OK Gals! I have sent out your secret pals name and mailing address. If you didn't get an e-mail with this info, please let me know. I went through GW for most of you in hopes that all e-mails would go thru OK. Now you can start shopping!!!!! Remember to try and have these boxes sent off by Dec. 10th so they have time to get to your pals house before Christmas! If you think you may be a bit late in sending, please e-mail me and let me know, so I can let your pal know that they have not been forgotten :-). I would suggest sending with delivery confirmation, and make sure the PO scans it so it is valid. I am going to start a new thread. Make sure to post your goodies ;-)I would say to post when you send, but that might give away who our "Secret Santa" is. After everyone has has received their package, we'll play a guessing game of who we think sent to us! OK, start getting those boxes filled full of goodies. If our pal has children, it might be nice to include something for them as well. Happy Thanksgiving my Gardening Firends, Tina

Christan, I'm with you. Those tastykakes are might tasty, all of them! After Linda got to talking so much about them last spring, I ordered a box of them to try out, and I've been wishing there was an outlet here in Michigan ever since. Now, this is for all of you who knew me last year. Tomorrow, November 30th, is the 1st anniversary of the accident which took Paula away from me. It's been an extremely rough year, but you've all been a great help in getting me through it all. You've put up with a lot, encouraging me and providing some big shoulders to lean on the whole way. The Day started looming in my mind even more a little over a month ago, driving me to distraction and a lot of mood swings, as Linda can attest to. I was thinking that I'd be a complete basket-case by this time, but I'm doing okay. I've been listening to a lot of music today, wrapping Christmas gifts, making out cards for Kym's Secret Santa Seed Swap, and just generally quietly enjoying the day. Anyway, knowing all of you wonderful people and how much you care, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. It's kind of funny, in an ironic sort of way, that the one song that's helped the most today is by Savage Garden. Savage Garden also did the song "Truly Madly Deeply", which was the theme song for Paula and myself. I guess it's kind of fitting that today I find myself turning to the same group, and their song "Crash and Burn". It says a lot about the friendships I've found here in the threads of the GW, and about the relationship I was lucky enough to have with Paula. here are the lyrics... "Crash And Burn" When you feel all alone And the world has turned its back on you Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore Let me be the one you call If you jump I'll break your fall Lift you up and fly away with you into the night If you need to fall apart I can mend a broken heart If you need to crash then crash and burn You're not alone When you feel all alone And a loyal friend is hard to find You're caught in a one way street With the monsters in your head When hopes and dreams are far away and You feel like you can't face the day Let me be the one you call If you jump I'll break your fall Lift you up and fly away with you into the night If you need to fall apart I can mend a broken heart If you need to crash then crash and burn You're not alone 'Cause there has always been heartache and pain And when it's over you'll breathe again You'll breath again When you feel all alone And the world has turned its back on you Give me a moment please To tame your wild wild heart Let me be the one you call If you jump I'll break your fall Lift you up and fly away with you into the night If you need to fall apart I can mend a broken heart If you need to crash then crash and burn You're not alone Everyone Have A Good Week Peace. -Dan

Annie, I just did a search on last year's swap, and you're right, Wendy did take over the hosting for me. Reading those threads brought back a lot of memories, so I'm gonna keep this short and go to work where I can get my mind on other things. Anyway, has anyone thought to ask Wendy if she's still up for hosting the December swap? Peace. -Dan

We made three batches of peanut brittle, and my "student" was amazed that it was that easy! DH's uncle would be proud that his "recipe" is one of our annual traditions. Homemade Peanut Brittle 1 cup sugar 1 cup raw spanish peanuts 1 cup Karo clear syrup Heat the ingredients on medium heat in a heavy saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until peanuts have turned from white to golden. When you start to smell the aroma, it is getting close to being done. Remove from heat, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and stir in. Mixture will foam. Beat until foam subsides then pour onto lightly greased cookie sheet spreading as you go. Let cool until it easily releases from the cookie sheet then break into pieces and enjoy. Mixture is very hot and sticky--do not get any on your skin. Pans will clean up easily if filled with hot soapy water and left to soak a few minutes. Have to tell you about DH checking out the table. He remembered when I had bought the little hats--he always trys to rush me out of Cracker Barrel before I find something I want! He asked where I got "those ruffled plates", meaning the chargers. And of course I replied "Oh I've had them for months, just hadn't had a chance to use them." He said "that's what you always say". I'm just amazed at how much more he notices now that he is retired! LOL Luvs