We have seen these recessed-entryway houses quite often on here lately, and many people are prone to planting in the entry way, which tends to close it off. It looks like you have only planned brick in there, which should give a better impression. From the fact that you've put beds up against the house it looks like you're set on ignoring the advice you've received so far anyway :-) from Catkim above. I tend to agree that foundation planting is far too often confused with landscaping, and landscaping far too often limited to foundation planting. And speaking for myself, I pretty much die of boredom once the plan goes that route. You've put the palms in the right place, now keep working out there! Some houses on some lots really need foundation planting, but others, like yours, offer scope for something much more original and attractive. KarinL

Thanks for the feedback. I know where one scene from the Blues Brothers was shot in Park Ridge. Before they rebuilt Lower Wacker downtown, I also used to take out of town guests through there as the Blues Brothers portion of Chicago tours. I called a lawn mower repair shop in Niles and they said that they send reels out to be sharpened and that it cost $50 for the service. Can anyone compare the Sunlawn to the Scotts manual reel? Is there much difference if any? I've seen Brill got some unfavorable reviews in the forums so I guess I'll avoid them. Here's a place that sells a variety of manual reels including others besides Sunlawn or Scotts: http://reelmowersetc.com/products.htm. I'm gathering that the blades don't get very close to walls, trees, etc., so there's no getting around using an edger, is there?

Seems like most everybody (sorry, kat__wa) is pleased with their purchases. Thanks, deamn, for telling me about the 2-3 weeks wait. I guess that's about par for the course. By then my toenails will be longer and easier to cut! I do wonder if it is just Discover Card that they reject? I know Discover charges the merchant more than some other cards and that is why some stores don't take Discover Card. I didn't remember who posted the site, but thanks, SandyIA. I've had it on my Desktop and check it every day, but this is the first thing I've ordered. I got a pack of ads from Starcrest in the mail a couple days ago. I am so pleased with the fanny pack I ordered from them. I've already seen a couple things for my next order. Today I was poking around on some of the other Deal sites and found the Mother Lode! I looked at some of them; if we get snowed in again, I'll be checking out some more of them. I appreciate finding odds and ends that I want/need without having to run in and out of every store looking for them. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: More Deal Sites

BigAck, Grab hold of an older photograph.....say the front of your house. Stand holding the picture so that the front porch (for example) is in front of your current front porch. The person taking the picture will have the old photo overlapping the current front porch.