Morning all, It's chily breezy and 31 degrees out here this morning. I can't type because my hands are too cold. It is amazing to me that I used to be comfortable with the furnace set at 62. Now I'm freezing at the same temps. Extra fat really does keep you warmer.~~So never assume you are so fit you can't get muscle pain. The charming exercise Steve had me do for the abductor and gluteus max have me so sore I can hardly walk this morning. He is so going to do that laugh of his when I tell him he is a terrible man.~~ Doug and I actually practiced our dance steps last night. Doug went and put on the shoes he wore for our lessons and we finished up with a couple very good turns. Woohoo! YOu can teach old dogs new tricks. LOL~~ Shopping was a blast yesterday and I now have a nice selection of winter tops that fit. This is a good thing. The best find of the day was a really neat sweater I found at the Liz Claiborn outlet that will go well with my hostess skirt. I'd been wondering what to wear with it now that it fits and pouff the solution jumped into my shopping bag. Eden, that is just awful about not having any hot water. I'd be pretty cranky without my shower.~~ So sorry for Megan's difficulties. That must be so difficult for you and Brad to see her struggling like this. ~~ And that doctor's office being closed! I'd have been frothing at the mouth if I'd driven 1/2 hour to get something and the receptionist didn't tell me the office was going to be closed. I sure hope today is a better day. Chelone, love your kitties! Cynthia and all with water heater problems, Thank you for reminding me to talk to Doug about replacing ours before it springs a leak. We've had this one for a very long time now and I'd rather fork over the money for a new one than risk having it leave my studio in a foot of water. Have you seen those alarms that you can put on the floor around your water heater that are as loud as a smoke alarm? They have sensors that detect water and can alert you if the water heater springs a leak. Brenda, 11 pounds of Bavarian chocolate??? Holy mackerel! Sounds divine. I order chocolate covered pecans from a place in Georgia that are to die for. Doug wanted to open up the box last night and I had to put my foot down and tell him not until Thanksgiving. He'd eat his way through half the box by next Thursday if it was opened. I also get pecan 'turtles' from them and their mixed nut selection that has macadamias in the mix. Yum! Hopefully my gallbladder won't explode on Thanksgiving. LOL Marian, I can't believe it has been colder there than here. How strange you have had nights in the 20's. Is that unusual for you this time of the year?~~Right now I only have a very few orchids in bloom here. I have a very small phalaenopsis that throws 'babies' and it almost always has flowers on it. I should pot up one of those babies for you as it now has about eight of them on the plant. Won't be able to send it to you until spring but it will be getting established. I've given a couple of them away so far and my friend and sister really love the plant. GB, those photographs are stunning! I hate snow this early but the pics are a real treat. Woody, you'll have to let me know how the cookies turn out with the dates and extra spices. I quite like dates and was thinking I'd try a batch with them. I also want to make a batch with the dried cranberries. Canola oil would be a good substitue for the butter. I try to keep my fat grams under 30 a day which is difficult so I have to skip the fat even though it makes them taste better. Doug really likes the recipe with the golden raisins. Yes, this is a lot of fun to experiment with recipes. I've been doing this for a while to accommodate my dietary needs and it is getting easier as time goes by. I've been having a couple of these instead of half a power bar for a snack and they really do take the edge off my hunger. OK must run to the gym. Have a great day all and I hope all those struggling under a 'bad-luck-bugaboo' have a better day. Later all Deanne

I have 2 of the smaller two shelf ones and this one. I use them as shelves on the porch for clustering smaller potted plants- I like to start plants and there are always some that fit on the shelves. The 2 shelf was a gift from someone who also didn't want to use it as a greenhouse. The smaller ones are about 4 years old - I've even picked up good for plastic paint so I could paint them easily all set up. I used the cover for a bit on the big one (1/2 a season) but it gets so hot here, I took it off by May that year. I recall your blog saying yours blew over - mine are against the house on the porch, so they don't move at all. Here is a link that might be useful: mists and enchantments my blog

Oh gosh, I'm sorry! I keep forgetting most areas don't have summer kitchens. Most homes that have a summer kitchen are old. This house was built in 1850. Back in those days, without the luxury of moderen heating and AC, some homes would have two kitchens. In the winter they would use the kitchen that was located in the house so the heat from cooking would help keep the house warm. In the summer to help keep the house cool they would use the summer kitchen. Some are attached off the back of the house and others are seperated by a breeze way. Now days they seem to become junk magnets.lol Mine is seperate from the house as you can see in this photo. BTW that is a before picture. I have since cleaned up that area and painted the summer kitchen. Foxy.

I agree with David above me. I purchased a home that has them installed. It looked like a great concept. Well then the cheapness shows up. All the plastic sliders break. They want $45 for one vinyl piece. Just had a big windstorm and 6 total sliders failed, the ones that hold it to the tracks, well than the windows fell and 2 windows tore. This is good in concept, but I would never install this product. Now I have noticed the track is starting to shift, meaning the slider falls out more easily. The only good thing is I am now darn quick at replacing the sliders.