We were watching the honey bees, carpenter bees and bumblebees "doing their thing" all over my cucumber and squash plants yesterday. I even sang to them (all you "Boomers" should know the tune to this!): "Poll-in-ate, poll-in-ate, make me some good veg-gies" LOL LOL Poor DH was seriously hoping none of the neighbors were within earshot. But all the bees were just loaded with pollen, and that's a GOOD thing! I saw a Damsel Fly yesterday, too. I think they are so pretty.

Izhar! That is one beautiful leaf! Once that plant grows, you will be amazed at how much pleasure it will bring you. I have a few of these and what I like about them the most is that they take up no prime sunny space in the house or yard. I just stick them in the cellar where there is barely any light, or dark corners of the house, north facing windows where almost none of my other plants will grow, or the the yard under trees and shrubs. I just love them. I never get bugs on mine either. I can't even believe that you got one to sprout. I have tried and failed. That is a great job. Thanks for the info on the white stuff. I like your idea about keeping pH down. Very good idea. Toni: Thank you for that although they are not as pretty as Izhars! I will hold of on ordering. I saw some on e-bay from Vietnam too, and now those caught my eye. Sometimes I wonder why so many unusual plants are so hard to find here in the U.S. Hope everyone has a great day today! 82 here today again. I love it. Mike

LOL ... I should have included a few pics of the total meltdowns ... just for Karma balance. There's a few of them here. Thinderbolt went from pristine to gone in about a week. Right in front of the ADG is an Island Charm with leaves like netting and if you look closely you'll see that the Lungwort has a few leaf holes. (Not all from slugs) I've used one bottle of Sluggo in two years ... but plenty of ammonia spray. Regal Splendor & a baby Francee are actually the two best preserved still but they're in a spot that the Honeysuckle vine thats overhead makes it difficult to get a good pic. The birds with nests under the overhang have 'fertilized' everything underneath them this summer. That area needs a makeover badly. One of the downsides to hybridizing is the messy look of the scapes not being trimmed back. Hopefully there will be a good bout of Indian Summer before frost and I can make a little extra garden time. Move a few and freshen things. And like you said .... whatever doesn't get done will have to hold til next spring. Curtis/m2wm

adellabedella, I can see the similarities in our floor plans! Do you have any photo's of your kitchen? I'd really like to see how it looks open like that. I have seen many floor plans with similar layouts, just not photo's. LOVE your granite, pretty, pretty, pretty! I'm going to play around with the Masterbed/bath area - just our closet space (MUST have a him and her one) is hard to work in. flgargoyle, gee... I was hoping since I was able to make that staircase squeeze in my plan.. it would work! :( but in reality.. my little $39 program is telling me your correct! Does this mean that hall need to be longer than 13'..?! Or should it go wider, staircases confuse me! As for the all windows in the kitchen.. I've been DROOLING over some photo's I have in a book and online. The house is actually going to be in reverse, which makes the kitchen side on the west. Really, the worst possible side for our FL exposure. Still - I have to go back before I finalize things and look at more kitchen inspiration photo's. chisue, GREAT suggestion in regards to fixed french doors.. I had NO IDEA they even existed.. that's why I LOVE this forum! As for the laundry area/closet /stairs.. I don't feel this area is right yet. Just not sure of a better layout, but I'm going to play with it. Maybe I'll get rid of the back staircase, which will only go up to a storage area. Currently, we have a drop down stairs, and although not the greatest, it would open the area up for more uses.. maybe even a toilet!! LOL However, storage/closet space is more on my want/need list. REALLY great feedback, and lots more food for thought.. Thanks everyone!