Diana ~ Love your quote by Tom Edison. " Hell, there are no rules around here. We're trying to accomplish something." I have realized somthing in the last couple of days, thinking about Edna's gardens and my own. That is, how in my case, a few years ago I was happy in my gardens doing my own thing. Then, we got computers and I started seeing other people's gardens, which made me feel depressed, envious, inspired. I started looking at what I didn't have, started adding more beds and little gardens, making more and more work for my self. Now, I'm going to relax and not stress about what I don't have. I'm not adding any more beds or gardens, I'm going to work with what I've got, with seeds and cuttings and weeding out what I don't want or don't have time to care for. I'm learning what does really well in our zone and what doesn't. Every day is new, and I want to see and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me without stressing over what isn't perfect. We are all different, come from different backgrounds, have different financial capabilites and in no way can we all be the same, have the same, or do the same things. What we do is inspire, encourage, and enjoy our gardens and others via the vast web. Trying to keep up with the Joneses whether in homes, cars or gardens is just too hard, too demanding and too time consuming. Each of us has a unique personality, and different talents. We each create our own 'cottage gardens' with whatever comes our way. There is no right or wrong way to have a cottage garden. Cottage gardens are typically random and carefree in form. As the pictures that Eduarda shared here show, it's a style, not necessarily the fact that we have nothing but cottage garden flowers filling them. We can't all grow the same, traditional CG flowers. We have to go with what will grow in our zones, what we have time to take care of, etc. I've learned a lot here, been inspired and look forward to being inspired more and to not be so 'envious' of what others have, but to enjoy my own little tropical/cottage garden of sorts, and to enjoy all of your lovely gardens through your picture tours. Just my little ramblings here near the end of May. Happy Gardening to all, big or small gardens, packed or not so packed with wonderful things. Regardless, let's all enjoy the moments that make up each day, appreciating our many blessings. FlowerLady

Wow - your kitchen turned out great - what a dramatic change! And if you don't mind, I'd love to know more about your Blanco Kontrole faucet . . . I was initially going to order it from eFaucets and then instead ordered from Faucet Depot because of a better price. The description on EFaucet said "with pulldown spray" and "pulldown all-metal handspray" so I assumed it had a spray feature even though it looked to be smaller than most. Now that I've received it, it doesn't appear to have a spray after all, only a pulldown hose with an aerator. Is this correct? And now when I look back at the Faucet Depot description, I see that it only says "pulldown spout". We haven't installed it and our first response was to rule it out and return it but I like the look and size of it and thought I'd ask you about your experience with it before making a decision. Any feedback you could give me would be great and if it's not too much trouble - maybe a close-up picture :-) Thanks!

Your gray stain is going to be gorgeous and is a great organizing principal to take you where you want to go. Hopefully you'll find a pale, functional stone that'll look great. I'm pretty sure you've briefly considered and set aside (as I did), composite quartz materials such as Silestone and Caesarstone, but they make truly excellent counters, as bulletproof and chef-worthy as any can be. And, of course, they come in a very large number of whites and grays. I personally love, love, love white marbles, especially honed. They are my dream material. I have never wanted a look of newness or perfection in my decor; however, I came to realize the etching problem is so bad, and so ugly to me in glass-shape circles, etc., I just couldn't have marble counters in my kitchen, where all counters get heavy use and lemon juice is much more of a staple than flour. I just counted out of curiosity, and I currently have 8 different vinegars, also used all the time. In any case, I don't know the configuration of your kitchen, but would it lend itself to a mixture of materials? Marble perhaps for a select, mostly decorative position, including an exquisite backsplash perhaps, and stainless steel or a composite material elsewhere?

Thanks! You made me smile! The dresses are in DD1's guest room (call it that since it has her old bedroom furniture) but she prefers the Shabby Chic room when she visits us from CA. They were hanging in DD2's room, last house. DD2 still lives in town, but bought her own place 5 years ago, recently traded up. DS had said "no dead animals" in his room ("dog" room) but antlers have found their way in. He lives in Chicago and doesn't visit too often, so I did what I wanted and he hasn't complained. lol I feel in love with Black Forest antlers when in Europe 10 years ago, but didn't buy any. Found those locally 4 years ago - about the time they started showing up in magazines. My favorite antlers are the ones with the head bone covered with suede or leather. The one in back hallway (not sure if it shows) is light, dirty, faded blue and has the metal tags. A local dealer goes to England twice a year to buy and I find a lot of things in her booth. Would love to shop in her house. DH doesn't hunt, but I skinned a rattlesnake and it's in the lower level den on the wall. (Not in photos, and hence DS saying "no dead animals.") The lamb is in the breakfast room and I'm on the computer at the table - glancing at it many times a day, and it always makes me smile. Glad you are enjoying the tour. btw, I have also framed a vintage evening bag that was my grandmothers and a handmade lace bride. Also in the dress room. You can frame anything, and they are unique.