I've been spending the past couple of days repotting some trees & plants. (...At times, Tenor thinks he's helping when he's not. But that's a whole 'nother story.)

You see, we've been trying to find a few nice trees to cultivate until we move into our new log home -- where there are currently no trees around the homesite itself, even though there is a forest of trees between the backyard and the lake

I share the highlights of my experiences below.

But first...

Sign up to receive 2 free tree seedlings! (Limited to the first 10,000 requests between now and May 31, 2007.)

UPDATE 8/6/07: It took 3 full months, but I finally received word that I was one of 35,000 people across the U.S. and Canada who will receive 2 live seedling trees as part of the Doubletree Pledge to Plant Challenge. They wrote:

As a result of your efforts and those of others who participated in this unique re-greening campaign, more than 150,000 trees will be planted by people just like you as well as through reforestation efforts by the National Arbor Day Foundation."

I've always dreamed of having an open & airy bathroom with a lot of natural light, scented candles, colorful flowers & lots of green plants.

You know... a bathroom that's warm, welcoming, and comfortable.

One thing that really helps to soften the "hard-edges" in a bathroom and remove that boring, sterile feeling is to add something organic.

...We're talking about plants.

While Arbor Day is celebrated at different times in different states, generally, Spring is the time of year when people get in the tree planting mode.

So, in honor of Arbor Day... and Spring... here's how you can get 10 trees for $10 bucks (plus FREE shipping)!

Despite the fact that it's Spring, and we might have had some really nice, warm, sunny days once in lately... I have a piece of advice for you:

DON'T PLANT YET!

Take it from me... Been there, done that.

One of the distinct differences I notice between living in Tennessee and living in Florida is this:

Come Arbor Day each year, you feel MUCH more inclined to actually "plant a tree" when you live in Florida, than you do when you live in Tennessee. I mean, here in Tennessee we're still dealing with below-freezing temperatures (and even SNOW in some parts)!

Which might explain why there's a different Arbor Day designated for each state... Did you know that?!

Check out this list to see when Arbor Day is celebrated in your state.

In Tennessee, today's the day (first Friday in March each year). Whereas in Florida, your day was January 21st (third Friday in January each year). NATIONAL Arbor Day is April 28th for 2006 (the last Friday in April each year).

But even if you DON'T plant a tree on this day... you might want to do your ecological duty and thinkabout planting a tree in the very near future.

Kim Komando has shed some light on a little-known secret in the world of plants & flowers.

She writes:

"Have you wondered what happens to the plants nurseries don't sell? I was surprised to learn that they're destroyed. What a waste! Well, Free Trees and Plants "rescues" unsold plants. Then they're offered to you for free -- you only pay postage and handling."

...How cool is that?!?

You've probably seen them hanging out in people's yards.

I never understood the whole Bag-a-Bug concept... that is, until WE needed to use them!

Listen to Bud Light's Real Men of Genius "Mr. Backyard Bug Zapper Inventor":

Japanese Beetles In Tennessee

...even though we've lived in this same house for over 3 years.