Ingrid- She does have a potted up band of Lavender Pinnochio that was going to replace an Angel Face that's coming out after 5 or so years. I'll swing that idea by her. The next permanent fixture in that area has a cream colored flower, but there's easily space for a nice sized shrub between the expected space for Dragon's Blood and the cream rose. Sydonie is going to go next to a Mlle. Cecile Brunner shrub in a pink themed semi-circular bed in the back. There's actually a fair amount of Limonium in the pink bed now that I think about it. Some of it could definitely stand to be moved. It's hard to picture a great scheme. Apricots and Purples round out her favorite rose colors -besides russet- do you all think Munstead Wood could pair well? Or even Lady Emma Hamilton? I hear pretty consistently good things about these roses and my mom loves Austins. Even if it's more of an orange, would LEH not clash? The shrub always looks great in picture, but I've only seen one in person that was rather young and not in bloom. Two others she would love a reason to try are Queen of Sweden and Carding Mill. Not sure that QoS would work, but maybe Carding Mill. Thanks for ideas! I need to look into your recommendations Campanula. I try to avoid getting into a monoculture of roses. Jay

Hi Marcia, I have 12x12 honed calacatta marble on my bathroom floor. I'm using 409 Stone cleaner diluted with water to clean them. I also use the 409 on the vanity and tub deck so it makes it easier to have one cleaner. I'm too lazy and cheap to order anything more expensive and the 409 is available at my local grocery store. I have used diluted Oxy Clean to clean my shower floor which is also marble but it's a mosaic and has a lot of grout. I'm really careful with getting drops of Soft Scrub on the marble while I'm scrubbing the sinks but I think I'm going to just use the Oxy Clean mix on those too from now on. Neither product promises world peace but Pledge Multi Surface can clean stainless, glass and is MARBLE safe! I just picked some up and am going to try it out on an old remnant before I start spraying my bathroom mirrors and windows with reckless abandon! Update: Pledge Multi Surface is marble safe (I tested it on an unsealed, honed tile), cleans glass AND stainless. So, that brings my favorite, easy to get and marble safe products to a total of 3: 1. 409 Stone Cleaner spray 2. Oxy Clean 3. Pledge Multi Surface spray Did you save a few tiles to run tests on?

The compost drawer is just a drawer that I put a stainless lidded bin into. Called a "hotel tray" or "steam table tray", you know, like you see in a buffet. The 1/4 table size fit nicely. I will look up the vender, some commercial kitchen supply place, if anyone is interested. I empty the bin every few days or if I smell it. If I'm busy and it needs to go, I just put it outside on the step toward the compost until I have a minute to empty and rinse it. I have a second tray and can rotate them, but mostly I use just the one, wash it and put it back. We go through a lot of vegetables... no fruit flies. The drawer stays closed unless I am peeling or sweeping scraps into it. It is shorter lengthwise than than the drawer (a salad dressing bottle makes a good wedge at the back) and the rim sits higher then the drawer sides, so it is easy to lift out. A black and tan is Guinness floated over a lighter lager. You need a bent backwards spoon to get the pour right. This thread got me thinking I'll need to dig out that spoon again for St. Patricks Day in a couple weeks.

I have polished marble counter tops, tub deck, shower walls, and floors in my masterbath and I use a product made by "Granite Gold". For the counter tops I use the Granite Gold Daily Cleaner, which comes in a spray bottle. You just spray it on and wipe dry with a paper towel or lint free cloth. I do this everyday after I am finished getting ready in the morning. For the floors I use Granite Gold Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner. It comes it a 32 oz. squirt bottle. You just add 2 - 4 oz. to every gallon of water. Then mop, and you do not rinse. It works great for me and it is totally safe for Granite, Marble, Travertine, Limestone, Porcelain, and Tile. I also use the floor cleaner for my porcelain tile downstairs. I purchase it at Smart & Final. I do know that they have all kinds of stone cleaners at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, and the like. I have a tried a few different ones but I like the Granite Gold best.