It's nowhere near as invasive as mint. It's an annual (or at least it is in our Northern climes) and I've never noticed it resowing itself... unlike evil mint that grows beneath the winter snows and pulls that high-school-date-in-a-movie-theatre-move where it pretends to be "yawning," but is really staking claim to surrounding territory. I have seeds to send you. Just send me your addy and I'll mail 'em when the time is right.

I WS'd them in '07, had four sprouts, planted them out that spring, and as others mentioned they didn't seem to do much that first year. 2nd year, I decided I didn't have them in the right spot, so I dug them up and moved them ... twice. As a result, I lost two of them. The two remaining ones finally put on some growth this past year, and I got one bloom stalk. I'm giving them one more year to prove themselves. Where I used to live (other side of the state) there was a house that had them planted in a strip between the sidewalk and their backyard fence, mulched in river rock. Very hot and dry location, and they were HUGE, and gorgeous when in bloom. I think it may be a matter of finding the right spot for them, where they can really shine. Bonnie

~sigh~ This is probably going to be the instance that gets my head shaved by Michael. karoloke: I have purchased many cans of CC. Only one (the last can I bought) had those tiny little speckled clumps you speak of. Yes it was an absolute aggravation. I have no idea what caused it. I stirred well (I use a battery operated kitchen mixer). Didn't get rid of them. In a pinch, I had no time to return/exchange. It worked out alright, though. I've used this paint a lot so am very familiar/comfortable working with it. I just brushed out any little specks (I was painting trim with that can, not cabinets). It was a real PITA. Because it was trim set on sawhorses it was easy to swipe off the little flecks. Cabinets would be harder. And I ditched that can (half used) when that job was done. If this is your first can/first try, I'd suggest taking your sample board back to the store and showing them. Those specks should not be there. I want to suspect it has something to do with temperatures and storage (warehouse/transit/etc.) but I'm just a DIY'er so don't know for sure. The pros here can probably offer better advice on that. Satin is the only sheen. It's wonderful! Wipes off readily and easily and will take bumps/dings better than regular latex. My mother recuperated here with us after heart surgery, she used a walker and wasn't so good at steering it. Several times she bumped the trim or door and CC didn't chip where a standard latex would have. Little black scuffs from her walker tires wiped right off. I have done projects with and without primer. Rental properties and my own home. (Figures, the one I'm now having issue with is my kitchen cabs, but that's my fault.) If you're going over a similar color you don't need to prime. I tend to prime just because that's what I like to do for extra good measure. I've just done a rental bath, didn't prime, painted over glossy oil-based white on medicine cabinet and trim, CC covered it fine in two coats. First time I used CC was about 5+ years ago on kitchen cabs in different rental. Those were oil-based paint as well (a medium level gloss, cream in color). Dove right in, didn't prime, CC is still holding well. My own kitchen cabs I'm going to have to touch up. They were 70's stained dark oak. I was burned out, didn't prep them well, primed with Zinsser Bullseye (water based, love that primer). I have pin head size dings going straight down to dark finish. So Bullseye is not clinging (atypical, that stuff will cling to most anything). I knew better and now I'm paying for my lapse in judgment and shortcuts :( The other times I've used a primer with CC is when going over dark colors or stained surfaces. It saves on extra coats of CC used. I tested CC on a dark mahogany stained plant stand. It did cover, but it took 4 coats, whereas with a primer generally two coats of CC is ample. And primer is much less costly than CC ;) When I did my cabinets (style similar to yours) I painted large center surface first with a foam roller. Any bubbles quickly brushed out with a good brush. Then did the edges with a tapered brush. Start in working out and you won't get paint all over your arms reaching across what you've already painted to get to the unpainted middle ;)

I bought a Pioneer album that I doubt I will use. Actually, I didn't buy it, but saw it in a flyer and asked somone who was going to the sale if she'd pick it up for me. It's just an awful album. I don't like the size, the binding, or the page protectors. Other than that, I use all my stuff. Punches (only have 2), templates, scissors. I don't want a circle cutter, because I don't use that many circles. Kelly