If you have had as much rain as we have, the yellowing and blooms falling off is probably due to too much water. I had cucumbers that didn't look any better than the day I planted them about a month ago. I finally mulched heavily to try to block out some moisture and they are looking better - growing and blooming. Plus, here in the central part of Alabama, we haven't had real warm nights until recently and I think that has something to do with "growth". Good luck. If they don't grow, there is always the Farmer's Market! Mimi

If the usual vilification is over.... maybe this isn't quite the disaster everyone is telling you it has to be. Is this going to be a potluck? If so, has anyone asked them to say what they're bringing? Otherwise, have to assume all is going to be provided. How many shortcuts do you want to take? How many kids? How many roasters/slow cookers can you round up? Pulled pork/beef is easy - just season & slow cook 'em in the roaster and put on the BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought), sloppy joes... Brats, polish, dogs can go on the grill and/or in a roaster. You could also do meatballs/cocktail franks for appetizers. Scalloped/Au Gratin potatoes usually send back a clean dish. Bakery buns do well for sandwiches. A smoked turkey is very popular at our picnics and I made a ham one year which is always popular. Chicken salad can be sandwiches or a side. Could even do coldcuts and make your own sandwiches or a taco bar. Sides? Beans seem traditional. As is potato salad and slaw. Pasta salads, green salad, strawberry salad, corn on the cob, wild rice salad, bean salad and take whatever shortcuts desired. Desserts? Ice cream (sandwiches are easier), cookies/bars, apple pie if you want to go All-American, watermelon, grapes or any fruit... Snacks? Chips, nuts, platter of crudités, dips, salsa... Beverages? Water & lemonade are simple and popular. Cooler of pop & water is simple and a 5 gallon dispenser of lemonade is simple too. Alcohol of your choosing. Juice boxes for little kids? Supplies? Paper plates, plastic SFK, I like to use paper towels rather than napkins since a roll won't blow away like a stack of napkins. Garbage cans with liners spread around. Charcoal/propane. There's always the concern if people are going to demand special food because they have dietary issues, which I usually say is their issue at an affair like this. Also put out a call for tables, BYO chairs. It really doesn't have to be a big thing. Or it can be elaborate with crystal wine glasses, Dom Perignon or Cristal? Caviar. Or could hire someone to roast a pig. Does anyone have a volleyball net/ball? Basketball/hoop? Football? Horseshoes? Bat/softball? I usually enjoy the "simpler is better" philosophy. Have fun.

I took them outside and sanded the crap out of them. Made sure I did a super job. Cleaned off the dust and glazed. After the first coat I still had hope....hours later after many coats I think they look horrible and believe I'm going to need to spray paint them. Look how uneven they are!!! Any suggestions on color? I was thinking black matte spray paint.

No, it doesn't matter how long it's been set. Here's another thing or two you can do with grout. Let's say it is dished out or there are pinprick bubbles, or hairline cracks. You can mix up another little batch, grout over the problem areas, and then, after carefully wiping the grout, you can gently pat the grout. Yes, using a damp sponge, you can softly pound the grout into submission. This gets rid of bubbles and fills in cracks. Also, at the end of the process, before the grout sets up, if you have a little area that just isn't right for whatever reason, you can brush the grout with a wet cosmetic brush. For instance, the grout around the base of a flat marble; you want it flat, not mounded up. You can dig out the excess, then take your makeup brush, dip in water and shake out, and carefully smooth around the marble. When I go to a garage sale, I look for those little Estee Lauder makeup brushes and that's what I use for final touches on grout. One more thing, after the grout has completely set up, but before you seal it, you can sand it - like on the edge of a picture frame or table, where it's a little lumpy, just sand it smooth with a sanding pad. The one thing I've never been able to correct is if I colored the grout and then need to do a touchup and try and match the color. It's always off. So I never color my grout; I use it as it comes from the bag and then I sometimes paint it. When I paint grout, I never use a brush; it doesn't look good. I use a cosmetic sponge and I dip into the paint, then pat onto the grouted piece. Then I wipe the tess off while trying not to wipe off the painted grout.