This is the final photo I'll show of this spray -- it's about done. Might well have lasted longer, if the afternoon sun wasn't frying EVERYTHING. But it's obvious that N 92 Nanjing shares the charming Tea/China characteristic of blooms that "fade to dark" -- growing darker as they age, rather than paler. When the plant grows up, it will have that "bush full of butterflies" multicolored look. Now that the first half of our days finds us sitting in a thick fog bank, I'm seeing some mildew on this rose. Not to worry, it will probably outgrow that, with maturity (and with a weather change, for that matter). And hotter weather, damnit, is coming soon.

Thanks Gang, it means a lot to hear you say such nice things about my decor and collecting. Frou, I'm a "more is wonderful" person too. Oak, I didn't use actual glue and the dogs are easy for me to remove with no damage to the cabinet. Cats trained me long ago that some things just need to be 'fixed' to a spot. LOL. Something cat lovers just deal with I guess, as you know. Actually the bonus is, I won't knock stuff over and break it while dusting. Win-win situation. Party, the thought of my DH saying go ahead and buy that cabinet made me laugh. He's a good guy, but not THAT good. LOL. He's so oblivious to all my stuff that its kind of funny. I'm glad my Dad loves my ponies, and also loves all the different holiday decorating I do. Sometimes hearing "that's nice, Dear" in a blah tone just doesn't do it for me. I swear I could sit something in the middle of the floor and DH wouldn't even see it as he stepped around it. Must be that "golf-blindness" he has, just can see green spaces and little white balls. So Jay, that was you screeching that I heard. I'm sorry Posie broke your grandmother's pitcher. But I bet she rarely breaks anything. Its totally amazing how careful cats are walking around or laying among things. (bet our Jim here could write a book on cats and collections. Especially his little kittens now. If you're lurking Jim, we need a baby cat update!) I love seeing Christmas Village pictures where often someone's cat is laying in the middle of one..and the village is still standing. hugs, Karen

I like bird baths,its kinda cool seeing them splash around and chace each other off and seeing how all the deposits color the water. My Rex Cat likes them as well that ol boy can sneek up and hide under a bush I planted just for him. A person has to watch real carefull to actually see him Flash Jump and snag a blue Jay, its a work of art. I like cleaning out bird baths,it so relaxing scooping out the aged deposits that have mixed with blown dirt and leaves not to mention a few feathers lost in the Rex Attact. My bird bath is a composite stone thing I got at a garden supply place it holds up real well in all kinds of weather. I did modify around the edges with flat copper to give The Rex better odds,that is more area the birds cant see down below. I just hate those China things dont you?? just gives me a bad feeling. Anyway the composite/stone mix bird bath is the way to go. I cant tell you how many hours the little lady and myself have spent on the deck watching The Rex claw down the local birds,it just makes all that work worthwhile. Let us know how it comes out!!! J.

Thank you all for the great responses! It's true, frou-frou has been around a long time in some magazines (I miss the old Victorian magazine) but lately it seems to be showing up more in "regular" magazines. I think Bellaflora is right, when it's time to hide out, it's much nicer to do it under the "biggest fluffiest ruffliest quilt" you can find...great description :) I do not have little ones, unless you count my kitties, but I think wine is an acceptable alternative to tea, especially in a crystal wine glass (LOL) Poshspace- Great time to remodel your bathroom, lots of wonderful ideas out there. The magazine is the current issue of BHG's Beautiful Baths. I'm not really a huge pink fan (more of a lavender fan with a little pink) but it's so nice to see cheerful, fun colors again! Cooperbailey- Fairies are fun and I love the idea of putting some fairy things in the garden. The nieces love it and with all their Tinkerbell stuff, they can dress up and play in the garden. We had a small garden this year, but plan a bigger one for next year. Oakleyok- I'm with you there. I wasn't really girlie when I was young either, so maybe we're making up for lost time :)