Thanks for all the compliments! Here I wasn't sure if purplemoon would covet the bunny or the gnomes. he-he Although knowing her, she might have those gnomes too. Actually I got the gnomes last year at the end of summer and was using them to pose on the top of the vase so you could see what the top looks like. Walgreens always carries some adorable gnomes and little figurines that are usually 2 for $5. The Restore (Habitat for Humanity resale stores) are great for buying tiles and grout for mosaicing, hardware for decorating birdhouses and the like, old sinks for water features, wooden shutters, glass ceiling light shades for mushrooms (or garden ladies' hats), old windows, balustrades, paint brushes ... and that's just the stuff I can think of off the top of my head. Ours also has old furniture and cabinets. I have looked longingly and some old cabinets and bathroom sinks thinking they would make a great potting bench. The only thing they price ridiculously there are their lamps. I saw a blue lamp that would have made the perfect base for a gorgeous totem but they wanted $20 for it and then it would have been 1/2 off but $10 is still too much for something like that. nonacook, I know what you mean about the dollar store things. I often see little figurines that look like dollar store finds at the locat thrifts and they want 99 cents or more for them. Our GW can be high too. You have to watch for sales. Our local GWs have a discount card you can get for free. They send you notices of sales or discounts you can get with your card. I have to get to GW before the end of the month to use my 25% off birthday card they sent me. My favorite second hand stores? The junky ones in old stores with low overhead and no frilly display racks and shelves. But I agree, rummage sales can be the best buys. Just takes a lot of lookin'!

Just a couple of follow-ups: Kelly-oh, Purplemoon, et. al: When I read the printing compliments to my grandson and got to the part that said, "for a 4 year old," he suddenly perked up and said with a big smile on his face, "That's me!" Daybees: Concerning the screen name - I'm a retired algebra teacher. Luna l f, Nail Bird's stump is the original stump he was mounted on long ago. It's lost a lot of it's bark since then, but it weathers nicely. I've tried looking closely to figure out how the back was made, but can't. It seems that there are more and more times when I say to myself, "Why didn't I ask him/her about that when I had the chance?" Again, thanks for all the compliments. Sure makes a person feel good.

Janet..thanks for sharing your gardens. I hope you can take some of your beautiful iris, hostas, columbines, etc. with you on your move. Yes, junk "evolves"...thank goodness! It will be a new challenge for you all...starting over! And your creations will be wonderful! I live near New Hartford where so many people lost everything with the tornado and then the floods this summer... 240 homes out of 270...many that NEVER flooded before. We are in the country so personal property not affected by the floods. We are helping "re-build" our town again. School will be opening on schedule Aug. 18th. So many volunteers still coming in! AWESOME! I've rattled on...but I am so glad you shared with this post...a story of more "survivors!" Thanks again for sharing. Jeanne S.

I also got the Logee's catalog but haven't opened it (not that I don't want to). I'm beginning to look around at all of the houseplants vacationing outside, and how they've grown. Then I look at the indoor living space where they'll winter over and I try to control the panic. It's going to be crowded in here! I will NOT buy another cane begonia. No, I will NOT! And the Christmas cacti! My ancient one (of several), bloomed last Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, and then Easter, and Memorial Day. It missed the Fourth of July by one week, then rested for the summer. Looks like it's about to set buds again. I will NOT buy another Christmas cactus. No, I will NOT! Maybe I should shred the catalog. Claire