According to the article in the Washington Post, the changes are based on data from the past 12 years. The data was gathered from many more sites than the previous base (which was gathered 22 years ago). It is solely for cold hardiness and doesn't consider possible changes in heat. The mountain house was and remains solidly 6a, but down here the barely 6b was rezoned into 7a. As anneliese points out, in reality that depends on the specific site. My back patio and veg garden area is surrounded by house and then trees and tall fencing. It's been reliably 7a for decades and now would meet the criteria for zone 8; that doesn't mean plants with a maximum hardiness for 8 can be depended on to survive every winter -- but it would take an exceptional cold spell to kill them. OTOH, the front yard is much colder: open and facing north, in the past few years I've lost shrubs rated for zone 6 and even for zone 5. Which isn't going to stop me from trying them again, lol. So far *this* winter, we've had three nights that cooled to the high teens, and maybe 5 more that were below freezing. Climate warming or normal chancy variance, I don't think there have been enough cold-hours to meet the requirements of the pear trees. February may be cold enough, but the norm is that Feb throws us one or two snow storms and then starts to warm up. I may have to search for an organic orchardist.

I too went through a period of "let down" or depression after we finished our home. The whole process is so intense and creative than it is back to the reality of everyday mundane life. I think many people thrive on a certain level of stress and homebuilding definitely provides for that. I also enjoyed the constant interaction with the people as my daily life is pretty quiet being at home with my kids most days. It has taken 6 months but things are definitely feeling more "normal" now. I am finally to the point where I can say I love my house and just am content with the knowledge that I will have exciting projects in the future to work on. Cah3036  I know what you mean about decorating. I think I could boost my spirits about the house quite a bit if I knew how to decorate it and had a lot of fun money to play with - which I definitely donÂt :). In six months we have only hung one picture on the wall and that was our wedding picture! I am at a loss as to what to do with the rest. Maybe I need to start hanging out in the decorating forum instead of the home building one. Good luck and know that it will get easier with time. Getting out and laughing with friends and hubby help a lot too. Start other projects as time/money allows. Things will get dinged up, scratched, and stained and know that each one gets a little easier. I was determined from the start not to let that stuff get to me as we built this house to raise our kids in  not as a showroom. That reminds me  I have a friend who is actually going to sell her home that they built almost two years ago because her husband is so stressed out by living in a new place. She said he constantly yells at her and their four kids for messing the place up and doing anything that might "damage" the house. He wasnÂt like that in their previous home. His obsession with keeping the place perfect is driving them out and back into an older, cheaper place where she hopes he can relax. WeÂll seeÂ

Thanks bllfenton - I see you remember my "layout threads" from earlier in the project!! I actually chuckled out loud when pricklypearcactus asked about a layout. Certainly didn't think I'd ever be using my kitchen for layout advice! Thanks for your nice words. When I open the DR doors I really do get a great "flow" for entertaining. Those doors are actually one of my favorite things about the space. I've wanted them for quite a long time. Can't wait to get the paper off of the glass for the full effect! pricklypear - I don't have the final layout anywhere on-line to post. I'll find something at home and get it up for you. If your layout is really like mine, I'd be happy to give you as much advice as possible on what we did - the good and the bad. This was definitely a learning experience. The peninsula is right up to the wall. There is actually only 30" behind it. I think the "standard" is a little more, but honestly, this seems to be fine. I just got back from Ikea getting 2 more stools. We can comfortably fit 3 behind the peninsula (where we have a 12" overhang) - so when we've eaten there my 2 kids (6'3" son and 5'4" daughter) had plenty of room; my husband likes sitting at the end (36" wide, with a 6" overhang), and I was really quite comfortable at the front of the peninsula - and that obviously gives me great access to my cooking area. We seemed to naturally gravitate towards that seating arrangement. I'm going to put one of the new stools behind the peninsula (so we have 3 there again) and then put the other over by the bar/hutch. I've discovered if you sit there on a stool it's a super comfortable place to chat with others and enjoy a glass of wine. Can you see I'm already getting the most out of my new space. ;-) Stay in touch prickly, and if I can help at all, don't hesitate. SQ

Honestly, I am not sure I would make a point of mentioning it. A simple "Happy Holidays from our Home to Yours!â (which connects to the drawing on the front of the card). Then on the inside left, your new address as of OO/OO/OOOO. I guess in my mind, the people who will care that you have moved will likely know that anyway. Otherwise, it seems a little odd to make a point of mentioning that you have a new home. If you were doing a housewarming party at the holidays, and this were an invitation to that, perhaps it would be another story. You have to show us the drawing when it is done. Is the artist going to do some kind of wreath or other holiday item on the card version of the drawing? Congrats on your new home.