On my computer that clematis looks blue with blue-purplish edging. One I might like to add to my garden. I will look for it when it's in bloom this August. Sometimes plants in public gardens have markers that are hidden behind foliage but often they are missing or were never marked. It's been a few years since I have gone to the Japanese garden in Como Park. Is that the only clematis growing there? If not and you can describe the location you might be able to call or e-mail Como Park and ask for an identification. This is a good time to visit the Como Conservatory and see their spring flower display. Think we will go this Friday or Monday. I will look for a marker and/or ask. Also, try posting on the MN forum. Maybe someone there has seen it and can identify it for you.

Marty (missouri), I've put a link here to the pattern for the signature quilt. Since I'm going to be working with my mom and sister on this project, and we want to get it pieced in a day (yikes!) I'm cutting out all the foundation blocks out of 6 1/2" muslin squares, and am using 5 1/2" squares, sewn on the diagonal, for the side pieces. It will give us 1 1/2" for the siganture. I know there will be waste, but this is the easiest way for my mom (84) and my sister (who has never quilted before). I am using patriotic fabrics, in blues and reds and the pattern will form x's and o's (I'm gonna call it Hugs and Kisses). The quilt will be made prior to the reunion, and everyone at least 18 will sign it on the front at the reunion as a family record. The quilting on the front around the blocks, will form a grid on the back of the quilt. Each year, I will write the year on one grid block on the back, and everyone in attendance will sign it within the grid. That will give us over 20 years worth of "who was there". I will take the quilt to the reunions every year. Don't know what I'll do with it then. I haven't told anyone but my mom and sister about this quilt...it's gonna be a surprize for everyone. The reunion is in August. Caroyn- Your new sewing room to be is just awesome!! It's great that there are shelves in there already! Hope this year goes by quickly for you! Here is a link that might be useful: signature quilt block pattern

Wow! The problem, from my perspective, is that maybe you've been TOO kind and giving. They are using a form of emotional blackmail to get what they want, maybe because they find it works for them? By that, I mean they are not sincere in being kind to you... they are looking to get what they can & since dad has nothing, they EXPECT it from you because you have been so generous. For whatever reason, they are using that tactic instead of sincerity. Their actions show no respect or even liking you or your DH. When your DH tells them how to behave properly, it sounds like they may know but don't care since they don't change their behavior. My uneducated guess would be that they harbor anger & resentment for their mother leaving... and they may also resent your DH for whatever reason (since I have no info on why that may be) and they have learned to use the guilt people feel for their situation to benefit from it. It almost reminds me of generational welfare families... they expect the government to take care of them but they don't necessarily like the government & want the government to stay out of their business but keep on giving them the money & if they don't get an annual increase or the amount decreases, they get angry or blame the government for their kids not being taken care of when the truth is they should not have had kids that THEY couldn't take care of. I used to see that train of thought all the time and it was partly to blame for my interest in sociology & behavior. My advice would be to cut them off. They are well into adulthood... and have husband's & children. If they can be so snide as to say "we have kids and jobs, and husbands you wouldn't understand.", which is a not so subtle or backhanded insult/jab, then I would simply use that as my answer next time they ask for something... "I have a child to raise & YOU have a husband that can/should help you with YOUR family". And your DH needs to back you up or better yet, HE should tell them this & keep YOU out of it. You are not their mother and YOU have NO responsibility or obligation to them. It is tough love on your DH's part because these "kids" haven't learned how to stand on their own two feet but they have learned to lay on their backs to make kids that they will probably use to garner sympathy to get you or DH to give them some cash... nobody wants a grandbaby to go hungry or possibly become homeless. They won't learn to ride a two wheeler (LIFE) on their own until the training wheels (YOUR MONEY) are removed. I know that when I was in my 20's and my dad told me "sorry, can't help", I had to figure it out. I was a single mom with 3 kids and no husband... not even a lazy one to help while I worked 2 jobs. (and no child support) He would offer to take in my kids and give me cash for birthdays & holidays but I also never had that entitled attitude. It was made very clear by my parents that I made decisions. I made my kids. I was a grown up. Period.

I think it might work great, but white is tricky since the white of the countertop won't exactly match the white of the subway tile/cabinets. A very light grey would be probably be easier to match, although I don't know if that color scheme would be as timeless as all white. We ended up going with no backsplash (!!) and just the light grey walls. But I love an all white kitchen - and I think you might have the not-quite matching issue with most countertop color options (unless you go with a darker counter, I guess).