Marjie, I agree with PG, some hoyas are more clingy (like yours, they want to grab ahold and wrap around other things) whereas others like to just hang there. I believe Hoya DS-70 is one that likes to hang (doesn't cling to things), whereas a H. carnosa likes to grab ahold of something and climb. Me personally, I don't like it climbing on things and wrapping around, makes it difficult if you change your mind to unwrap it from something. But, nothing wrong if you like that "style," everyone is different. Here's a photo of one of my H. carnosas ('Krimson Queen'). I think in time if the vines get heavy enough (with enough leaves), they will fall but they'll still try to cling to something if they find something to hold onto. I have two vines currently that are sticking in the air. Mine looks rather busy because I have long vines that I've looped back over the pot. If I un-looped them, they'd be almost touching the floor. Planto

You may want to search your local library and used book stores for the "original" (old edition) Square Foot Gardening book. A much thicker book with, I believe, a white cover. Mel goes into all sorts of detail about working with, amending, fertilizing, etc. your native soil. If it's good soil there's not many reasons not to use it, although I sure haven't missed all those weeds. If the soil doesn't look good then the new method, with the raised boxes and "Mel's Mix" will be much better and easier (I used and loved Mel's original book for many years, but when it disappeared in the moving around surrounding my divorce, I ended up getting the new edition and building a new style SFG at my new home, and then at my parents' house. It was MUCH easier. It sounds like you are well started with a good supply of compost. If you are going to work "in the ground" I would recommend not just adding compost and other amendments (vermiculite was the best thing I ever did for/to my original in-ground SFG) and mashing them in there, but actually removing some (when I say "some" here think closer to "half" than any smaller number) of the volume of soil and replace it with compost, vermiculite, etc. don't try to "mash it in." The goal is to create a light, friable, soil that is easy to work in and for plants to grow in, not stuff a more dense mixture into the same amount of space. That brings me to the second important thing, which is to plan some kind of walkways, of boards, concrete pavers, etc if you want any paths into your beds. As long as there is room to move on both sides of the bed this shouldn't be a problem with a 4 foot width, but if it is going to be right against a wall or fence you will need to plan some way to get to your back squares without walking on the soil. That's the other big thing to the SFG method, never walk on the soil. That way you can work on it regularly, with light tools (trowels, a spade at very most) mixing in fresh compost every time you pull old plants out, and never have use heavy equipment on the soil again. Typically the tall plants go along the northern edge of the garden, so that they don't shade the shorter plants.

It is GOOD to be back when you all have such nice comments. Thank you! Karen - so far, when we've had guests over to try out the new furniture, they notice the plates before the furniture! So glad, I got them, still wishing they had more but maybe I'll find something similar elsewhere. Letmag - glad you enjoyed the pics - makes it worthwhile posting them! Luvs - it is now my coffee week at work again so of course, did the table (beach theme similar to one I've posted on here without the place settings) and I also made a "Pineapple Fluff" type dessert which they all devoured. The staff do appreciate it so it makes it fun. Jane - I will pass on your compliments to DM. (and the others) She will be surprised she is "on the 'net" and others are seeing her work! Jaybird - DM has about a 10 place setting collection of Silver Birch (?Royal Albert) but she says she is tired of it now. That's why she used the gold/cream plates with it on her table. I feel like going to her house to "play" with the SB as I didn't appreciate it enough when I was growing up - it is a unique pattern with the birch trees on it. DD

Hey Patty, glad to see you are still here! Not sure when or how we lost touch. I have really missed emailing and chatting with you and keeping up with all that you have been up to, sounds like some fun get aways you have gone on!!! Are you still keeping your booth at the Antique Mall where you are? I have stayed very busy over the past year (it's been 2 years this December that I started my first booth at the mall). I have had a really great time at it all and it's been overall very productive which is also good. My sales have been pretty consistant this past 12 months which really helps. I do feel pretty good about my pricing, I have always been very aware of the importance of the right pricing and even when it's tempting to drop things lower, aside from occasional sales etc, I try to keep things priced a bit higher than most others. I also have inventory that is (IMO) better than most and I take a lot of time and effort to make the pieces I work on extra special. So people are paying for custom work when they buy from me. And pretty much to date, I'm still the only one who has painted furniture, there are a few others, but they only keep one or two pieces in their booths. In the PB link, I only showed a fraction of what all I have worked on. (my photo organization is sorely lacking and it was really hard to find older pics). I'm selling anywhere from a couple to a dozen or more pieces of furniture every month, so I have to stay on top of things in order to have other pieces ready to go in when something sells. FYI: as I add new pics and b/a's I'm using that same albumn I listed above, so it should stay updated with new projects. Thanks to all for the warm welcome back, and I hope to get re-acquainted with everyone.