This is it's third winter in the ground. The previous low was 14 degrees and it did fine. This winter has been different in that we've had extended periods of below freezing temps. It's 28 degrees here now and tomorrow's high is not expected to break 30. This is the "big one" we've been expecting for years. Guess we'll see what comes through. Ironically, I have a grafted key lime on the unheated front porch that is throwing out a new flush, and it only gets up to about 50 degrees out there on a sunny day.

Oh yeah Tom - that seedling is a knockout. Forgot to mention THAT. dur. Here are more pics of PP - which I find very Diamond Dusted. Miss Ellie has more photos of her too... Lavender Fantasia has most of her Diamonds on the edge. But I got some crazy eye zones. This flower doesn't look her best, but the eye zone was fantastic. Some of her first flowers... And beautiful, huge scapes:

cinnamonsworld, I can't get a photo to embed right now but here is a link to my bathroom photos. I'm very pleased with the quality of my bathroom faucets as well as the classic, clean look of them. Not all brushed nickel finishes look the same and this one is lighter than some I've seen. Does NOT show water spots :) It's by Jado and the series is 'New Classic'. I had my plumber remove the aerator and the stream of water that comes out is like that from a water hose. No, it doesn't splash AT ALL! I've actually had people comment that they like how the water comes out (lol). It has a high arc. Can't stand those faucets that you can barely get your hands under, much less your face. This style handle makes turning the water on and off much more comfortable for older hands :) not to mention easier to clean. Best price I found (3 years ago) for Jado was plumbtile.com Good luck, Monica Here is a link that might be useful: Nicely Made Sink Faucet

jbwebb, I see that you are Cote De Texas owner. (Nice to meet you. ;) As I am one of the ones who paraphrased you, I feel compelled to respond. First, my post was coming from a very tongue in cheek place, heavy on the snarky side toward my own windows. I've bemoaned these windows a few times over the years here, this post is not the first. But on the bright side, they are keeping the cold and snow out this morning. That is a great deal to be thankful for, so won't complain too much. You didn't make me feel bad about how my own windows are dressed. I can do that without any outside assistance. ;) I hope I didn't make you feel bad about your comments. Wasn't my intent. (There has been a recurrent theme in discussions here lately about 'rules', and that made it's way into my thoughts when posting above.) So combine the rules discussions with my wonky windows and it's an arena for me where most rules (prefer 'guidelines') simply don't fit. As I was typing the comment 'My windows are like the Road Rules Challenge of all windows', I wondered what someone like yourself would do with them. (Not a blog follower, but have visited a few times via Home Dec.) But I'll be honest, when I followed the link above to your blog, I stopped after the first ten or so photos, because they were all grand. And I thought what I usually do when I look at a grand window: beautiful, stunning, would be great to have all that light. And then I tuned out. Because it's difficult for me to glean practical information I can walk away with and use. To a designer, a grand window is probably the best canvas to work with and showcase their talents. Some here can emulate those looks and pull it off. But many can't. Either we're window challenged, the window is a challenge, or both. I gave your blog a second chance just now, went back and scrolled through all the photos. 3 times. ;) Once beyond the grand ones the size scale dropped. (Still, all are large and nicely proportioned on the wall). Lo and behold, I might have gleaned something. I first saw what you labeled as a "DON'T" (and I agree, tried it long ago, returned it). Rod/ panel high on the wall, white window frame, woven blind inside mount. (But did see a discrepancy further down when a designer did the same thing under the "Do's".) Anyway, you mentioned on the homeowner's DON'T example that it would look better w/woven blind outside mounted and just behind rod, so it covers both wall space above window and white frame. (There was one of those aforementioned 'slap myself up the head' moments!) Why didn't I think of that?!? Now that might be something I could pull off. I'm part way there in one room. FR w/ 8' ceilings. Panels are raised to the ceiling. I took a scarf that matches a color in plaid panels and make one swoop across the rod, just to cover the gap between rod, painted wall, white window frame. Scarf tails are hidden behind panels on the wall area. Successfully hid most of the window/wall contrast, but it's still visible from a side angle and bugs me. Plus I'm tired of scarves. Because of extra height it brings the excessive wall space below the window into better proportion. But that's a low light room with furniture near windows that distract the eye. Upstairs in full light where nothing is near/below the window I don't know if it would work (will have to photoshop test it). But woven wood blinds I've tried have minimal clearance. So if they're going to tend to hug the wall, how does one overcome the 'hump' of the upper window frame when the woven blinds are lowered? (When I close blinds I leave panels stationery/open. Even tho I always install enough width to be able to shut them, it's just what I prefer to do.) My other challenge window is my picture window. It's 112" long, but only 48 high and takes up nearly the entire wall. I got it as close as I can, but walked away in frustration. It's not hideous, but it's not 'right' to me either. So every time I walk past it I cringe. I did say "it works for me", but that doesn't mean it's gratifying. I still yearn for something more refined, more finished. As long as I have lived here I have wished for someone (Southern Living, Traditional Home, Martha when I liked her, or hey, now how about you!) to take on this challenge that so many of us face. But the catch is the grand window is not a contender. The huge windows in uber chic settings has been done so many times and doesn't have a lot of practical application for so many of us. There are a lot of us readers/consumers/subscribers kicking around that don't have massive windows nor the massive budget to dress them. Just average size in average size homes but there is something goofy about them that just creates a major hurdle. So I'd really like to see a designer tackle our Challenge Windows in various shapes and sizes (short, squat, tall, narrow, sideways and too high like mine) and show us what they've got. An entire article devoted to Wonky Windows! There are a lot of us who have done the best we can but are still left feeling frustrated. An article like that with photo layout would be refreshing and rewarding to see!