Thanks everyone!!! I really enjoyed taking the Master Gardener Course. I was able to learn lots of new things and meet more "plant nerds" like myself. Gardeners are wonderful people!!!! I am looking forward to doing more with the program. Laura, it was great seeing at the graduation today. I can't wait to see the pictures I took at Sydneys house. What an amazing place she has!!!

Moccasin, thank you so much for your profuse compliments. The "bones" of my gardens are perennials, filled out by various annuals each year. I mix in some Plant-tone and Osmacote when I prepare the soil before any plants have emerged. I stoop over and pull out any weeds that I see, as my plots are small enough to do that. It's very funny that you should mention smiles and hand waves from neighbors. I live down the street from one of the major city colleges. Not only do any and all neighbors nod and smile when they see me out watering my gardens (well, THAT'S not necessary tonight, major rainstorm going on right now and a floodwatch), but a great deal of the passing students compliment me as well. That makes me feel like I'm doing a community service. I was just thinking as I walked out this morning that since I started my elaborate gardens, more and more of the neighbors on my side of the street have taken the plunge. I am definitely seeing more garden plots being planted, both in front of the Obligatory Bushes, and in the soil squares located in the courtyards (some buildings are in courtyards here, some merely line the street like mine). I cannot say whether more people are gardening because they saw my gardens and got inspired, or if it was a case of convergent thinking. But my gardens do seem to be an epicenter, outward from which I see the newly planted gardens (even if it's just a row of petunias or such) up this year. If so, hurray! We all need more flowery beauty and the peace it brings in our lives. Gesila, the only heuchies I've had so far were Marmalade and Georgia Peach. As you can see, Marmalade is doing fabulously. The original Georgia Peach specimen wasn't the best one, it was the last one the local nursery had. This may well have contributed to its not making it through the winter. The nursery told me that since my new GP in its 12" pot is in a sheltered location, in the lee of the Obligatory Bushes, a bit of sheltering bubble wrap or such should be sufficient to get it through winters. I am thrilled that all my new baby heuchies are really growing apace, faster than my small hostas. I hope the baby heuchies continue in their robust health!! Maybe with Garden Cat watching over them, they will. Garden Cat's origin came from my spotting this adorable wire cat face on the 75% off table with other Halloween stuff. Finding just the right pot as a backdrop was quite a bit harder. I think I went to 4 stores/nurseries before luck drew my eye to the perfect white pot. All right, it wasn't on sale, but I bought it anyway because it was perfect for my Garden Cat.

Thanks, dirtpig (love your user name!) DD is very grateful--people are always telling us how she sings our praises! She's a pretty special young lady, so we are happy to do what we can to make her day memorable. Plus, it beats spending hundreds of $$ on a church or hall that we would never see again. At least we get to enjoy it afterwards!! Thanks to you, Connie--yes, I am very blessed to have a man that not only knows how to do construction, but WILL do it! :) I can't imagine what this place would look like if I didn't have his help...not like this, I'm sure! He's the one who wanted to buy it, so I remind him of that when he starts to fizzle (lovingly, of course!!). And I know what you mean about long-time hubbies--I bet there are other reasons you keep yours around! :) Karen

Thanks for all the feedback. I had been starting to doubt myself, so hearing you say that counters really are important was very helpful. Gotta be able to roll out those cookies, right! I was thinking the same thing: pitchers high, books low. I have a couple of other open cabinets, too, so I can put more frequently used things nice and low. What can I say...I love open cabinets. Our less than cute practical stuff will go in the drawers. The pretty practical stuff will go in the open cabinets and glass front cabinets....if we ever finish! :) Moccasin- The floors are utility grade oak from Lumber Liquidators. It was a great deal at about a dollar per square foot. We've loved the color variation and the rustic touches to it, plus it blends perfectly with the old oak floors in our cottage. We didn't stain it...just did a clear coat. We staining the countertops in the darkest color variation of the floor, to pull out the dark streaks. NOW, to find a really cute stool!!