Thanks for the heads-up, Leslie -- I never paid any but passing attention to those pictures. I certainly will in the future!!!

Kiwi pineapple jam sounds good. I do a Kiwi Orange Marmalade and Kiwi Jam. Both much better tasting than anything I ever got in New Zealand. Kiwis actually keep very well if refrigerated. They keep almost as long as apples. Well, maybe not that long, but several months. The chickens like them.

Tom when I make chocolate ganache I use a high cacao chocolat mixed with milk chocolate. Turns out pretty good. Your deserts sound divine. I'll bet they were well-received.

Sue, I hope you got a trencher to plant all that wire.. Hope it works keeping the gophers out. One of my neighbors did that, but his garden area is much smaller than mine. There's apparently a plastic barrier that I heard about that's supposed to last longer than wire. I'm a little skeptical about the above ground portion lasting that long.. But I'm considering it at least on the hill side of the garden. I wish our tractor had a backhoe

I doubt I would ever get it done Sherry, as you said, it would need a trencher and we have long section along portions of the fence with huge shrubs so we couldn't even get close to the fence. other sections filled with roots from redwoods. So for now, roses and bulbs go into gopher cages. I have had to dig a few things up though and some of the cages are already rusty and falling apart. Found a tunnel today under a clump of iris so I flooded it. One rhizome had a nice big chunk chewed out of it.

Bummer, Sue.

ah, I misread.. I thought you did put wire in the ground. I've got traps set in the garden, but they don't seem to be in active tunnels now. Did get a big one in the orchard a couple of weeks ago though. I'm using a cinch type that seems to work pretty well. I've wanted to try carbon monoxide, but have a Prius.. My lawnmower has a covered exhaust, so the nasty old pickup might get the vote. I hate them.. They leave daffodils alone, and supposedly Allium bulbs too.

FYI - Paul has a wonderful multi iris shot today in the multi-plant pics. Love the planting of the similar fall types of Gypsy Lord, Gitano and Brilliant Idea together with pinks and yellows.

Just want to give a big Congratulations to our California Sue, who has just been named moderator of the Iris Forum!!

Thanks Mary Ann, just to help out for any needed edits and such since the others are so busy, easier than having to go to Dave all the time for any fixes needed. Kent has been added as well.
I moderate several others but rarely have anything to do so it's not a big deal.

Congrats! to both Sue and Kent!

Thanks for taking us on Sue.

Brave of you, Sue.

Congrats to Kent too!!

Grandson and Granddaughter-in-Law are in hospital this morning...... I am waiting for my first Great Grandchild. I am at home because there are more people in the hospital waiting room than there is room. When the youngest grandchild, aged four, had his Christmas pageant seven adults took off work to see him sing... and of course I was there. You can imagine what a circus this is this morning with a new generation making its debut. If anyone wants to send up a prayer it would not be unwanted. smiles

How exciting! Do you know if it's a boy or girl already, or will it be a surprise?

A little boy, James Asher and we will call him Ashe. I don't think anyone waits for surprises anymore.

Congratulations in advance, Bonnie. I'll be offline most of today, so sending my prayers and best wishes now.

Asher is my Great Grand Nephew's name! Cool

Cool!

Congrats, and good luck, Bonnie

Thank you.