In the true spirit of innovation, Whitley Collection/Seaway China announces a premier Royal Doulton International Event to take place July 17-19, 2009 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This preeminent international exposition will feature an expansive roster of prestigious, international exhibitors featuring the finest in Royal Doulton, Moorcroft, and other masters of British art pottery design. Serving as the venue for this cultural event, the Ann Arbor Marriott at Eagle Crest is nestled on a 135 acre championship golf course and offers a tranquil park setting and resort-style amenities. The Ann Arbor Marriott will be transformed into a dazzling art gallery, displaying the finest in British ceramic and art pottery design. Gregg Whittecar and Arron Rimpley, promoters for this international event and owners of Whitley Collection and Seaway China located in Doral, Florida, have been providing collectors around the world with the finest in Royal Doulton, Moorcroft, Wedgwood and other fine art pottery and ceramics. They have successfully organized and participated in numerous expositions throughout the world. The promoters are also authors of the book Royal Doulton: A Legacy of Excellence 1871-1945, depicting the important contributions made by the Doulton Company during the late 19th and early 20th century. Dont Forget to R.S.V.P. To This Year's Premiere Royal Doulton Event & Exposition visit http://doultonevent.com Here is a link that might be useful: The Premiere Royal Doulton Show and Exposition

Elina does great in this climate, too; just about as prolific a bloomer as it gets for hybrid teas. Mine in Mobile, AL a few years ago wasn't as big as the Pacific Northwest monsters, but that's not surprising. --I grew up near Seattle, so I know they have ideal climate for roses. The cool air allows for slow bloom development; therefore bigger. Wait 'til you see Medallion blooms there. I've seen them 8 inches across! I console myself with the fact that here we get several more flushes per year in a much longer growing season. If Appalachian has them in stock, I'd get one there. Moore's also sells it own-root. Don't know for a fact if it's virus-free. You can also get it from Northland Rosarium. They advertise as "virus-free," don't know if they mean UC Davis stock or not.

Sol warned "you should be swinging from your ceiling fans in no time". Thanks for the heads-up BUT no one warned me that I would speed and risk getting stopped by the sheriff! I usually drink my addiction as soon as I get up but this AM I was late and drank it before getting in the car to go to the gym. Thankfully it was the same sheriff from the turtle incident; he gave me a verbal warning. I guess he thought speeding wasn't as harmful as turtle relocation. Michael, I was hoping you would chime in as you are the coffee guru. I'm two months in and still experimenting using various suggestions you all have offered. I... like medium roast purchased a grinder prefer medium ground add a pinch of salt to the batch add sweetener and flavoring to the batch so I don't have to bother with that every morning just add the creamer don't like Fresh Market coffees accidentally bought a pound of decaf and notice the difference but didn't know what the problem was until my batch was used up and I went back to the bag to use the remainder of the pound and saw that it was decaffeinated bought 2 pounds online from CoffeeAM; haven't tried it yet but the company seems to offer many options I am definitely hooked which is scary 'cause what if this was something harmfully addictive?

Thanks for the encouraging words, loves2cook4six! I did kinda wonder if this is how ya make marshmallow creme! I actually have minimarshmallows for the Rice Krispie treats. Here's the recipe: Aunty Doe's Shortbread ⨠From SharonÂs (Canarybird) Aunt Doe 1/2 lb soft butterâ¨(2 sticks), salted is recommended 1/2 cup sifted icing sugar (confectioner's sugar) ⨠2 cups flour ⨠Mix butter and icing sugar, then add flour, mixing by hand. ⨠Form into a brick shape...if necessary put in fridge to cool, then slice into thick rectangles. ⨠(Slice thickly from the end of the "brick" and then slice each one again so the pieces come out at around 1" x 2" (2.5 cm x 5 cm) and about 3/4 inch thick. She liked to put a small dot of either red or green glace cherry in the middle of each.) Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet at 275F for one hour. Ta-daaaahhh! Done! Well, I did a bit of chilling, then rolling, then using a heart-shaped cookie cutter and they came out fine! The royal icing outlines hardened, and I thought I'd add a few more doodads before I did the flooding (see pix below)! Thanks for the tips on flooding and royal icing--I had wondered how long it would keep and if I could put it in the fridge! I have my squeeze bottles ready, but probably won't get to it until tomorrow afternoon.