I think it has been a strange spring for the daffodils. Now, I never had as many before as this spring because of all the ones I added this fall but I am noticing that while my daffodils have started blooming already (mainly the early ones) others are just breaking ground now. Different micro climates in my garden as I can tell the ones that are barely up are in colder spots not getting the sunshine that some of the others so. Of course, come later in the spring with the angle of the sun those not as sunny beds get plenty of sun. Full sun for most of them. Plus the daffs are not the only spring bulb show I am going to have. Most of the tulips here broke ground and seem to have caught up growthwise to the early tulips that showed their faces first. I should have a stunning tulip disply as I put in many plantings of them. Even so, I am walking around planning were I will add more tulips this fall and what types and color combos they should be. Plan on adding plenty more daffodils also.

well...it could be gaillardia or rudbeckia, I scattered seeds of both, but I have "Fanfare" and the foliage looks nothing like it. It really started out looking like a marigold, it's just taller now (with thorns). I've never noticed either having thorns. Fine lacy leaves, nice medium green...it will be an interesting surprise. HW

What a thread- oldie, but goodie. My take is a bit of a compromise: All of our friends understand my 9 year old sweet Beagle Max. He was abandoned by breeders when he was 6 weeks old, due to their loss of lease on a property. We adopted him, brought him home and did our best. But this way-too-young-to-be-away-from-his pack was needy. We gave him all the love he needed. He's very smart and observant, and so simply started emulating his pack. That includes hugging when people enter our home, since this is the behavior he's always seen. He hugs, too. That's really all he asks, from a visitor. A hug, and maybe a sweet kiss- no tongue, he just puts his face on your neck. Funny doggie! It can get a bit "rambunctious" as people enter. But our friends get it, hug him like he's our furry two year old, and then Max calms down. Not everybody loves it, and we know the friends where we just need to remove him for a bit, until he gets less excited for company. Now, if children enter? Another story. He's not allowed to do that. He LOVES kids, but I can't have Max bowling toddlers over. So we keep that in check, and wait to see if the child is interested. Then we introduce them, let the child pet him (silkiest hair, ears you've ever felt), and he's gentle. Max is, like most hounds, also driven by his nose and stomach. He's not allowed around guests as they eat- he knows where to sit. If he get's invasive, then he has to go to his "room". He hates that, since he's social and just wants to be around people, so it's rare that he won't comply. Now- when a stranger comes to the door? We let them have the "full effect". Aggressive barks- and loud- until and unless we signal that it's safe. And we put his 'good dog leash" on, if this is (for example) a repair person, there to do a job. But if you're not invited? You're not invited, and he sounds like the Gates of Hell are opening, until he's told "ok". A compromise that works for us and our friends. My sweet pup, in his first month at my house. He just wanted to be ok. Grew up to be fairly mellow Still thinks he's a person.

Yes, it was in response to your comment above about the paint behind the range (unfortunately there is no longer a specific time given or I would be more precise). I understand you're planning tile behind the range --- main subject of the post -- but the idea behind adoiron's comment just above this one "i have a range with the back part so no worries about fires" was why I made such a strong statement. People don't read every word of a thread as we know. There is worry about fires with unprotected wall material behind any range. Fires can jump to the nearest flammable material.