West Houston Swap continued...

Gymgirl.....
Sorry, but I've hit the wall......had a 3 day flower show last weekend. Then, my garden group hosted the British Fern Society to Austin. I made lunch for 'em all Tues. Then accomp. 'em to the new Town Lake Park. Next day we met at Whole Foods for lunch, then carpooled them around to dif. venues in Austin. Six of them wound up at my garden. I gave up "pronouncing" botanical names...and gave 'em the tags to copy. Had dinner at two fabulous local home and gardens Wed nite.
DH left for IL for visit with his mother yesterday, and I'm crashing. Tried to figure out how to drive to Houston Friday..........hit Jerry's Jungle, spend the night and meet up with all of you Sat, then drive home Sunday. Just too much for one weekend.....after crazy week!
I need a break...and glass of wine....and good book.... Hope to see ya'll in spring! BB

BB - we are so gonna miss your presence but it's completely understood. The dr. orders rest for you. Your week sounds like it was hectic but fun, as well.

We'll see you very soon, I'm certain of it! And perhaps, I can arrange a bottle of the Circle S for ya.

thanks for understanding....

BB - yes be sure to follow Dr. K's advice! We will miss you. Dr. K will have to take her own advice in about two weeks...
We'll see you in the spring!

Bubbles,
I do understand. I turned in all my work last night for class, then my radiator all but blew up on the way home. Actually, we believe the heater coil behind the dashboard was clogged up and backed up into the footwell on the front passenger side. Looked like a lake in my front seat on that side. Towed to my sister's home clean across town. She's gonna get it towed to the mechanic today where there's major work to be done. But I LOVE my car ('92 Buick Riviera with a high performance engine -- moves like a Knat in and out of traffic!). Don't want a new car, or a new car note!

We'll see.

I got home soooooooo late, and I am soooooooo tired right now...

Bubba, is it just going to be the three of us tonite for QC?

At least. The more the merrier.

Looks like we WILL NOT hit the minimum. Oh well, que sera.

Well - DG'ers closed the winery last night - and yes - there is still some left for the rest of you. It is just the three of us, so we bought what WE wanted.

Dave said they will be bottling Saturday morning. Sorry, can't remember which "white" variety - must have been something I drank - lol

For those that wanted Sangiovese - they have been out for months and do not have an ETA for restock.

For the cooks in the group - there are plenty of splits of the Jalapeno left, so there will NOT be a Christmas release this year. The summer release was a double batch - and sales have moved half - so no worries yet - but if the "normal" buyers show up late in the year - there may not be any for New Years 2008.

I'd like to see you all again and catch up on things - would like to join you for Saturday. Can I bring pasta salad with basil and some wine? (and a white elephant gift) Sounds fun.........Lynne

Of course you're welcome -

Bookworm, Can you get by to get your Merlot?

Linda & I may make a Saturday run ....

I could't make it for Thursday's QC - sounds like it was fun. Do I need to pick it up at the winery? I never did quite get the logisitics of the pickup and payment deal. I'll dmail you.

Glad you can come on Saturday, Lynne! Pasta salad sounds great - so does the wine. I'm bringing some, too.

Do we have a final headcount? I'm looking forward to seeing everyone

Lynne, please do come if you can and your pasta salad sounds wonderful. The more the merrier.

Crow

I don't know the headcount bookworm. It doesn't look like that many of us. I'll have iced down water and soda for any non drinkers or to supplement the wine. I'll also have the paper goods. I'm probably going to make spinach dip too. It goes really well with the wine and cheese. Not sure what else, maybe something sweet.

Maybe everyone will chime in for a final RSVP so you can plan on paper goods and water/soda. I'm excited!

I'm trying my hardest t make it there. I didn't know my daughter has a drama competition on Saturday until day before yesterday. She signed herself up but forgot to inform me the date or give me the forms. I knew it was coming up...just didn't know when. What time are we planning on starting?I may be able to make alternate arrangements but that's up in the air at this very moment.

We're going out to Moore's in Fulsher tonight for all you can eat shrimp and beer in buckets. It's a beautiful evening and perfect for sitting outside. Anyone that cares to join us is more than welcome.

Sounds like a great plan, Kristi, but Linda & I will be as in this picture from last year's Octoberfest.

