Somehow my review of the Astors Beechwood Mansion Victorian Christmas tour (Newport RI) we went on a few weeks ago wasn't posted here. I'll try again (I do remember writing it!): See link below for details of the tour. No advanced tickets are required just show up 15 mins before the time to buy your tickets. The tour consisted of 20 minutes that you can tour the various rooms on your own. In each room was a costumed guide that recounted information about the people, furniture, history, etc. Each person kept in character as they answered questions. The various guides in each room had fascinating stories but we felt rushed to see all the rooms as it had been quite a long time since we visited the mansion. Each room was decorated with Christmas related decorations. Next all were invited to the ballroom where the costumed guides put on a show for 40 minutes. The show consisted of piano playing, singing Christmas carols, dancing, playing popular parlor games of the time, etc. (all keeping with the time period of the house). Various audience members participated in all the events except the initial Christmas carols. So if you are shy avoid sitting in the front rows and you won't be asked to participate! Some comments: The Christmas decorations were much simplier than the Newport Mansions decorated for XMas. We did feel rushed touring the rooms in the initial 20 minutes portion. I think if we had more time for this it would have been better. The Xmas songs and performances by the guides were very good (voices/music etc.) The price of an adult ticket was $20 for this hour long event (so kind of steep for a for-profit enterprise!). I would say if you are more interested in decorations touring the 3 Newport Mansions for $25 total (Breakers, Marble House and Elms) would be the thing to do. So while the tour wasn't totally bad, it wasn't the best either (average). Here is a link that might be useful: Astors Beecwood Christmas Tour - Newport RI

Hi Christopher!! So nice to see you over on this side of the forums!! : ) I haven't been over to the C & S lately, but i did just repot the "Fang" that you sent to me and it is doing great. I will post a pic here for you to see. My house is nice and quiet today, so i decided to repot a few things that needed attending to. I saved this jade tree that looks like it is trying to become a Bonsai with some help. I did manage to have all of the leaves finally grow back after i found it on clearance at a cute little nursery. Maybe ill post it here for you to see. Then over at C & S. I also found a beautiful varigated Jade there as well.. Glad to hear you Somoan Fluff is doing well!! WHoo hoo! Hey Kevin, Glad to hear you are doing well.. Tks for the email! Thank you for the kind comments!!! You have an awesome place out there in Utah. Palms, Plumeria and snow capped mountains in the background.. That is pretty cool!!! Hi Wendy, I do find myself walking into the greenhouse quite often... I really do enjoy all of the fragrance that does hit me when i walk inside... The sad news is i will probably have to take everything out of the greenhouse in a few weeks because once the temps start to rise, i cant control how hot it gets inside. I just have to close it down for the summer. It can reach up and over 120* inside there.. Yikes!!! "Sauna over at Laura's house.." LOL... Hi Jen!!! I couldn't wait until you came home to see this Maverick!!! IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you so much for picking this up last year.. It finally opened last week and i will say that she sure is stunning!! The fragrance is a sweet (Jasmine) type smell.. I just love this one!!! Yes, six petals too! I can't wait to hear of your visit in CA! Welcome home!!! We missed you!!! Hey K, Thank you so much!!! Funny you should mention the railing...My hubby wants to leave a space so he can see the pool if he is sitting on the top deck. I did leave a small opening, but then as the nights get longer.. The trees seem to move closer together and they somehow seem to be more evenly placed on the top deck!! He hasn't noticed yet, but im sure he will..LOL.. You are right about rootpruning. The large five gallon trees will need pruning next spring and the smaller ones have been pruned this season. I just did a few this afternoon and i also did cut the San Miguel from the bottle . I will post so Clara and others can see how i cut this one. I was actually nervous, because this special cutting came from Bud and i dont wannt anything to happen to this one. They mean so much when they come from friends.. I am just amazed how attached i am to these special trees. Gatorade bottle do work great. I also use the water bottles from the planes.. I have plenty of them when working and people wonder why i walk around with a trash bag full of water bottles!!! LOL... If they only knew!!! : ) Kandhi, You are so sweet to say such nice things... Thank you so much!!! I really don't spend that much time outside as i would like. I do work full time and when i am working, i can be gone for four days at a time. I usually mess around when i have my free time and on my off days.. That is probably why my kids use to say that i would check on the trees as soon as i came in the front door after work!! : ) If you want me to help you locate ingredients for the Gritty Mix, let me know.. I will be more than happy to help you! What city do you live in? I looked for your address, but i can't find it. As far as watering and fertilizing... I water my trees n the summer when they are dry. That can be every other day, or every three days. It just depends on the tree and the mix.. I have alot of trees in the Gritty Mix and they have to be watered more than the others in a standard fast draining mix. Which i don't mind at all. i actually love this Gritty Mix. It is my favorite!!! They do hold up well when i am traveling tho. I make sure all of my trees are watered well before i leave (in the summer) and then i water first thing when i get home. I use Foliage Pro and Pro TeKt for my fertilizing. Love this product. It has everything that our trees need with the essential nutrients too! I like to use 1 tsp per gallon during the summer and i reduce the amount to 1/4 to 1/2 in the winter. I feed them once a week and water in between feedings. If you use the Pro TeKt, add this to your water first, then add the fertilizer.. I hope this helps you!!! I am so glad that your Psycho is starting to show some activity!!! That is great news!!! Popa tree in CA is one proud parent!! : ) Ill post some pics in a few.. i need to upload them! See you all soon! Thanks again to all of you!! you really brighten my day!!! : ) Laura

Mamabird, I thought I had posted this already; I answered questions in the comment section of Part I in case non-GW members had the same questions. fwiw, as in most all paints, what works for my home may not work/be the color you're after in your home. (Picking paints are hard sometimes!) Beautiful! I really love how you did a new build with so much character & warmth. Your kitchen is TDF. Reminds me a bit of some photos I found of a Lacanche kitchen (amy) a few years back. Funny you should bring up Lacanche. DH has mentioned them several times over the past few weeks. The only reason I did not buy one (or an Aga) is I was worried about repairs (if needed). I personally don't know anyone in my area who has one, but we do have a dealer. I guess the wrench would be one not fitting space - I read a thread here last week about them not coming in 48" ??? I'll have to research if he ever gets serious. I appreciate all the lovely comments, but especially character, warmth and cozy. It feels that way to me and it's nice others can feel that too. I also tend to see the things I would change or am not 100% happy with, and reading your posts makes me forget about those - until next week. ;) JFTB, hope you and your family are well. Update me when you can! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour(s), and thank you for commenting.

shakleemom: I have a Caldera 36" gas cooktop and a Miele built in deep fat fryer. I have the 1400 cfm Tradewind remote blower roof mounted. I have 30" double Miele Perfect Clean ovens. My kitchen was all about appliances. The next thing was space to work and as I was able I fitted in design to be "pretty". I love the Caldera. a number of GW folks got it after I talked on and on about how great it is. My son and DIL are chefs trained at the NECI. The school uses this brand also as it is from Vermont. It is CHEAP and it works great. It was $850. plus 50 for shipping. You can't go wrong. Also the Miele technology is worth everything. THANK YOU ...I love sharing with others who also enjoy the cooking experience. c