I talked to Edith (another butterflier here that has a yard full of A. clematitis) to see if she had seen any PVS's this year, and she said she had several chrysalis's hanging under the garage eaves, so I should be seeing some soon. This year has started out verrrry slowly, though, due to the temps. Congrats, MissSherry, on your pipeVAN load of pipevines! LOL! Susan

-Tom, if you do a quick search on this forum you will find some old threads about 'Chocolate' flowers. One has pics I think. There was also one on the Perennial Forum a while back that had a really great long list of plants. There is a chocolate basil too I think. And it might be fun to grow a 'Chocolate Cherry' tomato in the bed or in a pot nearby. Don't forget Eupatorium 'Chocolate'. Berlandiera lyrata is a Rudbeckia like flower that has a strong Chocolate scent (I don't grow it myself). There are also a collection of "coffee roses" that have tan colors and (to my eye) brownish tints that might fit into your scheme. Rosa "Hot Chocolate" for instance. Here is a great article on coffee roses: http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/main11.10.00.html I can think of a few more 'Chocolate' flowers, but I don't think they would grow in your zone (can you grow Columbine??) CMK Here is a link that might be useful: Berlandiera lyrata

I'm beta testing a service that let's you swap the DVDs you've already seen and are done with. It doesn't cost anything  you just pay the postage for the DVDs you send out and someone else pays to mail the DVDs you request. When you list (not mail out, just list) 10 DVDs they give you your first credit to request a DVD you'd like to have. Then you get another credit to make another selection for each DVD you mail to requesting member like yourself. If you'd like to be in the test group, email me at LAutreRainey@yahoo.com with your email addie and I'll link you to the testing registration site. I've got 4 link ups to share.

Rory et al, I may get the zebras or leopards for somewhere in Maine, I do have a crush on both now! Jinx, We did some more sanding, almost done. I'm itching to use the liming wax. We painted the base but that looks pretty much the same to the casual observer. I did finally hear from a stone yard with a really nice soapstone remnant. But it's $800 with the labor and IMHO it makes it less flexible; it stamps it as K or garden table. We placed it back in the K to get a sense of how it would play, and the raw wood works very well - i dare say even better than the old zinc. Anyway, here it is in the garage. My DH walked into where I was today and said "I like your new pillows." I nearly fainted. You know men like pillows the way women like Lazy Boys; not. So go figure. I've not decided for sure, but the HG are such a steal and add a little needed softness but have wide appeal. They have very Magnolia, Studio McGee vibe which I think works, albeit in a basic way. I did visit a second HG today and found nothing worth trying at home in the pillow department. I explained to them that a blizzard was coming and it could be two or three days before I can get out for more pillow shopping, but there is no secret stash in the back. At least DD found a bunch of stuff to buy; the HG gene is dominant. Arapaho - fun fact. The bench seat is not upholstered. You can lift it up. And if you did, you find things stashed underneath, like extra paper products or maybe, once, half a salted caramel brownie that had hardened to a pumice stone consistency. My DH pulls the fabric tight and ties it a knot underneath! I take it off and wash it from time to time, so this works very well. It is wedged in so stays in place. Anyway, I never noticed how it runs ... but that is a function of the fact that it is not pieced. I don't want to change it because being able to take it off and wash it is a godsend. Eld, nope, still got retro cords hanging. There is simply no wall space to put switches. It would be a big project. I've warmed up to it. KSWL, At first I thought you meant my DH was my AA! Ha! My best ever administrative assistant, who worked for me over a decade, was an ex-Marine. : )