I have been cutting for years and my daughter and I love Japanese garden shears for cutting. They stay sharp for years and cut everything even hard woody stems. There are a couple different types we prefer the long ones with both handles white. I'm not sure what the color means but I bought an orange pair and the grip was not right, my mom uses the ones with one handle white and the other red and they seem to do well. I saw them in Peaceful Valley's catalog for $9.99. P.S. I just found this web site and I love reading all of your wonderful expertise, it really helps the spirit on these cold rainy days when I'd rather be gardening!

Sharp, Panasonic and GE all have very nice microwave/convection ovens. There have been numerous threads about them. I don't have one so can't give any first hand info. here are a few thread addresses - http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg111439195126.html?8467 http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/smallerhomes/msg0500524231052.html?26 http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg111439195126.html?8467

trobs, you need an account on a free photo sharing website. I use Photobucket. It's quick to sign up for an account. Once you're registered, at the top of the web page you'll see "Upload Images" and "Choose files." Click on choose files and browse to whatever folder your pic is in, and your photo will be uploaded to the site. Your photo will appear on your photobucket page and below it you'll see "HTML Code" and a box next to it. Click in that box and the code is copied into your clipboard memory. Then you can paste that code right into your message here on GardenWeb. Hope that helps. It sounds kind of complicated but it's really not.

Same situation, considering a budget renovation, for a U shape kitchen without much large expanses of counter if you take into account range, fridge and sink. I have trouble spending 3 grand on quartz that i dont love. Marble would be great but everyone rips on how it ages. I am considering modern plywood edged thin counter with white formica or 24*48 marble tile (testing now to see how they fare in our kitchen for a few months). Marble tile counters would cost $300 and have 5 total seams: 2 at corners, 2 at the edge of sink (so small) and 1 in a recessed area likely to be hidden. With 24" instead of 25.5", i would likely need a sliver at the back, which is also likely going to be hidden in most cases by; small appliance like toasters, storage containers, etc.. I know it is seen as a huge no-no but getting nice looking counters for $300 vs $3000 makes me consider it. I also thought about integrating them in a wood or brass "inlay" style to make the edges more "on purpose" but i hear wood edges dont age well by water areas.