I use a light mix for all of my AVs, no manner what stage they are in. I wick water mature AVs, and have the leaves, new plantlets and small as long as they are no bigger than 2 1/2" pot with wicks, but onto capillary matting. Works very well for me. These things are definitely a bit addictive. I am not sure where in Texas you are, but there are some great clubs around - all of which just had their spring shows. I am in the Corpus Christi club. Finding a club to visit or an AV member to visit is one of the best ways to learn -- there is just something about seeing it in the "real" instead of talking about it. (plus a lot of times they will send you away with violets). Our Texas convention is going to be in Kerrville TX November 8-10 and it will include all of the Texas clubs. I will be happy to send you more information. Also, our local club has some good links to growing info at ccavs.org or there is LSAVC for Texas at lsavc.org - OR national at avsa.org. Hope to see you at a meeting or a show somewhere!! Marjorie in CC TX Here is a link that might be useful: Corpus Christi AVS

Thanks Vapor! for anyone who uses chrome: chrome extension for photobucket Install the extension, then close your browser, reopen it, and that refresh button. Ingrid- your roses were swoon worthy!!! Gorgeous photos of a beautiful garden. If you get the extension to work, can you tell me what the wine red rose with pale reverse is, which is in front of Cels Multiflora? I have a feeling it wouldn't survive here but wow, is that stunning!!

Can the bathroom door be reversed in its set-up? If so, then here's an idea: Your space is small so I'm suggesting apartment size appliances: 27" fridge and 18" DW (Miele is reportedly most space efficient). You could even go with a 24" wide range to gain you 6 more inches of counter. I placed the pantry out from the side wall so that the sliding door can still slide open. I placed the pantry between fridge and wall so that you can fully open the fridge doors (they need to swing open past 90 degrees), allowing you to pull out fridge drawers. I tried to place the sink below the window but that would not have allowed for a 36" corner Susan and you really can't give up storage in your small space. If you can, enlarge the window so that the sink is centered under it. I'm not crazy about the range placement but there really isn't room on the window wall (I'm assuming that your local code prohibits you from placing a range under an operable window). I'd encourage you to go for an island hood, not a downdraft ranges. It's an increased cost but worth it, IMO. Venting for the latter isn't the greatest for pulling smoke and fumes out of the kitchen and if you have a gas or propane range, it pulls on the flame (my pop-up downdraft has blown out a low gas flame on the back burner). So, let's talk storage. There are 2 upper cabinets, one to the left of the sink and one to its right. Dishes and glasses go here. The 6" pull-out cab to the left of the range can hold oils and spices or it can hold silverware and utensils in holders like this, The 30" bank of drawers to the right of the range can hold spatulas, pot holders, pots, pans and (maybe) baking dishes. The 9" deep, 42" high cabinet behind the range provides more pantry storage, plus it provides a buffer for the range. The 12" deep pantry cabinet across from the fridge is floor to ceiling, providing even more storage. Build a cut-out in it for a GE Spacemaker II microwave like this (source: mommyme at ikeafans.com) To extend your work prep area, go for a sink set-up that allows you to place a cutting board over all or half of it, like this (kitchencritic.co.uk) or this (Sears) If you can't move the bathroom door, the above plan will still work with a simple change. Swap the location of the 12" deep pantry with the 15" wide pantry and fridge. I didn't suggest that first because I was trying to keep all the major appliances in the L.

Good to know she probably had a mother nearby. I remember one year when my children were small, a fawn got stuck in old barbed wire in our woods. It was frantic and bleating. I put on thick leather gloves and freed it. The mother was not far away, equally frantic and pacing. Susan, I used a Panasonic Lumix FZ35 superzoom. It's the current model in the FZ line, and I'm very happy with it. Previously I used the FZ5, the first version from 2005. My other current camera is an Olympus DSLR, the E-520. I shot those pics through an open window. The fawn heard me open the window and was curious enough to look at me when I spoke.