I am new to the Forum so here is a little background on me. I am 73 years old, retired from the Boeing Company for the past 14 years and have been working on Bonsai plants for about 22 years. Now am I an expert? Not in the least, I have not stopped reading, studying and learning since I started and will never be known as anything but a Neophyte. There is one thing I do not like and that is the term "Indoor Bonsai." I just have a couple of questions. Where did you purchase your Bonsai? You said you bought it a few months ago, have you taken it out of the pot and inspected its root system? If the answer is no, then why not? A lot of times, the problem with just purchased Bonsai plants, is the fact that they are root-bound and/or potted in very poor soil. Having the plant in dirt is not the same as having it in good soil. Because the water runs out the bottom of the pot does not mean the roots are watered. I am sure that you were told that it (your Bonsai) was an "indoor plant." Do your plant a big favor and put it outside where it can get Sun and wind. WARNING. Don't take it out if you live in an area where there is a foot of snow or in Arizona where it's HOT. But if you have nice spring or summer weather, the plant should be outdoors. You must learn and remember that your Bonsai depends on you to give it what it needs to survive and grow. Love it, because it's life is in your hands alone. Other the other hand if you don't want the plant, leave it where it is and it will slowly die. Tell us about the condition of the roots, that's a good place to start trouble shooting your Bonsai, after you get it outside. Please, I would like to help you if I can. Have a nice day. This post was edited by JimK1940 on Fri, Apr 25, 14 at 9:34

My kitchen is 13'x20', and there are 7 pages of photos linked. The photos go from original to new kitchen. If you'd like any of the KD's plans, let me know. I'll scan them and add them to the photo album. One end has the working end of the kitchen, the other has the dining area. There is an 8' archway into the family room on the dining end (it used to be a 6' sliding door to the outside patio), and a 45" square window over the sink that is now just an opening into the family room - used to be a glass window overlooking a very messy patio! DonnaR/CA Here is a link that might be useful: Donna's kitchen from start to finish

Here are a couple of ideas I used from my wedding, also an outdoor and also a second: 1. Small canning jars w/ unscented white candles in them (from Ebay of course, the candles, the canning jars you can get anywhere). Hung from every possible spot w/ thin craft wire. Absolutely magical after the sun went down and so easy to make. 2. Lots and lots of fresh flowers. I stuck w/ roses, from white to ivory to pink. I was lucky enough to have a cousin who could arrange them, but I bought most of them from the grocery store and because they were cheaper, I could afford to have LOTS more. The impact of so many fresh flowers was beautiful. 3. We had a tent, which my dear husband strung w/ grapevine. We then placed lots of white christmas lights throughout and then of course the hanging lanterns. Since it's nautical, perhaps you could use net? Not sure, but again, the effect was really stunning and very easy (though time consuming) and inexpensive. 4. My focus was to emphasize the natural and to avoid the unnatural at all costs, since that's my personality. In such a lovely setting, sounds like that might work for you as well. 5. We bought sparklers and the kids loved them. Used tiki torches at the end, which was fun. 6. Cake was laden w/ real, fresh fruit and it was lemon w/ cream cheese icing. No ice cream, but there was raspberry sorbet. Not a drop left of any of it. 7. We didn't do the surprise bride thing. We greeted our guests before hand and had an hors' doevres (spel?) table w/ cheese, fruit, and fresh lemonade and iced tea. None of that was left, either! 8. Finally, my dear husband and I walked up the "aisle" together, after our parents and my sister and his best friend. This, I think, was the best part--it symbolized our equal relationship, our adult status and it just felt really powerful all at the same time. 9. Oh, in Pennsylvania, at least, you can marry yourselves. It's based on the belief that the Quakers had that noone stood between you and God. As long as the marriage is witnessed, you don't need a preacher. We had a friend conduct the ceremony, but we allowed the "marrying" to happen in a moment of silence. This was also very, very powerful and quite spiritual, since we were so closely connected to out-of-doors. 10. Oh, and one more thing, we had a string quartet from the local college and it made ALL the difference in the world. If that's not possible, think about having someone play guitar or something. I read in a Martha book that live music makes the difference and it does. Skimp on something else, but go for the live music if you can. And involve the audience. They loved the hymn singing, etc. 11.Oh, sorry, one more thing. Our wedding came at a very difficult time. My brother had died just a few months earlier. We made a point of honoring all of those in our families who were there with us in spirit, but not in person. This did not take away from the joy, only made it more poignant and moving. It is reality, with us "mature" brides, that some of our family members may no longer be present. We had a small table w/ their pictures on it under the heirloom apple tree that served as our altar. That we decorated w/ just a basket filled w/ aforementioned roses and just a bit of tulle to hide the rope that held it in the tree. Enjoy the process. It's time consuming, but fun and don't let anyone, I mean anyone, MIL, DM, SIL, anyone, tell you that it should be different. This is your one (or in our case, two) time in your life when you can do it how you want it.

Oh wow! You guys are too kind! I'm not really a denizen of this forum - I just saw the 'bonsai' question on the right side of the page (like PM said), remembered you from somewhere here on Houzz and thought I'd join in. The tree image you posted is beautiful. You might already know that old trees that have endured nature's hardships for hundreds of years are particularly inspiring. If you're a 'tree person', you can't help but admire their will and determination to survive. If I ever get an opportunity to be in the area, I'll try to make a point to go see those trees. As far as bonsai goes, I can't help much with the cultural conditions you're forced to endure, other than suggest that you use an intermittent misting system (if your water isn't too terribly hard) and build your soils from ingredients that have a lot of internal porosity; this, so you don't have to sacrifice aeration in order to gain additional water retention. Example: Perlite is not internally porous, Substitute Turface MVP or pumice for perlite. Another thing you can do for your plantings is use an oversize pot to begin with, with ballast in the bottom. This allows you to use a water-retentive medium, sidestepping the negative effects associated with that normally limiting factor. Read more here. It's the best way of dealing with excess water retention (other than using a soil that's not blessed with that affliction) and would be helpful to you, I'm sure. Then, when the roots are getting to the point of being congested, you lift the plant, remove the ballast, and add more soil in its place. ------------------------------------------------------- O ------------------------------------------------------- I love the mountains. I'm in the process of finalizing sale of my small corporation now, so there is nothing tying me to MI except the kids/friends, and all of them can travel, as can we. I tried to talk the better half into moving to the northwest in mountainous terrain, but I'm not gaining much traction. A friend I grew up with has a small working ranch for sale near Hamilton, MT in a valley in surrounded by Nez Perce National Forest lands that I'd love to buy. Somehow, I feel like the mountains are home, and they've been calling to me all of my adult life. I've traveled to them whenever I've had the chance, and feel so much richer than I would for a trip to _____ insert any of a long list of places you go to become a tourist. Almost 7 AM here - time to get after chores. I have about 20 more conifers/evergreens to repot before I start on the tropicals. I have WAY too many trees to be considered a reasonable man. Loved the chat!! Al