Do you have a lot of bunnies and deer in your area? You may not see any in your own yard because of the lack of foliage, but if you've got a deer population, you're going to have some trouble. We've got TONS of deer where I am, and they will eat anything we put in the front yard (they can't get into the backyard!) But, if deer are not a problem, I suggest Hostas. These are perennials, they're pretty hardy and roughly maintenance-free. We've got a bunch around the yard and we planted them there at least 10 years ago, and probably have not done much since planting them other than feeding once in a while. The rain provides enough water. However, when we tried putting them in the front yard, the deer munched happily on them. Same with the lilies, even though I was pretty sure deer did not like lilies (or maybe the bunnies ate the lilies?). Black eyed susans are self-seeding, and quite strong too. If you want a few smaller flowers for cutting, snapdragons are very attractive and provide a nice burst of color, and depending on your zone, since they are self seeding, they may come back in higher numbers the next year, and so on. Iris is a very nice choice too, as it is a fairly sturdy plant and does not require too much maintenance. I suggest finding some bearded iris rhizomes online right around now, because they are late summer/fall planted. There are a number of very attractive "rebloomers" that will bloom in the spring and again in the summer, which is always nice. Deer won't eat them, and they're nice. However i'm not 100% positive 6hrs is enough sunlight for an iris, but it might be. (iris experts, chime in!) You might want to consider some kind of wild flower seed. check online (i always buy my seeds and bulbs from americanmeadows.com and they do have a section, IIRC, for what seed mixtures are best for each area of the US) as these can provide a colorful splash to your garden bed. If you're looking for spring time color, invest in some daffodils. These are totally maintenance free, other than planting the bulbs. They take care of themselves, you don't have to dig up the bulbs, and they will multiply over the years. Any spot is okay for them, though they do prefer a little bit of shade, and so your 6 hrs of light is perfect for them. If you're looking for some border annuals, petunias are a nice choice, as are portulaca. Portulaca is much easier to take care of though--you really don't have to do anything other than plant them. With petunias you have to make sure they don't get too much water--and if you get a lot of rain, they're going to rot and get moldy. (though this is the same with most plants, i suppose)

Thanks everyone for your input!! My biggest problem about posting pics-which I am dying to be able to do...is that I don't use a computer-I have msn/webtv. I need to go to Photobucket & see if webtv is capable to do this. Since I posted this thread-I have come down with a painful case of pleuresy (sp?)-but as soon as I am up to it-will check out discussion boards on 'how to'. OH..if you hop over to the KITCHEN TABLE, one of the gals did post photos of this awesome headboard/footboard for me. The post is titled the same as this one..(Need Your Suggestions). I PROMISE..(if my unit is compatible)..that by Monday I WILL be posting pics-tee hee-you all will probably say "Oh no..not MORE pics from Sharon"!!

Personally, with brass throughout, I'd leave it alone. Brass faucets may be a bit much, though. We sold a house 2 years ago with all brass door and cabinet knobs. Some of the light fixtures had brass on them, but the ones that did only had touches of it, not an on overwhelming presence. When people were looking, it didn't seem to be an issue. I suppose it's really hard to give advice, though, when I don't know how much or what styles you have. Ours was a clean-lined daylight rambler from the early 1960s and the fixtures and knobs were simple with clean-lines, too. We updated any lighting that was dark (bad center fixture in the kitchen), cheap looking (the $5-range hall light fixtures), or overly detailed....Toned things down to be bright and fairly modern without calling unnecessary attention to themselves. But even if the new ones had metal, it was brass to give continuity. I hate the sound of trading marble for granite tiles! Can you post a photo? Is it really that bad? A lot of this depends on your local market and what else is available in your planned price range.

I think you and I would be great friends! Animals and travel .... I am so envious about your trips to Laos and Cambodia; I was denied entry into both and thought about sneaking in (on the back of my then-boyfriend's motorbike) but then, luckily, realized I was being incredibly stupid! So I've never been to either of those places. (This was back in '91-92 when the political climate was quite different.) The MA I did in Viet Nam (in conjunction with the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, though I only spent one semester in Moscow) is in International Policy; my PhD (which I did in Japan) is literally Philosophy, although my specialty is Political Ethics. Ha ha ha!!! I know, good one! I did one other MA in the US and Switzerland (another joint program -- TESOL Curriculum Design); my BA I received in France (Astronomy / Art / Slavic Languages & Literature). Spending so long in Asia I feel part-Asian (of course esp. now living with a Japanese fellow and speaking a Japanese-other languages patois with the children only adds to that), yet I remember forgetting how different I look from them. I am v. fair with blonde hair, blue eyes and a three-dimensional face (let alone my figure!), but living in various parts of Asia for so long, surrounded by Asians (although in Tokyo I had a good number of fellow-foreign friends) I gradually thought of them as my mirror, forgetting how different in appearance I am. (culturally I never forgot -- I'm a touchy-feely hugger and when I say "yes" I mean "yes," not a duplicitous "no") I remember riding the train out of Tokyo, up into the countryside and a caucasian couple got on the train. I noticed them right away, thinking "wow! foreigners!" forgetting that I look just like them! I'd forgotten that I wasn't a part of the whole. (a concept at the center of Japanese society) I can remember that as if it were yesterday, and it must have been back in '97 or '98. It took me nearly a whole year (no hyperbole) to find the right CKC breeder for us, and we had to kiss many frogs. I did a lot of research on what to be aware of in the CKC and, with the help of my DVM brother, put together a long and detailed list of questions to ask the breeders. There were only two I found who would answer them, and only who answered them completely. They, providentially, also had a long list for us which I thought was fantastic! I knew they were my kind of people: they don't just sell these puppies. They recognize that animals are living, sentient beings and deserve to only be in a loving, responsible and ethical home. They won't release the puppies' registrations until they've received proof of their spaying / neutering. I fell in love with our breeders and love keeping in contact with them. I really appreciate what you wrote about unethical / irresponsible breeders ... it breaks my heart. The families of the animals you take care of are so lucky to have you as their pets' guardian.