Well, that sure looks like more fun than 'all you can eat shrimp'! Ya'll have some fun for us too!

I think we were getting started around 4:00 - or am I making that up? Kristi - you just have to come, so come on whenever you can!

Have fun tonight Kristi and Bubba & Linda!

I believe the original plan was 2 PM - but 4 is good.

In re-reading posts - and both times were mentioned. I think Crowelli has a puppy training class until 2:00. When do you want us Crowelli?

I thought it was at 4:00, too. Also, gang, I'm playing it by ear right now. Not feeling well all day. I think it's the Meniere's and the weather changing. But, I'm still hoping to make it. So what time, Crowellli?

Gymgirl - OH I hope you feel BETTER soon!! Take good care.

I read all the way up and 4:00 seems to be the time most mentioned. I didn't see 2:00.

OK....here's the lowdown...I plan to come but I'm gonna be late (glad ya'll are starting at 4:00). The buses are scheduled to come back from the drama competition at 6:00 pm (us fuddy duddy parents aren't invited) and I can mozy on that way afterwards. DD may be with me but I have a feeling she is going to be exhausted (buses load up at 6:00 am tomorrow morning and she was at the dance until 11:00 pm tonight....poor kiddo). I'll either leave her with hubby, but my bet he will be coming with me tomorrow night, in which case grandma will come to stay. I won't be bringing any hot food but I'll bring something yummy. Most likely cheeses and breads and some whites. Gotta work at the extension office gardens in the morning, while the weather is good and get more hours in. I have enough for the graduation but I'm shy a few for the awards ceremony.

Refresh my memory.....is the address up there? I'm so sorry. I'm too tired to go through and read again. I'll mapquest it.

Sorry I've been so up in the air. October and April are always the busiest months.....don't know why.

Kristi - glad to hear you can come later - we'll be happy to have you when you can come. I remember when my life was driven by kid schedules! sigh... and it seemed like yesterday.

Gymgirl - so hope you are feeling better, today.

Crowelli's address is:
10902 Ella Lee Ln. - between Beltway 8 and Wilcrest. Two blocks north of Westheimer and one block east of Wilcrest.

Okay, plan is at 4:00 but I'm here, so if someone wants to come early, that's fine with me. Address is

10902 Ella Lee Lane
Between Beltway 8 and Wilcrest off Westheimer. House is on the corner, 2 blocks north of Westheimer and 1 block east of Wilcrest.

Phone is 713-278-2466 is anyone needs further directions or gets lost on the way.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.

This message was edited Oct 20, 2007 10:54 AM

Hey guys...I have completely missed ya'll.

I've been sitting in the school parking lot since 6:00 pm and only gt home 15 minutes ago. (Lot's of angry parents, that's for sure). I'm certain that by the time I will have gotten there ya'll will be wrapping it up. I'm so sorry I missed this shabang. The good news, she won 3rd place for her debate and came home with a pretty gavel.

Well - gotta apologize for missing the party.

Had a wreck last night. No one hurt and car drivable.
Got up and started roasts, edged and mowed front yard.

Took the "wreck" to Gillman to see what they could do for us - since we need to drive to East Texas Monday for a Tuesday AM funeral. Wound up trading, and now have a new car.

Packed the roasts and some wine and found Ella Lee, but forgot the paper with the address. Asked at about 6 houses, then gave up. It was a little after 6 PM.

BUT - one of the houses we asked at was having a pool party and they told us that if we did not find "our party" come back to theirs - so we did.

Cut one of the roasts for them, enjoyed thire hospitality for about an hour, then headed to Bubba's. Left the other roast with Richard, made my shopping list for Sunday Breakfast and got home a few minutes ago.

Sorry gang - next time, I'll be more organized.

Bubba - I'm so sorry about the wreck and glad you're okay. Now then, I'm laughing my butt off about the crashing of the other party. That's the funniest thing I've hear all week! Glad you had fun!

Bubba!
So sorry about the wreck. Glad you and Linda are ok! Now.

BUBBA, I LIKE YOUR STYLE! The man can't find the party, so he joins one in progress. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!'

Way to go, Bubba. I'm just sorry I wasn't there today. Not up to it, still. But, I wouldn't have eaten Bison today either!

Thanks, y'all.

See you soon.

