Capoman, I'm using the same setup as Bruce except that I'm running three individual tray mats. Yep, one larger would have been cheaper than three small but I accumulated them over a few seasons as needed. Anyhow, I'm using the same dual fridge & freezer thermometer as Bruce and I'm not too concerned about mat temp variations, my mats are all within a few acceptable degrees of each other (I'm happy in the 82 - 86 zone). I'm also not concerned about a mat not monitored by the thermostat going crazy and frying my seeds/seedlings because the fridge/freezer thermometer allows you to set alarms for below and above temps. If a mat gets too hot I get an alarm. A bonus is that if the thermostat goes wonky then I'll get the alarm via one of the other mats getting too hot. Prior to my current digital model thermostat, I had an analog one that failed in the always on position. I was lucky to catch it before baking my seeds.

One of my first years gardening I found my string beans had many moth like bugs fluttering around so I went to HD and bought some pest control concentrate and a pump sprayer. Never having done this I mixed up a batch and sprayed vigorously but there was a lot left over so I spayed some more. A few hours later hundreds of worms came wiggling out of the ground in broad daylight and died, I had sprayed too much contaminating the soil. I'm fortunate I've never had to use that type of pest control again by trying to garden as organically as possible and tossing plants that are infested rather that treating with harmful chemicals as in above Bayer product, Imidacloprid. To members of the genus Apis, the honey bees, imidacloprid is one of the most toxic chemicals ever created as an insecticide. The acute oral LD50 ranges from 5 to 70 picograms of active ingredient per bee, making it more toxic to bees than the organophosphate dimethoate (oral LD50 0.152 µg/bee) or the pyrethroid cypermethrin (oral LD50 0.160 µg/bee).[28] (For comparison, the weight of just the DNA of a human cell is about 7 picograms.[29]) The toxicity of imidacloprid to bees differs from most insecticides in that it is more toxic orally than by contact. The contact acute LD50 is 0.024 µg active ingredient per bee.

Our house rule is if you want something done a certain way then YOU do it. I've had to learn to let go of some things (like how to fold laundry) but it can be hard too :) Biggest phobia: Ground wasps, those buggers are vicious! Hairstyle and hair color in the 80's: Long and straight, it just won't curl...sigh. First car: A maroon 1971 Granada with one gold door andhood. It sat 7 comfortably though. Favorite saying: No worries! Best sports fantasy: Winning at anything, not likely though. If no one would know, what would you watch on cable all day: The nanny and the Golden Girls - except first we'd have to get cable. I think not having HGTV has helped making building decisions since I don't know about all the cool new stuff out there. Favorite comfort food: Mashed potatoes and gravy (which DH had ready and waiting last night after a very long day / week at work :) What your mom never found out: What I did incollege...shhhhh. Best hangover cure: A big glass of water and two advilbefore bed. I am most confident when: I know what I'm talking about. First job: Picking beans and tomatoes for a neighboring farmer. What my significant other appreciates in me: I'm easy going and calm, I laugh at his jokes, and I like his cooking (but I make better tea). What my significant other does not appreciate in me: Mornings. Choose one: MIL (or pick an annoying relative) stay with you for 1 month or camp 1 month in cheap tent. Tent. I love my MIL, but I like my privacy - I can only stand living with my DH because he is so dear. I can be anti social sometimes, it's why we live in the woods. Time you usually go to bed: That depends on the season. Spring and summer, it's 11, then 3, then 5 (critter feedings). Winter and fall 11:30ish. Perfect date would be: Lying in a hammock with a nice breeze to keep the bugs off and someone bringing us drinks. (All the while someone else is in the house cleaning it and doing laundry...) Household chore you hate the most: vacuuming, especially in the fall and spring when the live oaks shed their leaves. Where you were born: Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Your best friend once told you: Dinner's on the table come home! (he's a great cook too)

For your general lighting, you could install a cable lighting system. And, actually, you can hang pendants from the cable system for things like the dining table. I happen to think your home would look amazing with this type of lighting. The first photo is one I go back to time and time again because the lights just seem to float as if they were stars or something. Imagine how beautiful that would look at night in your chalet with those windows and cavernous ceiling! If these interest you, check out Tech Lighting.