I do to a certain extent, Dawn. But, when I am selecting perennials, I try to adhere to the guidelines as much as possible. Perennials, including shrubs, trees, etc., usually are priced a bit higher. I don't want to invest in something that is going to most assuredly fail if I pick even a half zone warmer. I do have a microclimate of sorts in my yard, surrounded by two huge pines, and nestled within a concrete border of the two sidewalks, two driveways, and a concrete sort of retaining wall on one side running half the length of the yard. Tucked in this area is my small gardening area (it probably only totals about 100 sf., and the boughs of the pine trees hold off a lot of the cold. My soil never freezes, even in the coldest of winters. Still, I took most of my zone pushing risks early in my gardening adventures, and I don't do that very much any more. It seems like it is getting more and more difficult to find plants that will tolerate our heat and humidity in the summer, and our frigid, dry, winter winds. We want a plant that will survive a zone 3 winter, but not melt in a zone 9 or 10 summer. Geez! I was just surprised to see that what used to be a zone 7b that extended down to the DFW area, is now all zone 8a. That's pretty dramatic IMO. I understand some shifts from a half zone colder to a half zone warmer, but that's quite a huge difference when you consider how many miles that encompasses in the Northern part of Texas, global warming aside. Susan

Looks-wise, of the two under consideration, I'm thinking the AGA. I know the O and M is later, but I think it's better to go later than earlier, if right on the date doesn't work. Houses do evolve. I never calibrated or worried about BTUs when I had the O and Ms. The people who refurbished them had them set up with 3/4" gas lines and they had POWER. None of this was my doing. Coincidentally, I believe all three were the same model and had the grill-a-vator (sp?) broiler. I've not felt anything as solid, except for a real La Cornue. However, I do understand your thinking about this. I have one question: How often do you think you would use a rotisserie? I regret not having thought of this in my own kitchen. Is a rotisserie worth giving up the look you want? This post was edited by kitchendetective on Fri, Mar 1, 13 at 11:56

I read through the OP & some of the posts, but stopped at this one & had to respond before I continue on with reading the rest of the posts. (so forgive me if I missed something that was posted after this) "Why can't you respect someone who works 2 jobs (see your first post)? What is not to respect about that? Did anyone notice this comment????" I noticed it. My first thought was "at least she's working". I've also had similar difficulty with my own feelings/judgments, etc regarding my SD12's BM. She is 38 and has never worked a real job. She was lucky enough to get a minimum wage office job, instead of fast food... but a real job that gave her some good responsibility, but she screwed that up by stealing from her boss & ended up being convicted of embezzelment. Now, at 38+, how is she ever going to work & support herself? I stuggle with judging her for that because I have worked since I was 14 and often worked 2 jobs to support my kids... she sits on her backside all day, thinking of ways to get others to take care of her. Our values & lifestyles are such a stark contrast to each other, I cannot relate to her at all. It's much easier to judge & criticize her than to try & understand something I can't begin to comprehend. Just as I can't understand her relationship (or lack thereof) with her kids... I loved kids, I wanted kids & when I had my kids, I live for them... there's nothing I wouldn't do for them. I can't count the sleepless nights, how many miles I've driven to do things for them, everything I've gone without so they can have. So, I don't get someone that lets her child run around in the cold with shorts & no shoes. I don't get someone that relies on others to be taken care of when I know eventually, those people will be gone. and what bothers me most, which really ISN'T my problem, is that she is modeling her "everyone should take care of me" lifestyle to her daughter... and if falls back on me & DH. I wonder what it will be like when SD is 25 & has kids... can't keep a relationship together (like her mom) and comes back to us for help. She won't go to her mom because her mom is already nearly 40 and can't even get a minimum wage job because she's a convicted thief. I guess in a way, my opinion or judgment of BM could be seen that I think I'm better than her... and there is some truth to it. I am proud that I supported my kids, raised my kids, and would do anything for my kids. If I were a BM that wouldn't work, fought supporting my kids, let someone else raise my kids & made excuses every time my kids needed something or wanted me to come to one of their things... then I would feel like a loser. But, that comes from MY perspective from the parent that I am. I can't understand what someone else feels when they do things so differently. There is no shame in manual labor at any age. There is no shame in an honest day's work at any age. I can only imagine that someone "at her age" chooses to be a waitress because she may enjoy the interaction with customers... she may be a bus driver because she enjoys being around kids & likes the schedule. It's not always about the money or prestige. My aunt started a landscaping company at age 55 when she divorced her husband. It's something I would never do but she enjoys it. I gave up a secure office job with benefits to have the freedom of self employment but sometimes, when the phones don't ring for days & the bank account starts dwindling... and I don't have my bi weekly paycheck to count on, it's scary but I love what I do so it's worth it to me. I try to understand SD's BM... not working, etc. I imagine she enjoys each day, sleeping in & playing games on her computer all day without a worry in the world. I couldn't do it, but I am getting better at seeing another perspective.

Both cabinet pictures are beautiful. I wouldn't worry too much about the darkness of the cabinets, as long as you love it. I renovated a kitchen in our last house and originally decided to go with off-white/cream, because of the light in the kitchen (not much) and because I thought it would be too formal. I just could not seem to make the choice however, and kept returning to the dark wood (we used cherry, it looked very similar to the cabinet color that you love). So, I decided to go for it, along with the Absolute Black granite. To calm my fears about a "dark" kitchen, I used a wall of glass front cabinets and made sure we had high quality halogen lights, both recessed in the ceiling, and under the cabinets (all on dimmers). These decisions made a big difference. In the end, we did the right thing-I LOVED how it all turned out and the feel of the kitchen was friendly, warm and comfortable. Our GC told us at the end of the reno that it was his favorite kitchen he has ever done, and he renos about 25 kitchens a year. Quite the compliment! So, my short answer after this long response is choose what you love-it feels right for a reason. Good luck and post more pix when you can.