Saypoint, Locating plants for plant culture considerations, rather than design ones, might help make it look more natural and less "planned". Would you still plant using groups or colonies of the same species plant or would that seem too contrived? Also, including some of the same plants that you are already using in adjacent areas will add unity and avoid the possibility of making the berm so different from the rest, that it stands out even more. Of course that makes perfect sense which is of course why my first inclination was not to repeat using any of the surrounding plantings! Would you randomly stagger plant heights? Thanks jant, I don't think I have ever grown Aruncus but I do like it's "woodsy" feel is it well behaved?

Jim, They are in nest building or nesting mode depending on how lowg they have been there. When the females start nesting they go for much longer periods of time before feeding and when they do come to the feeders it is very quick and then straight back to the nest. This will continue until the eggs hatch and she can leave them a little more often. I keep my feeders up but only use 3 to 4 ounces of nectar to a feeder. Today I was gone to our area plant swap and they must have been a little more active this afternoon now that the weather has turned nice again as the nectar level in all the feeders is noticably a bit lower. Penny

I hope you're still checking this string -- Chase said about Quebec what I'm going to say about another part of Canada not too far from you: Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. My husband and I went there on a summer vacation several years ago and were quite pleasantly surprised at how much like it felt we were in Scotland -- they don't call it Nova Scotia for nothing. It sure didn't feel like the US. Halifax is a terrific city, too. We flew up and rented a car and drove all around Cape Breton Island. Plus, it will satisfy your husband's desire to be near the sea without it being beach-y. We did go on a whale watch, though, and that was a blast. It'll be cooler than Florida in August, too, and no hurricanes. I've just suggested it to Thing One for his honeymoon -- they are thinking about scaling down their plans (Italy), too. Congratulations on being in the home stretch of law school, and welcome to the club! I don't know how "mature" you are, but I bet you found it to be an advantage. I was only 5 years older than most of the other students when I went, but even that was helpful. That's nothing compared to my mother, though -- she was 70 when she started! She went to a 4-year program, too, but when she realized she only had to take a couple of summer school classes to do it, she finished it in 3 years. My partner called her "a block off the old chip" -- but the truth is that not only are my brother and I both lawyers, so are her brother and most of the cousins in both generations. It seems that sooner or later we all end up in law school -- and she proved it, didn't she? Have a great time on your trip!

bl I will hold you to it please do post photos...as to the frittata...all you do is scrub yellow or red potatoes and dice them...saute in EVOO and add diced red onion and bell pepper. Salt and pepper. Pour over beaten eggs and top with grated cheddar or your favorite cheese...top with thinly sliced Roma tomatoes. Run under the broiler till bubbly. I just make it up as I go along and use whatever is in the fridge. Sometimes I add mushrooms etc. It all works. For us I use 4 potatoes and 5 eggs...need to be sure the skillet can go under the broiler. Also we have 1/2 left for lunch tomorrow. Here are pics of my day...we have an auction at our UU fellowship every year . We offered a pool party. Here is a pic of the fantastic Sangria ! I got it of off NYT dining. It is a great recipe ! I can't stress how good and easy. I will link recipe on next thread if yo want it :) We had home made tortilla chips, and guacamole and salsa...all DH and I made black bean salad and he made the burgers and I made mile high Strawberry shortcake...what a night. They were here from 6 PM till 11:30 !! I also am baking my bread for a local farmer's market. Here are 2 loaves of Oatmeal bread for a customer. Old tried and true recipe. Molasses and brown sugar and soaked oatmeal . If you are interested it is an easy recipe. Will link it too...we just need to start the next "slice of life". I sure have loved the pics of the babies and everyone's sharing of their pieces of their lives. Thank you for coming together here on GW. c