robiniaquest, this is for wayne (and all, too) I could swear the other two were NS. I googled both and learned a bit more. Most nursery sites say it was introduced by the U of Minn (I always knew that somehow) in 1950 (didn't know that long ago). A few sites say they were introduced later. I don't know how I got it in my head that's what I wanted all those years ago or why I ended up with the first two, must have read about them somewhere, called the local nursery, awful I can't remember now, do remember exactly what I paid for them then and planting them. I could swear they were NS, but these new ones look a little different starting out. Two are plenty for me. They often ripen during the horrid hot days, and I often just don't bother to pick them. I just like to watch them grow and have a few, never learned to make jam or jelly. All I ever do is make pies with them. A lady used to stop every year and ask if she could have enough for a couple of pies; I always let her. An old friend from church for years used to pick and pit them for me (he grew up on a farm), then we'd split them, but I think he kept the lion's share. I'm going to try to keep more for myself if these do anything. They have to be easy to can, and I still have a pitter, but it is work. Usually we just froze them but I don't have a big freezer and see no point in getting one now (one more thing to keep clean and worry about). This variety is quite sour, and I found diluting the juice with water and using plenty of sugar helps, then thicken with cornstarch before I bake the pies, just guess the right amount. I hate it when I guess wrong or the cornstarch doesn't work right and they're soupy. Pies are a lot of effort but the kids and I love them. The fruit is not as plump as the old standards (which I prefer flavorwise), too hard to pick from those big trees; people don't have them any more around here. I also checked Montmorency, edenfoods promotes it as very healthy, you know how it is when you are used to something, you don't want to switch. They had those out at HD, too. I just liked these and never had to care for them at all. I did call the extension office today, and he asked did we mow around them, yes, I remember not being careful when I did the mowing, that could have caused the gall, said not to worry, pull the mulch out 2-4 inches, fertilize with something slow release, thought my rose fertilizer would work. I vaguely remember they might have suckered a little, maybe not. My apple tree nearby is awful. Don't get a Jonadel like I did. They are good but not as good as Jonathan imo. I wish I had more room for fruit trees. I have an old apricot tree that has just budded out and next week the temps are supposed to dip to 33. I seldom get any, but when I do they are wonderful. Moorpark. People had some hardier ones with much smaller fruit, but nobody likes to bother with the messes any more. They would rather steal mine if I get any. My mother used to adore white peaches when people would let her have some (nobody has those any more I know of), and canned them. I wish I could have those, grapes, peaches, one pear tree, more varities of apple. I have a farm and can't live on it by myself. I tested the waters on that, planted things, couldn't get back to water them, and all died but one, no fruit trees that time. It's 50 miles away. My dad had the same trouble, one apple tree he planted still bore fruit, but all his cherry trees died from neglect. My dad would have loved to live on his farm; I feel bad that he was never able to, used to talk about setting up a trailer and spend weekends there, I think my mom wanted no part of it. It's frustrating to have a passion for something and not enough room and no one to share it with and making posts that are too long.

drbeanie - I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to make mistakes and searching for other input. I had to remodel a kitchen in one of our rental homes before we put it on the market last year. We had to rush to choose things because we were only in town for a very short time. I chose things in a budget and really thought it would look great. I had to see everything from pictures when it was complete, but it was AWFUL. I would have hated to have that kitchen and worried that noone would want to buy it. Luckily, it was someone's taste. I definitely didn't have the same taste as my KD and we parted ways a long time ago. My husband teases me about how much time I spend on GW - but it's been such a great place to get a myriad of opinions from people that aren't going to just be nice and say it looks good to keep from hurting your feelings. This forum has saved my sanity this time around! :) Good luck with your choices!

The tile is so neutral, you can go with almost any color. The lighter colors will seem brighter in the dark space. I would find an inspiration piece and go with the colors from that...it can be an outfit you like, a plate, a pic of a room you like, a poster you'd like to hang on the wall...anything. So long as it's something you'd like to look at. Then go with it. My laundry room was inspired by a kitchen I saw on a house tour where the owner had white cabinetry and painted the little bit of wall space in heather. It was luscious, and i loved it so much that the color stuck with me....so now I have a heather colored laundry room...crazy to some, but I love it. And what the heck....it's a laundry room...why not liven it up.

Miss Sophie I did as you suggested and pulled out a light of the greens (my honey would've had a cow if I chose the dark). Mgmum I would like to see the pic you are referring to. I did look up the witch hazel. It's beautiful. Starcraft I never thought I would like a light counter but it really ties in nicely. I am going to pick up a mustard colored sample just to compare it with the green and my fabrics. Thank you.