How about pretty shower favors? Something we did when my sis got married & budget was limited. You will need: 1. White veiling material.(Or your choice of colors) It is inexpensive. 2. Jordanian nuts, or pastel colored chocolate mints if the Jordanian nuts are too $$. You can buy both in bulk at a Sam's or Costco. 3. Some white ribbon 4. Wedding Bands, you can find them in the bride's section of a fabric or hobby store. They come in either yellow gold or white gold. They come 25 or 30 per pkg. Cut the veiling into little squares, maybe 4" x 4". Place a little bunch of the nuts in middle. Wrap the veiling material up & twist, then tie the ribbon w/ 2 of the rings on it. Tie in a little bow. When you have the right amount, place in a pretty basket that you've decorated & Walla! you are all set!;) Kids love making these so get lots of little helpers! Watchout for sneaksters that eat the stuff though! Super fast & fun to make. If you have time you can also include a little names card or something w/ the bride's & grooms name on it. Betty

I'm a little late to the party here, but... ATAFA sells a roll of privacy screen measuring 68" x 150' that comes in beige, blue, green, black and brown. It's $135 plus shipping. I've been thinking of getting it one of these days. Here's the description: The price is for per roll. Privacy Screen Rolls (with reinforced edge). Size: 68" for 6' fence. Construction: 85-90% Knit Raschel. Fiber Content: 100% High Density Polyethylene. Durable and light weight. Will not unravel. Tear resistant. Environmentally pleasing. Mold and mildew resistant. Quick and easy installation. Will not fade or deteriorate. UV stabilized. See link below. Did anybody ever use this type of polyethylene screen? Has anybody tried to make a privacy screen using the shade screen sold at places like Home Depot? Here is a link that might be useful: Privacy Screen 68

If your window trim is white and fascia are white, use white gutters and downspouts but if your siding is a dark color, paint the downspouts the same or similar color as your siding (with paint intended for metal if the gutters are metal) so the downspouts will visually "disappear". White and gray are not the only colors worth considering. If you are in a wooded area, also consider sage green. If you are in a more sandy desert area, consider a pale brown/tan (without the pink or yellow hue). Where you live, what kind of lot you have and how you maintain the yard adjacent to your home can affect how much and quickly your siding will get dirty. If the current paint on your home is looking really bad -- if it's peeling or cracking or just really dirty -- it will need a serious cleaning so consider having it pressure washed before repainting it. You may be able to rent a pressure washer if you are DIY inclined.

Hi Preeti, your home is so well maintained and I am sure the sunroom is a great space. Your best bet is to plan for successive blooms. Given water restrictions, native plants might be a good option. If there is a native nursery in your area, they will likely be happy to help. I found a few suggestions, but lack personal experience with these plants, so please confirm with a nursery pro. California Fuschia (Zauschneria californica) Epilobium canum. A very hardy native that can take a lot of abuse, this is commonly found in dry areas, rocky slopes and cliffs. Abundant, scarlet tubular flowers from July to November, popular with hummingbirds. Likes sun to partial sun exposure, may be used as a ground cover. 2’h x 4’ attracts humming birds Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) bit tricky to get established, but is worth the effort. It requires excellent drainage and lots of sun. Large 4-6” crinkled flowers appear from spring to summer. Spreads by underground rhizomes. 3-5’h x 8’+w Desert or Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)hardy evergreen perennial, this plant has coral flowers clustered on stems spring to fall. Prefers dry winters and benefits from pruning after it blooms. 3’h x 3’w Panamint Beard Penstemon (Penstemon floridus) A large showy perennial, this plant combines coarsely serrated to smooth leaves with hot pink flowers atop tall spikes. Prefers hot, dry summers and cold winters. 3-4’h x 3’w Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) This plant displays long purple spikes in summer and fall that gracefully arch above grayish green foliage. Will take some light shade. Keep tidy and attractive by cutting old stems off at the ground. 3’h x 4’w