I haven't forsaken the Cottage Garden. My daughter-in-law kept bugging me to join FB so I could connect with my kids and grandkids and get lots of pictures of everyone. I don't play any of the games. I have found a great bunch of friends through political and gardening searches, and also reconnected with cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews, and old girlfriends of my boys who still call me "Mom", and their families. Also, my other interests, such as the Sierra Club, National Wildlife, Arbor Day Foundation, and others. I have found old band friends and have contact with DH's band members and the wives. It keeps me hopping, I tell you. But, the Garden Web is my home and as soon as it is Springtime, I will be back on here bugging the heck out of all of you again. DH's band will be going down to Austin this summer sometime for some music festival (?), so I want to hook up with all my friends in that area while there, even if just for a coffee break or lunch. I definitely plan on going to the Rose nurseries while down that way. :) I come on at least once a week and read your posts. I have posted off and on since September. Hey! I saw lots of new people on here. Cool beans! Saw that my friend Lorna had posted. I have been worried about her for months. Glad she is okay. We went down to SC to see my new grandson, as you know, and when we got home, I came down with Bronchial Pneumonia. Swell! (I think I am allergic to something down there - that's the second time that has happened) Took a long time to totally get well. My parents haven't been well, and Papa is failing, so have been busy with them too. My chickens are still laying big fine eggs in several shades of tan, brown and pure white. My girls and good little hens. We are still in drought. No significant rain for months - back to July. Fires around us. That is keeping me busy trying to irrigate in winter - fun, fun, fun! Crocheted some things. Always a busy bee. Other than getting fatter, nothing else is new! Oh, and those of you whom I promised plants and roses to...I haven't forgotten you wanted them. I decided it would be best to wait until spring to send them. With our drought, they weren't looking to spry this summer, and by fall they were down-right ugly. I don't want to send you plants that look like that! This spring, they will be pretty again. We're getting a good soaker misty rain today - it started yesterday evening. Yippee! That will certainly help. Hope this is enough news to last awhile. :) Right now I am cooking and baking up a storm, getting ready for our family Christmas gathering tomorrow. I need to go check the giblets I have simmering on the stove, so best get off here and do it. Sure smells good! Love you all. ~Annie

What's a "Chromebook" Beverly? Is that a new computer/notebook? We had a really lovely hot day for Christmas here in Australia. It rained a little in the afternoon, but that was good to help cool things down. I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve with our outdoor fireworks and BBQ. Kristene

Hello all! I spent the day in my yard for the first time in almost a week yesterday. Dang how I miss it! Although...my bananas, alocasia, colocasia, etc. are most unhappy with me having cut them down over a month ago. They've grown almost a foot, tossed the plastic aside, and said "winter, be damned". Hopefully, soon they'll understand. In 2015 we had NO frost after February; it's now almost January 2016 and we've had only a light frost thus far. It's been the longest "growing season" I've ever experienced, and that has not been good, IMO. Most things in my yard NEED a period of dormancy (or can, at least, tolerate one). Especially me! Someone needs to take "El Nino" or "La Nina" (or whatever) and spank its unruly ass! ;-D

Merry Christmas to all. We were up in Bismarck last night and then we decided to leave at 8 after we were done with supper and opening presents. The weather is supposed to get really bad today. We drove 3 hours in the dark and it was really drifting bad in some spots. I am glad we are home even if we have to spend it by ourselves.