Thanks for all your comments and support. I appreciate it. This is so way beyond my skill level that Im really nervous about making costly mistakes. Marie, LOLOL "at least they dont talk back or ask for keys to the car." Sue, Deanne, a lot of the design ideas were mine which is why I was so upset w/the designer. I wanted that Weeping Norway Spruce by the front porch, evergreens perhaps Azaleas in the courtyard, boxwood curves, blue spruce shrub/red maple combo (I wanted Acer "Shaina" b/c it stays small but no one has it here), and a tall ornamental behind the pear I asked for Jane or tri-colored beech. Also on my list of OK plants was W&R Weigelas. He extended and redefined the edge of the beds which I liked, and came up with the placement of the blue spruce and Weigelas. He also suggested Fireglow which was the only small upright maple I could find but he had it placed so that it would block the courtyard and the spruces behind as it grew. Tom & I moved that maple around and redug the hole several times before it got planted. Next to the maple, he had 3 dappled willow, Hakuro Nishiki. I liked the plant and texture, but after researching found that it needs constant pruning to keep its color and it often greens-out. Thus, instead I put the rescued daphne there. He suggested the sumac but had 3 instead of one specd. The jury is still out on the sumac for all the reasons you guys stated. Since I got it for $20, its no biggie if it doesnt work out. I wanted evergreens at the end of the beds and he specd Birds Nest Spruce. I like them, but theyre ho-hum and I think I need bright and color against the boxwood and Jane behind. Mary, thats great to know that Jane" has settled in nicely for you. I cant wait to see it when it blooms. What I heard from various nurseries is that the plants in the little girl series havent read the labels. At the nursery where I bot Jane, they have some gorgeous, huge, Betty and Jane, some 15 in diameter. But they can be pruned. Thanks T, and Marian. It has been alot of work, even without the stumps and dumps to clean up. Deanne, Ive heard and read various things about the size of the Weeping Norway Spruce. Its supposed to be a slow-grower, so size hopefully wont be a problem in my lifetime. I like the way the lower branches spread out like a skirt. Im keeping it staked so the leader will grow upright a little more before it starts to weep. Funny, I thot of you when moving those boulders. The two on the end are just there temporarily. I do plan to dig them in when I decide where theyre going. Yesterday, a friend gave me a tip on moving them buy a couple pieces of sheet metal and slide them! Could work! Thanks Michelle. You, Deanne and I are on the same wavelength about the container. I moved that one there for temporary color and found I liked it. I love Marties idea of cascading petunias out of a container. It would work well there if I found the right urn. I also like the idea of incorporating more containers, but Im not sure where. Hmmm. Any ideas on perennials in the courtyard? I thot of echoing the varigation of the azaleas by adding Hosta Patroit or Fire and Ice, or Lamium White Nancy. There might be too much sun tho. Here are some plants I need places for or can redirect out front: Leucanthemum Highland White Dream 2 Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' and 2 When My Sweetheart Returns 3 Heliopsis Loraine Sunshine 1 Deep Purple Magic Fountain Delphinium 1 Lt. Blue Magic Fountain Delphinium Hosta plain dk. Green w/yellow edge, sun-tolerant 1 Hemerocallis Big Smile (lt lemon yellow) Bearded Iris, yellow and deep blue (from Jain) 1 Sedum Frosty Morn 5 Sedum Purple Emperor Tons of Hermocallis Happy Returns See why Im overwhelmed? I need more room to plant these treasures!

Lilyfinchâ¦We had the arbor already. Here is a pic. We widened the beds and added a curvy grass path. To left of arbor we moved my reblooming lilac bush and to the right of arbor, I already had climbing roses that we planted last year..so maybe by next year, they will start climbing over the arbor!

Actually, roofing should be done before guttering----but, the guttering can sustain a lot of damage during the roofing process. So removing the guttering is often necessary to do a roof. The soffits and fascias may need repair before installing new guttering, which is usually less expensive to do during the roofing job than alone. So, least expensive overall as well as the quickest way is to combine roofing and gutters.

Well, we've been busy on our little itty bitty stonehouse! I found tiebacks that are made from old doorknobs. Our ottoman arrived ( a very good copy of the inspiration room one from WIndsor Smith, which I had made for $1600 instead of 2200, woo hoo). And just as I was looking for books for the bookcases, I came across a library sale (I think it's your library, Annie). Our criteria was blue or pink books that I also think are worth reading. When we were short on pink, i caved on some young adult "chick lit". Pretty eclectic but a great bargain, a good cause, and a fun look. The girls spent this morning styling them. Some photos: Ottoman and tray, shown w/ pillow covers set up in family rm Amazing how good a copy this is, esp since the original fabric was Scalamandre and ours was from Calico Corners (ignore the cut out leaves on the floor, the girls were playing/ Our books: Part Steinbeck and Shakespeare, part pink. Only one in the wrong language.