Very nice! I love the pics, I hope my garden can look that colorful soon. I just planted Fair Bianca, mine looks a bit taller, but it hasn't bloomed yet.

Jenangelcat ~ Your place is really sweet and cottag-y looking. It truly is amazing what a couple of changes can do to totally transform your place into something that now stops people on the street. You and your DH are doing a GREAT job. Keep posting pictures. They are a real treat! I love what you have done with you backyard also. Have you thought of painting the front door frame the same color as the shutters? How about the piece under the large window as well? I really look forward to seeing more pictures and your front yard garden as things progress. Do keep us updated! You are an inspiration. FlowerLady

Patricia43... "I think there's a real need for someone who can marry an architect's vision for asthetics with a builder's ability to do things affordably" It's called an interior designer with a degree, not the ones who claim to be interior designers who are decorators with a continuing education or trade school, or OJT on where to place a vase. do you really think so? in my experience an interior designer doesn't know much about construction or building economically? i think the other piece missing is incorporating green building - to the extent that you can save money beyond your initial cost outlay especially - and someone who can answer the question as to whether it makes more economic sense to move or add on. Have you ever actually met an interior designer or just someone who told you they were an interior designer? They are required to have many hours in the building construction sciences and budgeting. I don't know where these interior designers you met with 5-year college degrees were that knew nothing, but that is what their business is. I think like most people, you are thinking about an interior decorator, total different kettle of fish.

I actually just got finished putting four black eyed beans that have already germinated using the plastic bag method (in only 1 day! haha) into my garden as an 'experiment'. I want to see if they will sprout in the clay filled soil or if it's actually better to get them started in seed starting mix in a 'newspaper' container then transplant once a few inches tall. I have around 10 chive seeds, 30 dill seeds, 20 black eyed susans (10 in fridge 'stratifying' and 10 with no stratification), 30 mix flower seeds, 6 pinto beans (with paper coffee filter instead of paper towels and soaked in 1:20 hydrogen peroxide:water solution to decrease chance of mold), 15 lavender seeds and then 4 more black eyed beans in plastic baggies. All are sprayed with the 1:20 mixture every other day to help prevent any mold/mildew. Most were started on 5/25, so I'm hoping they all sprout by mid-June. @Rollie Peschon Aw, well it's all about experimentation! You never know until you try! I don't know if my BES will germinate, although I'm hoping they well. I'm also scared that the lavender won't germinate either because they're my 'gateway' into started seeds with this method that are very small (Red Cardinal is one example). But as long as you have results, then you should keep on trying!