If you have doubts then grow them in a pot, in the ground. Remove it when the weather gets too wet for a long time. Cold Hardy plants are just that, they can take the snow, and wet when it melts. My plants here in Calif must be able to handle temperatures down into the 20F wet and all I just turn the pot on it's side so it can't receive more rain, protect them, that is why I use square pots, so they won't roll off the tables. LOL I also use bubble wrap over them when it rains like today if they are housed on tables with no green house roof. I have seen catus grown in Denver, Colorado, next to a big rock which will holds the heat, any heat of the day. Some people shelter them with a drop cloth of 2 ply nursery green house stuff, placed over the plants held up by construction blocks, down just barely over the tops of the plants. In Russia they make miniature whoop houses 2 feet or less above the soil. Held down with the snow or rocks. Really I have seen pictures of this. I'm sure glad that I don't live in snow country, I'm cold here and it only goes down to 60F in the house. I'm freezing. Norma

Oh WOW, I know just how you feel our winter was so long this year. I'm a little achy right now but it's a good achy knowing we got something accomplished today. We finally got outside this afternoon although it was still a bit breezy, this morning there was a real north wind blowing and although the sun was shining it was too cold to stay out. This afternoon with DH's help I got the first real bit of spring clean up done, pruned back the Buddleias, we took the electric hedger to the Russian Lace Vine, gave the winter flowering jasmine a butch haircut and pruned all the dieback off my one of my Hydrangeas. I noticed the double flowering Lily of the Valley pips I brought home last summer are up where I heeled them in so I'd better get the lead out and move them before they get much bigger. Anyone else love this flower? I also have the pink ones but mine are a muddy pink, I had the ones with variegated leaves too but they reverted to plain green so I ripped them out. I don't find Lily of the Valley too invasive in my garden, I love their scent. The weatherman says we're back to rain tomorrow and the next few days but I'll take that over snow any day. Hope your snow disappears quickly and warm sunny days are on the horizon. Annette

Stupendous Celeste!! The tour was amazing, we all very much appreciate you sharing your gardens with us. Hum... maybe I need to take Gardening 101 all over again. lol So very inspiring, gorgeous, breathtaking... A hammock is on my to get list also. We'll see how many band- aids get used with my kids flipping it over. lol Rena'

Jeanne, your bird pictures are beautiful. Snow pictures always look so pretty, but I know what a hassle it can be to have to shovel it. So good that you feed the birds, poor things, everything is all covered up! I have Berber carpeting too, Jeanne, we put it in when we moved here about eleven years ago. Mine is showing wear in the traffic areas like in front of the couch and love seat, and I found it harder to clean with my steam vac because it was so "textured"--but I loved the look and it was really the "in" thing at that time. Now I need to see about replacing mine too, probably with more carpet unless the flooring guys think they could "blend" new wood in with what's already in my entry and hallway. Wish I would have just put wood in there to start, but we thought it would feel too "cold". Now I realize we could have used an area rug! Live and learn, right? LOL On your new vinyl flooring--make sure you follow the directions for cleaning. Just a slightly damp mop and don't use any other products unless it's something reccommended by the mfg. I used one of those Swiffer wet pads on mine and it left a "film" so it doesn't shine like when new now. And remember, liquids are it's enemy! Other than that, it is almost indestrucible and easy to clean. Enjoy! Luvs