Gorgeous flowers Sandlapper/Jeanne! I especially like the purple one. I want to say thanks to my pal, Pastvast/Stephanie! I received a package over the weekend with some really cool surprises! First, Trilliums. Love them! I've really been needing to expand my shade garden beyond the basics and these give me a good start. And second, Skittles. Love them also! I've almost eaten all of them already, I just can't keep my hand out of that bag. Perfect timing too, I just ran out of 3 Musketeers minis so now I've got something new to snack on. And last but not least, Stephanie sent one of her wonderful letters. I really enjoy them and the updates on your life. And you have to keep me updated on that bundle of joy you're expecting! I have no kids myself, really don't want any, but I like to hear about and spoil everyone else's! Thanks again, Stephanie. Both Sandlapper/Jeanne and Pastvast/Stephanie, I want to apologize for being such an e-mail flake lately. I've been so swamped with home projects that I'm not getting much else done. And the last 2 weeks have been especially bad with replacing the deck. But the deck is almost finished (Yeah!) so you'll both be hearing from me soon. :-)

A very special thanks to my garden secret pal, who again this month lavished me with such great gifts. What a heart of gold you have my friend. First off, another beautiful card. I have enjoyed receiving the packages each month, but I so look forward to the cards, they are just wonderful and each month top the month before it. I am posting it below to share with you all a bouquet of cut flowers tied in a pretty pink ribbon, made of pressed flowers on handmade card paper  just so lovely. I received two clematis  or is that clematises? One called fireworks and the other carnaby  I googled the pictures and they are just gorgeous. I have two others planted out at 12 and 6 around my lamp post and one is now beginning to bloom. How neat it will be to plant at 3 and 9 oÂclock -- what a gorgeous mix when they all bloom. Also received  to add to my latest crazed addiction  was a daylily called ruby stella, another beauty. I received Rosella dahlia tubers and some hens and chicks. I have a couple of old shoes screaming for these bad boys. Last but not least by any chance, a plant I totally fell in love with when I visited italy ~~ bougainvillea. I am just so absolutely thrilled over this  the size of that baby WOW! WOW! WOW! You have truly made my day, my month, my garden! Thank you so very much. Also included in my box is a nice sized bar of burt beeÂs peppermint soap and a neat cloth storage bag for plastic bags. What can I say pal but thank you again from the depths of my heart for sending me such wonderful and thoughtful things. I feel truly blessed. Pleasant thoughts are sent your way. continued health and happiness to you and yours.

Well, I typed out a whole message, pushed submit, then my internet went off and I lost it all. GRRR.... ANYway, lol... Diane, I received your package today. She sent me a really big and gorgeous garden statue!! I absolutely love it, thank you so much. It is beautiful, Diane. Here is a photo of it out in my yard: Diane, you have been such a great pal these past few months, despite how crazy busy you have been. And I cannot thank you enough for that. I wish we could've been pals longer, but I am enjoying the time that we have been pals. E-mail me sometime if you ever get a spare minute, and I will do my best to respond. I am still way behind on e-mails to others, specifically Susan, who I want to apologize to for not writing in so long. Seems like there is always so much to do, and so little time. I hope to sit myself down and write a good e-mail to you sometime. By the way Diane, here's a photo of the king frog statue you sent me last month, out on my back patio for now: Thanks again Diane, for such a great housewarming gift! ~Summer

Thank you -- I guess I am kind of rambling here and not getting to the point. Pal I do love the idea of wood verticals, but they are just too pricey . If i was planning to be here another 20 years I would consider but I think we will be moving within the next 5 years. With that, I want to update with resale in mind (and not spend too much $$(. I have 2 points; the first starts with the sliding patio door window treatment. While we rarely do close the blinds, (more for sun than for privacy)I still need that option. I could probably just get new slats to put in the track for the vertical (cause a few have sort of split and fallen off..)but I keep thinking that they just look so less than good in general. That started me thinking that I should consider perhaps some panels on a rod? Then I wonder because the blinds are 80 or 81 inches long (that little recess of course is not at 84"). Then I wonder if I should add same similar panels to the family room. Secondly- I think about how the couches are 10 years old or older, and are uncomfortable to sit on need replacing....I have looked somewhat but there are so few furniture stores any more and I barely see any blue shown though I love the blue...... . I do love the way the blue plays off all the beige(walls, carpet, cabinets etc). all I see when I look is beige/brown (which might work?) or reds and greesn which I dont think I want. Well I think you maybe helped me out here.I am thinking maybe I should just replace the slats in the vertical blinds... and then ask for help on my wall arrangements? But just to show how my brain works, after I semi came to the realization that I might just replace the verticals (because they ARE functional and they do work- I just have never loved them)... do you think a beige/tan couch could work well in here? and or do you think these would work if I kept the blue? (LINDEN PAISLEY in lake mist?) or if I did add panels would you go with a white like the blinds? Or just leave it alone and just replace /renew the vertical blinds? Here is a link that might be useful: lake mist linden?