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February 2026: Hearts and Seeds (FOTESS)

10 days ago

FOTESS is a group that requires you to be approved for membership so mesaage Jeanne sandlapper_rose if you are interested and not a member at this time. The name FOTESS stands for Friends of the Earth Simple Swaps. We have a theme we post each month. Usually there is a swap of some sort (cards, seeds, small gifts) but we also share photos, garden information and other ideas. All swaps are within the U.S.


February is the season of Valentines Day, collecting those final seeds for the garden, and sharing love! As always, we'll keep it simple, but I'd like to include a few of our members who haven't joined in awhile.


I'd like everyone to plan on sending 2 cards. Valentines Day, "Thinking of You", or whatever hits your fancy. They should both include a note on what you like to do in February.


The first one will go to your swap partner. Maybe include something fun in there with seeds or hearts or sparkles or whatever makes you happy. Everything should fit in the envelope.


The second will go to someone who hasn't participated in awhile - maybe we can get them to join us in the chat this month!


Plan on signing up by 2/7/26. Put everything in the mail by 2/16/26.

I'll try for some sort of fun game around the 7th as well. Happy Valentines Day!



Comments (27)

  • 10 days ago

    I couldn't believe today started February. I was still buried in my January to do list. But I happen to really enjoy February. I start putting my seed plan together, I enjoy the hearts and pinks/reds of Valentines Day, and mostly importantly, the sun starts to come back.


    I hope everyone stays warm and healthy!

  • 9 days ago

    Mandy, I love it....great theme for the month of February....


    Please count me in...........


    Stay warm everyone. I am currently wearing shorts and a tank top. I really am not trying to rub it in.....really. I would love a cold crunch.....some nip in the air.


    Happy Monday....enjoy!!

  • 8 days ago

    Great theme, Mandy, and I will join in.

    The last 2 weeks have been super cold and first a sleet and ice storm and a week later even colder and snow. Unfortunate our snow fell overnight which disappointed me. I love to watch snowflakes falling and missed just about all of it. It has been quite hazardous to go out to walk my dog. She enjoys snow but definitely not ice.

  • 8 days ago

    I'm glad you both are joining in this month! It's finally made it into the upper 20s for the highs. It's feeling like a heat wave after the polar vortex.


    Annie - lucky! But I think we all want what we don't always get. I mostly miss the sun.

    Jeanne - I hope the ice clears for you and your pup!


    Mandy

  • 7 days ago

    Mandy, I so agree with you.......



  • 6 days ago

    sign me up

    Thank you for hosting


  • 6 days ago

    Mandy, thank you for hosting and please count me in.

    I also would like to see more of our older Members check in when they can.

    New Members are also great.

  • 6 days ago

    Letting everyone know that I'm juggling multiple things here so I may not be online as frequently - one of which is adjusting to my newer computer. I'm sure it works fine, but I know so little about how to set things up like they used to be on my other computer.

  • 6 days ago

    Thank you for joining Nicole and Ruth!

    There's a couple of additional days to sign up.

  • 4 days ago

    Mandy, I just emailed you my "someone" off of the FOTESS address list......


    Thanks!


    Annie

  • 3 days ago

    Here are the pairings for the partners.

    Annie sends to Jeanne
    Jeanne sends to Nicole
    Nicole sends to Ruth
    Ruth sends to Mandy
    Mandy sends to Annie.


    Ruth and Annie already picked their other partners.


    I'll start the game tomorrow!

  • 3 days ago

    I thought we would start with 2 Truths and a Lie. Focus on home stuff. Whomever guesses the right lie gets to start the next round with their own 3 "facts".


    I have a red maple tree in my yard.

    I have stayed in a houseboat in Amsterdam.

    I have a Master Gardener Certification.


    Which one is false?

  • 3 days ago

    Mandy ~ can you send me the address list for FOTESS? I can't seem to find mine.


    False: I have stayed in a houseboat in Amsterdam



  • 3 days ago
    last modified: 2 days ago

    Nicole - That one is true, but it's been awhile. I spent 4 nights on a houseboat when I visited Amsterdam. It was a very fun trip. I saw the Anne Frank house, the Van Gogh museum exhibit and toured on the canals.


    Any other guesses using the remaining two choices? Anyone can guess.

  • 2 days ago
    last modified: 2 days ago

    Red Maple Tree - FALSE

    Mandy, I'm sending you a name from the list

  • 2 days ago

    Oh shoot, I missed the start of the game.................

  • 2 days ago

    Mandy, I can't get a message to go through to you and the email didn't go through. If you can get a message to me, it's okay for you to assign a previous/infrequent member to me.

  • yesterday

    Mandy ~ false statement red maple tree

  • yesterday
    last modified: 9 hours ago

    Jeanne - how about you take the person with the 9. 30 b day?

    We will run a few rounds of this game then start another.

    You got it right Jeanne and Nicole. I want a red maple but don'thave one yet.

    Jeanne or Nicole - it's your turn. Give us 2 truths and a lie. 😊

  • yesterday

    From Jeanne

    Truth or Lie

    My apartment would be considered the first floor on one side of the building and the second floor from the other side of the building.

    I drive a Nissan Rogue.

    I love freshly fallen snow.

  • yesterday

    Jeanne Truth or Lie


    FALSE...... I love freshly fallen snow

  • yesterday

    I'll respond once someone posts the Lie. Not you, Annie, at least not yet.

    Mandy, I found the person with the birthday you listed and will do that.

  • yesterday

    Lie .................... I drive a Nissan Rogue.

  • 19 hours ago

    Lie - My apartment would be considered the first floor on one side of the building and the second floor from the other side of the building.

  • 9 hours ago

    I am getting ready to send out my cards. Please send by 2/16 or let us know if you will be delayed.


    Nicole - let me know if you've picked your second person.


    It's warming up here. 30 degrees today. I hope everyone is staying healthy!

  • 4 hours ago
    last modified: 4 hours ago

    Hi Mandy, message you through HOUZZ since my email is restricting me for sending emails at the moment since I have so much junk mail taking up storage space. I tried to message you but the option is not available. I will delete some of my emails so I can send you a message through my email.

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