Thanks for the feedback! As to the 'why' of it, well, bc I am an optimist (hence the gardening) and maybe the greenhouse will look a little more dreamy and less like a 209$ greenhouse that it is....if it isn't metal-looking. And painting cedar IS against God, nature and all the design magazines, but I am trying for a silk purse here! Again, the trouble started when I discovered how close I was to the nice greenhouse place up the road. Seeing bespoke, charming greenhouses was great, but a little heartbreaking, knowing DH doesn't care about gardening and would in no way be behind spending the $ for those. Heck, he glowered all night about the scary HF one! I will let you know if reason or art wins out!

WOW--like I say I wasn't even thinking of HVX when I noticed this strange division on my MA. I had one hvx plant 4 years ago, so I thot I knew what it looked like plus that time the HVX enveloped the whole plant and not just one division. This case just affects one division plus it is very striking looking. Now I know why that one H grower saved his Leopard Frog H or whatever he called it. I truly appreciate everyone's input--all your replies are valuable and enlightening, and now I am in the "pondering stage". My first call was to order the "kit" so I will test for the disease before I make any other moves with it. I asked the phone person about just part of a plant being infected, and she said they are growing some H in the lab in which some divisions are infected and some are non-infected to see what eventually happens to a whole plant. I will keep you informed of my next decision. I keep asking myself how I could ever grow H anymore without all the help I get from this forum. :0) Mary PS this is the back of a leaf.

Harper, A few people have commented on Kit when we're out for a walk, but no one stopped to chat. We really don't see too many people when we go out. Dogs haven't been a problem. Never see one loose in our neighborhood and the ones we've encountered on a leash aren't a bother. Kit doesn't mind passing dogs...she was buddies with our last dog, an Alaskan Malamute. I like Japanese maples, but the one I had there was a dwarf, with those downturned limbs. It didn't look right in front of that arch...too small. Yeah, the house is too big for two people. (And too freakin' much for me to clean!) We've been too busy to even work on the plans, so we won't be building as soon as we planned. We already bought the lot, so it will be there when we're ready. Of course, I finally have most of the plantings here the way I want them (and I finally have nice grass!) so I'm having second thoughts about moving. At the moment, I dread the thought of starting over with all the landscaping, but then again, I really enjoy it. Our new lot is over an acre and totally overgrown, so it will be a challenge! The house we lived in before this was on 6 acres and by the time we sold it, it looked like a well manicured park with a lake.

oh goodness....I just got the quote for doing the cabinet work!! Adding a wood mantel hood - and adding a cab & drawer stack to the counter where that worthless corner cab is over....$3000. By doing those things - I would have to have the cabs refinished b/c they come unfinished. It is always one thing leads......The faux painter doesn't work cheap - either. Another 4k for that. Just three in my family - only child. So the drop leaf table by the fp would work for us.... I did find some interesting stuff at the antique store, thou. Camelback loveseat - $98 - needs upholstery but very nice with down cushion 4 parsons chairs covered in cream with a red check & roosters - $350 - I think I could work with this upholstery since I have red checked lampshades in the kitchen. And the rooster pic but I don't want a rooster theme! Antique oak gateleg table - $325 Cute little red painted side table - $25 I am thinking about going ahead and purchasing these things tomorrow. I really couldn't believe that I found almost everything I was looking for today. But, at the same time I am scared of making a mistake. Back to the kit.....do you think a change in backsplash would help? I kinda don't want to get so heavily $$ involved in a total make-over. I have saved my "mad money" for a project but there are always others on the list. The practical side of me says these cabs are brand new & not bad. The person that looks at beautiful kitchens here, online & mags says go for it - what the heck - if it will make you enjoy where you spend the most time, why not??? Any ideas on making the kitchen look better on the cheap? What do yall think of the above prices from the antique store? Everyone here seems to know the value on the used/antique market. I apologize for my rambling. I feel here, there and everywhere with this kitchen/hearth room!! Smiles:)