Hi all... I replied to a message I recieved in my email and I thought the reply would be posted on this board, but I see it is not here. If it does turn up, forgive the double post..... "Gosh I had no idea that this (my original post) would cause a bit of "fuss" if I can use that word and no one gets upset. I just thought that a swap might be done, (and) that it was not too early to "think" about doing it and would host no problem becasue I had the time. Someone else suggested I might want to take over another persons. Let me say I am not looking to step on any ones toes, and certainly would rather start "my own" if it takes the hassel out of things, so to speak due to my original posting. I just kinda feel if there are folks that want to think about doing a swap now, and want to swap with me and others that I would host, because I am retired and have the time. Nancy. PS... I might add I don't look at this as being "my own", it is just a figure of speech. I am happy to join a swap, if some one else wants to host it. Or I can put in the time and do it. It really makes no difference to me. I don't think there should be any feelings of toes being stepped on or hurt feelings. We are not children right? If someone has shown they are responsibe and can do this fine, if however another person starts one, a person should not be offended. At some point in our lives we all want to "step up and be noticed" I think in one way or another. And this is a way for some folks to have that notice, and there is nothing wrong with that. The thing that is honorable in the effort, is the "carring it thru to the end (or till the seeds come up.. hee hee..)", not many of us can do that. So, as far as I am concerned... I have seeds and if there is a round robin, called Winter sow or "put it in the ground and grow it"... I don't much care. I am simply interested in a swap. Have a nice day all.

Lowspark - I love your widget. You have such lovely taste, You really do. However - just a tiny thought here (I have done a lot of decorating for my friends): Your widget placement bothers me. Could you possibly move your stove to the opposite wall? I'm thinking that the refrigerator which is currently there would look better closer to the sink anyway. Of course you'd have to remove the upper cabinet, but as you've said in another thread, the cab in your guest bath does need changing out. Then you could position your darling table against the empty wall. I'm wondering if the table should be pink, though. Could you repaint it? A cream paint with crackle-glaze would look lovely. Do you see where I'm going here? You could also repaint that wall - in a rich red, for contrast. Just thinking out loud here. Place the table against the wall, put your sweet widget on it, and that widget is going to pop! Then you wouldn't need so many hoo hoos, although I'd keep all the ding dongs. I don't suppose you'd change out your kitchen hardware to match the ORB of the widget, would you? Simply trying to be helpful (I am a decorator, of sorts). My rabbi agrees that if a widget is glass, it can definitely be kashered for Passover. But - not trying to be irritating - if the widget has plastic, it's never going to be kosher and also, it was made by DuPont, and we all know about them.

Rules For Visiting Minnesota 1) Don't order tofu or pasta primavera at Johnson's Cafe. It's a diner. They serve breakfast 24 hours a day. Let them cook something they know. If you upset the ladies in the kitchen they'll kick your butt. 2) Don't laugh at the names of our little towns: Fertile, Moorhead, Climax, Cummings, Gentilly, or we will just HAVE to kick your butt. 3) Don't ask for a soda here. Up here it's called pop. Accept it. Doing otherwise can lead to a butt kicking. 4) We know our heritage. Most of us are more literate than you. We are also better educated and generally a lot nicer. Don't refer to us as a bunch of hicks or we'll kick your butt. 5) We have stoves and use them. We have well over 10,000 lakes and enjoy fishing them. Fresh cooked fish is a delicacy to be enjoyed by all. Don't try passing off sashimi to us, we call that "bait". If you try to get us to eat it, we'll have to kick your butt. 6) We are fully aware of how cold it gets here in the winter, so shut the heck up. Just spend your money and get the heck out of here or we'll kick your butt. 7) Don't order the vegetarian special at the local diner. Everyone will instantly know that you're a tourist. Eat your steak like God intended and have some potatoes with that, for heaven's sake! Also, don't ask what a hotdish is or we'll kick your butt. 8) Don't try to fake a Minnesota accent. We don't have an accent. Stations nationwide come to the midwest to get people because of the lack of an accent. Do NOT mention the movie "Fargo" as that will incite a riot and you will get your butt kicked. 9) Don't talk about how much better things are at home because we know better. Many of us have visited big-city like Detroit, New York, and LA, and we have the scars to prove it. If you don't like it here, Northwest Airlines is ready when you are. And don't call it Delta. It's been Northwest since it changed from Northwest Orient. If you don't like it, move your butt on home before it gets kicked. 10) Yes, we know that ice fishing is "not your thing." We don't care. If you don't understand the beauty of being out on a lake when it's 10 below zero then you should go home and try fishing in New York Harbor. Also, if you hog the beer in the fish house we'll kick your butt. 11) Don't complain that Minnesota doesn't really have 10,000 lakes, we actually have around 22,000, so if you whine we'll kick your butt all the way back to the desert you call home. 12) Don't ridicule our mannerisms. We only speak when spoken to. We hold doors open for others. We offer our seats to old folks because such things are expected of civilized people. Behave yourselves around our sweet, little gray-haired grandmothers or they will kick some manners into your butt just like they did ours. 13) So you think we're quaint or losers because most of us live in the north woods? That's because we have enough sense to not live in filthy, smelly, crime-infested cesspools like New York or LA. Make fun of our fresh air and we'll kick your butt. 14) Last, but not least, DO NOT DARE to come out here and tell us how the Vikings and the Twins suck (only Minnesotans and true fans can knock'em down). If you do, this will get your butt shot (right after it is kicked). Just mention this once and you will go home in a pine box minus your butt. and 15) Have a good day now!

I agree that the larger burners should be in the back. I solved the exhaust problem by installing a vented microwave above the stove, under that tiny ceiling cabinet above the stove. I just turn on the microwave vent and wahlah! Steam gone. I also agree that glass tops for stoves is a ridiculous and stupid idea. Can't get away from them, though. No way to do away with the scratches and bubbles without replacing the glass top. Oh, well. It's a stove, not a fashion display. I'll live with it.