patser - on one of the windows, I can see the track where the cords used to lie, on the other, it looks like the trim was changed, because I can't see any of that hardware. Both windows also have a pane of glass that spans the whole opening on the outside - an older storm window. I have another question - in one of the rooms (dining room), there is only one window and it is of this style I have described. However, in another room (Family Room)_ there are three windows - on two adjacent walls, there is one of these "unique" windows, and one that is a standard 32" wide double hung that is split in the middle. Then, across the room (fairly large room, 15X19) there is a large casement style window looking out to the backyard. So, if I were to hang a window treatment only on the bottom larger portion of the "unique" window, how would I then treat the other windows? Is there a recommended way to show of the character of my older window while staying consistent with the other two? Also... could I do a shade AND a lace curtain? So I could have privacy and lace? How do you think blinds would look? Alone, or along with the lace curtains? Hope this all makes sense! Thank you for your thoughts!

Hi Lisa, I think I was suppose to get you some info about my old kitchen as well, I am sorry haven't done it yet. I have just been crazy busy. We homeschool, so I am trying to fit everything we didn't do into this last month. They are already ahead so don't know why I worry. Anyway ...here is a pic of faucet. I don't have it installed yet but do have it in my possession now. It is beautiful, heavy, I love it. This pic is a bathroom one, but have the same in kitchen only it comes with a side spray. It is also gorgeous and heavy. My granite guys were very impressed with side spray as they said most they see are plastic. I can't wait to see it with my Shaw. Oh yes, its from the Sigma Reserve Collection, from the Sancerre line. Truly beautiful, and of course it doesn't have the plug pop up.

We are remodeling a lake home that has limited heat and no airconditioning in MN. Installing electric baseboard on individual thermostats, central propane stove/fireplace as backup heat in the event of power outage. Adding 2 through the wall 240 volt air-conditioners. We can section off our home for heating purposes in the event we have power outages. Battery fans and natural convection will distribute propane provided heat. Design of house does not allow ductwork, mini-splits won't cut it in the extreme cold, and slab/floors not suitable for radient heating.

A couple years after the article Sharon posted was published. This was published. I can’t link to it since I am searching for these articles through my workplace at Caltech, and you would get a broken link, but here is abstract copied below. It seems that an important consideration for a banker plant used to host the predator mites is “tuft domatia”, which are little chambers on the leaves that are meant to house the beneficials. The plants provide little hidey-houses along with pollen :-) The predator mite Amblyseius swirskii is an omnivore, eating both pollen and other mites, thrips, whitefly etc. Selecting an ornamental pepper banker plant for Amblyseius swirskii in floriculture crops. By: Avery, PB et al. Abstract: Preference of phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) was assessed on four cultivars of ornamental pepper banker plant candidates; Red Missile (RM), Masquerade (MA), Explosive Ember (EE) and Black Pearl (BP) for potential control of pestiferous insects in floriculture. Significant differences in cultivar preference by A. swirskii was observed in choice experiments whether the test was pre- (with pollen) or during bloom. Overall, female mites laid more eggs when pollen was provided as a food source. The number of tuft domatia per cultivar leaf appeared to positively influence host preference in the choice plant tests pre-bloom. In addition, cultivar RM had the highest mean number +/- A SEM of tuft domatia per leaf (5.1 +/- A 0.3) and motiles per plant (4.0 +/- A 1.2), followed by MA, EE and BP. In choice tests on blooming plants, A. swirskii showed preference for both cultivars RM and MA compared to EE. These experiments indicated that the number of tuft domatia and availability of pollen can influence the host preference of A. swirskii for an ornamental pepper banker plant cultivar. Results from this study will help growers, researchers, educators and extension personnel in understanding the plant phenology promoting adoption of suitable banker plants for managing greenhouse and landscape insect pests.