It's called 'slab' forest planting, and why isn't it bonsai? The trees are natural looking, but try to imagine them each growing alone in a little pot. You might end up some of the time, at least, with something that looks like a 'Disney' tree, a bit like a cut-out stuck on to the background, rather than a real, dimensional tree, because without bonsai 'rules' (which, of course, are broken all the time, but only 'well' by people who know them and understand them) a lot of trees would not look good (or natural) at all. When you work with something so small, relative to the 'real' thing, all that foliage, etc. somehow takes on a different perspective. The horizon is not infinite, other trees within visual range do not always 'go' with the first one, placement at anything other than eye level immediately puts it 'in its place', etc. and in the end it may look more natural by following the rules than otherwise - kind of like what the architects of the Acropolis in Athens did... they actually leaned the pillars of the Parthenon inward (or outward... I forget!) by a few degrees, which when viewed against the skyline up on the hill, made it look absolutely straight, rather than otherwise, which tricks of distance and light would 'display'. Some trees do look good matching the real ones in the right setting, but not all do. I know what you mean about the nebari too ('sumo' trees), but while they're exaggerated (sometimes too much), it does make them look older, which is so much of the point in bonsai traditionally.

yes, we do not believe in anonymity here on the gardenweb forums. We WILL find out about you - mark my word! Just teasing!!! " "Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night!" Anyone know what movie that is from?

I've recently looked at the links for the steam canner, and I believe some important information is missing. From years of using it, I have found that when you can whole tomatoes, raw pack, you must allow the canner to cool for almost 15 minutes before opening it to avoid siphoning, which will be severe if you open it too soon and will often cause the jars not to seal.

A summer MBR remodeling project had a domino effect through our home so we are still working on small projects in just about every room. Good thing our home is small, LOL: 1) Get a real door on the MBR. Still haven't rec'd a quote from our contractor altho she thinks it can be done. Figured I'd give her a break for T-day but next Monday I'm going to be all over her trying to get a firm price/date. 2) Repaint the LR and hallway baseboards because we have new LR furniture coming. I HATE crawling around the floor to do this, but it's necessary. I've been putting it off forever and they're all scuffed and dinged. My back aches just thinking about this...... 3) Re-organize one of my storage closets in the DR (I have 3 of them, all small but crowded). Take up the DR rug and roll it up for charity. Use the pad for the LR rug (currently rolled up) because it's a better quality one. 4) Get to the paint store and get more paint to touch up our walls (original paint from 26 yrs ago) and also repaint not only the LR/hallway baseboards but all the main floor window sills. 5) Find a replacement for our current DR table (which I loathe) and all our DR chairs (we use office chairs with arms and casters, super-comfortable) which are wearing out. 6) Hopefully the new LR chaise and ottoman on order arrives in mid-December. Need to find a suitable side chair for extra seating - need comfortable but light enough to be moved around easily. 7) Get my stereo hooked up again - I have been without my CDs for six months, grrrrr. I need more stereo wire, don't have enough as I moved the units to a new location in the LR. 8) Scrub out a beautiful (but very heavy) blue-glazed planter that's outside in the garden, and bring it in to hold a new silk foliage arrangement I bought for the new decor. I just couldn't see paying $100 for a container when I have this lovely planter sitting outside; except of course it IS outside, so it's grungy inside and out right now! I also need to find a little tray to put under it, because it's rough unglazed earthenware on the bottom - great for real plants, not so good for indoor flooring you don't want scratched.