Ehann, I was afraid someone would say that! But I think Ann is offering some encouragement. Believe me, there is plenty of sun and heat there even in summer from at least noon til 7PM. The trees have almost no overhang on the south side. It all goes to the north with a huge horizontal limb from which we hung a porch swing. This photo is from a couple of years ago - before roses. I'm wondering if it isn't needing a little relief from the sun and that's why it's growing to the north. I once laid a thermometer in the grass in Orlando when air temp was say 93. The thermometer read 130. I know we're not the Arizona desert, but our sun will fry you. It seems like it must be reaching for the cool shade that's only 93. I was shocked to see all that growth to the back today since I hadn't walked back there lately. To look at it from the front, it looks like no growth at all. Now I have a question about leaflessness (a big problem with my roses). What's the deal here? Summer dormancy? Should I be dumping large quantities of fertilizer (milorganite, RoseTone) on this bush? When I dug this garden (and I can truly claim ignorance at the time. I just didn't know this was a no-no, and now I have no place else to put this rose), the finer roots of these trees just filled the ground, and I'm sure they're back sucking up everything that comes their way. Like I said, I'm using MiracleGro now. BTW, if the bush has no leaves will the canes absorb the MG? OK, so I gather that this shape and growth is alright at this point. And I'll just stand back and watch the show. I'll keep you posted, Ann. I was told this rose could be 10x10 on fort - after I bought it, naturally. I think I feel better about it. Thanks a lot, Ann. Sherry

So if the jars are opened and tasted, win a ribbon,they are not displayed? They keep them for display here. Only last year did the new, young girl open the jams and jellies, prior to that they didn't open and taste, They are afraid of illness.I can understand, the year I judged at the pumpkin/apple fall festival I promptly came home and threw up. To this day I cannot eat a cream cheese frosting. Our new ag director is lazy, he got rid of all the contests that had corporate sponsors, big cash awards and a free pass the day of the contest to bring in the product. I have one of the fair shares we get parking, 14 passes and 2 show tickets. The shares now sell for $10,000, can you tell we like the fair around here? We are very limited to the amounts we can enter, if I make 2 different cherry jams I can only enter one cherry. Other than that you have a misc jam category, my own Rhuberries Jam came in 2nd last year I was proud of that, fruits usually don't place for that it is usually the habeneros that win there cause they have no other place to go. Wow Shirley 20.00 entry fee! Ours here is 2.00 per person per building, we have the ag building, the hort building and the arts and crafts buildings for general public, then the kids have the education building. Premiums are low here, 9.00 for a blue for most of the things in the ag building and 3.00 for a blue in the hort building. Plus you are competing with businesses. The giant pumpkin you get 25.00 and bragging rights. I am doing another scare crow display that is 100.00 blue, won 75.00 2nd 2 years ago for Rosie the Rivitor. Creative Arts Canned Goods, intresting,do they have the premium book online? A few of the old ladies and I were talking last year, we didn't know our canned displays could have other items in the basket and the one that threw a jam jar in won circle of champions, we know this year, lol. look out competiton is going to be heavy.

Congratulations! Jennifer :) Love the hair! LOL Out of six, only one of ours ended up with red hair:( Hopefully Melanie doesn't have the temperment my redhead has! Can't wait to see her at the retreat! She'll certainly have plenty of 'aunties' around to spoil her:) ~Cindy

Oh, Granlan, they live in my neck of the woods! They are so cute. However, I have to admit when I recall the newborn sleep deprivation days, I don't know if I could've handled 3! LOL I bet Mommy is just glad they are here safe and sound. Sheryl in Portland