Always fun to list faves, though I think the best is the one that's blooming now! My current summer faves: brunfelsia Isola (lactea x americana, I believe, though no one seems to know for sure)is a blooming machine: I should have taken a picture a week ago, over 30 blooms in a 12" pot! It does get mealy bugs in winter, but it can handle a bit of abuse. Aglaia odorata, aka rice flower: mine's now 3 ft. tall, and seems to bloom after putting out new stems. Interestingly, the fragrance was almost the same as a cymbidium sinense orchid that bloomed at the same time -- heaven to your nose! Trachelospermum 'Mandianum', aka asiaticum, aka whatever they're calling it these days: has stayed in the same pot for years, almost a natural bonsai at this point, keeps popping out small yellow flowers with a marvelous, soft fragrance. And you gotta love the way old leaves turn red before dropping, for that two tone effect! And last but not least, now that I've figure out I wasn't watering my MOO enough, it's blooming all summer long! Yellowthumb, brunfelsia in Ontario? Have you checked flora exotica? Enjoy the scents!

We have been saving for this for 5 years. We are going ahead with the kitchen remodel and addition (garage, porch & laundry room). The aim has always been to have a nice space for the least cost. The initial cabinet estimate from Kennebec was more than $60K. I am happy with the cabinetmaker we will be using for about $25K. The design was changed to save money. For example, no glass doors on the wall cabinets. They are more expensive because the finish of the interior of the cabinet. I've designed several cabinets with punched tin (similar to a pie safe) and will do the punched tin myself. By not replacing appliances (needed it at least once since we bought them-the cooktop has been an induction hot plate for 18 months) we have saved enough to get nice appliances, but there will be no built-in or CD refrigerator, no paneled appliances, one oven rather than DOs and a cooktop rather than a gorgeous range. I have not chosen most finishes (countertop, floor, ceiling) yet. I am waiting to see how the budget holds up. Since this is our retirement home, it is worth the expense to do it now rather than waiting. We live quite frugally and will need to for a long time after this project is finished. We are fortunate that DH has a secure job (yes, I am sure). DS is graduating from college this spring and has an assistantship for grad school-yea! All our cars are at least 5 years old, paid for and hopefully have another 4-5 years use in them. This forum has been a tremendous help with design and keeping costs down. I am very thankful!

Again we were not mad at him ... but he was not allowed to wash his clothes at 11 pm. NO ONE is allowed to use the washer after 10 PM ... anymore. Bedtime is bedtime. This is the child who keeps his siblings up by attacking them and starting fights. So his bedtime sticks he cannot leave his room his body needs to rest even if he doesn't sleep. You don't see this as a way for mom to manipulate her kids ? This is perfectly acceptable behavior for a parent to call at 11pm on a school night and midnight on a saturday just to talk to her child? .... So she wasn't thinking about calling them til midnight so thats when she called? Just a different kind of person I guess .... I wouldn't be calling my ex or the kids after 10 pm unless it was an emergency (or anyone for that matter, if it was after 10PM). And wanting clothes returned is not an emergency. Guess I was just raised differently to respect others and their homes. Although court is over with now ... she won't be calling again like that ... pattern two weeks before court date she calls every day at 8 pm to say goodnight... and continues until a week after court then she doesn't bother to call anymore.

amck : I am glad you are OK...wow a tornado I had not heard. Please do post DH doin' his thing !! The recipe inst. weren't too clear ( Pinot Grigio interfered:) ! He minced up a couple garlic cloves and thinly sliced 1/2 an onion. 20 shrimp thawed and peeled and soak in some salty/sweet water...it makes them moister and they taste really good. A goodsized handful of fresh basil shredded, a handful of chives chopped , about 1 1/2c of the roasted tomatoes. Then you put a hefty glug of EVOO and a TBsp or so of butter and melt together. saute the vegs 1st to sweat them then add the shrimp and the white wine...about 3/4 c. Simmer pretty fast to reduce and cook the shrimp. The sauce and the shrimp should both be ready at the same time toss in 1/2 of basil and serve over cooked pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the basil and the grated parmesan. eandhl: thank you it is "by the seat of the pants !) How much will you pay ??? neesie : thank you I had not seen that site...it is great. Maybe your DH and MN's can get together ! MN have a great time...where are you going ? I hope your DH will get back in the kitchen...please do show him the pics...we'll have to get up that way and let he and my DH cook up a storm ! c