Nancy, the turtles are about 5-6 inches long, which is just about the same size as most of the fish. The fish actually bump the turtles to push the them out of the way during feeding. The turtles are adults and feed mostly on plants. Along with the hyacinth roots, they eat watercrest, lettuce (not water lettuce), peas and carrots. I don't think they would bother the fish if they could even catch them in the first place. Painteds seem like very gentle creatures. Dave, you can see a 5-6 year old photo of my pond if you click on my name or My Page listed next to posted by at the top of the post. The only changes have involved the waterfall. I don't have any current photos of the entire pond.

johnt, just curious those 5 1/2 tomatoes are in dirt right? i was actually surprised how well my tomatoes did this year (my extras) that got very root bound. they seemed to eat plenty and drink everyday but other than that they seemed ahappy. and we will see if i got this right or not. thanks for expaining how to italicize. i was thinking it was these [ brackets. live and learn. i have peppers i had that were a bit root bound when i put them in the ground. this was about 4-5 weeks ago i planted them and they are just now taking off in size. takes a little while to get into the grove after transplanting but you can really tell when they are happy again. i also have noticed some posts about larger leaves falling off. ppl seem to be worried about this. i have noticed that the leaves get big. then get bigger. then very big, then start to look bad, then yellow and finally drop. then you end up with new small leaves and more growth. more leaves than the one you start with. just seems natural to me. many seemed worried when the big ones drop. should i be? i say no. some might know i bought ladybugs this year. they looked a bit different than the ones i have normally seen around here but i really dont know to much about them or their life cycle but anyway... i have been noticing many more this year and it has been almost a month since i let them go. i had also had larva and put them into the garden. (they were found on a potted tomato) i am pretty happy about that and i say an aphid or 2 so the lady bugs should stay around. one last thing. SQUIRRELS!!!!! frig! what can you do about them. i have heard a few gripes about them. and it seems someone is feeding the little buggers and i have peanuts sprouting everywhere. not such a heart breaker in the garden just routine weeding. peanuts sure grow fast too. but my grip is the digging is awesome in the potted plants with the soft potting soil which makes an appealing place for a squirrel to farm his peanuts. maybe i need a dog? michael

Hehe, yeah the inns can be a bit tricky. I have a feeling that due to the size of your monster inns, it probably gets dryer at the sides and bottom compared to the active center and top as there's so much volume. With the regular inns, as you have to water more (like how kids get colder quicker than adults) and stuff in general is always closer to the top where the moisture is, it doesn't get so much that way. I've gotten those VC nuggets but always at the sides, bottom is always moist. I've gone the other way, when it was a bit wet and it was a bit compacted and ending up a bit like toothpaste coming out. Have to hit that middle ground hehe. You can also squeeze them to get things flowing, takes quite a bit of strength though. As mine sits low, I put my knee into the side and pull it into that. Once the mass breaks it can really come out in a hurry though lol. If you have a cloth hatch at the bottom of your inn, you can feel for moisture with your hand without opening it, if you want to try keeping it always a bit moist while the inn is running. Should feel cooler, touch of dampness and always have some give to it. Happy to hear the home made inns worked out :)

For me, the rug works with the table and chairs as well as the cabin feel. The colors work with the oriental rug, and oriental rugs seem to be used as formal or neutral elements. I think the trick would be making sure you have some simple lines and rustic elements in the LR (your leather chairs are in that group) and maybe a couple of traditional or softer elements in the DR. Your chair fabric could be a bridge, but also a china or crystal bowl on the table instead of a wood one or a basket. If you don't go with the tribal rug, I like 2 and 3 in your blue group and 2 in the gold and red group. The wood has enough warmth than I wouldn't be looking to add more red.