As my best friend from Savannah used to say, "DIVINE!" Your kitchen is heavenly, such a scrumptious mix of materials and creative elements. You should be a kitchen designer! Your layout looks great, too, and I love how your kitchen opens up to the family room. Your kitchen is one of the most gorgeous ever I've seen, and you're really kind to share photos and sources. Oh, and your two daughters are too cute for words! Congrats on your project, and **please** keep the photos coming!!

Thanks for the comments and replies. You've given me a lot to think about. Florantha: I had actually thought about switching over to just real towels. They have some cute sets on etsy. I might look into that more seriously. Tinker: My ceiling is an old pine ceiling that we filled, primed, and painted. It's been up there since the 50s. Pevo: would I used just the mosaic tile or the noche as well? I definitely like the idea of creating the frame behind the stove. Ironcook: Thanks, we chose cherry counters from Lumber Liquidators. My only issue with them is they were not exactly the same width so we had to sand one side down to match the other which means we had to reseal them after they were installed. Otherwise I love them. I also love your idea of creating a frame. Livewireoak: I do like the idea of covering some of the outlets to the right of the sink. I didn't realize we would have quite so many when we were planning. Eventually a small TV will go there, but until then . . . Flowers n co: thanks for the suggestion. So do you think the 8x8 tile would be ok behind the stove or should we do something a bit smaller? Natal: thanks for the link. I love love love simple human products. I think I will play with the tile and see what looks good. I will post pictures.

jellytoast, Well... We did the larger bathroom earlier in the spring. We did the small bathroom last fall And my daughter and I slipped in a full gut and remodel on one of our bathrooms at home over Christmas break. She did almost all the work with me as the guide. Super fun. I've had just about enough of bathrooms for a while - but we are putting a half one upstairs in a few months. There's none up there now (house built in 1938). We need to replace all the windows in the house, so I'm planning on doing the big, expensive ones in September - if the weather holds. We are in Oregon, who knows what it will be like. I also want to do the pantry. It's just some larger and nicer shelving. And... I'm going to be building some log furniture in the coming weeks, teaching a few people how to do it. Teaching is a lot of fun. Here are a couple of my designs we will build. Right now, I'm building an industrial standing desk for myself. Thanks for asking! Troy

Debra you may have a point about the soil. We know how that can change some colors, i.e., Celeste‘s purples! Maryl, Stardust Dragon has been a bloom machine. It usually has 6, 7,8 or more blooms every day and just look at what remains! And a multiplier as well. That lizard lily was Orange Velvet, looking particularly striking and I wanted a photo but realized lizard was not going to move so I could deadhead. Then I saw that he was molting so I left him to his privacy. And Catapult Sam was a bonus-some people do like those colors. Just not me. I think I told you last year Sweetest Name I Know gets full western sun so maybe it will do well for you. I took that photo around 2:00. Thanks Sherry. Mountain Orchid is quickly becoming one of my favorites too!