I think you are asking about Persian shield - with the purple leaves? (Strobilanthes dyerianus.) I like to take pics of my plants while they are getting a drink too, separate from the herd, so to speak. Bathroom is often the place! That metal planter thing was right there when I moved here almost 7 years ago. It doesn't seem to have a bottom. On top is leaves that fell off of the tree it's under, too much space between the top of the soil and the rim, catching them too well. I've added some compost to the planter, but a stump in there prevents exchanging yard dirt for compost as much as I'd like, though is settling fast, high hopes for when I inspect again in spring. When frost threatens, I will probably scoop that TC out and squeeze it somewhere into a pot coming inside. The rest of the stuff is hardy, or I've already taken cuttings. There was a lot more to the whole area a few weeks ago. Yes, the plant I showed Wed, Nov 6, 13 at 15:49 has sun hitting it all day. June-July, there was a shadow on it for an hour or so right about noon, but it's been hanging right there since spring.

Annellis, it will get better. Hope you get well quickly. Ann, you sound like you're in great shape. I bet you're happy with how things have gone. My kitchen floor needs mopping, I probably should be doing that right now instead of this. Okay, I'll do it *next*. There. When they announced the hard freeze I went out and cut every single rose and rose bud so there is a nice vase of flowers in front of the mirror. In between the Christmas teddy bears. Gifts need wrapping. There's just the three of us so that won't take long, I plan to do it while dh and dd are out shopping tomorrow. One more trip to a different grocery store for some things I couldn't get at the first one today. I think I'm done with stocking stuffers. I spent some time today baking gingerbread men for the family. Got them iced and here came dd with friends. When the icing hardened I put them on a plate and set them out for them to eat - I can make more cookies for us tomorrow and I'm happy she's comfortable enough to invite her friends here (they're all 18). But you know how that sort of thing sets your plans aside is my point. I love it that she has a living room full of friends watching a movie when they could all easily be out somewhere getting into trouble, know what I mean. I think my main gripe is decorating. I am still in the hauling out the mish mosh phase and I wish I were in a color coordinated phase. I even didn't put out nearly everything we have and the place still gets that cluttered feeling. I need to go through the living/dining area tomorrow morning and just grab some things and put them away. Those Christmas teddy bears - grrrr. You know the stuff that comes home with other family members and it gets saved and saved and saved? Ick. I wonder - will anyone complain or notice if I put them away? But, I am pleased to have time off. Got my mammogram today and need to call for the dr appt. Need to make a dental hygiene appt., stuff like that. Need to pay for dd's dual credit (college) classes by 1/3. And it got COLD even way down here, so I guess tomorrow I ought to go get some covers for those pipes outdoors. Okay, two trips tomorrow: groceries and pipe covers at HD. I'm rambling. I'm in pretty good shape this year and I credit Jamie's Christmas by the Month with most of it, she really helped me get organized - things like family addresses etc. Gonna go mop this floor now. Thanks a lot! LOL

I had been hoping all summer to be done and back in the house by Thanksgiving. I host and cook everything (potluck is a dirty word in my house) for a large family. Then the summer went by without being close to demo because I was still stuck on the kitchen layout. I decided that was OK because I got to really enjoy the time with my 5y.o. home from school for the summer. I didn't want to be stressing about the remodel. We moved out into a temporary house two weeks ago. DH started demo last weekend. The kitchen is empty now and the old brick fireplace in the middle of the house is almost down to the ground. DH hopes to have the entire demo done this weekend. We're doing more than just the kitchen, but the time frame was supposed to be three months. Our GC gave us our final estimate last week and came in too far over budget to continue with him. Many of his subs seems too high. So now that we're (read ME) probably going to GC this ourselves, I'm just hoping to be done by my birthday in April. I can't wait to see everyone else's finished pics! Good luck!

Mine belonged to my grandmother. It was missing some pieces when I got it and so I filled in and bought a stable (also missing). The dog's nose is broken (because I played with it as a child). It's in the dining room as she always placed hers. I have a picture of the set -- in black and white probably taken the year she got it. It's from the dime store I'm sure (I remember seeing them there) and a lot of the pieces are marked 10 which I assume they cost 10 cents. Early in our marriage, I bought a pre WW 2 set from Germany that we used until I got my grandmothers. I stored it for years until my DD had her children and then I gave it to her. THAT set has the memories for her as this set has the memories for me!