I am in southeast MA and we are having frost nearly every day! I am pretty sure that I bought my jeffersonia at Avant Gardens.

It was 35F here this morning, but already it is 42F with the sun up. Almost a frost. I suppose 90F days are right behind the late frost days. [g] I would think by now, I would be expecting this kind of volatile weather. And that it will continue to worsen too in a gradual way. But is it me, or is it just human nature to get lifted up by good weather and then get disappointed all over again, when the new weather patterns continue? I suppose I haven't accepted it.

Anyway, I think we are probably in the clear of cold mornings soon.

The sun is out this morning so I thought I'd try to take a photo or two of Hellebores. Most of them have fleshed out as much as they are going to, but this morning in the cold, they are not exactly ready for their picture. [g] I did get one that looks great! Best it has ever looked. It's probably double what it usually is. It's Hellebore 'Mellow Yellow'. I credit all the rain we've gotten.

@gra8fulgal "I am grateful every day that we get to live here." Isn't that a wonderful feeling?! Your kitchen is stunning. Wonderful job and congrats!

How can white go "out?" 1.) It's a neutral. 2.) It looks clean and people love clean kitchens. 3.) It's a traditional classic. 4.) It goes with everything.

In the Building Forum, when you have people building a new house, or in posts where people just bought a house and are remodeling or decorating and they are talking about resale -- and the house isn't even built yet, or they have just moved in themselves--that is what kills individuality. They are not doing what they like necessarily, they are doing what they think other people(who are unknown) are going to like. Most people don't have very well developed personal taste, they want to fit in with everyone else in their demographic, that's all.

White shaker is timeless. Not a trend at all. Now, gray? That's a trend that has passed its prime.

Get a light tile backsplash once the counter is in…. nice looking floor mats and leave the cabinets as is. including the existing hardware.

Don’t argue with wife. Show her the comments. Ask her to think about all the experienced voices here and what they are saying. Current design pantry so dated the day it is done never mind ugly and poor design. It cheapens what I assume is an expensive long awaited new kitchen. The G shape allows 5 people to sit and enjoy/talk/eat with the cook while keeping them out of the cooks way. No 4ft dinky island blocking steps between fridge and stove etc. . Much more counter space. The peninsula is an “island” of much bigger area and usefulness. The resulting kitchen much more grand.

The 4’ x 4’ island shown in the inspo pics looks like a desire to have an island for the sake of having an island, at the expense of a truly functional kitchen. And the angled corner pantry- thats from another era.

Ever considered a heavy reclaimed table or work bench of some sort. Make the top food safe or replace it with quartz/marble and then you can move the whole thing if needed. Extend an edge for seating etc. This might be a much needed contrast to yet more cupboards all in the same look/build as the main part of the kitchen. Just a thought.