I do not personally grow Heritage, but there is a church on the next corner from my house that we walk by all the time that has one on either side of its sign. They are beautiful rose bushes, easily 5 feet high but they aren't nearly that wide, closer to 3' I would estimate. Sometimes I stop and deadhead them for the church when I am out walking with my daughter and my daughter now refers to Heritage as the "church rose."

Wow, that must have been something to see. I can't believe he sold it for $1!!! Beautiful house. Thanks for sharing the story. Diane

As a naturally messy person, I would love to agree with the opinion of that article. But even I cannot. It just seems to make an excuse for not trying harder. I am most comfortable with a "lived in" look. Steve's kitchen pic is pretty, but, to me, it looks like no one uses it. So if I were a guest in that home, I'd be afraid to get a glass of water. Even as a teen at home, when I cleaned my room I would finish by turning down the bed covers, laying a book on it and putting some papers and a pen on the desk. Like life was in progress there, then it felt right to me. As a mother, I need a certain amount of organization in the house. But the effort to keep it perfect cannot consume my mind, then I'd be the housekeeper not the mother. When my kids are grown and on their own and someone asks them "Did your mother keep house like a neat freak or a slob?" the best I could hope for would be "I don't remember." I don't want my housekeeping standards to be what they remember about their childhood. I don't want them to remember that it was so perfect they weren't allowed to have fun or have friends over. (Like DH remembers, and no pets b/c they're messy.) I also don't want them to remember it as so messy they couldn't have friends over for embarrassment. So anyway. I'd like to celebrate my messy side like the article encourages. But I know there is a time for both creative messiness and peaceful organization. There is value in keeping both in your life, not either or.

Norma, thanks for the great ideas. I have used a lot of black pages (actually mostly black) and some brown. I've used white for background of letters I have included. I have found that I have done my pages much more simply than most. I like to have only one or two pictures on the page so not to take away from the photo(s) itself. I'm not using stickers at all. I found some great embossed frames from scrapbooks.com and it was the only place who had them that I could find. I have a lot of great old documents I have included in the book, as well. I am having so much fun with this project! I encourage anyone with the interest for preserving their heritage with photos and documents to begin such a project. You will be glad you did!!! I have also really enjoyed this particular forum!