You are more than right, Asarum. Not only is it true that not every every avid gardener goes on garden tours but, judging from GW, hardly any avid gardeners are avid garden visitors. And I just can't understand not going occasionally. It's not a design thing in most gardens. I don't see that many gardens that feature amazing designs. In fact, most of them are plant-centered. And other people's gardens in your area, wherever anyone of us might live, are a better guide to what does well--and why--than the best nursery in the area. I've gardened a long time but I always see something new to covet. An example: About ten years ago, I went on a tour near Hampton NH, not that far from me. One garden was clearly owned by a plant nut--we can all relate. He had stuffed plants into every crevice he could and while the overall design would not have won a prize, he was an enthusiastic and generous gardener. He had a plant I'd never seen before and, as I said, I've been doing this a long time. He said it was spring vetchling, Lathyrus vernus. I loved it and managed to find a couple somewhere. Since then, I've bought a bunch and they are great! Very early bloom, no pests or diseases, easy and beautiful. I remember starting a thread about them once. Maybe they are common now, I don't know. But I do know I never would have added this delightful *early* bloomer to my garden if I hadn't been on that tour. And PS for DTD, go to the Cotswolds. I have been twice and it is something you'll never forget. Not to mention the natural scenery and perfect villages. I couldn't do anything like that when the kids were young or in college but I am making up for it now.

I'm not a fan music either. I tend to turn my volume down whenever something like this has music. That could just be my personal preference. I don't even use speakers or a head set. I like my computer time to be quiet time; especially after a long summer of having my daughter home lol Basically, what I did was use some pictures from webpages (not actual high quality pictures I took myself of an actual house). I hope you didn't use pictures from someone you don't know. When I saw that you'd used sparksals photos off of her agents site my 1st thoughts were that I wondered if you worried about possible copyright issues? While the photos are online, how would her agent feel about you grabbing them without asking? Again, this was done in about 30 minutes tops. And just to show how fast and easy one can do it. Nothing more. When I did it for my girlfriend it came out much nicer of course because we spent a lot of time on it getting it JUST RIGHT . . . we also used better quality shots. I've seen you mention the one you did for her, and if it's so much better then what you've posted, why haven't you posted it? That's the one I want to see. Wow, I'm sorry that my pointing out something that can help people makes me immediately a villain in your eyes. I didn't realize that my having a blog makes me suspect to the general public when trying to share helpful tips here. I've wondered if you were making money or were in some way associated with the site you mention. I really haven't seen you post anything but almost the same comment, which it looks like you've copied and pasted then threw in a few words. I just searched, out of all of the posts you've made here, 2 did not contain a link to the video program or your money making blog. You've been a member of GW since 2003 but from what I see you've only just started posting (doing a search of all of GW for your name) and it was to post about the program. So yeah, it kind of looks like you do. This forum has had a lot of spam lately and posters are getting creative in how they are mentioning it so that it doesn't look like spam.

I am so sorry that I missed it, Robo! I initially signed up to "attend" your virtual baby shower (and did contribute), but this Saturday morning instead found myself in our car heading from our rented house on the Oregon Coast up to tour some other cute beach towns north of us. I was outvoted by my DH, Sis and BIL, who were anxious to get an early start. I'm so glad it went well and that you had a fun time, though.

@portlandmysteryrose I was just whining to my spouse that I wanted to move out of this fiery furnace (I actually used worse words than that) and move to where I could actually grow things instead of coddling what is practically a weed in other climates, and couldn't we move to Oregon? Maybe the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Sorry to hear about your bad rose season. We haven't had any rain in many months and it is very very dry. Sounds like you got all of our rain and more. Victoria Falls is still one of my most favorite irises ever. The fragrance is particularly strong and sweet, almost grape-y. @prairiemoon2 z6b MA - Thanks! Yes, some of the irises get pretty big. Some of them have leaves up to my waist (but I guess that's not really saying much).