I hope everyone has a good month. I won't be able to plan a swap or games for this month, but if any member wants to do that, let me know. I didn't get a single trick or treater yesterday so that was a surprise. The weather was beautiful so I don't know what happened. Maybe just fewer children in the neighborhood or because it was a school night.

Feel free to add pictures or discuss your garden. Maybe new plants you've grown or plan to grow? My camellias are in bloom right now and since it's hotter than usual (up to 80 degrees yesterday) and we are really lacking in rain, the blossoms are wilting almost as soon as they open. Sad. I do love having them in bloom,.

Any Thanksgiving plans or easy recipes that you think I should try?

Looks like people are busy. It's that way here, too. I took some pictures of my camellias a few days ago. The pictures haven't been moved from the phone to the computer yet, but I'll try to be back online to post them. Not the kind of weather they like this year, but lots of blossoms and I love seeing them. We got cooler temperatures beginning last night and I think there is some rain ahead, so hopefully they will get "refreshed".

Are you cooking Thanksgiving dinner, Nicole? I did it once all by myself and it was the only time I ever made turkey and dressing. My husband always did a wonderful job on both and I think enjoyed doing it. Not sure what will happen here this year with my move early in December. Might be a a packing day or a day I goof off since I'll be so tired.

Im going over to my aunts house so will be making some mac and cheese. My cousin will make some prime rib. Then others will bring side dishes.

Holidays are never the same when we lose the ones we love. My grandma was our focal point where everyone came to visit her but those days are gone. My aunt tries to keep the traditions alive.

I hope your move won't be too stressful Shirley!! I realize I have too much stuff when I move.

Nicole....Prime Rib for Thanksging. Sounds good.....better than turkey.

Jeanne, I have never been successful with Camellias.....they are beautiful!!. I really love them.

I thought I would share that once I move, planting is going to be quite limiting for me. I wouldn't want to take away from that for others who will still have a yard. Obviously we have increased the months when FOTESS swaps are smaller with things like a card and a recipe or one packet of seeds. I have some grow lights which I hope to be able to set up and will have a small balcony. This isn't a comment that I'm even considering leaving FOTESS, but some thoughts about the road ahead that probably it won't be a good idea to send me lots of seeds or plants that will take up lots of space. (However, I can always share them with my garden club.) I hope to continue with growing herbs and a few more things. My daughter has grown tomatoes (and lots of other things) planting using grow lights, but unless it's a very mini plant, that might not work. I have grown basil and some things like that successfully. There'a a variety of small pea plants that did great in my Aerogarden. I have some house plants I will bring with me: African violets, "holiday" cactus (maybe a Thanksgiving, a Christmas and an Easter?), a Peace Lily and I may take my tangerine tree if I can find a space. I think a cold night showed up when I didn't expect it a few weeks ago so it has quite a few yellow leaves right now. We'll see if it puts out new ones. It has to come in for the winter so it's indoors now. There are raised garden beds where I'm moving but I don't know anything yet about the rules of how they determine who gets one. Just from looking at them, they are all in use.

Our cooler weather showed up this week. It feel more like fall. However, the leaves started dropping even before it turned cooler; I think the tree were simply too dry. Lots and lots or raking for me!

We were at 77 degrees and I took a few pictures of the many flowers I still have blooming.

I bought 5 kinds of garlic this year and finally finished planting it today.

Ruth, do you do cuttings of your coleus....for next year's plants or do you buy new coleus plants every year??

I have not been in my yard in a few days...maybe I have some flowers......maybe!!

Happy Eve!!

I still haven't decided on what to do for Thanksgiving. Our American Legion has people cooking turkey and ham and ask that people coming bring sides and desserts. We often do that, but I miss having leftovers.

Annie, I have taken coleus cutting before, but I don't have a good place for them, so it doesn't work very well for me. I usually just buy new ones. This year that's the only two that I bought. I like having more but often, I can't find the variety I want. Sowing coleus from seeds hasn't worked for me either. Anybody else have luck with coleus seeds??

Anybody have secrets/tricks for growing radish and turnips? My greens look good but tiny turnips and radishes.

Ruth ~ i haven't had success growing coleus from seeds using potting soil. I usually have more success growing from seeds in my aerogarden machine. The cuttings, I do better but also depends what variety of coleus. Some coleus cuttings will root better than others. Go figure!!

Anyone ever do Butter-Blanketed Turkey?

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/butter-blanketed-turkey-7182863

I am not much of a turkey eater although I do enjoy making turkey porridge with the left over meat/bones.

radishes ~ usually they need more room to grow, so spacing out the seeds is better but that's from my experience.

Just a quick post then I need to get busy around the house. Yes, coleus grows from seeds for me. However, the germination rate is not always high. I just plant lots of seeds since they are usually inexpensive and once the plants get going, they root very easily from cuttings so you can keep taking cuttings, root them in water and then you have more.

We finally got 3 nights when it dropped into the 30s and had a bit of rain so we are getting more fall color with leaves. I should take a few pictures later today. It rained all day Wednesday and was chilly! Anyway, the fall color is not outstanding this year and the leaves seem to drop more quickly than usual (suspect because it was so dry this fall). Still waiting for the town to come around for loose leaf pick up. I've had the leaves raked out to the curb for well over a week. At least it's not windy lately so they are staying in place.

RE: Coleus....I do cuttings...root them in water and then plant in potting soil in containers. I will do this soon. They turn in to nice plants. In March, I will plant in the ground and in large containers. Ruth is right on when she mentions that where to keep them can be an issue. I keep in an upstairs bedroom. They receive nice light. I have to figure something new this year as I have changed things around in the bedroom that I normally use. I will think about that tomorrow.......

I am bad...bad....bad when it comes to planting Coleus seeds. Remember Jayeanne...aka pinkiris....she was very good at planting Coleus and Vinca seeds. She used to give me lessons via email. I bombed badly everytime. I have to check in with her.

Happy Saturday.

Oh my goodness, I just noticed.....in the above post, I called Jayeanne pinkitis....not pinkiris. I am so sorry Jayeanne. I think I am losing it more and more every minute of every day. LOL!

BUT....Jayeanne did email me as she saw my above message from 2 days ago. She has been very busy but said when she gets some free time she will come on and educate us on growing Coleus and Vinca from seed. Thanks much Jayeanne!!

Happy Evening FOTESSERS!!

Ruth, your pictures are beautiful! Who would think those were taken in November? Nothing still in bloom like that here but we do have fall leaves and berries turning red or orange. I tried to post this once before so if it shows up twice, that's why.

Yes, I still have a lot of flowers blooming.
The red vinca above was from seeds. They actually performed better than the vinca plants I bought.
I meant to post a picture of my castor beans. I ended up with two pretty tall plants.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope none in our group have been badly impacted by the weather. It's just one storm after another somewhere. I've had some problems logging in on Houzz so haven't posted much. Trying to keep focused on my move, but it sure is hard when Christmas will be popping up so soon. I have ONE gift bought.