My garden isnt nearly as large but the very best solution I've found for weeds is to lay down either a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard before spreading the mulch. In the spring the mulch can be mostly raked aside and tilling done...then plant, place newspaper/cardboard and cover with mulch. By the following spring the newspaper/cardboard have decomposed and can be tilled in. I'm still amazed how well this works. Not a single weed to pull where I use this method. Overlap the paper/cardboard a bit for best results. I've never been a 'dumpster diver' but behind a local furniture store we found lots of clean cardboard. Nice large appliance boxes that are easily cut to fit around plants. This method might not be feasable for a huge garden but perhaps it could be utilized in your most problem areas. It certainly has allowed me to spend more of my summer enjoying my garden rather than fighting weeds :)

I generally leave cuttings in the aquarium until something kicks them out. So, when I get new stuff in, I usually end up rearranging my tanks, pulling out whatever has the strongest performance, and consolidating those who have done less. I used to be really careful about transitioning my cuttings. I would transfer them to room temperature but keep the humidity boosted with bags or a pebble tray, and then move them in with the rest of the plants after a week. I'm a bit tougher on them now, if they are vigorous thick-leafed varieties, and I haven't noticed any bad reactions, although obviously I need to keep a sharp eye on the watering just like any Hoya with new growth. Exceptions: 1. If they are rooting in fall or winter, they stay in the aquarium or at least a clear tupperware until winter is over. 2. If they are a delicate species they stay in the aquarium until they are quite well established. Honestly, I could not live without my big clear IKEA tupperware bins. When in doubt, I stick it in a bin for a couple of months - that way they can keep their high humidity for longer than I can afford to give them premium aquarium space.

This is a fun post. I will say that in my busy working military life, I could get up, shower, shave underarms (daily), legs (3x weekly)makeup (eye shadow, mascara, foundation, powder, lipstick), hair (washed and blow dried, very short), dressed and out the door in 25 minutes. Now, years later, I use far less products and it seems to take far longer. When I was stationed in Spain I could get waxed, from top to toes, for about $7 so I never had to shave of pluck or anything. That made getting ready for work a real breeze. Now, in a typical morning I use: face wash - I use an Oil of Olay-type face cloth. hand wash - Dial Complete on all the sinks, two baths, mudroom, and kitchen. bar soap - I use a liquid soap; DH still uses the bars. :( shampoo - Daily conditioner - Perhaps once a week. hair serum - Never heard of it. hair mouse - No, but I keep a can of hairspray for the 3-4 times I year I might use it. toothpaste - At least five times a day. floss - Yes, but should more often. mouthwash - Listerine; twice a day for gum protection. shaving gel - Ha! The few times I shave I use shampoo. deodorant - Kept in both bathrooms and the bedroom. Wherever I dress I'm ready! body lotion - Rarely, but more so in winter. foot powder/or lotion - Gold Bond all over. face cream - No; but Mom says I should. foundation - Very rarely; 2-3 times a year. blush - I'm taking treatments for Rosacea so I'm good on the natural blush! LOL powder - Very rarely; 2-3 times a year. eyeshadow - Very rarely; 2-3 times a year. eyeliner - No; never liked the look. mascara - Can no longer wear. lipstick - Every day. I love lipstick with colour, but not the pale, dead looking non-color most gals are wearing now. I wear earrings daily, too. I love lipstick and earrings. And that's the daily stuff, add to that the occasional: hair coloring - I stopped coloring three months ago. I'm liking the "salt and pepper," heavy on the salt look! tooth whitening strips - No. nail polish/ base coat/top coat - I cut my nails as short as possible and push the cuticles back once a week. When I worked I kept them short and polished with a pale pink color. I did it my self. I do get medium length dark red gel nails for the Christmas season. nail polish remover - No need cuticle cream - No, but about every four months I'll get a manicure that does not include polish or false nails. They just soak, trim, work off the cuticles and do a hot wax dip. hand lotion - I keep bottles on each sink

This is the kitchen that has been in my brain for at least 10 years, and here you have gone and done it perfectly!!! I'm going to Pinterest the bejebbers out of it as inspiration photos for the coming renovations (as soon as I finish all these pesty bathrooms!). Seriously, I have wanted a 4 oven Aga plus a module for ages. I already have the full 601 fridge & freezer (so a little bigger than your Subzero.) And I plan to put a big barrel hood over it all. And you have a big island with not huge aisles! And you have soapstone! I really think we're channeling the same frequencies. I'm totally in love with your butler's pantry! We didn't inherit one, but I may use the cabinet sliding door idea for the walk-thru pantry I'm planning. It solves my problem of a tight space and not really wanting all open shelves! Ok, I'm off to study this kitchen more deeply! Truly, I know this reveal is several years past now, but wow just the same! Great job! Always ;-) Hunzi