I agree potted plants are always very vulnerable in this weather. Pots can freeze solid with temperatures only in the 20s while the soil in the ground may only be frozen an inch or 2. I don't think trachycarpus in the ground will ever have their roots completely frozen in our zone, but in a pot it is very possible without protecting the pot as well as the entire plant from the cold. Bringing it in is definitely easier since this is going to be a very long term freeze. We may go 10 days or more without getting above freezing in the next few days with several nights in the single digits. This is definitely the worst winter for plants in the area in a good 20 years and maybe more depending on how February pans out. It's a real test for marginal plants like trachys. Good luck! -Alex

The Miele speed ovens will serve quite well as a microwave so long as you can live without the popcorn/defrost/dedicated functions available with one button push. The unit does have a minute plus button that will, with one push, start the microwave, so you can do a coffee reheat, melt butter, etc. But for more complex microwaving, you need to go into the menu structure to select power, duration, etc. But it is an excellent microwave. Instead of turning the food on a turntable, it turns the antenna! The big charm of the things is that they can convection bake, broil, or microwave, or all of the above, concurrently. There are modes you can dial up that will heat up the oven cavity using the heating elements and then inject some microwaves periodically, greatly speeding up the baking, but with results like the dish was baked in a standard oven. Our speed oven has taken over as the go-to oven in our house for most stuff. It won't do pizza very well (you need bottom heat for that) but for most dinners where you are serving one baked dish with sides, it rocks. Here's the deal, though. If you decide on a speed oven you will have to plan for a 220-240V circuit to power it.

dw's are almost always the same size ubless you havesomething odd, but cooktops....vary significantly. i'd think seriously about something like that and replace it now due to the issues of replacement and changing out countertops (expensive!). on the range and fridge, you could possibly find a width that you want and use filler strips that can be removed later for a diff size.

Laurie, definitely not decorators. And no one around to consult with, only here on GW. My DH was a professional baker but we now both work from home on the internet. Your last post really made me laugh. The doorbell sounds similar to a bicycle bell only much louder because the cover it strikes is thicker. Maybe because we are home 24/7 and see the view all the time, no need to face all seating to the windows. The reason I decided to show you all my romans in the first place was because you just never know who is reading and may decide to tackle it themselves. If I can manage to make them look decent then anyone can. The earlier post and link to the instructions inspired me to at least give it a try.