Shrubs ID'd as Pittosporum. The small spot of a-fern in the first pic here looks easy to dig up. The other spot pictured in the other discussion probably has a lot of roots from the palm, hopefully but unfortunately. I might smother all of that instead of trying to dig, even if I wasn't concerned about slicing up a bunch of roots of my palm tree. It looks like adding anything would raise the level above the bricks. Not a visual problem, IMO, but the runoff from the bed area could stain the bricks, and even move the mulch onto the bricks in a heavy downpour. It looks like hopefully the rain would flow from brick into bed? If so, this is what I would do. Get large pieces of cardboard with no tape, staples (but easy to remove if it has these,) or glue, which usually needs to be cut off. Cover the a-ferns completely, and about a foot out of their area, overlapping well so it can't get through, on all sides that aren't brick or grass. Then cover with enough mulch to cover it and hold it in place. If you weed-wack the a-ferns first, it will be easier for the cardboard to lay flush with the soil surface. After it's covered with mulch, moisten it lightly, then walk all over it, to eliminate any space the a-ferns could use to keep growing. They now have no space or light. As long as this smother isn't disturbed until they are dead, and nothing escapes through a rip, crack, or edge, that should be the end of the a-ferns. I would do this ASAP, before berries show up, then not disturb until after uncovering a small test plot next year. If you have access to some more of the same bricks, I might consider adding one more brick-high around the edge of the bed. Keeping a few inches of mulch saves a lot of hassle with quantities of weeds, as well as keeping landscape from dying in times of less rain. But you don't want to have to sweep it back in bounds constantly, or stain the bricks.

thanks everyone. I know you are all trying to help. I have been through all these issues and questions a thousand times, and I am sure what I have is my best option. If we were moving in the near future, we'd cater more to the "norm", but this kitchen will be mine for years, probably decades. mindstorm - My only must have is the peninsula/seating area, and not having dirty dishes/clean up area between where i prep and cook. the dishwahser where it is, and bringing in a second smaller sink, gets it out of my way. Also, not shown here is a wall of floor to ceiling cabinets with my fridge that will serve as the main storage area. The cabinet above the range hood is quite deep, it goes back into that wall void created by the diagonal wall. What you see here though, is actually pretty close to what we have for storage currently, and the "wine rack" will actually be a narrow cabinet for cookie sheets, the Ikea software didnt have any other option that narrow. david - my farm sink is 24", and the smaller one will only be about 12" wide (the same width as one side of our current double sink).. big enough for most dish cleanup. On the occasion I have something larger (right now only my baking stones which cant be around soap anyway) I can always use the other sink. ideagirl.. this is the one thing that bugs me too, but having it on the other side will bug me more. That is where the dirty dishes will collect, and I dont want "dirty" in between where I am preparing and cooking. I dont anticipate too many times where I'll need both doors open at the same time. Cleanup happens AFTER we are done cooking and eating. Quite often though, my son is emptying the dishwasher while I am prepping for dinner, and where I am prepping (the far right side of the big sink, is on the opposite side of the dishwasher.

LindaB, I hope you're still lurking out there. Though I love family gatherings, my husband does not, so I often go to weddings, funerals, family and friend functions and the like alone. When I arrive, my hosts and their guests demand to know why Hub is absent AGAIN! It's been like this for 42 years. Sometimes I don't want to go because I don't want to face the firing line again, but I always enjoy myself when I do. On the other hand, in the last few years Hub has become a wonderful, attentive host, attending to our guests needs and comforts like no other. He is a marvelous conversationalist in our home, but in someone else's, trying to make small talk, he is extremely uncomfortable. We have several dinner parties and a big bash or two a year. Maybe he's being standoffish as LindaC suggests, but I don't think so. It is who he is. Nothing can change that. I wish I could give you advice on how to handle your family, but I haven't any. Even though I've lived with Hub all these years, I'll never understand his reluctance (refusal)....I love family functions, Hub does not. It's a simple as that. As long as you continue declining with grace, be comfortable with yourself and your decisions and let the rest of them work it out for themselves. Sherry

My handy-man friend has been on the roof since the leaks started and he didn't mention anything looking bad. He notices EVERYTHING! I guess I should have someone come and look at it, but I'm afraid it will be way too expensive for me. We have very little money to spare for repairs, but I know it's important to get them done. My friend has been real busy, and didn't have the time to look at them for me again the last time he was here. Thanks for responding, Pippie!