Jen the sunflowers were right around 5 ft for me last year and if no one else speaks for them a peony would be a great Mother's Day present for my mom. Nancy, I could use one of your ornamental peppers for Mother's Day for my MIL. Bruce, I checked my soil temps - and the area where they're volunteering is in the mid-60s, probably was already in the low 60s earlier this week. HJ, I don't know where I'll put it but I'll take a tomatillo. I only have 1 dish I use them in often so one plant will be enough. Here's the recipe but add 1-2 chopped tomatillos. And for the gluten-intolerant, mashed potato flakes are a great sub to the flour for dredging.

Someone should start a swap thread.

Hazel we would love tomatillos!! 2 plants. Please.

Jen, I'm sure with a large enough container a person could grow elderberry. I have it written down in my notebook along with the other stuff.

Jennifer and Lisa, 2-3 cone flowers would be great! I'll turn them loose with some of the other unruly plants I have and let them do their thing!

I want to learn more about the moth or whatever is responsible for the worms that invade my tomatillos every year. Once I come up with a gameplan on dealing with them, I'll go back to growing.

I'll be there. Maybe with the neighbors kid.

Al and I will be there. (thanks to Lisa for the heads-up). I haven't been on the site much this Spring and also haven't been very open about what was going on in my life. We bought a house in Yukon last fall, then had some illness and just weren't able to finish moving. We brought (or bought) enough to survive with and moved down, but didn't get our furniture moved down until about 3 weeks ago. I just didn't want to post on a public forum that a house filled with belongings was there without anyone being in it. We are now in our new home with a rather blank slate for a yard. I have not planted one seed, so I am pretty needy. LOL I have 6 grow boxes to use and a few flower beds, but otherwise I will not have a garden this year.

Paula, as you know, I don't need a map. I will have some things for the drawing, will contribute to the potty fund, and can bring lots of food. Since I only saw the thread today, I haven't had time to think about what food to bring. If there is something that you think we need, I can bring about anything now that I am close.

I would love a few tomato and pepper plants and would accept about any kind of flower. This year will be spent on a few cantainer plants, and a lot of time cleaning out flower beds and preparing for a better planting place for next year.

Sooner (sorry, can't remember your offline name) I can relate. We moved to a house with almost no landscaping so I'm still working on it! If it weren't for the fling, I wouldn't have even had a garden that first year.

Carol, you need to come by my house. I can hook you up with some flowers :)

Thanks Lisa. I will contact you in a few days.

I am running so behind...

Just came and looked for this post. Am sorry to announce, I can't come. My grand daughters first communion trumps the Spring Fling.

Hopefully I will come next year again.

Moni

: (

Kim, I can arrange that you can stay here anyway... just tell me, if you need/want it.

Thank you Moni you are awesome. I am still pondering my schedule. I will let you know. I will miss you either way for sure

Paula have you sent the maps out yet?

We're trying to find a hotel fairly close so need your map.

Thanks!

Hey You Guys!!!! Sorry I haven't checked in but I have been watching....finally about to get the oldest DD & family all moved.....

Carlene, Eileen and Amy - got your maps sent.

Megan - I think I should have your email but I'm not finding it.

And Rebecca - I don't have any address for you that I can find. If you and Megan would be so kind as to "follow" me here and then send me a message with your emai, I'll get one back you! I've already followed you so I'll be sure to get any message you send.

OMG - really less than 2 weeks?! Wow - sure seems crazy easy this year - although Mother Nature has set us behind. I'm just hoping I have my few offering hardened off by then!!!

I'll check back again soon!

Paula

I think our final decision is that we will not be able to come. Several of the kids and of course I'm dissapointed. Hope you all have a great time.

Paula - I got your email. Thank you. I found a door prize to bring if I'm not too late for that portion of the activities. My husband sprung on me last night that he might be able to come along but I won't know for sure until the last minute. If this is a problem, let me know and I'll tell him he has to stay home and enjoy a quiet house to himself.

Megan - if Hubby wants to come - bring him!! That's not a problem. There are several husband that congregate at these gatherings and swap info on how to control their garden-happy spouses!!! or not..........ha!

I'm going to miss seeing those of you that can't make it but I'm really getting excited for Saturday!!!! The weatherman said this morning that this upcoming weekend is going to be the nicest one in the last several months!!! We deserve it after swimming thru last-years rain-out!!! Wasn't that a hoot!

See you all soon!

It was NOT a hoot, Paula. LOL

Every year gets better and better. I have my door prizes, plants ready to go but I can not think of what to bring for food. Whatever it is has to travel well.

Megan. . . if you think you're gonna be late, pm me on FB and tell me your door prize and I'll put your name in, because I'm pretty sure you'll want to be in the drawing for mine.

Tom bought a couple of turkey breasts tonight and will smoke them. I'm not sure what I'll bring...maybe deviled eggs. I have a lot of eggs right now. And something else...is anyone bringing salad?

