Clump birch often lean. (Botann, this could be one tree that grows a couple of side trees, very common for some Birch, even in the woods where they grow naturally.) I can post a photo of mine and you will see the lean is pronounced on 2 of the 3. So far as the limberness of the tree, I think botann nailed it, too much fert when it was grown. This not only makes it suceptible to ice, but wait until a thunderstorm with cross-winds come through. You know all those nice long branches at the top? You will see some of them handing down alongside the trunk, broken but not down. Since River Birch lose their leaves pretty early, snow is rarely a problem. However, rain on the leaves adds weight, and the flimsy branches can break when the wind blows. Birch are fairly brittle trees. Where in PA are you?

Thanks you guys!!! The check was in the mail yesterday and I deposited it this morning! They didn't reimburse me for shipping costs, only the items but I'm surprised I got anything at all really! I do find it funny that they think it's reasonable to still pay for their service when it failed and leaves you paying shipping for broken items! haha! Andrew - that's another thing that gets me - either just sending it the "scenic route" or when you pay for 2 or 3 day shipping and it doesn't get there in that time. It's so strange they can charge for a service they don't have to fulfill. I am truly grateful I got the item costs back though!

Man, I'm drooling over your Asian Plum Sauce! The others look good too but that plum has my mouth watering. The cookbook's going to be fun. Please post the recipe for the spud candy... I really like the triangular, hand-painted plate. We've seen a wonderful sampling of great crafts in this swap. It's been my fav category. Enjoy, Alison and Great Job, Katie! Tricia

Katie, your house is waaay cool. I live in a house about 10 years older than yours, and I'd like to share what I've learned: The dark wood molding, with its many imperfections, has grown on me in the year we've been here. The dings that drove me nuts a year ago are now character and patina, and I NEVER thought I'd see it that way. I have had great luck with Farrow and Ball colors. Dorset cream in living room, mouse's back (unbelievable color, you really have to see it with the old wood to appreciate it) in the family room, and light stone in the dining room. I also have farrow's cream in the hall and stairway, but i think it was a mistake; dark wood can take much darker colors than you think, and they all look several shades lighter up on the walls. There seem to be a lot of strong opinions about custodianship, which may or may not be off-putting to you (disclaimer: I've got a foot in the custodian camp too). But look at it this way: from a resale standpoint, as the years go by, a well-maintained older home with original details will pull ever and ever higher premiums from buyers, so you will reap the rewards of your "custodianship" in very tangible terms when the time comes. So, to me, self-interest and good custodianship actually align. Also, you will sometimes save money while you're living there if you have chosen period appropriate finishes, materials, colors, and decor: because they are timeless. I was over on the kitchens forum, and people were moaning about their "so-80's kitchen" and how to make it less dated. If you do things to the original decade of your house, they will never look dated: only timeless. You will never need to redecorate when styles change unless YOU want too. Now that's freedom! Finally, I found, and you may find too, that the styles appropriate to your house grow on you. When we bought our house, the first thing we did was remove the bronze statue from our newel post so we wouldn't clock ourselves when we moved in. We NEVER intended to put it back up, and almost gave it away to a neighbor. Well, it has grown on me, and I look forward to the day that I put the other "lady of the house" back on the newel post. (Dh would probably tell you are days that he wants to screw my b... on there--naw we usually get along lol!) So, enjoy!!!!