Alright, lots of comments... I guess I should start with what I want - I want a more useful area. I'd like it to LOOK better from the lake (it looks ok now, but eh.. it is NOT functional). I'd like may be a natural stone retaining wall with may be a slate 'patio' area for a table and some chairs (we entertain a lot). I want some functionality - I have no doubt we can make it look better with plants and what not (less on my mind). I'm thinking more in general terms - I guess hardscape?? Right now it's a hill that we scootch down but we don't use... It's like wasted space?? Right now the area is a nursery where I put things that I haven't decided where to put yet... and the previous owners look like they used it as a dumping ground for rocks and those ugly pavers. I fully intend for that to change - but what?? you know?? anyone? ideas? As for raking the leaves - yes we rake - there are literally 24 mature oaks dropping leaves on our .33 acre. I understand your concern - but if we let it go we'd have no yard whatsoever. It would be a pile of leaves. Sorry... I'm not letting the leaves 'go'... And I'm not exaggerating - 24 MATURE Oaks - and I don't want that to change either (I LOVE the shade the mature oaks provide). So, suggestions of evergreens - I'm not sure if they could/would survive that kinda shade?? You know? I don't know... but again, less on my mind right now. As for keeping the geese at bay...? We have a dog... thats been the only thing that keeps the geese away. But unfortunately she also chases the swans, blue heron, wood ducks, etc. so it's a tough call... you know? I live on Lake Boon - Lakeboon.com. (also Lakeboon.org). It's a beautiful lake I am SOOO happy to be here... it took us many many years to find this spot - and it was SOOO worth the wait. Ok promised more pictures so you can see... from the water... we do let SOME leaves go (off to the left) SEE? I'm not satan! :) This is the hill again and those rocks protrude all the way to the water... We own about 10-12' beyond the rocks. that ground cover. The ground cover does not bother me at all, but the way it's been thrown in there willy-nilly does bother me. I don't want the back to be like the front - all color - and I'm not even sure I want the front to be like that either my thinking was to eventually get into perennials (and I have put in ferns - maiden's hair is my FAVE right now - and bleeding hearts, hostas) but I'd like to have a ultimate goal in mind so I'm not moving them again and again (which I have already done!) I actually love woodland plants - jack in the pulpits, ferns, hosta, bleeding hearts, etc. but I'd really like to get some kinda order to the area before I start putting in plants... you know???? I hope I'm communicating this right... Anyway, PLEASE HELP!! and any and all critiques and comments are much apprciated!

Hey, Don. I haven't been posting much here in the last few years. Just had to say I love this post, except for the part about the foot. I'm a fellow broken-foot survivor. Some days it still bugs me after 35 years. Back to hostas. Definitely Victory. I love a well-grown Gray Cole, but mine won't grow. Gunsmoke has some of that gray color in spring, but grows like a weed. Mine is way bigger than I thought it would be, and is eating up some other monsters now. If you don't have Manhatten, you must get it. Period. It's on the slower side, but it's a knockout. If you don't already have Niagara Falls, I would think about that one instead of Komodo Dragon...nothing wrong with KD, it's just that a mature Niagara Falls is a knockout. Garden Party is a fast grower and definitely one that doesn't get used often enough. Just went out and measured: Victory is a little over 7 feet across, Niagara Falls is 6 1/2, and Garden Party is 6 1/2. Keep in mind that we had a season long drought here in the Midwest last year. They are a little smaller than they were the year before. Victory and Garden Party were liners straight from the wholesaler in 2004, and Niagara Falls was a one-eye division from an OS plant in 2000. Anyway, have a great time with whatever you decide. Linda P

Writersblock, I like the angled cabinets. I suppose that if I had more space, I would have opted for non-angled cabinets, but these worked better in my space. In the top one in the corner by the sink, I store some of the larger appliances, like the slow cooker, etc., on the lower shelves, and some of the bigger serving dishes that I don't use often on the higher shelves. In one of the angled lower cabinets near the range, I store smaller appliances, like the toaster, the vacuum sealer, etc. In the other, I store vases. The two upper angled cabinets in this area are very small and glass-fronted. I could probably use them for things like wine glasses, but I use them purely for decorative items. Colorfast, the built-in next to the table is where there used to be a closet. Thanks again everyone for your comments.

dmwbcc - there are several manufacturers of VCT -we got Armstrong Excelon installed at a flooring store. But there is also Congoleum and Azrock all in a staggering amount of colors (make sure you ask about other colors if you go to one of the box stores. They might not be showing you everything that is available). I saw the Excelon at Lowes for 69 cents sq/ft uninstalled. The one complaint I have is that I wish that we have put a new subfloor down because it would not have cost much and would have laid smoother. Our floor is pretty uneven & wavey - its a Victorian - and you can see where we expanded some doorways because it really conforms to the surface. If I had been able to find the Marmoleum for the price panchodog did, I would have totally gone for it. There are a couple of differences between the two. Marmoleum/linoleum is a green product, VCT is vinyl. Marmoleum has cork on the back and is a floating floor. VCT is glued right over the existing floor or subfloor. I don't think Marmoleum requires sealing. VCT does. I was also interested in having a high gloss shine on mine, like you see in supermarkets, and that means putting several layers of polish (not hard to to apply - you just mop it on) and then buffing it. You could get away with just one or two coats of polish, no buffing though. VCT without polish is chalky looking. Don't know if you can get a high gloss whine on Marmoleum.