Part of my door prize has been purchased. Sadly, I might show up plantless again this year other than a couple of things. (I just reread that sentence and read it as "pantless" lol I'll be wearing pants, I promise).

Ooh! Deviled eggs!

Looks like we'll be bringing blueberry banana pies with the way our schedule is.

HJ Crackin me up I read pantless too. I wondered what happened to all her pants lol. Shorts are okay. Tell you what when I get there you can pretend like half of my plants are yours and then I won't look so crazy.

I haven't gotten a map yet...

Rebecca - I'm going to another "Window" to send it right now. Be right back. Hope you're still here......

Ok, Rebecca - sent again. I used the good ol' "block, copy, paste" method this time just in case of Operator Error. ha! Check your Junk Email too just in case your server decided I'm an Evil Witch.

UPDATE!!!! - Someone asked about shade and yes, there will be plenty. We'll hold it under the carport this year. We also have covered front and back decks. It's too muddy down under the Redbuds with all this recent rain. It should be fine to pull off and park on the left or "west" side of the drive and a bit on the right or "east" side. Just a small "hike" to the carport. We also have new gravel so turning around will be much easier!

And yes, a gluten free option on a dessert would be AWESOME!!! Recipe please?! My oldest and all 4 of my grands will be here, 3 of which are wheat gluten intollerant. As well as pea and peanut. Then my youngest can't eat soy or egg whites. And Dear Hubby is diabetic. Yeh, holidays are a real challenge to my Home-Ec skills. LOL!

(SPOILER ALERT - I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE SEVERAL HUMAN SPROUTS/SEEDLINGS IN ATTENDANCE!!! A new generation of gardeners!!!!)

Thanks HJ for the turkey!!!!! Don't even worry about the eggs unless you just want to make fresh eggs your door prize....hint....hint....I'll arm-wrestle the person that gets that prize!!!!

Sorry Bruce...(hehehe) but those pies will NOT go to waste. Amen.

Kim!!!!! - Stop and pick up buns to go with the pork and turkey?! That's easy for you to transport and I believe you may be the winner on the one that travels the farthest to attend. That work for you?

I just searched our group and found the beginning thread of my 1st hosting back in 2010. Wow. I got ALL emotional!!!! I'm so very much looking forward to this weekend!!!! Going to get the pork out of the freezer to thaw.....

P-mac, I'm bringing peanut butter cookies. Will your peanut intolerant littles be able to be around those, or should I switch those out with something else?

Got the map!

I'm bringing pasta salad and a cake or cupcakes or brownies, haven't decided yet! Plus my two sprouts ;)

Rebecca - you are a very sweet person to ask but no, my Littles can't be around the peanut butter. I hate it for them AND their Mom. We'll have to share stories. The Littles of mine will have to experience peanut butter in a controlled Dr's office with an EpiPen handy. I never imagined that would be a concern when their Momma was that age but our food supply just ain't what it used to be! Again, thanks for checking and HAPPY HAPPY you finally got the map!!!! Take THAT, Garden Gnomes!!!!

I got buns P_MAC thanks for the idea, 30 or 40 OR 50. I will bring something else too maybe some sliced fresh west TX onion?

Also I thought I'd bring my market tables. Last couple years we ran out of room and it would help us uh tired folks if we don't have to bend lol. I think I will also make a pecan candy treat.

I am so ready.

Oh and I have some trays from Lowe's. We don't need the type I grabbed so I thought I'd bring them to carry stuff home in.

P-mac, I hear you, so no peanut butter treats! Tree nuts ok? Or avoid all nuts?

Hmmmm- I wasn't sure about the food I would bring, but since a few diabetics will be there (including maybe my husband) maybe a sugar free desert like pumpkin pie. I still have puree in the freezer from Thanksgiving.

My current plan is hummus and a red bell pepper dip. With pita chips. This could change.

One day! Eeek! jlhart, did you have any takers on the peonies you mentioned way upthread? I never turn down a peony, *wink wink.*

Gotta go thru my list again. I have one potted up for someone but I'll pot up another & put your name on it.

Big door prizes are AWESOME!!! Everyone holds their breath to see who wins that gem!!

Every edible item sounds delish. I'm down for the Oink-Fest! The pork is pulled and ready to warm. My DH Ken did an AMAZING good job getting the place ready. Tea, lemonaide and bottled water are on ice as I peck. I think we've go this!!! Can't wait to SEE you all tomorrow!!!!

Now, see, Paula, I would be putting a big heart emoji here now. You guys are the best, and all of us can easily see why you do it; and when you pass the baton, all of the rest of us would love to take it up. As much as I'd like to have it here, I must admit, you are the perfect place, and even Kim can make it that far. Jack, Jay, Jacob, and the rest of you who are in the netherlands, you should try it just once. (Hmmm, is there something about J's?) You do it because you have a big heart, and you love your fellow members, and because your place is perfect.

