Ang, I love the jewelry you've made! You are one busy lady. Marcia, I'm with you, I think the computer may be my biggest hobby......the internet is way toooo addictive!lol I started looking around the house for things I've done that I would consider to be a hobby, and I've come to the conclusion that I do a lot of dabbling with different things. I'll do a few items of something and then move on to something new that I've discovered!lol But, I do seem to have a Christmas theme of sorts going on: Here's a couple of Christmas swags I've done. Last year I painted holly on quite a few of these goblets and gave them away for gifts, but of course, saved a set for myself.;0) I've done a bit of cross stitching here and there. Made a few tree ornaments over the years too. These cinnamon dough ornaments still have a bit of scent after 8 or 9 years! I sewed and beaded my tree skirt. A couple of years ago, I etched some snowflakes onto 4" square glass, and made them into coasters, but I gave them all away. But I did keep this candle holder I etched. I've painted on wood as well. And I even made my own amaryllis pots with clay cut outs, ribbon and paint. The table underneath them is one we made and I tiled the top. It was made the right height to sit in front of the living room window for plants to enjoy the southern exposure in the winter. Every year, I make my own table centerpiece with evergreens from the yard. I also make one for my mom when we go up there for Christmas, as well as a pine wreath for her. Now for some non Christmas related hobbies. I've done a few plexiglass paintings. This is the bamboo one that I did last winter. Last year, I made this sign out of barn board, and it's hanging in the kitchen over the sink. I've done a number of silk arrangements over the years, this is my latest one. Now, the direction I seem to be going is, in redecorating my home, so I've been re-designing some furniture pieces that were no longer needed or were a bit out of date. So this is a picture of an old microwave cart that we didn't need anymore, but I re-designed it into a bar cart, with the carpentry help of my DH too.

Hiya, Looks like you really have your work cut out for you. It might be really helpful to visit some established gardens in Vegas to learn more about what really works down there. I visited the Gardens at the Springs Preserve when I was at a Landscape Confrence 4 years ago, and have remained on their mailing list. I can't belive the scope of classes, tours and demonstartions they offer, it's absolutely wild! It is under 4 acres and is very walkable, and everything is well i.d'd Looks like it has been established at least 10-12 years, so you can see some nice, fairly mature specimens. I believe it is sponsored by the SNWA(S. Nevada Water Authority.) Reno needs to catch up I'm afraid; we have a botanical garden at Rancho San Rafael park, but its pretty feeble by comparison. Larger than its Vegas sibling, but less info is disseminated.Maybe things will change w/ the new director Bill Carlos who recently came aboard. Here is a link to the Gardens at the Springs Preserve: http://www.springspreserve.org/html/gardens_visitor_information.html I don't know what the topography + architecture is like at your parents new house (probably a stucco ranch, flat as a pancake?) but you might want to introduce some mounding with some rocks/boulders. Quite a few interesting gropundcover and perennial plants will enjoy growing in this type of situation, plus it makes it easier for your folks in that they don't have to bend + kneel so much. Also investigate container gardening (on a separate drip zone). I saw some really cool planters in Vegas, that thrived in a patio setting. Some were very elaborate and had ornamnetal grasses combined with different annuals that trailed out of the pots.Very luscious! Good luck in your gardening adventures down south! Here is a link that might be useful: Gradens @ Springs Preserve

I have grown cherry tomatoes before in small containers with plenty of fert and water they can make a ton of fruit this is a test on the bell peppers in these containers but I really think they ganna work if I just dont let the water table dry up and Texas heat dont get them .Here is a pic of my upsidedown cherry tomatoes that are out grown my in ground same day planted tomatoes. Never stop trying new things I was once told that dill wouldnt grow well in only 1 cup of dirt I grow tons in less and it grows better than my in ground dill. Angie

My name is Elana W. My site is in my front yard next to my neighbor's driveway. The site gets full sun. A downspout from my house is pointed in the general direction of the site, and a downspout on my neighbor's house also directs water to the area. The site slopes ever so slightly, to form a subtle depression. Miss dig came out to flag underground wires for a different reason, and now we know where they are for our garden too!