I saw the response to your post on the Container Forum but I was wondering if you might try involving him in your gardening? Maybe give him a pot of his own to take care of. He can plant some sunflower seeds or something that sprouts quickly and you might even eventually be able to put him to work "helping". ;-) Start 'em young I say!

Resin is quite the conifer expert. I think it would be best to acclimate them to some natural cycle. I find my garage gets dark enough and cool enough plants in it go dormant so you don't have to suddenly throwing a tree which has been in a 70 degree office into a 10 degree night. My guess would be 3 weeks in the garage then bury the pots in the garden some relatively warm late January day. Let us know how things turn out! Could be a great find if a few live for ya.

Work_in_progress, my tree is a Saratoga Spruce. I really liked the shape of it and while I could go taller in that room that particular tree fit into the place I wanted to put it very well. BTW, if you do need a new tree go out and take a look at the prices of the trees in Hobby Lobby. Yes, they do have them out already. After you've looked at the prices of those trees (and you pick yourself up off the floor) the Balsam Hill trees will look even better to you. Prettier tree at a much better price. (And no, I have no relationship with BH aside from being a very satisfied customer!) I think I'll probably leave the tree in the living room until Christmas. DH will be traveling a lot this fall so we're not likely to want to use the formal living room until about Thanksgiving. In my family we traditionally put Christmas trees up at Thanksgiving so, it's OK if it's sitting around then. (And shoot...if I do wind up giving a dinner party it'll be friends. I'll explain and they'll understand. I can't move it into a spare bedroom without hauling it up a staircase so that means pulling it apart.) Stinky Gardner thanks so much! I guess I need to go through my "house" photos and change some out. Both my Dobes passed away in the spring so I only have one dog now, Jovi the Border Collie. Belive it or not, alone creats much more "mess" than both of my Dobes did together! I do "cheat" a bit. My formal living and dining rooms are babygated off. Dogs are only allowed in by invitation. For the most part, the dogs tend to hang out with DH and I so if/when I tidy up after us I wind up tidying up after Jovi too. :-)

Bodica ...you are a wonder...I was looking around trying to see what you see...wow...it is lovely to have "new" eyes. I am sorry to say that the fp in the foyer is the only one that has no fire. The chimney had to go when we opened the attic for living space. It wasn't workable anyway. The other 4 we use all the winter...even in Alabama:). They are all gas inserts...Victorian. We have the LR one and the DR one and the one in the kitchen and one in the MBR. You saw that we opened the attic space in 2002 and added 2 bedrooms and a bath and great room and office area w/ bookcases. It is 1300 zq ft up there and 2700 sq ft down...lots to clean ! Mr Abbott built the house in 1890. He was the first photographer in Opelika and took many pictures. Unfortunately his widow cleaned out and threw away EVERYTHING when he died. So so sad. All that history lost. The whole 7 block x 7 block area is a registered historic district. There is another on the Southside of town that is growing and changing all the time. The individual house is not registered though. You saw the Photobucket album by now I am sure. There are tons of pics of the area in there for Christmas and the porch tour we have and then the Spring pics I took as well as the kitchen remodel and the evolving gardens...I am struggling with those:). You are too too sweet. I really appreciate ALL you have said as well as all the others. The piano can't be over there as the window shines on it...tuning is affected with 5 min of direct sun. So I will take a pic and show you all what we did. Also got a wonderful centerpiece bowl for the DR table. Moved the china cab and then put it back. It looked funny in the front corner since the mantle is there and sticks out...anyway I think it works. I now need one more wonderful piece for wine glasses etc. Needs to be light wood and rustic sort of or painted wood. Maybe a dark yellow...rubbed old painted finish...anyway will have to "shop" which I don't like... gracie you are so kind ! Thank you. I looked at the cord covers...35.00 !! Are there some that are not so "fussy"...I want smoother or rougher fabric...does that make sense? I'll post pics in a bit...I am fixing a huge dinner for DS1 and DIL as a house warmong for their new apt. THANK YOU >>>>C