I don't see most of you as often as I'd like. . . which would be 6 blocks away, max and with 10 minutes notice for visiting. Okay half an hour away. Like many of the rest of you, the LAST thing I want to do is to leave my gardens and the property. I'd be a lot more engaged with groups and folks and clubs if I could do it at MY home. :) I HAVE gone out on a limb and connected with Amy and Eileen in the Tulsa vicinity since I have willingly foregone time away from home for that. And now, having forged a bond there, I'd probably even make up an excuse to see those two characters. AND even their hubbies!

I miss George, and think of them often. I think about Jay and Jack, and Carol and so many others who don't check in often. And now Jacob. As you all have noticed, I check in here often. I moved down here four years ago. Didn't know a soul. Have many dear friends in Wyoming and Minnesota. Miss all of them so much.

I pretty much know this is what drives my fondness for OKGW--I have found a community of like-minded souls that has filled the emptiness in my heart for my other friends (many of whom I still visit, virtually, or because they come visit, or because I make trips and see them.) But it came about because every time I had a gardening question to figure out, 9 times out of 10, the Google results pointed me here. And rightly so.

Speaking of that, I am going to Minnesota in June. I haven't been back for nearly 2 years now. I am so excited. We had two very important life events come up in Dec. 2017. One granddaughter graduating June 7, another getting married on June 9. What were the chances. I didn't even realized it until about 2 months ago. When it finally hit me, I talked it out with GDW. As we saw it, the only option was for me to go to Mpls, and for him to go to the wedding near here. It's good, in that he'll be here to take care of the cats and dog and garden. It'll be good for me, as I'll be visiting many close friends up there. AND I get to see my revered and precious beauticians, who will fix my hair! (LOL, they have become very close friends of mine outside of the hair stuff.) Nevertheless, I'm kind of sad about it. I would so much prefer that he and I were there for both.

This is certainly not a post before driving to OKC to see all of you. Well, maybe it is. I have so loved getting to know you all better, even if not in person, and will be so tickled to see you all.

Just took the last tray of GF chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Will be on my way at 9!

Paula, it was amazing as always. It was wonderful to see everyone. The hours fly by at the spring fling! My kids were cranky and several hours past their nap time - I think they were asleep by the time we made the stopsigm at the end of your road, lol.

It WAS great. We're finally home, Sasquatch collected from daughter's and feet up in the recliner. It was fun to see you all and put faces to names!

It WAS great. We're finally home now too. Why do I feel like someone beat the tar out of me??! Who knew visiting was such exercise! Paula, thanks so much to both of you for hosting it. We so appreciated it. And we so loved seeing everyone. Mia, I have no idea how I missed you. At first I thought you were part of Paula's clan and kept thinking I'd get to you to say hi. Now I realize you were YOU. And I'm still sorry I missed you! :)

Thanks to all of you for the yummy food and the yummy plants! Amy, like you, think I'll put my feet up. On the couch. . . guess you know what THAT means. :)

I am already showered and in bed. But I'm so glad I was there. Looking forward to the next meeting of The Sisters of the Traveling Plants.

Mia, Your kids were and are precious and I never saw one cranky moment from either of them. It is so cool to see y'all in your role as parents---I can tell both of you are great ones. Can the next baby, if there is another one, be a sweet little girl so you'll have someone on your side in the house as the boys grow up? (grin) Otherwise, woman, you are going to be severely outnumbered.

Amy, It was so good to see you and Ron again. I'm glad we got to share a birthday moment with you too.

Nancy, I always feel exhausted at the end and I don't know why. It isn't like I'm working hard while we're there....maybe it is just from having the excitement build up all week until the big day arrives. Maybe it is from overeating because I want to have a little bit of everything on the table.

Y'all be careful putting those feet up on the couch or someone will be snoozing off to dreamland. If so, I hope you dream about gardening and plants.

Rebecca, We seriously need t-shirts that say Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants, but we need one for the men too....perhaps Brotherhood of the Traveling Plants....or, if the men don't like that one, they can dream up their own t-shirts.

Thanks for bringing the yummy cookies. They were the best! You have serious baking skills.

I hope everyone dreams sweet dreams tonight and then is able to get all their plants planted soon.

Dawn

I think we decided on "Supportive Spouse" for the men. Whether they are or not.

I don't think we better do it. What about Bruce? And Mike? And Dale? (Just saw you here, Jacob) and Jacob? And all the rest of the gentlemen planters. Personhood of the Traveling Plants sounds stupid, though. Humanhood? Peoplehood. . . kinda defeats the title of the movie, huh. ROTFL. I believe snoozing IS in order.

I threw this one out to my creative daughter, who also does t-shirts and all kinds of sublimated clothing for a lot of the ball teams in our area. Not trying to plug her business, but she is really cheap and I'm constantly getting on her for not charging more!