We are getting off the topic, but I remember the lush yard of my childhood w/ all the clover and watching the honeybees, and the exciting days when we would take the honey out of the hives... I planted clover and I wish all the weedy grass would go away! (No neighbors are going to care here as our lots are set in the middle of woods, and we are out in the country.) My clover has had a tough time (doesn't like sand?), but there is one low-growing weed that I am encouraging as it does not need to be mowed. No mowing is my goal. As for my clems (many of which you all enabled!), they are doing fairly well. I was most impressed w/ Arabella- the best bloomer! I have mostly watered from my rain barrels this summer and it is not very satisfactory because the sand soaks up the moisture so fast (great for watering pots and small areas though). I too have to figure out where to plant the ones I stuck in pots in the spring. Most are going into the rose garden (if the roses don't make it maybe the clems will). I have planted several to climb up my deck railings. I know there is a lot of controversy about adding soil amendments, but I am with the other readers who see the fence as a prime planting ground. Maybe someone who knows more about amendments could help out? I wish you the best of luck in finding them a good place, and would appreciate it if you will wish me luck as well. Thanks, Brandy

I found an email I could cut/paste so here it is... Hi - I can't recommend the Bertazzoni I'm afraid. There are a few details posted on the 3 Bertazzoni threads with issues I have had. (Obviously those seem to be gone) Mainly, the delay feature in starting the range. You have to hold the oven door open, push and hold the knob and wait for ignition. This took us about 18 seconds each time to turn on the range. (While holding the door open and the knob down) Also, I never had good results with the oven. The temp was off and it never was quite right. I never could get results that I have had before from other ranges on standard items. (service was out twice and we were deemed "normal" for operations purposes) Also, the oven area is quite small on the 30" range. The space used for the storage area makes the oven smaller. We had the 4 burner - 30" range. Many posters have 36". (And, I know many are pleased and don't seem to have the issues I had, or it the operation of the oven doesn't bother them) I know there are quite a few that are pleased with their ranges, but I was not. I would suggest looking at some other models. Also, try to see one live. (You just can't know until you SEE it - at a minimum download the user's guide from the Bertazzoni site that outlines in detail how to start the oven) There is no way you can understand how this range works without seeing it on. I would not order it online, as I did, because I had no recourse with the issues that I have had with it. (I did write to Bertazzoni and go no response from the retailer, the distributor, or the manufacturer. Since it was such a hassle to use my husband wouldn't use it, my aunt (cooked w/gas all her life!) wouldn't use it and my son, who was just learning to cook wouldn't use it. Also, the cooling fan runs all the time whenever the oven is on. It was very noisy. (The American and a few others Wolf, Blue Star, and not sure of others - let you turn the fan on/off....many do run if the oven is on) Oh, the temp doesn't go that low - I think 275 is the lowest (we use warm sometimes) and the temp knob has very few markings so it is a guess of where you really are on the temp guide. If you can see one, you will notice this. Good Luck, Let me know if you need more info. Hope that helps, but I wouldn't recommend the Bertazzoni.

Trader Joes is where I find it, and our TJ's is so busy that I feel pretty confident that they turn it over quickly. "That $%^@# Big Box Place" that I hate to admit going into but can't seem to completely avoid did have it in their ethnic food section a couple months ago. I didn't buy or try it, so can't say how good it was or wasn't. They allegedly send anything that's been on the shelf more than 90 days back for credit, so chances are it's relatively fresh. I've also seen it at Raley's (a regional chain) and two of the local chains who are trying to market to "scratch cookers".

mindstorm, I've never seen that site before! It has some great photos. Neither of those is exactly what I'm thinking of but share some of my ideas. If I Can get on the computer at home tinight I'll try to post the two photos I've saved that I really like. sarschlos, thanks, that makes sense. In my case I think think I'd like red to be my main colour but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough. I did have a purple living room once and people who visited either loved it or hated it. In this house we'll have a lot of wood but red is a colour I have a lot of in pieces of art. birkie, that countertop is really nice. Do they ship it or do you live near an ikea? I love shopping there but the nearest one is in MOntreal and it's been 6 years since I was there :( holligator, that kitchen is beautiful. Some of it wouldn't work for us but in general the black, yellow and red is just beautiful to me! thanks for reminding me.