The Eucalyptus in the second pic is still going strong - even through all these frosts. So is it a perennial for you, or is it maybe in its first winter. I was just reading some about some hardier varieties that are tolerate of temps down to 10 degrees or so. I know I'm a sissy rose grower. I'm going to be bold and try some "real" roses soon. I don't think of Knock Outs as being for sissy rose growers...lol. Maybe you need to lighten up on yourself. Also in the third pic screaming at you up from the front - crepe myrtle - cherry dazzle from the razzle dazzle series. Boy those are so cute. I was reading about those today too, and see they would not be hardy here. I'm a lavender lover too. It is often hit or miss here though as to whether or not it will return. I 'might' have cuttings to some in the spring once I see what has survived if you might be interested. Your golden forsythia is amazing! One day, I'd love to trade you for a cutting or two:) Chances are there are numerous ones out there that are rooted when they touched down to the ground...maybe even branched some by now. Would gladly send some if/when you are interested. I also have a dwarf forsythia that only gets about 3'tall, but spreads sideways. It does not bloom so well in the spring, but I like the narrow leaf foliage and the fall color really well. Cuttings are available on that one. Here is my no name crepe myrtle. It only gets about 8' tall by 8' wide. This year it bloomed, and the blooms faded and then there was a second flush of blooms. I had never had it do a double bloom like that before. Sue

Here is a picture of my veggie garden. I have raised beds made out of recycled pavers. Here is a link that might be useful: more pictures of my garden

Houston..Guess what? I felt the same way about my figs! I had a couple and they are not as sweet as many rave them to be to me, and I let them fully ripen. I was told the older the tree, the sweeter they get. Oh I hope so. Mine are only about 2-3 feet tall. I hope someday to get a VERY sweet one. Keeping my fingers crossed. You can have the cooler weather.lol It's depressing to wake up 5 days out of the week with cloudy skies and temps below normal. I get enough of that in the Spring, Fall, and Winter. Our summers are shrinking while just one state away they are boiling. Strange I'll say! Protect your trees for sure in that. I hope you have a pool. Josh! Well, would you look at that! Holding back for one of the best? Very very nice. Will you be separating them anytime soon or let them grow together like a mini forest? They look pretty good together like that. Are you growing them for fun, or for eventual fruit? I love them. 46 degrees! Well, I thought my weather was cold. You must still use some source of heat for those cold nights, or at least put the windows up. Wow. Well, I can understand why certain plants may be an issue for you there. My weather is much warmer than yours, but still I have a problem with some of the plants you mentioned too. But despite them odds, what you grow still seems to relish in your care. Good work. 68 this a.m. and light drizzly rain. It's breezy and feels like fall. I think our hot summers of past have all but disappeared for good:-( Mike

Have you checked the Finished Kitchen Blog? You'll see some great ones there. I love Cali_Wendy's wooden valance over her sink. You can do a search for it below on this page or use the more reliable Google search if you can't find it here. There was also a thread not too long ago about WT (window treatments) in the kitchen. You might search for that too.