They also did Munchkin Sunflowers, Gil. I bought a pack for my grown up kids just cause. :) I was thinking the exact same thing, Cheryl, this morning when I last posted. Believe it or not, I had a girlfriend years ago who had never eaten a fresh pea either. She said, "You can eat raw peas?". I couldn't believe it! I thought she came from another planet! I didn't know you could buy frozen ones!!! Dad was a huge gardener and we always had fresh vegies all summer.....and the task of digging and planting and watering and harvesting the goods much to the chagrin of my siblings. I was the only one who seemed to come by it naturally. :) Cheers for us gardeners!!! Ginny

Yes, common lilacs are all over this area. Some are blooming abundantly this year, but do not have the same massed flowering every year. I remember a long time ago watching a TV sequence where the director of the Seattle arboretum, the late Brian O. Mulligan was being interviewed along with another man in charge of a collection in the Midwest or back East. When asked about differences in conditions and results here Mr. Mulligan mentioned that lilacs were not in Seattle what they were in the other region. Since they do grow and bloom here, at the time I wondered what he meant. Probably the same thing you meant, they do not show an exuberance here that they show in continental climates. Blue Colorado spruces and white firs look much better in Spokane, too.

Bev asked me: 1. How old was I when I learned to sew? I think I was about 13..ummm..which would have been quite a bit ago..LOL 2. Who taught me to sew? Well, I learned in HOme Ec and then didn't sew for years. I started back up in my 20's and then sewed off and on for years. 3. What do I have on my "bucket list" that I would still like to do? I would love to visit Ireland and that is my ultimate dream!! My great grandmother came from County Cork. Questions from Sharon: !. Why am I in this swap? Is it everything I hoped for? Well, I'm in this swap because Dan threatened me with pins and needles! Actually I really enjoy these swaps and look forward to them each month. I always enjoy seeing what other people send me. 2.Have you ever taught anyone to quilt? Who and why? The only person I have taught to quilt is myself. I wanted to learn because I have a quilt top that is almost completed by my grandmother and great aunt. Both are gone now and I would love to finish and display it. 3. What is the best quilt I ever made? what did you do with it? So far I only finished one quilt. It was a lap quilt that I made for our family reunion this year and my mother won it! From Dan: Is there a block pattern I'd like to try but haven't yet? I would love to try the Dresden pattern but I don't feel confident enough yet. 2. What sewing magazines do you subscribe to? I've just subscribed to two but I can't remember their names.LOL!! 3. What is your favorite quilt block pattern? Well I like this tulip one I just worked on. I think each one I do is my favorite till I try another one.

I remember another discussion about your DIL over on Discussions...something about doesn't everybody like potato salad? Maybe, my memory is faulty? You noted above, "I finally got home around 8, and discovered they'd had popcorn for supper. That's okay for adults, but it's not much supper for a child. I immediately got out the left overs and heated some up for Chris, but his appetite had been ruined by the popcorn and he barely touched his supper. So, I know now that if I'm not home to feed this poor child, he's going to starve. I guess it's one of those things that they've been doing all his life, but now that it's in my face, I don't know how to handle it. I'll just feed him as best I can while they are here, and hope DIL learns something, but I doubt it." Sally, I don't think you should assume Chris has popcorn most dinners of his life. I know your DDIL has different eating habits with likes & dislikes very different from your own; but that doesn't mean Chris is malnourished. Maybe, try rotating schedules where she cooks one week & you the next? That way, you have more free time to spend playing with Chris & both families would have an opportunity to eat familiar meals. I know DDIL has tastes very different from yours but different doesn't always translate to bad or unhealthy. I just don't want to see your relationship strained beyond repair over what's for dinner. I see that as a useless & unnecessary power struggle. I'm glad though that you're having this opportunity to spend time with Chris. Enjoy the moments. Try to remember, your DS loves this woman & she's the mother of your DGS. Please don't put your DS in the position of having to defend either one of you over popcorn for dinner. He has enough love for you both but; if pushed everybody will lose including Chris. Maybe, now is also a good time to reach out to DDIL, get to know her along with Chris, & love her as much as you do your DS. (Not necessarily saying you don't...but I do detect a bit of "her versus us" in your words.) For instance, would you feel as strongly if it was DS that had the different food likes & dislikes? If not, maybe there's other feelings involved? /tricia