It's always better to put down grass seed in the fall. The grass seedlings have the chance to get established root systems before they have to deal with summer heat and drought. If you get a soil temp thermometer, you can determine the temperature of your soil, which is what affects grass seed germination. The seed will germinate if the soil is at least 60 degrees, regardless of air temps. Frost doesn't hurt grass seedlings. Spring pre-emergent is when you deal with crabgrass. Prevention is easier than the cure. Deanna

Hi, Beth! Your home is beautiful - more so now that you've put your heart (and soul & sweat & $$, lol) into it! She wasn't "sad", so much as "waiting for you"! Regarding the refinished floor, with the area in the center that was unfinished wood... In mine, upstairs, there are 2 "linoleum rugs" that didn't extend to the walls. The area under is unfinished, although the peremiter is. Is it possible the PO's removed them? I have pics of one of mine, I'll post them tonight - I'll even take a pic w/an edge pulled up, so you can compare. It's not held down well anymore. The other rug is still covered with w2w carpet. I caught a glimpse when I lifted a carpet corner WAY up. Hubby nipped that in the bud... Another day, lol! I don't have a link for you right now - and kids are calling - but google "linoleum rug", maybe with "old house" thrown on, and you'll see what I'm talking about. A side "weird" note.. I'd painted this room (& much of the rest of house) in the light sage green for 2nd sons nursery. Removed carpet a year later - and could not have picked better color to match if I'd taken a flooring sample to the paint store! You have a beautiful home - the love she's getting shows!

Thanks Parma. It's paintable wallpaper in the insets. But the door framing is actually backed with some sort of metal. It was painted inside and out so I don't know what type of metal. Tin or sheet metal. Why thank you n2cookin. I'm guessing you are a good cook and that's something I so am not into to. I can't even get everything done at the same time! I married a good cook though. My Momma didn't raise no fool. ;) Sue, thank you. That's just what I was going for. I don't mind the look of painted furniture if it's done right, but I really prefer stained wood. This wood wasn't worth the trouble to refinish so I thought I'd have fun playing with it. I should ask our daughter about how the anaglypta holds up since we did her baby chest of drawers a year ago March with anaglypta on the raised panels. She now uses it as a night stand. Here's a pix of it just after we did it. She was just crazy over it. It was from my folks and they are both gone now so it means a lot to her to have it with her, yet updated so it's not just an old piece of furniture. It's about twice her age.

Just had a thought for a narrow marble shelf that won't break the bank... I was browsing at Home Depot the other day and saw the marble thresholds that are used to transition floor finishes at the door. I picked up one that is 6" x 36" x 3/8" for about $12. They also had 4" x 24" and 4" x 36" pieces. Those have a little bit of a beveled edge and were about 1/2" thick. The one I bought is marked Bianco Carrara but they had another, more tan, type also. I am hoping (hoping!) the tile guy can trim this down a little bit to make a small shelf above the range for salt & pepper, etc. (If not, I have the receipt!) I think the HD guy thought I was a little crazy when I had all of their thresholds spread out on the floor so I could choose the "prettiest" one. It is pretty - nice veining, etc. Some were not so nice so I am glad I took the time to choose the best one.