Upon further observance, it appears I had nothing to worry about. Out of pure curiosity I pulled one of the artichoke seedlings out to see how it was growing. (I have plenty of spares) It had already grown from 1/2" long little thing to over 5"! In just 2 days! I was impressed. I haven't checked on the 3 planted outside, this was one planted inside in a 16 oz cup. If the rain ever stops, I'll go see if the ones outside have surfaced, though I won't be pulling them out of the ground :)

Amna, I use those strawberry containers all the time, been doing so for 6 years now and never had a problem with them. Holes are fine, as well and my containers always go in in direct sun as well. Soil goes in, miracle grow, I don't fill it quite to the top, seeds go on soil. sprinkle some soil on top and press down to be sure it is good and moist. snap the cover down and out it goes. no tape no, baggies unless the containers are reused and the cover has finally broken off. As temps warm up I sometimes need to add vent holes to the top to get more water in. Covers come off the seedlings when the seedlings are really hitting the cover of the container. I have never worried about not enough head room with covers or with baggies on them and have never had a problem or any seedlings damaged from being a bit compressed with a cover or baggie. My hose is out back near the containers, so if they need some moisture, water is handy when needed. I am in MA as well, near the Nashua NH border and I don't sow my cosmos till mid April. to huge a risk of late frosts around MA that will get the tender seedlings. Cosmos are really hardy with early frost in the fall and will continue to bloom through those early frosts, but the tender seedlings will be history for you if they are zapped by late frost now. Picture 1 should be fine outside without the baggie. just be sure there are vent holes on the top. Don't leave the container inside the other one on the bottom. That will catch rain and could make the soil stay far too moist and soggy because the container will just sit in water. pic #2. looks fine. just be sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the container and you have slits in the baggie for air to circulate and rain to get in. (hopefully we have seen the last of snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice for this year) Pic #3. looks like you used masking tape for labels. That won't last very long. it will come off when it gets wet from rain. You can cut up plastic covers from margarine, cottage cheese, sour cream, coffee, etc and use them for labels. you can use a deco paint pen to write with, that will last forever and put the tags inside the container. or use sliver foil tape as a label and write with paint pen. sharpies fade quickly when the heat and sun get on it. Be sure the containers have drainage holes in them, air holes in the top and when you put them outside, don't pile them on top of each other. Each one needs to have it's cover exposed to the elements completely. Some pics of my containers I have been using for 6 years A mix of those blue containers mushrooms come in, strawberry containers, take out containers, cottage cheese containers. I use anything that is at least 3-4 inches deep, but do not use gallon water jugs. I just find them far too awkward to use and I don't use tonic bottles either. We rarely drink any and the bottle return leaves no one with any to get them from. Fran

cliff_and_joann, I have no idea what kind of wood the cabinet is made of. I really hadn't thought about staining it, but I have seen oak hoosiers that are beautiful. I bet it would take a ton of work to get all the paint off. The table your husband made is so pretty and I'm amazed that he made it in the 6th grade! Thank you for the sweet words on my wall color. It is called Tanglewood. When I chose that color, my husband said I would hate it because it was brown. I love it though because it doesn't really look brown to me, but more of a dusty grape. Patricia43, yikes on the rice bed! I think they are so gorgeous and would love to have one. It really wouldn't be hard to change my cabinet, but I just remember how time consuming it was to paint it in the first place. Allison, isn't that the way it usually is with our children! Maybe we should have a paint party! Ghostlyvision, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do as soon as it warms up a bit here so I can take it outside. There is not one speck of green paint left on it to try to match to, so I may just have to try matching the enamel on the pull-out shelf. The doors just need to be painted a deeper ivory color (they are a light cream now). Dedtired, I would love to see a photo of your bookcase. I don't think I remember this kind of antiquing. Bronwynsmom, I went through a period during the 80's where I decoupaged a lot of stuff. I cringe when I think of it now, but I loved it back then. Why don't we stop and think before we do things that we'll later regret? I can console myself that the cabinet isn't a fine antique, but still I wish I hadn't painted it.

sweeby, I don't think it's as simple as "durr." One example I look at is a cousin of mine in a happy 2nd marriage. She had 2 kids in her 1st marriage and her husband had 2 from his 1st marriage. They made MAJOR efforts to make friends out of these step-siblings, road trips to Disneyworld, integrated family events, including our big family Thanksgiving gathering. These step sibs are very close and good friends. This same cousin made no such effort for the kids of her 1st husband's 2nd marriage. There are 2 1/2 sibs that you would barely know exist. There were no road trips for them, they are not invited to the family gatherings, when mentioned which is rare they are always referred to as "X's kids" vs. the little brother and sister. So, her kids finally forged relationships with these 1/2 sibs on their own when they became old enough to take matters in to their own hands as teens and young 20's. But by then, the damage was done. Although her kids have tried to get a little closer to their younger brother and sister, it's not the same. Also, my cousin, their mother, has not helped at all. I know several relatives and friends who have handled things EXACTLY the same way. There is resentment towards the 2nd wives and by extension, towards the 2nd sets of kids. None of these "1st kids" have meaningful relationships with the "2nd kids." Now whose fault is that? I love my cousin dearly but she is the BM of this story. She made sure her kids knew and loved the steps because it was better for HER 2nd marriage. She also made sure that they did NOT know their 1/2 sibs well who barely make it under the wire as a brother and sister. BTW, none of these sets of kids bio, step or half were raised together under the same roof.