I can tell you what we've done, which looks like it would work for you as well, with the least amount of effort and money in materials. (Yes, we are DIYers too.) Several years ago we decided to do away with our grass because there wasn't enough of it, and 75 percent is under an oak tree where it doesn't grow well anyway. We just mulched the grass heavily to kill it out, and keep adding (pine bark) mulch every year since it tends to break down over the winter with weather. After doing this for several years, we have very few weeds. Because the mulch breaks down after while, it does need a thin surface layer once a year in the spring to keep it looking fresh. I think that would look the best since you wouldn't be adding another hard material like pavers, you wouldn't have to match anything and a natural look is always current. Your path and the landscape around it is what you really want to notice and adding another material would just distract your eye away from what makes your garden so beautiful. We also plant a container garden that goes in the area every year, and I choose brightly colored hummingbird annuals to put in the sun around our pond to feed my hummingbirds. There are things like fuchsias, ferns and gardenias in partial shade, and begonias for deep shade. It's pretty, very natural, and easy to maintain. If you wanted to dig out the grass, that would give you some depth in which to spread the mulch which would keep down the weeds beautifully, without needing any landscape fabric (which just seems to get in the way and is a big hassle to install.) Keeping it simple with just the mulch, gives you more room to ''landscape'' and putting your money into containers and maybe a fabulous fountain, makes the most sense. We've bought yards of mulch that were dumped on the driveway, and bought it in bags. After moving around mulch both ways, we actually think it's easier to put down mulch from bags without the immediacy of having to get a big pile off your driveway. When the season is over, plants go into the compost pile, and I turn my containers upside down under my cedars to live out the winter until next year. After so many years, I pretty much know how much I need now to fill them. I love my garden, and the low maintenance aspect of not having grass to mow makes me happy. You already have a beautiful garden. I don't think it will take much to tweak it to a place where you'll be happy too.

A2--How do we get me out of the ABB? I guess I need to suck it up and start making road trips to tile stores again. I know I need help from everyone here also, but have been too afraid to post my own tile thread. My knees are knockin'! :) The grease bullseye is just a year of cooking. Because my hood is only 600cfms and 24" deep, I try to do all my searing, woking, and other high heat cooking on that back center burner for best HOGS capture. Hey, I cook. It's a kitchen. BUT it does tell me I need a tile behind the rangetop that can handle that kind of abuse. And I'm not exactly ABB, I still need a pantry door handle, ceiling fixtures, DR chandy, and banquette. I'm starting to feel ashamed that the kitchen has looked almost exactly like this for a year without me finishing much. Will you be cutting on your Boos cart top? I'm guessing not if you're considering something other than just oil. I love the look and feel of my Osmo. It looks great for months before it needs another coat, although that's even less now that it's been coated a handful of times. I don't think I'd mind the regular maintenance of oil, especially in such a small area, but I'm not sure I could choose oil over Osmo now that I've lived with it for a year. For what will you use the cart? Nancy--After my woodworker sanded the counter in November, he applied one coat of Osmo Polyx Oil and asked that I apply one more in 24 hours. I have a tiny little can of the Osmo and it's last me through at least 5 coats. I don't use much at one time. For some reason, I didn't know you had an Osmo counter. Nice to have company! Firsthouse--I don't really think I'm that conscientious about my counter. Unless you have wild hooligans that routinely run through the kitchen beating their chains and numchucks on the counter, I think your counter would look the same as mine after a year. I don't think I do anything special with it. Alexx--Thanks! I love my pulls, too! Is that wrong to say? :) I have had zero problems with anything getting in the screws or with the fact that the pulls are mounted from the front. The knife block is a Wusthof 14-slot knife organizer. DH brought it home from work (restaurant supply co), but the Wusthof is sold many places, including Amazon. Hope I answered everyone's questions! Your compliments are so appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------- EDIT: I'll add a link to Part 2 of this thread where I answer the question below from Amanda. More pics! Here is a link that might be useful: PART 2 of this thread!! This post was edited by breezygirl on Fri, May 10, 13 at 13:24

I seriously have the perfect thing. Get a pre-distressed Black Walnut top(saw you wanted the 'beat to hell' look, lol)! I have what the company I bought from calls 'Distressed Rustic Black Walnut.' It has gorgeous burl wood, knots and figuring, and is WATERPROOF. I don't know if thats a deal breaker for you, but for me it truly was. They used a 'Tung Oil' (sp?) finish that I read is organic and naturally waterproof- used to be used on the outside of wooden ships... all that aside, the wood tops are GORGEOUS. I'm serious. Worth checking out, certainly. Do a self-quote online and you get your actual retail price. You do have to get it through a dealer but when I did the quote myself online it was actaully what the tops retail price was. No sticker shock, ya know? www.craft-art.com/products/get-a-quote/ They also have a DIY line of wooden countertops (won't come pre-distressed or fully finished, but on a budget is perfect and all you have to do is rub on the Tung Oil yourself). My sister did her kitchen countertops in their DIY wood countertops and had a handy man (her DH!) finish and install. An island install looks like it would be even easier. They have Wenge in their custom wood line (can see it in the quote thing and their photo gallery) but I really think your kitchen would look great with a pre-distressed Black Walnut. So fabulous with the cabinet color you have and not as stark of a black/white look as you would get with Wenge. This was my inspiration pic. These are the links I talked about: http://www.craft-art.com/products/islands/ www.craft-art.com/products/get-a-quote/ http://store.craft-art.com I hope it helps. Can't wait to see what you go with! Here is a link that might be useful: DIY wood countertop

Awwww.... thanks you guys! You're so sweet. Yes, same hostess every year, she enjoys doing it and we all enjoy going to her house, it's just so much fun. And I have a plan for next year's ornie already, MaryAnn, I just wanted to wait to start assembling the bits I need until after the party, in case anyone had seen them and already made them! I'm going to make bugs out of wire and Christmas bulbs, the bigger ones. Yes, Zipper, that's the store! It has changed hands in the last few years, but I think that was before you were here. Both owners come to the party though. It's a fun night! And look what you come home with, that's fun, too!