Lars, what a great and unique package and theme! I have no doubt that Diane will be enjoying all of it for some time!! MQ sent me some homemade spice blends a few years back and I loved them. I love the card that you can plant for wild flowers. Very cool!! David

So you really can't use them all? Those are some gorgeous colors. I like the one you like, the Embellished Blue and my second choice is Gulf Wind. However, I would definitely defer to those who are suggesting it will be possibly too vibrant in the whole room. Really the one lindy photoshopped which in your sample thing looked kind of dull (relatively speaking. how can turquoise look dull???), in the room looks quite nice.

I am so glad I was able to drop in this morning...I am still laughing! Paintingfool...your story reminds me of my visits to my in-laws before they had indoor plumbing. I was very pregnant over the winter and the "facilities" were outside and not heated. Do you know how many times a night a very pregnant woman need to...and when you actually sit down the seat is so cold all bodily functions stop!....so glad when the "facilities" move inside. Luv...so glad when your identity was revealed, but ya know I kind of thought that you were the one with the big smile in the pictures you posted...and such finds. The children with the dog looks really old...is it? How I wish I was some place warm...it is 22 degrees out and ice on my pond. I spent the last 2 days re-organizing my other "interest." Lots of written material that needed to be updated and but into folders....that done, today is house cleaning day and maybe this afternoon I can start some new projects. Have to tell you this one: I wanted to paint some wooden trays. So I clipped some pictures for my hubby who makes me anything I ask for, but for once I didn't actually give him a definite size........my error! The first tray is beautiful but small - that's OK - I can paint small and the tray is great. The second tray is....... well..... huge! It is 26" X 18" and gorgeous. It looks like a very old tray with a divider handle in the center, with a heart as the handle. So......after diligent thought (very hard for me) I believe I will stain it and................DH suggested that I put my gardening tools in it and keep it on the potting stand he made for me. Think that might work. But I really want to keep the antique look to it...anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking about a redish stain but also want to show wear. A solid stain will still look new and sanding the edges doesn't really age it. It would be nice to use an all in one seal, stain and finish, but wouldn't I have more control over the color if I use a sealer, then the stain and then another sealer? Ah! the challenges of life! As to where I live; I would love to move! Because of our flood of 07 that isn't possible. Prices here are rock bottom...this was the first time ever, ever, ever we flooded but that isn't very reassuring to prospective buyers. Our home is for all purposes brand new but we still have to say - we flooded. So unless we want to take a loss, we wait! As to flooding again...I will not say never again, but it was the "perfect storm." And our two bridges acted like dams, lots of trees and logs came down river and we flooded. No bridges now and when they are rebuilt they will be in different spots and with no supports or forms within the banks of the river and much higher - so no dams. And I really thank all of your for your concern..IT IS REALLY HEART WARMING! Closing this chapter...happy painting! Belle

down I can't spell this morning