After a little searching I suspect the Ceanothus might be Ceanothus 'Dark Star'. If anyone agrees/disagrees please let me know. I've seen indications that it does like cooler (coastal California) summers. 'Dark Star' is really spectacular in full bloom, by the way. Here is a link that might be useful: Ceanothus 'Dark Star' Google image search

Hi, I have a Basjoo Banana that is cold hardy for all 50 states. It can stay out all year round if mulched well in the colder states. It can withstand temps at below 0 when mulched. It will die back in the winter so would need to be cut back to about a foot or two after the first freeze. It will come back from the roots the next year when the temps warm up. It gets about 18 feet tall and produces a banana but it is not an edible banana. It is very fibrous but very much a conversation piece. Don't know if you would be interested or not in this type or not.

Hey ya'll. Went to our friends cabin for the long holiday weekend and then we all came home sick. Some kind of stomach bug I guess with an attached headache. Kept the little one home today with a sore throat to boot. I've still got my almost completed Halloween project sitting on my desk staring at me and begging me to finish it. Just no time yet. Catching up on laundry from the weekend and putting away all the camping supplies. Took a long nap today too, but still not feeling great. I have a 70th surprise b-day party to plan for my Dad this month and then a Haunted Sweet 16 party to plan for my DD next month. Homework Homework Homework and running kids around every day. The usual. Planning to make Fridays my painting days again if I can work it out. I'm back on my Flylady schedule so hoping to get things back in order around here soon. DH just got a promotion at work so that means longer hours for him. It all falls on me to do at home. I hope everyone sticks around here too. I still love coming by when I can to see all your fun projects and I think about ya'll all the time! Take care and hopefully I'll get to work on my project Friday!! It's looking pretty cute. ha Gotta cook supper and get these kids to youth group in a little bit. Ya'll have a good night! ~Anj

Another place for similar drawer liner is Costco. Someone here (sorry, can't remember) recommended it and I stocked up when it was recently on sale. I have that dish drainer -- the one that hangs on the rail. I like the idea, but it didn't work for me. Small, kind of flimsy-ish. It's actually in my donation box. I went back to a drying mat. I'm probably going to try one of those roll up over the sink drainers next after the new sink gets installed.