Well, you guys missed a wonderful evening - and you were all missed! I enjoyed so much getting to know some folks better and a couple of brand new friends as well! And as always - this group knows how to cook! I count myself very blessed to have met so many wonderful folks through our west Houston swaps.

Thank you so much to Crowelli and her wonderful DH for hosting us. Her gardens were beautiful and inspiring - maybe next spring I can apply some of the ideas I got from her plantings.

Please, tell us all about it. I'm so bummed we didn't make it there.

Did anyone take pictures?

In more detail...We took a nice tour of Crowelli's front and back gardens while having a glass of vino. We stayed outside a long time looking and talking and comparing notes. It's so much fun to see the plants and hear others' experiences with them while you are looking. I learned a lot about new plants (to me), propagation and care. She had said it was going to look a bit rough, but gee... I wish my beds looked "rough" like hers LOL... Then we went inside and had cheese, crackers and a great spinach dip. We waited around quite a while to see who else would come, and when it was time to eat - we ate well. But, Bubba - I was sure ready to try your buffalo roast!! We had everything we needed to be really full, though, and saved some room for dessert.

We ate and talked and enjoyed making new friends and getting to know summer friends better. As a small group, it was a lot of fun. I'm sorry the crowd wasn't bigger - but SOOO glad so far none of you are the worse for wear! And you know... we were talking and laughing (and eating a lot) and none of us remembered to get out a camera!!! When we remembered we were finishing the white elephant gifts and folks were on the way out the door. You won't believe it, but no one "stole" anyone else's elephant! I came home with a beautiful candle and sachets and soap from my new friend Ann the "candle maker." Her candles were awesome.

Crowelli - hope you are feeling better! Bless her heart - she's been battling a sinus infection for the past few days. What a trooper she was and her DH to get it together and be such gracious hosts for us. I thank you both.

What very nice comments, bookworm. (Blush, blush.) I'm glad y'all had a good time because we certainly did. None of the gifts turned out to be "white elephants" and I really like my Salsa recipe book. I'm going to try a recipe using the black pearl peppers. I forgot to give you some seeds from that. Remind me next time I see you because I have some ready for you.

I also love the Red Amaranth plant that Lynne brought me. It's so unusual looking and I've not seen one of those before. I'm always a sucker for something different and unusual.

We really did have such a wonderful time, I really enjoyed getting to know everyone! There was no want for food - or wine, for that matter, lol. It was just a pure pleasure, and so nice to see a garden up close that is doing well (as mine is really looking haggard.)

Thanks Crowelli, for the wonderful evening!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhh, I am soooooooooooooooo sorry I couldn't join you guys, but I wasn't feeling well enough.

And no pics, eh? Did ya'll drink THAT much vino? Oh, I'm getting a picture, all right!

tee hee hee...

So. Was a date set for the next WHO? That would be "[bold]W[/bold]est [bold]H[/bold]ouston [bold]O[/bold]uting..."

Well, here is my apology! Thursday, I accidentally bruised my lower, right ribs. Bubba & Linda can attest to the fact that I was having trouble by Thurs evening @ the QC.
Was still planning on coming but couldn't get in to see a Dr, Friday & was just in too much pain to move. You know, they only hurt when you move, anyway!
So this is my first day back @ work! That is really a record! I'm always @ the Farm.
I bought wine Thurs nite that I had planned on bringing but just stayed in the horizonal until this morning.
Looking forward to our spring get-together. The wine will just be aging til then.
I would have called but have not been on the puter since Thurs so I didn't see the phone number. It will go in my DG Address Book for future reference.
I was supposed to have gone to Baytown to dig Golden Rain Trees, Sunday afternoon, but that didn't happen either.
Sorry, again!

Gosh GG and Smockette - hope you are both feeling better! It turned in to quite an eventful week for many of you, wow. I hope everyone who's under the weather gets better quickly. As for the camera - you know, some people are just natural shutterbugs. I'm one who always takes a camera and then forgets to use it...

Bubba - glad you and Linda are fine. We'll just have to try buffalo roast some other time - those lucky ducks...

Glad to see you are out & about Smockette.

Looks like we need to try again when everyone is well.

Gymgirl - are you feeling better?

New car is great - good to be back on the road. Was good to see so many relatives, but wish it had been under other circumstances.

We are still willing to continue the QC "meetings".