We are getting off the topic, but I remember the lush yard of my childhood w/ all the clover and watching the honeybees, and the exciting days when we would take the honey out of the hives... I planted clover and I wish all the weedy grass would go away! (No neighbors are going to care here as our lots are set in the middle of woods, and we are out in the country.) My clover has had a tough time (doesn't like sand?), but there is one low-growing weed that I am encouraging as it does not need to be mowed. No mowing is my goal. As for my clems (many of which you all enabled!), they are doing fairly well. I was most impressed w/ Arabella- the best bloomer! I have mostly watered from my rain barrels this summer and it is not very satisfactory because the sand soaks up the moisture so fast (great for watering pots and small areas though). I too have to figure out where to plant the ones I stuck in pots in the spring. Most are going into the rose garden (if the roses don't make it maybe the clems will). I have planted several to climb up my deck railings. I know there is a lot of controversy about adding soil amendments, but I am with the other readers who see the fence as a prime planting ground. Maybe someone who knows more about amendments could help out? I wish you the best of luck in finding them a good place, and would appreciate it if you will wish me luck as well. Thanks, Brandy

I did follow your instructions and used photo bucket and did manage to post some photos last night. I couldn't figure out how to get a link to my entire album on photo bucket, though. I did see how to get the links for each individual photo. Buel- the instructions I was having trouble with were the ones at the bottom of the forum page: "instructions how to use this forum" and its associated linked help pages. I realize that the link you posted for me above, to your "new to this forum" message post, does have good instructions on how to post photos. Sorry, I had read that post a few weeks ago, and didn't remember there was anything about posting photos in it. Your instructions are clear. Thanks again.

outsideplaying, I really like the bench idea. I was contemplating something like that. Thanks so much for the advice on the planters with height. I never would have thought of that. What about the stairs - Should there be anything at the top of the stairs (on either side) and/or the bottom? Tibbrix - Thanks for the ideas! I too like the grass idea. Out landscaper is coming back up hopefully this fall to help us figure out the rest of the plants around our home and he had mentioned something like that, or a bush. Our original rock plan for in front of those steps was supposed to look like this. We had to hire a local landscaper to do the rockwork and he didnt follow the plan so we are stuck with that big mass of rock in front. I just put a bunch of plants in because they were going to die. I did put a bush that should get some decent height to the right of the steps (under the window) to kind of hide that hole there. I'm seriously contemplating just redoing it all and having my husband do the rock the way it was meant to be done. Ugh! I just need one of you guys to come here for a couple months and help me figure all of this out. I am so overwhelmed!

This thread brings up yet another lost phone story. DH and I were walking the dog by a school. There was a stone wall and on it, an iPhone. We decided to take it and turn it into the police. It was a locked phone, but a text message popped up. It was the name of a young man who lived around the corner from us! When we got home, I send a message via FaceBook saying we had his friend's phone and where we found it. He said he would contact the friend, but then days went by. We finally knocked on their door and spoke to the parents. They took the phone and were surprised their son didn't get back to us sooner. Kids! What were the chances of us knowing the person who texted and that he went by his first and last name?