Isn't it funny how you can inherit a love for growing things? I was born with it....from digging up that first wild morning glory to spending my allowance on a pack of tomato seeds...even without a role model. I can't imagine what my green thumb would have looked like had I had a role model like your grandma! And you prove my point by posting the most incredible flower photos again and again and again. OMG am I jealous of some people! You are an incredibly lucky guy!

Please tell me that someone from Tampa is going to see Tony!!! I sure would love to get one delivered to my area. Thanks in advance for making one of my garden dreams come true. I just recently passed on an order that would of been about $100. I have just spent $110.00 on roses and had to take a financial breather. I can donate for gas, though. Lol...

Babs, your comment on the 'photo' thread, about no holes in my Kale....I had other Kale starts in 2 different beds that were eaten down to stems. Not sure why the Kale in the photo was unmolested. As for the Smoothies, we usually have it for breakfast a few days a week, especially on busy days and a substitute for lunch is a great idea too. Anyway...The Sausage Soup recipe, is a take on the soup you can order at Bertucci's. DH really liked their soup so we tried to find a recipe and found one that is a healthy version of it. Bertucci's-style Sausage Soup Ingredients 1 cup raw Brown Rice 3 links Italian turkey sausage, sweet or hot, casings removed 1 large onion, diced 8 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups low-sodium, fat free chicken broth 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, no salt added 6 oz. baby spinach leaves, washed, dried and torn or chopped coarsely (substitute Kale) 1 Tb. minced fresh basil leaves 1 tsp. fresh coarsely-ground black pepper (or to taste) 8 Tb. freshly-grated Parmesan cheese Directions Prepare the brown rice according to package directions but omit the butter, use extra water and cook it for only 25 minutes on the stovetop or only 17 minutes in the microwave. Not all of the water will have been absorbed, so drain the rice. When the rice is about halfway through its cooking time, heat a stock pot with as small an amt of olive oil as you can get away with. Crumble the turkey sausage meat into the preheated pot, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the turkey loses its pink color. Add the minced garlic. Continue to cook and stir for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, stir in the partially cooked rice and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally for 5-8 minutes or until the rice is cooked to your desired doneness. Add the spinach (or Kale), basil, and freshly-ground black pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes longer, just until the spinach starts to wilt. (You want the spinach to be wilted, not cooked.) (We cook the Kale to soft and tender) Serve with 1 Tbsp. of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese per serving. Makes 8 servings Nutrition Info: Calories: 209.0, Fat: 6.8g, Carbohydrates: 23.6g, Protein: 13.5g

I'm so embarrassed that I just left this dangling out there. I just remembered I had posted this question here. My bad. Thanks for the link, Lisa Marie. It gave me just what I needed. Momto4kids, I have decided to look into restoring this piece. I believe it would be worth it. I think I can get it clean, but it would really benefit from a fresh polish. I know what you mean, egganddart. Old marble is beautiful stuff. Thanks again, and forgive my late reply. Steven