don't like the merge much. I always found GW folks very helpful while Houzz is full of designers and builders modeling their wares (eye candy) and who often have no data on the items in the photos - you see lots of remarks such as "the owners bought it, I didn't keep the file, I don't recall but you could look at color X which is similar, we built that custom so contact us and we'll tell you how many thousands it will cost to have one just like it - - etc" or in most cases don't even bother to answer. I think if they post a photo to advertise themselves they should be required to list the appliances, main fixtures, paint color, and things like countertops that were used. That would reduce a lot of questions on Houzz and make the photos more useful. I depend on the knowledgeable people on GW who actually have experience with these things for reviews and opinions. A bunch of user names got changed in the merge which was not helpful. I'm attempting to use the forums again and I hope it improves. Chickadee I hope your health continues to improve. Welcome back!

Slightly OT but still kitchen related. Last summer I started watching a friends son on the weeks that he had him. His dad doesn't really cook so every week with dad is a different restaurant and every week with mom is some variation of frozen fish sticks and french fries, etc. Last summer I started teaching him how to cook and I am so proud to say that since then, every time he is at my house he asks if we can cook! I am watching him again this summer; he just turned 10 a few days ago. He mentioned this morning that one of his favorite dishes is fettuccine alfredo. I didn't have any fettuccine in my pantry so I improvised. Here is a quick shot of my stove being used to the max while teaching this wonderful and enthusiastic boy how to cook. We had rotini cooking, broccoli steaming, chicken grilling and we were starting the roux to make the alfredo sauce. I love seeing this excitement in a child and sharing my cooking knowledge with him!! My hope is that here in a year or two he will be cooking his dad dinners so they don't have to eat out every night!! Just had to share!!

What I miss about the old Houzz (not just talking about the Gardenweb forums) is that they used to have more variety in the products featured. If you clicked on Ranges, for example, you'd get everything from Hotpoint to La Cornue. Houzz was not trying to sell you things. It was more useful in terms of planning a renovation, IMO. Anyway, Houzz has been going downhill for quite a while. If you guys start a new forum, I'm in!

I also am having pictures that dont translate well anymore. It is fuzzier and when you click to enlarge you no longer get the whole picture you saved. This used to be my favorite site and my Architect and builders would log into my account to help me but it is hobbled now. It also takes forever to load a picture and navigate. Please go back to the O G! We miss you Houzz!