First if it was my space I think that patio are would make a really cute cottagy sitting area. Right in front of and under the window I would put a white rattan/wicker sofa or loveseat with some pretty floral cushions. In the corner if their is room a rattan/wicker chair or maybe even a rocker. Don't forget a little table somewhere like a side table with a cute little lamp and a place to set some nice cold sweet tea (well in the south anyway). A nice outdoor braided rug and a plant or two to finish it off. Oh ya throw in some candles for sitting out in the evening!! Next I would make a cute little path (ie brick, somesort of stone) from the back door that curves around to meet the front of the patio somewhere and even the steps to the deck. Ok so basically the walkway will come out from the door, patio, and deck steps and all be connected which you could then have sort of branch out to the yard. Hopefully you get the idea. Anyway in between the spaces of the walkway that would come out from each entry plant with plants like you have already started like the Astillbe, forget-me-nots,columbines, daylilys and oh you must have Lily-of-the-valley! The smell near a patio is heaven. Also how about bleeding hearts? You could plant a hydrangea or two. I think shrubs in front of the deck would look really nice or put a trellis of some sort going up the end of the patio where the patio meets the deck and have some sort of vine going up it. I have also seen people use like a matchstick shade type deal that could be rolled up or down for more privacy. Flowerboxes on the deck would be very pretty too. I did that at my old house and it an instant way to dress up a deck (got them from wally world). Eventually curve your garden beds around the perimeter oh the yard. Well hopes this helps a little. Very cute space to work with! Meghan

My first thought when I hear "steamer" is some kind of Chinese dumpling as well! Probably because that's what I use mine for mostly! A good "cheat" for them is to just cook up some ground beef or turkey (I don't eat pork, but the traditional methods use ground pork) flavored with minced garlic & ginger, some sliced scallions and chopped water chestnuts, some soy sauce, sesame oil, maybe a touch of five spice powder - whatever flavors you like - then get a package of those refrigerator biscuits. The regular one's not the huge "grand" ones. Flatten out the biscuit, put a tablespoon or so of your mixture in the middle then bring up all the sides around and pinch it at the top to kind of seal the dough, then steam them. They're more filling than using a traditional dim sum wrapper, but not everyone has access to those. I think the biscuits are a "cheat" that works very well. Have fun at your party! Lisa

Now that they've framed and moved the cased opening and made it a 36" opening (it was originally 32") I don't think we will have room for two cabinet doors to the left of the microwave. So it will be drawers only I guess. I have to go and measure and let the cabinet maker know. I haven't signed off yet to give him the go ahead to start building. If it is still two cabinet doors to the left of the microwave, should there be a cubby of some sort to match the microwave cubby or am I overthinking it? Thx

For what it's worth, if that sage ever does come up you'll want to think about moving it to a pot of its own. It has very different water requirements than the other herbs in that container and you have a very good chance of overwatering it to death. When I grow herb from seed I generally start them indoors in a small pot and then plant them out when the weather is right. As noted in other posts above, basil like the soil a good deal warmer than parsley and mint. A couple of notes on the soil - it is generally a better idea to use potting soil or potting mix in container because regular garden soil can easily compact in containers and lead to plant roots not getting enough oxygen. Additionally, herbs don't require as much fertilizer as fruiting vegetables and that MG mix might have come with fertilizer premixed into it, in which case you don't need to add any of the Dr. Earth for a good while.