This has been a pretty funny, and interesting thread. It kind of amazes me how different we all are and of course how very different our experiences are on any given day. Raptor, it seems like you have put in some effort and time to try to research how to go about growing these plants but at this point, I would be asking myself if I really wanted to pursue it. What sticks in my mind, is that your original reason to impulsively bring home these plants was to 'save money' growing your own vegetables instead of buying them. I think most of us start out with that intention. Are gardeners really 'saving money' growing their own vegetables? I think I’ll start a new thread on that topic. If you had gotten the plants home and dug a hole in the ground and found great soil then it might have been a piece of cake. Once you dug that hole and found all that thick clay, it becomes more problematic. You can overcome that, for sure, but it will require more effort and time and money. If you have become more interested in the activity of gardening, then it may be worth it for you to pursue it, but if you are only trying to ‘save money’ growing vegetables, it might take an initial investment that would take some time to recoup before you were saving money. I hope you will continue with it and as Lucille said so well, ‘Learning to garden is a process. Chill, read, and join the community here and by next year, you will be ready to grow big bowls of beautiful tomatoes and veggies.’

Cooperbaily, We bought the chairs in Amish country. we just made the small chairs, I stained the small chairs to match the big chairs. pbisjar, I really don't pay much attention to what's in and what's not! Hey, I still have border paper in my kitchen! You need to go with what you like, everything eventually comes back anyhow. flyleft, always use a virgin cloth with each application, no matter how careful you are with the cloth it will become contaminated with something, dust, pet hair etc...Same thing for the waterlox, pour out into a container just the small amount you think you'll need for the job (I mean for the one coat-at a time). Use the gloss Waterlox, and you can control the amount of shine you desire by sanding with 0000 steel wool or very fine sandpaper. Regarding major renovations, we have been through many! You have tempted me to do a thread on our bump out window project...Our marriage survived this remodel (another DIY project)with flying colors... It started on July 2 2004, and was finished just before Gobble, Gobble time! I couldn't believe how much work it was and how entailed it was. We did this project, without even a minor handbag scuffle! However, be prepared to see the remodel from hell! Both indoors and outdoors was a disaster. Our kitchen and bathroom re-model was a dream compaired to the window job. levelyn, I'm sure your table will be gorgeous! Thank you lafonda and everyone else. :)

Thank you so much for coming back and updating us. I was wondering just a few days ago where you went. Your cottage is adorable and says so much about what can be done to upgrade/create a beautiful setting. Great choices. I love the railings and window boxes, finished steps and path. Well, everything! Enjoy your home and happy gardening.

Welcome Nancynancy.....I'm sure you will find yourself walking the aisles of the fabric store soon and coming up with even more plans. I must say you are on the right track with your new machine....just getting yourself familiar with it and what it can and cannot do. Practice away every chance you get...mend all those little rips and holes in anything you find, practice corners and straight stitches..dial in a few fancy ones and see how they look...play with the tension (but make sure you know where to reset it for your perfect straight stitch)...just play away. The more you know about your machine the more worthwhile your l0 hours of lessons will be. Practice filling the bobbins, try and make buttonholes, put in a zipper in some old fabric....and LIST any problems you seem to run into....then you can ask at your classes. Take your samples in and show them what you have tried....you really are on the right track...read your manual and play with your machine. Too many of us think we can just sit down and sew away before we even know how to wind a bobbin. Practice, practice, practice....that is the key IMHO..once again welcome.