbers would explode in Spring but by then they had all but disappeared.

Carol I did think about swimming with the fish... they are not afraid of people and when I put my feet in the water they will come and suck on my toes (like the fish spa in Thailand).

Fragrancenutter - I think you should do it!! Take pictures too!! :)

Oh Cori Ann - that was amazing!!!! Honestly - just fabulous!! I love my rose honey...cause I love bees, honey and roses!!! You are a sweetheart!!

Carol

Wow! I need to do some serious catch up on this thread...lol...

Yep busy with holiday stuff...lol

I'm getting nematodes for Christmas I see...:-) lol

The pics and posts I read so far are just amazing everyone! :-)

I'll catch up more later...WOW great stuff!

It made it up to 42 degrees yesterday...

Thank you! That might be the most snow I see, judging so far. lol

Uggh, Diane, I didn't want to know what happened to that armie but I did hear a mention of a refrigerator today and of knowing somebody who knows somebody that does indeed think that would be a fantastic Christmas dinner! The imagery is too much for me, that hideous tail in a refrigerator, shudders!

Are your "blasted quail" gone this time of the year? Do your deer get more bold when they are hungrier? You're probably still fighting the good fight too!

I'm laughing over your "I don't make healthy biscuits". At least you admit it! I spend a lot of time fighting off well-meaning friends trying to feed me "healthy" things that are the farthest thing from it!

Trish, I called all striped cats Tigger cats, and have had several named that over the years. Rosie is a beautiful name for your gorgeous girl. Do your winters get cold enough where she has to wear a coat?

Sheila and Kristine, you're in the same part of the country, right? How's the weather been?

Carol, are you still buried in nine inches of snow?

Jim, thanks for checking in! Need to limit myself from checking in so often because I need to get to all of these holiday chores!

Can you all believe it’s the first day of winter? (Northern hemisphere of course). Thank you so much Carol for hosting the next seasonal thread! For those interested.... here’s the link... http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/5034351/winter-wonderlandsleep-well-dear-roses?n=3

Goodbye fall and hello winter, from the absolute tip of Cabo, where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. :-)

Gorgeous photo, Cori. I have a friend, my age, that not too many years ago, spent 12 days on the Sea of Cortez doing nothing but sea kayaking. They did camp out on a deserted beach, but had to leave it as pristine as they found it. That included no TP. They used "potty stones" that they threw into the sea after use. Thought you'd like that factoid. See you on the winter thread.

LL, the blasted quail are the worst in winter when they form giant coveys and swarm the bird feeder, looking for seeds that fall from the feeder. A few daring souls have mastered the art of flying straight up (which all quail do well), and landing on the narrow edge of the feeder. They grab a few seeds for themselves, then tip the feeder on purpose, so the quail below get rained on by seeds from the feeder. Dastardly villains.

Jim, we just had two days of 51F as the highs. But it's gotten a lot colder today. See you on the winter thread. Diane

It made it up to 40 degrees today with lots of sun....

Fantastic pics Cori Ann! Wow!

ohhh I see there is a new thread....Ok off to new thread...lol

Oh Diane!!!!! Wiping the booty with rocks sounds awful!!!! Your friend is hard core. I guess we leave the fall thread with that visual?!

Cori Ann, she is hardcore, but age and mainly some health issues have slowed her down some. I could write a book about her adventures, but she should write the book herself. See you on the new thread. Diane

Okay -- it's still 12/21 in my time zone, so I think I'm just in time to make a last post on our seasonal thread. HALLELUJAH! The evacuation orders were lifted this morning, so we got back to our house, where the first thing I did was hose off my garden (I even went to the bathroom outside so I wouldn't have to waste time cleaning up, going in, putting shoes back on, etc.!!!! Then had to wait for gas company to come turn gas back on. Then had to do the same for a friend who lives 3 doors down. Then had to give doggie a bath because he was filthy racing around our ash covered yard. Whew! Then went out to dinner at Joe's Cafe where we encountered other neighbors, and the local fire chief. So we thanked him personally. I think he was celebrating with a few drinks...

CORI ANN -- you have been a generous and creative and fabulous hostess. And thank you for my virtual Christmas present. I will leave that level of pie baking to you and the experts, however. The potting bench you gifted LG is the same one my Dad gave me last Christmas! And I really want my own garden dinosaur. It reminds me of a great wedding photo -- the photographer set this scene: On the beach -- the ocean in the background, and the entire bridal party running away from the water screaming in terror. Then the photographer photo-shopped in godzilla coming out of the water toward the beach. hilarious! I also love the t-shirt you picked for Jim!

LavenderLace -- I hope your trip goes really well. I still highly recommend the stretching and seeing a roadside attraction each day.

Fragrance - we had a pond when I was in high school that my dad stocked with fish so he could fish off the dock. I used to take a little floating spa chair out on the pond to get tan (can you believe I just used baby oil? no wonder I have age spots now). One day I kept feeling things on my thighs, and kept swatting. Finally kept eyes open so I could see what was bothering me -- and there were a gazillion little fishes trying to nibble on my hairs!!! I shrieked, paddled back to the dock, and never went in again.

Diane - you have such a talented family! I love illustrations. My favorite piece of art is a painting I bought in Prague that looks like an illustration from a book. I also have a Quinton Buchholz (sp?) picture that I blew up because I love it. It's a man floating away on an open book. Your quail bother you? I keep drreaming up ways to see them more often! Maybe your quail are different from the cute little CA quail with the doohickey on their heads?

I want to catch up with all of you, but I still have to walk the dog and get the last of my christmas cards stamped and in the mail. I have loved checking in here when times were stressful. Your wit and wisdom and encouragement and advice and friendship have been priceless. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Finally -- my Christmas present to all of you is this crazy little story about beetles...or parts of beetles anyway: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/12/20/571934373/beetle-penises-may-hold-clues-for-better-medical-devices?sc=17&f=1001&utm_source=iosnewsapp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=app

(see what happens when you're evacuated, under stress, and sitting around in a motel reading too much news?)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all.

Happy dance for you Deborah. You must be over the moon with relief. Hallelujha! !!. There's no place like home, there's no place like home.

Merry Christmas

Yes thanks for hosting this thread Cori Ann! :-)

Cori Ann, your collection of unique items for everyone is amazing and must have taken you a lot of time. It is very thoughtful and very much appreciated. Thank you for remembering me with the watering can pendant and thank you for hosting this thread!

I will share that apple rose pie photo with my sister. She is a psychologist now, but before that she was a baker. I think she would love to have a go at making that pie with the help of her mandolin.

Good bye fall and hello winter. Roses don't sleep that much in So Cal, but I will enjoy seeing them recover from heat, wind and smoke. A few buds promise blooms for Christmas. See you all on the winter thread with Carol.

Happy Holidays and thank you to everyone on this forum! I really enjoy learning and laughing about roses and so many other topics with all of you.

Thank you Cori Ann for hosting and sharing your garden, humor, and adventures! Look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Ann

Cori Ann, I just wanted to thank you for hosting the Fall thread, and thank you for my beautiful gift. How did you know I've always lusted after calla lilies and love copper? I even have a copper stove! I hope you're enjoying your much deserved vacation because I'm certainly enjoying it vicariously through your beautiful pictures.

She knows, she knows.......but we no longer ask why............