Bahia, You are right it is a broom, Spartium junceum, a plant that would fit right in with your mediteranean theme. It is an accident where it is, we wanted a fountain there but couldn't find one we liked so we put this in 'temporarily'. I love the upward verticalness of it contrasting with the fountain like flow of the deer and pampas grass behind it and it is there to stay. And of course it has wonderful yellow flowers in the spring. You are right about this winter, anything marginal is gone or severly damaged. The cassias normally overflowing with bloom this time of year look half dead. The myoporium which looks ten times as good as any lawn as a ground cover was killed to the base but the salvias and penstemons are fine. Clevlandii had a little tip dieback but nothing bad and the Parrys Penstemon and P. triflorus are blooming with superbus close behind. I can't feel sorry for what you can't grow in San Fransisco as there is so much you can grow. You have a far broader plant palette to choose from than we do here. I grew up in Santa Rosa and often passed through and sometimes visited S.F. It's a beautiful city with immense character but I sure wouldn't want to have to get around by bicycle in it:) Your retama monosperma sounds wonderful but I'm sure if our furnace of a summer didn't do it in here, our frosty winter would. Maria

You really need to see an Certified Diabetic Educator....you will get so much information about diabetes including dietary guidelines. I used to be a diabetic educator and I can not emphasis enough how important seeing a specialist in diabetic education is. It is the best thing you can do for yourself. I had many patients whose doctor gave them so little information or just told them to avoid sugar....they had no information of symptoms of high blood sugar, low blood sugar or the complications that may occur. Please, please, please seen a Certified Diabetic Educator. Call your local hospital or home health agency for a referral....your doctor may not think it is necessary but truly, it is!

BinsB How GREAT! I'd guess by now the 'kids' are knocking from the outside - yes? Paleese post a pic if you can. We'd all (I'm sure) love to see your accomplishments :-))) after waiting soooo long. Love the orange colors of the nursery but mmm - are they really going to sleep in one crib? :-)) Just kidding. When you have time, which likely won't be for awhile I'm sure, would love to see the nursery with the paper flowers, et al. Not to worry about the non-span house of present. It's the spirit inside that can carry it thru. Imagine what a tough time I have in my location. LOL!! You'll have lotsa fun (when/if you can find the time) doing some special stuff in your new abode. Trop - hmmm pictures this year? LOL! That will be fun to see. I'll look forward (but won't hold my breath too awfully long). :-))) I'm thinking maybe you just eliminated the kitchen altogether and are doing take out now? Houseful it's great to have you posting again. Perhaps you can help us breathe some life back into this thread as I know Bins is going to be rather busy over the next while. :-)) If it weren't for her dedication, I'm sure this thread would no longer exist. I have a few things on my plate but hopefully they will be resolved shortly and I can return to my decorating love. And speaking of thread(s), I didn't check but I'm thinking we must be getting close to limit - yes? Should we be starting a new thread? Waddya all think? Take care all, Holly

Yikes. That doesn't sound healthy at all. Avoiding starch and refined carbs is always a good idea but that much protein seems dangerous. Also, no fruit until "stabilization" seems like a bad idea. I can see how people will lose weight but it's not due to it being a healthy diet, but rather people's inability to eat vast quantities of meat. IMO you'll see better results with unlimited fruits and veggies, legumes, and some complex carbs on occasion. No white flour, white rice, sugar, or grains other than 100% whole wheat or sprouted wheat and even that in moderation. Make sure to eat some plant-based fat like avocados but minimize salt and oil. The weight will fall off rapidly if you follow this - I guarantee it, and you won't be malnourished like you can be in high protein diets. People think that because they eat a lot, they aren't malnourished but you certainly can get that way if you don't ingest ample amounts of produce a day to get all of the vitamins and minerals. I think people eat too much protein. We've morphed into a protein-obsessed country. The only protein I eat is sourced from leafy greens and beans and my blood levels are perfect. Just my advice. :) I hope you find what works for you. Diets are a very personal decision.