OK... time out! We can certainly disagree without taking cheap shots at each other. In many ways, (until now) this has turned into an interesting and potentially enlightening thread. We have seen the appearance of two new contributors to this forum. Both seem capable and not unwilling to clearly state their beliefs. There is considerable merit to both arguments  and room for both. I actually find that aspect refreshing. It sure beats the heck out of the typical drive-by posters who post questions and then you never hear from them again. It also beats the heck out of those who post a photo in a thinly-veiled attempt to have their ego stroked. Whenever Fish Gardener gets done defending himself, I would still like to hear what his intentions are. I think it has become clear that this new home was built in a southern style that, at present, imbues an overwhelmingly institutional look. I suspicion that Fish Gardener is well aware of that. No doubt, that factor was the driving force behind his original posting. Setting aside the perspective of our friend from New York State for a moment; there have been essentially two suggested approaches. One fast and one potentially quite slow: 1. Hire a professional and ÂGetÂr DoneÂ. 2. Do a bunch of self-guided research and plod away at your own pace. This appears to be a very large project for the average home owner to tackle  which is why I earlier suggested consulting a professional. This is obviously a large, valuable home which demands complimentary landscaping. The sooner, the better! Unless one has the equipment, time and experience, a DIY project has the potential to drag on forever. I suspect that the commodity you may be shortest on is time. There nothing wrong with DIY if you are capable at it. However, one has to be careful. DIY can become just another codeword for ÂcheapskateÂ. Yours is not a cheap house and the last thing you need is for it to appear so. The other caveat of DIY is that it often becomes a subconscious ploy to procrastinate and deflect potential criticism  Why you canÂt find fault with my project because IÂm not done yet! Yeah that is exactly the point you are NEVER going to get done! So What are you gonna do? IronBelly *** OK maybe you wonÂt need the lighted rest home sign.

Thanks for all the good suggestions! Actually, I have nearly all the things you mentioned (or native alternatives), and more. At one point, looking through the plant index in the Audubon Guide to Butterflies I counted 80 species of butterfly host plants that I have here on my 20 acres. I'm restoring natives back to old farmland, so most of those are species I intentionally planted. Plenty others have just volunteered. This is my first year of planting paw paw and I got Zebra swallowtail cats with the plants but haven't had any since they grew up. I have some amazing Banded Sphinx moth caterpillars on my Ludwigia octovalvis (primrose willow) right now. In addition to the cats on my previous post, I also have Little Sulfurs on my sensitive plant, Giant Leopard Moth cats on Coral Honeysuckle, and probably some eggs of newly arriving Monarchs, but I haven't found the Monarch eggs yet. This has been a great year. What do you have, and where are you? I am just starting to see some Variegated Fritillaries, but haven't found the cats yet, lately. Biophilia, Elberta, Alabama

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Thanks for the replies! Tina - DH vetoed Myrtle Beach since it is a âÂÂspring breakâ destination. Leery of the party scene with the kids. Charleston is interesting. IâÂÂll add that to my list of places to check out. Mtn, ded, gscience - Our boys love the indoor water parks. We actually go a few times a year for a day trip. Wherever we decide to go for this trip IâÂÂm sure an indoor water park will be visited for a day. Ded - IâÂÂll sound like a fuddy-duddy, but I have ZERO interest in flying at this point. I always say that we will take a flying vacation when all of the kids are big enough to carry their own suitcases! ï Joanie - WeâÂÂve done longer road trips when our older kids were little. Yes, it does take longer but we survived. I think as long as we are expecting extra pit stops it is more acceptable. Outside, rnmom - IâÂÂve been to the shores of Alabama and Destin, years ago. Destin may be out because of âÂÂspring breakâ but IâÂÂll check into it. Msmagoo - WeâÂÂll save the Outer Banks for another year, when we can get away in the summer. Thanks. Anyone been to Branson, MO? It looks like there is A LOT to do there. I may have to give up on the outdoor swimming, but if there are lots of other activities IâÂÂm sure our kids will be happy with inside swimming too!