hi Sal-- from what I understand, a "lasagna garden" is a different method of making a bed, aside from the tilling/backbreaking way. It involves layering materials over the desired area a season ahead (winter for spring planting, etc) and waiting for it to decompose, creating your soil. You start by layering newspaper, which smothers grass and weeds, preventing them from coming up through your bed. Then you layer in different materials, making a lasagna effect. I have heard people say they layer in grass clippings, leaves, etc. I was hoping people could be more specific about what materials to use, and what ratios need to be involved. I think I am going to google it, I can get back to you with the answer!! ~Alison

Tomorrow is THE EXTRA DAY off work. Hooray! It should be a nice day since nothing is planned and I'm booked every night after work this week. Gloria, actually the house is decently organized and 15 minutes from "company ready" (AS LONG AS WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT MY MOTHER COMING, LOL) but I'm always trying to pare down stuff that we're not using regularly. Saturday I Freecycle'd the old dog grooming table, which (since the dogs are gone) had become just an extra table in the back garage. The table went to a young lady in dog grooming school who couldn't afford one of her own. AND I got DH to agree to take our old, hard to assemble camping screen house on his next Katrina mission trip, and set it up and leave it there for the volunteers to use (his third clean-up and rebuilding trip is in October). Since I have noticed the cooler weather here, too, I've started the fall garden clean up and cut back some flowers that were looking faded (one big paper compost bag full). Everything I do now means less to do later when I have to wear a winter coat. MAURA--Actually I *did* read a book this weekend that I bought at a garage sale, then I passed it on to a neighbor. I also crocheted a little and scrapbooked some. I also started to stock up for winter on essentials and watching the ads. Saturday I bought 10 tubes of toothpaste on sale. I hope to have adequate supplies by October 1st so I don't have to push heavy shopping carts through slushy parking lots in the middle of a blizzard (not that THAT has ever happened! LOL). My son's high school football team has dinner together the night before their weekly game, so I'm also trying to plan on having only 2 days advance notice in case the coach decides to have 45 kids come for dinner at MY house this month. We still haven't figured out how he decides who is having dinners when/where? but he is not the kind to preplan. I figure if I get it all set in my mind, then I won't panic if the time comes that they're coming here. So that's my update!

I love almost all of these, although that "target" kitchen was awful and expensive, I bet. I see a theme on many of these of no uppers and no paneled appliances. I think that is what helps to make them unapologetic kitchens. I find that that look is more about function, yet it also has loads of "form" to me. I love the phrase comfortable retro modern. I have been trying to explain to people that I want a retro modern 1930-40s look for my kitchen and that I am trying to make it comfortable and welcoming most of all. People understand a 50s or 60s vibe. They understand Victorian, but there were a lot of years in between! I hope when mine is done it will be quirky and happy. I want it to be a place where everyone knows they will get a good meal and where real ingredients will be used. Nothing pretentious or highbrow. My garbage can will be a garbage can. People will be able to find it and know what it is. My fridge and freezer will be visible and open to all. The stove is vintage and is not a high end restaurant grade stove. I am cooking and baking for family and friends here. I hope to have enough space to hold my gadgets and room for others to hang out and hopefully, pitch in. I'd also like to not feel like I am far away from the action when I am cooking so it will be open plan. I don't need to hide it away. It will be more Julia Child functional than "Something's Got to Give" designer looking. I also don't want it to look like I took it out of a showroom and copied into my home. If I am successful, a new guest will not have a clue what year it was done. BTW - I am a real estate agent and can't stand the same old, same old. Too many houses have expensive kitchens with nothing special about them. Boooorrring. Buyer's don't buy safe and 100% neutral. They want something to be excited about and to tell their family & friends about prior to moving in. Most people want a little style and don't want the same look as everyone else's. It is a myth that people should do things all neutral to sell. While some common elements are fine and make people feel safe about them, there should be something that is a little special, or dare I say, quirky, about a kitchen. People buy when they are thrilled and intrigued by a new kitchen. An older kitchen will matter less, but if they are paying for improved, they want it to have some feature/s that are unique.

@onedevoted I dont know how else to describe it lol. @K.R. I like your setup! we wont have natural light in our laundry room tho, so I'm not sure how that will make a difference. @jewelisfabolous our powder bath will be interesting to say the least. We've planned for a dark moody powder bath, we have a lot of natural light there. pic below is all the components for the powder bath. Can't quite figure out whether to paint or wallpaper