Bart, thats early even for Bay Laurel! I got a couple trees today myself which I should have no problems planting here. I would be surprised if your ground is frozen, but if it is and you have access to hot water, you may be able to thaw it enough to get the tree in. I have managed to never need to do that, I have had 2' of snow a few days after putting new trees in but somehow they always came in a warm spell when they were easy to plant. In the very worst case you can let them sit in a cool garage for several weeks in barely moist peat or compost or sand. This is similar to what is called "heeling in" but you are doing it inside and not outside. Don't let them sit in the "factory packing" too long, especially for trees from the west coast -- they have been that way for a week already. Scott

What a wonderful package for Jude to send! I know you will enjoy absolutely everything and take pics of what you make in that very cool loaf pan. Jude that is so amazingly nice of you! Alexa

Well...here it is! Flowers Rock! Boy did I learn a lot from this project... #1. A grinder would sure be handy! #2. Plan your pattern layout! #3. Dont try to do it all in one sitting...boy did my neck ache yesterday! #4. Keep bandaids handy! I'm sure there are a lot more lessons to come...I was so anxious just to make something...already working on the next one but I need more mirror tiles! Ackk! Thanks for all the encouragement! All comments and critiques are welcome...I want to learn all I can! close up

DO you like "character" in your wood (scratches)? I like my wood to be sleek and satiny. The wood in my foyer shows every mark in certain lights. Kids dragging backpacks with zippers across it, gravel and sand from winter storms that gets stuck in shoes. I hate it. My upstairs wood seems to be holding up much better but then again it gets mainly socks on it, and the dragging of backpack days are over. Have dropped a few knives on to my tile kitchen floor and been so glad it's tile! The drainpipe has come off the garbage disposer and it makes a mess before you realize it. If you have pets it's nice to have a relatively indestructible surface in case they get an "illness" or whatever. (and for training in puppies.) I love my tile because it is about 8 years old and looks like the day we put it in. Mine is greyish but is sort of slate like with several colors. I can go FOREVER before it looks dirty! I do like the look of the tile that looks like wood. I would strongly consider that. I even considered it for my family room, figuring I could get a big area rug that could be replaced easily if I got tired of it or it got dirty. If only I could afford the underfloor radiant heat. The underfloor heat is a BIG plus for tile! Can you square off the kitchen floor at the morning room across to the base of the stairs? With that floorplan I think the "Kitchen" can end wherever you want it to. You won't have family room seating up against the island, so wherever the island is would be "kitchen" so floor it like kitchen. If you do get wood (and even if you get tile) be sure to get an extra box( or a few tiles at least) of each to store in case of a problem down the road. I replaced a section of wood with wood stored my attic (15 years old!) because the sun had faded it so badly from the sidelights and storm door.