Y'all are so sweet. My goodness and what cool photos! I love putting old stuff in my garden. Its a container garden in a little fenced in courtyard. I have old tarnished silver oval platters hung on the wall like mirrors, and I buy old salt and pepper shakers for cheap at antique or thrift stores or on vacation and put a wooden skewer with a paint chip stapled to it in one of the holes and use them as plant markers (Go Sharpie!). They're nifty and some can become pretty cool little garden statues with a purpose. And they're two for one technically! Plus they're cuter than plastic sticks and gives you something to do with all those pretty, colorful (and often waterproof) paint chips you have leftover from that one project. I think putting different items in your garden or among your plants is kind of like jewelry for your garden. Gives it character and makes it fun to look at while you're waiting patiently (or not so patiently...)for the seedlings to really fill in and become plants. Like the post Marcia! Thanks, Sarah

Luvs, no, she would just admire a nice setup, but she would not understand my need for multiple "looks" LOL She thinks that there was a switch of babies at the hospital we are so diffierent in our personalities. The only problem with that is that we look exactly alike, so there goes her theory. I'm sure she feels she "failed" somewhere along the way. LOL She always said I had champagne taste on a beer budget. (Well that part is true LOL) Don't get me wrong she always set a "proper" table, but it just never varied, the pretty things(china/crystal she owns has been in the china cabinet for years, never seeing the "light of day" so to speak. LOL She had a beautiful table crocheted many, many years ago that she had asked a very talented friend to make, it has never graced the table, because "it might get ruined...." Oh well, she has other great traits though. (smile)

jae_tn, I not only remember those handles, I have one. If I remember correctly, Most of the Blue Cornflower Corning Ware IS stove top safe. Check the bottoms, to be sure. And I, too, do frozen vegetables in the microwave. In casseroles like the one shown, No water, just whatever seasoning I like. My microwave has settings for frozen and fresh vegetables. For frozen green beans, I use the frozen vegetable setting, Let them set a minute or two, Then cook them another minute. They come out tender, But not over cooked. Come to think of it, I use my Corning Ware & microwave For just about all vegetables. Rusty

Owlface- Sorry for the delay..I had assessments as well as observations made for a longer then expected day! I too am in Minnesota...Orono--- Here are 2 pictures....they are NOT any means suitable for framing! Taken just for posterity sake :-) As you can see we went with 36" white Shaker, full overlay. All the cabinets came finished on both sides. All soft close. We have yet to finish the fine details-crown molding, some kick toe fronts and couple end fillers. We did get all supplies, parts/pieces from Cabinets madeEZ just haven't trimmed everything all out. I have to select some hardware---having full overlay door fronts make it a real challenge to open without-I really thought that would be my last thing to have to decide on...I am not diggin anything at our local big box stores. Make shift counter tops are TEMPORARY! plywood by the range-real high class! Although my DH did paint the plywood black to get idea of having black counters. The opposite side a $30 remnant from Menards but I do have running water in the kitchen...better then making coffee in the bathroom! I am found your post by looking for advice on granite honed vs leather. At this point thinking I am going Black Pearl/Black Absolute with the leather finish. Going to make on last run to a new granite yard I just heard about tomorrow after school. I have looked at granite suppliers in Plymouth, Burnsville and New Hope. Why not even it out with a trip out to Rogers?? Have you decided on counters yet? Have you priced them out? Hope this helped...If you have suggestions on granite or hardware please share I am getting a bit crazy with this remodel!