Sorry about that. There was some delay in the loading process, and I suppose it went awry. The post was actually titled SLUGGO and crows. To rewrite: Like many of us, I have been using Sluggo successfully for years. I recently bought a new bottle and used some of it to protect some basil seedlings I put out as well as in my flower garden. I noticed that the color of the Sluggo was a little different and the pellets seemed slightly smaller, but thought nothing of it, at first. Then I became aware that the Sluggo was not protecting my plants as well as it had in the past. But the real damage came a few days later when the crows discovered it scattered through the garden. They love the stuff, and quickly decided my garden was their own private feeding tray. A two pound crow can make short work of a row of marigolds simply by stomping them to death. And 5 crows in a 9X9 garden is 5 too many. Then I discovered that the mourning doves and towhees also love it. If I spread it around in the morning, it is gone by nightfall. If I put it out in the evening, they eat it the next day. Basically, Sluggo has suddenly become more of a liability than an asset to my garden, due to the damage caused by stomping and scratching birds. I don't know if they changed the formula or if this is something that has been going on and I just never noticed it before. I wrote to the Canadian office to see if they can give me any ideas. I'll post any response I get. So my traps (boards and overturned pots) are still getting their share of slugs every morning when I go empty them. I have stopped putting out the Sluggo. The crows are still checking to see if there is any, but leave when they find I have stopped feeding them. I suppose (hope) they will quit coming around in a few days of finding nothing to eat. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon, or is it just me? Jerry

Juliet - FYEO self is actually a very, very light peach color and they eye, for me, is a mix between bright red and bright pink. When I look at it in the garden, I don't see pink, but it is not red either. ?! Nancy - oh, I have some ugly blooms, but I am REALLY picky about what I buy... don't have room for dogs! Last years Riders Of The Storm photo takes the cake. I'll post it just for fun.

Hello! Thought someone might like to see pics of my Danby marble island countertop, since I think most of the old thread with pics of my kitchen in them are lost forever. Danby Marble "holds up" just fine, but I find it chips much easier than my perimeter countertop, which is Ceasarstone "Raven". It also etches incredibly easily, and not just with the things you'd expect. Egg white even causes a mark. I don't mind/care anymore and just cook on it. We haven't gotten around to having the entire top "honed", which is an easy expense to put off, and meanwhile, the more I cook on it, the more etches all over it gets. Zero stains, which is awesome. I've left everything on it at one time or another, even tomato sauce for a bit. No stains. Love how it looks and have no regrets for installing it. Happy to help w/any questions!

You have not offended me at all. Feedback rarely feels like criticism. This is the plan after 2 kitchen designers loved the basics and made some changes. But that does not mean its a perfect plan, just that it works for this house in this space with this family as far as we could tell...which still doesn't mean it can't get better, plans can always get better. I am looking forward to playing with all your suggestions :) About the restaurant part: I was on prep most of the time lol! I am used to doing all my prep work first all at once and marinating, cutting and readying meat and other things and never beginning to cook until I am pretty much all set because of lack of space in the present area and because its so much easier for me. Which is good because induction cooking kind of requires all prep work be done in advance, which is what I do! The french doors could become a hall to the backyard, but its unlikely --- the french doors open onto a small balcony / deck that overlook the garden part of the back yard (27" elevation), the steps lead down into the garden. On the other side of the peninsula in about 5 feet are 14" glass sliding doors that lead out onto a patio that surrounds the pool, its more likely that all traffic headed for fun and sun in summer will head that way since all the bed rooms, the tv and the front door are on that side of the house. The laundry room had a wall between it and the kitchen but I removed it because the laundry machines are front loading and the same depth and height as every other machine in the kitchen wall, so I covered them over with one long granite counter for prep space, baking and clean-up - this is where dishes will wait if they have to. This area is not visible from the main part of the room, its blocked by the half-bath and the pantry. I really wanted the huge counter space for prep work and clean up after meals. We did think about the sink on the peninsula but could not go with the dirty dishes in public, plus I would lose the storage space required by the dishwasher...hmmm. I like moving the fridge. It would mean not recessing it to counter length which stopped us from making that change before but it might be worth it. But if I remove and refit the header above, there may be a way I can recess it more to fit the depth of the bar and pantry, but that would mean only dry wall between the toilet and the ridge which may not be okay...not sure but its a good question. I will play with the layout some more and use these suggestions. Thanks all!