Noisettes and Teas and their ilk sometimes get into a mood of doing absolutely nothing for several years . . . and then spring into vigorous growth. For just two examples: My 'Desprez à Fleur Jaune' simply sat for about five years . . . and now blooms all the time with branches which reach about twenty-five feet, all told. My 'Général Galliéni' plant as received could have been covered by a slightly large teacup, and remained that size for about three years; now it is a massive bush seven to eight feet tall and twelve feet wide. 'Gloire de Dijon' may be said to be the rose which first piqued my interest in Old Roses (from a picture in a Sunset Magazine rose book), and so I have special affection for it. My first plant of it came from Roses of Yesterday and Today, on whatever stock they used. For about two years it thrived and bloomed ceaselessly. In the third year, it began to decline as a plant, but still blooming and blooming, and it was rather melancholy to see it wanting to bloom so much as the plant died. In retrospect, I have realized that it was one of the first victims of the Verticillium Wilt which over the course of about ten years spread and destroyed about a third of my roses. A few years later, I tried a second specimen, own-root, from another source; it was a feeble plant, and died within a few months. A few years later, I was kindly gifted a hearty specimen from another source . . . and after a year of growth, it died, again of Verticillium Wilt, which makes me think that a certain proportion of plants in commerce of 'Gloire de Dijon' are infected, and passed around because it doesn't show up for two to three years. Very newly, I now have a nice and promising plant from Rogue Valley, and am giving it every attention and care. My point is first to be very patient with Noisettes, Teas, and Tea-Noisettes--very patient as in years-long patience--and my second point is that 'Gloire de Dijon' is an enthusiastic bloomer who desperately wants to perform for us, and so merits being given every chance--and being watched very carefully . . .

An after winter update on the above sabal palmettos. So sad to report that the hurricane cut palmetto didn't make it according to the guy who planted it. I had high hopes since this was such a mild winter even with two, short mid-teen cold snaps. It was not killed by the winter, rather than inappropriate, over protection by the new owner. Apparently she wrapped it in plastic with xmas lights right on the fronds, so it got cooked! So sad. If she had just ignored it like last winter, it would've done fine and likely added more fronds this summer. My friend said she is clueless with semi tropicals and doesn't listen to advice. The small palmetto at the mini golf course looks great. I really think more 10 and 15 gallon potted palmettos need to be tried here. It's the best option for marginal areas according to Gary's Nursery in New Bern, NC. It's a shame they've not been available locally. Finally, the experimental palmetto seedlings that I scattered all over my garden survived exceedingly well with out any protection other than leaves that fell around them. Two or three that were most exposed and open on the west side of the front porch suffered burn. But all if them are very green at the baseses of their strap leaves and new straps/spears are emerging. I'm so disappointed about the HC palm, needless to say.

I should have added we are also doing the butlers pantry (hence the additional dishwasher) at the same time. It's fun to read about people thinking of redoing their kitchens in vintage homes. I recently gut remodeled a kitchen in a 1980's townhouse and had no restrictions as to style given that the only style I didn't want to consider was 1980's :) It's a very eclectic space that I love and was easy to make work well because of the lack of an identifiable decade to focus on. A kitchen in a victorian or any older home IMO is much harder. To make the right items for a busy cook work well and yet also nod carefully to the home's history is a challenge. Our home has special rules attached to the first floor so research has been my best friend. I was originally not happy about the rules, but now I'm glad they're there so no one comes in and does something evil to the house. That said...I would agree that the copper slate above is gorgeous...it would have made a wonderful floor in my other place as I'm a total copper/gold/bronze color nut. :) It's rich and magnificant and best of all...interesting :) not the same old stuff you see everywhere. I just don't want to see it in a victorian :oP I'm odd that way I guess LOL ohhhh the compactors are because we recycle here and they only pick up every other week. We have a child and four hundred cats and dogs (ok 3 and 1 respectively but sometimes it seems like more). We always seem to overflow the recycling and would like to get down to one can someday. Squishing it seems the easiest LOL KS...the kitchen is 20x25 or so....plenty of room for plural LOL I will say despite the size it's harder to design than my 13x18 kitchen back in alaska. But at least I have the floors figured out heh heh We did find a piece of a lino carpet under the old servants stairs and I went off in a wild tangent thinking I could do that in the new kitchen....gorgeous stuff, just like a persian rug but lino :) Turns out they're rarely available and when found cost an arm and three legs. I did find one from the 40's which we'll put in the servants dining room (where we eat the most LOL) on the...you guessed it...painted fir floor heh heh

kim2007 - well, it's located in a historic district. i posted photos of the exterior the other day. it was a 1950's fourplex, sort of prairie style (huge eaves), although they had a funky colonial style entry - it was ugly. 99% of the neighborhood was built in the 1920's. we were trying to play up the craftsman and prairie elements of the house. i worked with an architect on the plans (although i pretty well knew what i wanted for an outcome, just didn't know how to do the drawings - wish i did though!) and I was required to present to a 20 person panel to get approval on our designs. squirrelheaven - every state is different with regard to licensing. we are in NC, there is a very difficult exam to pass, but no educational requirements (which is crazy). i attended a prep class and really studied alot - and i'm a fairly good test taker. that doesn't mean i'm a knowledgable GC though... imo, it's mainly project management that makes a good GC. i can rely on good framers, plumbers, electricians and hvac guys to handle the technical aspects - and of course each house gets easier as i learn more. what i love most is the incredible transformation of building something or creating something new - I guess the creative aspect of it. I also enjoy the challenge of making something beautiful on a really small budget - seeing how cheap I can do it! i hate arguing with subs who claim the work was different than their estimate or contract (or who refused to give a firm quote). btw, i love your photoshop posts/work!