I am so greatful to you .Miriam, for taking the time to provide the pictures of your outrageously beautiful yard, home and hydrangeas - I have enjoyed them all SO much! Thank you again and again. The only thing that hydrangeas miss is FRAGRANCE. If I were younger, I think I would try very hard to create a fragrant variety. Is there anyone out there in Hydrangea Heaven that has developed the fragrance, and where would a plant of it be found? Again, Thank You, Donna from WA STATE.

Thanks for all the kind words! We'll see how everything goes. I do think I'm a bit pleased and surprised at the skin I used. I didn't think it would drain well since it was weed block and not landscaper's fabric, but we've had some intense rain the last few days and it's completely drained. There's no standing water or accumulation anywhere, not even in the depressions. I may not have to be so destructive when I bust some larger holes in it come February. Alright, EG, if you read this help me out. There's no chance in this world my cabbage is going to head this year. Yours? I just can't bring myself to tear it up when I don't really need the beds for anything else at this moment. What's going on with yours?

les - Brought the tuffet up this past weekend and I love it! It always surprises me that just one piece added to a room can pull a space together so much. It is shaped liked a cushion-cut diamond - square top that angles down on the sides. I have it set on the left side of the rocker, sort of under the loon print. It doesn't crowd anything and the square shaped top works with the boxy shape of the rocker, while the curved feet mirror the curves of the handles. The stained feet make it not too matchy-matchy. Since my nightstands, headboard & chest all match, I think it's better not going overboard with more black wood! The rocker was placed there because it gives a view right out to the mountain and brook, but I will move things around as you suggested, just to see. I also like the idea of a pillow with the big button. Maybe I'll leave the tuffet black, and just cover the big button with a coordinating fabric (?) And I'd still like to get another rug for the sitting area, though I'd probably move it out in the summertime. A friend who came for dinner on Sat., who had never seen the cottage but had looked up this post, brought me a Wall Words saying as a hostess gift. She made it clear it was up to me whether I wanted to use it or not. The script is black and it reads,"Prayers Go Up, Blessings Come Down" which she thought would look good on the wall behind the bed. She said she thought the phrase worked especially nicely because the wall is angled "Up" and that coming upon this property was a real blessing. Thoughts? oceanna - I can just feel how badly you want to dress that room! I now it probably looks sparse, but if you stood in it I think you would feel differently. My aim is to have it be an uncluttered space where my eyes are drawn to the outside views and sounds. I want to appreciate the way the sun glows off the wood floors and highlights the knots and texture of it. If this were in my home here, in a city neighborhood, I would be with you(and Cher!)100%, though! And I appreciate the tips on covering an ottoman. You inspire me to give it a try doing it on my own!

15' in 3 years is about 5' per year starting from a small size like a gallon pot - there is nothing that is going to shoot up that fast and not be quite large growing. This is why I asked how long you are willing to wait, small dense and tidy hedges like box or small growing hollies may require decades to grow as tall as is often wanted. So that yours may be yet another situation where an architectural feature like a trellis with lattice sides and maybe climbing plants - if you want to do the pruning and training of climbers, something that a lot of people don't seem able to keep up with - is the only thing that is going to provide what is desired. In terms of quickness in combination with longevity. As in the screen not growing larger in size than wanted after a period of time.