Buehl, it makes me feel like we are on the right track getting your stamp of approval. You have been very instrumental in many of the changes we have made along the way. I like it that you will tell all of us here that need layout advice what might work better etc. Thanks for pointing the trash/DW issue out because I want to get it in the right place - I've read several threads where others wish they had placed it elsewhere. Thanks for including the measurements of those items (is that pretty standard depths?). Please correct me if I'm wrong. Since the trash and DW aisle width of the bases would be 48", the countertop depth shouldn't we a worry, should it since they are under the countertops? Wouldn't it be best to keep the pull out where it is especially when the DW is open too. We could scrape dishes and place them right into the DW with only 2" for yuck to drop through (would 2" be too close in your opinion?). With the trash pull out directly under where I would be prepping might be awkward I think having to step out of the way to discard items. What do you think? Another alternative was on the right side of the sink. I don't like the idea of scrambling around a sink and someone else needing to toss trash. Plus I think loading the DW wouldn't be quite as smooth though. Is there any concerns with a trash pull out below a drawer as far as smells go? It seems kind of gross but maybe it isn't. If it can smell sometimes I may opt for the sink and just contend with the ackwardness. I understand your concern about the venting as I realize that's very important for many. Except for occassional browning meats, we dont' fry. I recently purchased my first splatter screen (and I'm 50+ y.o.) for those browning moments after hearing about the yuck on GW. We're purposely leaving a back door for us to change our minds easily.

Mary, for not feeling well, you sure can cook a good meal! :-) Soon the surgery will be over and hopefully you will feel so much better. I'm fine--just restless like I should be doing something (like cleaning the house). Raven, I'm so glad your mother enjoyed her party so much. It sounds like a wonderful family affair and I bet you had great food, too. What is hot boudin? Your description at the meat market made me want to grab a cooler and head west!! Shirley, it's nice you can cook a few times and get so many meals from your efforts. I ask Harry for suggestions for this coming week's menu and he always says the same thing--"I don't know". Well, he'll know next week because we're eating out of the freezer all week. Needs it anyway, but I sure wish he'd give me a clue once in a while. Thanks, Sue. Might as well make extra while you're at it.

I notice we're all getting into the fall/winter meals. It was a hot and muggy 87 degrees out today, so pot roast will have to wait. Around 6:00 the skys opened up and we head a heck of a thunderstorm. LOTS of rain, too. We needed it. Azzalea, didn't you make your own applesauce? Sure would be good with the roast. Monica, we love salmon. Never thought of a sauce with wasabi, but we like that, too. Funny how that heat doesn't bother me but a jalapeno will just about kill me. :-) I love asparagus, but Harry doesn't think it tastes like much. Did you know the proper way to eat asparagus spears is with your fingers? Yep--'cause Martha Stewart said so. Nicole, you had another feast of a dinner. Pure comfort! Carol, did you roast the vegetables along with the meat or in a separate pan? I'm getting hungry for rutabaga and carrots roasted together with potatoes. My, you made me hungry again.

Been busy all day today. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Started at 8:00 a.m., cleaned the upstairs, took a break at 10:30 for breakfast and watched T.V. until 12:00 then spent the next 5 hours cleaning my closet. The walk-in was beginning to be not so walk-in-able! LOL Went grocery shopping at 5:30 because I decided to make a couple extra things for tomorrow night (Wine and Dine Christmas party here). I picked up some ham and potato salad and was going to make ham and cheese sandwiches but when I got home DH was already heating up some left over Chinese so I just had a fried egg sandwich on an English muffin. I have a little cooking to do for tomorrow night plus I need to make some appletini's and some cosmos.