Thanks, Ink. Few people offer a verbal sketch with their photos. I'm trying to imagine the arch, in particular, and I'm wondering how your picture fits with Nandina's comments above "1. The garden photographed is probably mature and has been edited by the owner numerous times to achieve the desired 'look'. Or, the garden has been designed by a skilled hand that knows how to combine hardscape, texture and color." True on all counts, I'm guessing? Well-editted, maturity, intentional design. "2. When viewing a garden (or interior design) picture you will note that the photographer has moved some element (statue, flower pot, bench) into the foreground of the picture which stops the eye for a moment before seeing the entire picture. Go though a garden magazine looking for this feature and you will note that those photographs where this has been done appeal most. It is also an important landscape 'trick'." Curious? What's in your foreground? I'm picturing you putting that apple tree in for the photo, or the arch? I'm being silly, of course, but I think Nandina will forgive me. I know she's right about the staging of photos for the garden magazines. What I'm really marveling about, you sly creature, is the use of a photo, a static form, to express the transient and ephemeral, while at the same time making your debut with a forum pic. Kudos! Wellspring

Well, Denise, when gas gets cheaper, come ahead! Mari, for some unknown reason I don't have much problem with weeds except for one particular one that has tiny leaves and grows flat on the ground out like the spokes of a wheel, kind of burgundy/green colored. Hate those things. I had milkweed plants until the catapillars devoured them, and they have reseeded everywhere, but I'm pulling them while they're tiny. Most of my beds are bare dirt, too. I can only figure the horse manure compost has something to do with it. The green arbor came from KMart and was originally white. I painted it with my house paint. Maman Cochet's trellis is made of 2x4 and 1x2 pressure treated lumber. I regret using the 2x4s for posts because one of them warped but hasn't caused any problems yet. My roses have had a leafless summer. I'm too new at this to know why. Grasshoppers? Heat? I've been feeding monthly. Finally, Fay came and gave them some cool temps and lots of rain for a week, and they have perked up & greened up. But, my goodness, if roses in Florida need 8+" of rain in a week to keep them green, I'm in trouble. We had a good rain a couple of days ago, and I took the opportunity to give every one of them a gallon of alfalfa tea. Hope they like it. I'm even going to give them an occasional dose of MiracleGro. Probably should get a soil test, because I think I don't have enough phosphorus in the soil. I didn't use any when planting because I read that it was bad for the mycchorizae. My circle of grass is dying and has been a bear to keep in bounds, so I'm going to replace it with dwarf Mondo grass. We're required to have a lawn here, so that'll be it. I considered synthetic grass for a while, but I'm not rich. I could show you my ugly roses but I'll spare you and me the depressing images, but I will show you the side of the house where the tunnel is going. Labor Day weekend I laid the timbers to terrace the side yard which had a big slope to it and put down most of the mulch. And I planted E Veyrat Hermanos that will be my "tunnel" rose. We bought the six 4x4x10s last weekend. Waiting for cooler weather for construction. Then in went Gen Schablikine and Maman Cochet (bush). I left Iceberg where it was. Didn't have the heart to dig it up, but it may be in the way. I'm about to start planting roses on top of each other, cuz I still have 18 in pots. My, my. Come to think of it, I could give Iceberg to my neighbor which would free up a spot! Sherry

Hi Caligal, Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us! I am admiring your pendant ceiling lighting - may I ask the brand and where you purchased it? I've searched the web and haven't stumbled on anything similar.. I'm currently planning my own IKEA Kitchen and the photos of your kitchen have really inspired me. Thanks so much!

Today was the potluck luncheon and I'm just in and checking the KT. T'was a hit and what was leftover gals took home some for dinner tonight Sharing my mom's aspic 4 cups V-8 juice **use tomato juice 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon cider vinegar **used white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon grated onion 1 tsp teaspoon salt dash of Tabasco sauce **Used Franks plus 1/4 cayenne pepper 1 cup finely chopped celery **left off celery and olives and used one cup of shredded imitation crab meat 1 cup sliced stuffed green olives 8 romaine or leaf lettuce leaves mayonnaise for garnish In a large bowl combine cup of the V-8 juice and the gelatin and let soak to soften. In a saucepan, heat the remaining V-8 juice, add it to the gelatin and stir till the gelatin has dissolved. Add the Worcestershire, vinegar, lemon juice, onion, salt and Tabasco. Stir well. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill until the mixture is slightly thickened. Add the celery and olives and stir until well blended. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish or eight individual molds, cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm. Serve the aspic on lettuce leaves and top each portion with a dollop of mayonnaise. Mayonnaise I sprinkled with dried basil