Craftsman style house goes with my cottage style of gardening. One of the two blue spruce in the pictures, the one on the right, came down in a big rain and windstorm early this spring. So there is a lot more light in the front. That side is now in full sun. As to lots of land, I don't have it. I have a typical suburban size lot. What makes it all work here as far as everything I have planted is that the yard is all multilevel. Harder to deal with but more things can be squeeezed in. It would never all work if it was just level. The parking lot you can see across the street is to a 16 acre park and beach so its really very nice here in the summer. Its for our City residents but never crowded just afew people arounhd weekdays and not that much more on weekends. Next to it immediately adjoining so you can walk from one into the other is a large county nature preserve, this time all wooded. Also with shoreline accress. I remember going fishing there with my dad when I was a young child. Well, I went with him. He fished, I played around.

Hi Joan, Yes, my package did arrive! I was so busy putting up Fall stuff that I wore myself out! I was going online later, and ended up watching the VP debate, and fell asleep! I did tape it though. ;) Your package was wonderful! I loved the baking crock/dish. Joan sent me a 'cooking' package, with the cutest dark blue winter 'snow' themed crock that can go in the oven up to 500*, plus freezer too! It came with a glass trivet, and a matching ornament! Joan also sent tomatoes, peppers! Also veggie seeds and a mini chopper, gardening mags! Oh, almost forgot- 2 plants, one Kale and one cabbage. Joan, THANKS so much for the neat box! I'm taking a break in few minutes and reading one of your magazines! This swap was so much fun! I loved my gardening/cooking package! Deb

We do reuse and recycle many household items here too. My kids are all built differently so we don't hand down many clothes. I donate clothes in decent condition to the school or the thrift stores. People are funny about used things. It can be quite entertaining at times. I've run into people who wouldn't be caught dead shopping at a garage sale or thrift store. Those same people do shop antique stores and estate sales which are glorified garage sales at higher prices. Then there are those people who don't shop thrift stores because that is for poor people. That's laughable. Truly poor people probably couldn't afford the prices at some of the thrift stores. I shop there because I the thrill of the hunt and it is possible to find a bargain on some things, but usually not clothes. I live in one of those areas where people often overprice their garage sale clothes. I can buy new for less. Overall, my best clothes bargains usually come from the mall during the 75-90% off sales. I wouldn't be too offended because someone doesn't want your hand me downs. I've gotten offers before. Honestly, I just didn't want to deal with the extra work. Sometimes when you get clothes ahead, you're storing it for a while even possibly a couple of years. Sometimes less is more when you're trying to organize and manage a household.

Pink, that is what I was talking about was soaked in fabric softener but not in vinegar. I have read about people using vinegar in place of liquid softener and about mixing liquid and vinegar together to cut down on build up in dispenser. I use Downy free mixed with water. If people want to use vinegar that's fine with me. Just what ever works for them. Personally I wouldn't mind if they still made Sta Puff but like original Oxydol as you know it's gone too.