If you want to look at the Upton Grey gardens as a sort of living museum, the "unnatural" and "time-warp" comments are irrelevant. Many aspects of life as lived a hundred years ago would seem that way today: fashion, social conventions, etc. GJ herself would have been an anomaly, an independent thinker, and unmarried, though she did have the support of her well-off family. As a private garden for even the most enthusiastic gardener of moderate means, it's totally impractical. Could you imagine doing the tennis lawn maintenance she describes annually? In that sense, the time warp comment is apt. GJ was designing gardens at a time when household servants and gardeners were still affordable. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) it was around WWI that social changes in Britain made it impossible to find household help cheaply. I'm struck by the author's commitment to see the project through and admire her courage. She made a lot of mistakes (some of them over and over, inexplicably, like the pond debacle and the repeated planting of cannas too early) but you've got to give her a lot of credit for putting herself out there and risking embarrassment before the stream of gardening bigwigs who came to see her efforts in the early years. I personally don't think I could live with the restrictions she puts on herself regarding plant materials. Her strict adherence to the original plan and plant selections are the only way to give garden visitors a look at an authentic GJ garden, but I'm sure the designer would be using modern improved varieties if she were alive today. Especially with the thugs and disease prone roses. Yuck. Jo

Although I think I'm pretty good at decorating homes, I felt like a novice when I first joined this forum. These wonderful ladies here have taught me a lot and I'm still learning! *My best advice is to look at the photos of different tablescapes in our album and ones posted here on this forum. Find tables that you especially like and then think about why each one works and what you find appealing about it. What do you have that you can use on a similar table you set? * Yes, white is a good base for many different tables through all seasons. You can start with your white dinner plates and then keep an eye out for salad plates in different colors and patterns to add. Once you have some, for example, red & yellow & blue patterned on white salads, think about solid colors that you might want to keep an eye out for in bowls to go with them. Same with placemats and napkins. * Some great places to pick up all this stuff: Goodwill stores, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, consignment shops, garage sales. I've found some especially great bargains at the end of each season, too. Another place I enjoy searching for bargains is Kohls. * For a specific event or season, shop your house first. You can use holiday decs, books, vases, statues and so many more things. A few larger items work better than small items. They make a big, instant impact and impression. Just steer away from too tall items that you and your guests will not be able to see over. * Candles ALWAYS add atmosphere to a table in the evening. Buy them on sale and keep them close by for inspiration. Large chunky ones, tapers, votives and tea lights all work. Unscented are always best for a dinner table, though. * Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Some of the best tablescapes I've seen, here and elsewhere, use items I NEVER would have thought of . . . but they did and it worked! One example was Old Algebra's summer table where she used a replica of a sandcastle and some other related items for the centerpiece. That was a drop-dead wonderful table! But, there have been many, many other equally good tablescapes here, as well. Take a look. * And finally, don't be afraid to try things out at your own table. I promise, there are no Tablescape Nazis lurking around to arrest you! I know that you'll get many more great suggestions from our true tablescape artists here . . . and I'll be reading and learning right along with you! Lynn

Well, I'm in my book club primarily for the socializing! I would read books anyway. I enjoy the social aspect of discussing books with others, and I really like the women in my group. I realized one day that while I had garden friends, and sewing friends, and friends I used to work with, I knew almost no one who lived the same town as me, despite having lived there for 18 years. I knew that the mother of one of my daughter's friends was in a book club, and asked her if they were taking new members. The rest is history, and I'm having a whale of a time. I'm even reading books I'd otherwise never have encountered on my own. Some I like, some I do not, but it does expand my horizons.

Hi Lisa - I've been in a book group since 1995, so we have read over a hundred books. I do try to keep some ratings of the books we read, but I'm not always up to date. And not all the books we've read have been rated. But according to my records, here are some of our favorites - based on how much we enjoyed reading them and how discussable they were (not necessarily in any order): A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving Bean Trees - Barbara Kingsolver A Thousand Acres - Jane Smiley Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood A Yellow Raft in Blue Water - Michael Dorris The Girls - Lori Lansens Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks Some that haven't been rated but were group favorites were: Angle of Repose - Wallace Stegner Because of Winn Dixie - Kate DiCamillo (a YA book) Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri Peace Like a River - Leif Enger To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee Also, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, received a perfect 5 out of 5 from all of those who read it. Much of this is pretty standard book club fare, which is what my book group seems to prefer. The above books were not necessarily my favorites, although I agreed with many of the ratings. If I were to list my faves, they would be (not in any order): Sarah Canary - Karen Joy Fowler (Surprise!) Cider House Rules - John Irving East of Eden - Steinbeck Smilla's Sense of Snow - Peter Hoeg Motherless Brooklyn - Jonathan Lethem House of Sand and Fog - Andre Dubus Montana 1948 - Larry Watson Life of Pi - Yann Martel (close to the top of my list) Each book group has it's own personality, just as individuals do. Over time, you will discover you group's personality and will learn the types of books that work and the type that don't work. Good luck ... and happy reading and discussing.