Scientific name: Cytisus scoparius. Common names: Scotch broom, broomtops, common broom, European broom, Irish broom, English. Native Origin: British Isles, central and southern Europe Ecological Impacts: This aggressive, rapid spreading plant can grow 3 feet in the first year. It can form dense impenetrable stands that degrade rangeland, prevent forest regeneration, and create fire hazards. It invades rapidly following logging, land clearing, and burning. It can form pure dense stands for miles along highway and country roads to crowd out native species and destroy wildlife habitat. Toxicity: Mild poisoning can occur from this shrub. Large amounts are required to cause symptoms in animals such as horses. Alkaloids have been identified as being the toxic principle. Cytisin, sparteine and isosparteine are found in the twigs, leaves and seeds in small amounts. The seeds of the plant can stay dormate for 160 years.

Oh--love that orange! Orange is such a great appliance color! Decodilly: you got your new backsplash! Are you relieved? I like the look of that metal (nickel?) outlet cover. Usually people do white covers on subway tile, but lately I've been pondering this very issue, and wondering if nickel would be a nice touch. I really like it! How do you like having the one pendant over the sink? Because my kitchen is so small, I think I will have one pendant over the sink, and one central ceiling fixture. But TheHusband wonders if I should try to squeeze in 2 skinny pendants over the sink, in order to get more light. (We'll probably do some under cab lighting as well). Regarding the stove, the fold down cover is a life saver in a small kitchen! In fact, I end up using the microwave far more than I normally would, just so I can keep the stove cover down! I need the counter space so badly! My cover can go in 2 positions. Here it is, open all the way (it folds back on itself): And here it is, folded halfway, which makes a useful shelf (great for holding prep stuff when cooking): And on a more exciting note... The cabinetmaker just called!! I waited all weekend (I felt like a teenager waiting for my boyfriend to call!). He's coming Wednesday, and said he'll need about a week. In a way this is terrible timing. We celebrate Hanukkah, rather than Xmas, and this basically means no sink for the entire 8 days! I don't think I can do messy latkes and other holiday cooking without a sink. Previously, I had planned to make it easy on myself during the demo by ordering take out for a week (and using paper plates, etc.) I just don't see myself washing out a sticky, starchy food processor, or a greasy fry pan in the bathtub for several nights!! So I had a moment where I almost asked him to wait a week. And then I thought... Almost 2 years without a decent kitchen vs latkes and brisket. And if we do it right now, I just might even get a COUNTER installed by the end of the year. Hmmmmm. Hmmmmm. He's coming! And maybe we'll just have latkes Tuesday night, and call it done! Eeeek! I'm so nervous....... Francy

We moved into a neighborhood of 1960s-70s colonials. One of the many things I liked about our house was the black slate foyer floor. A new friend came by and mentioned that "that slate is really easy to remove" and she had just put new large-format tile in her foyer instead. 12 years later and I still prefer my black slate. The other thing I wouldn't and won't change is the kitchen curtains. The kitchen faces the street and includes a breakfast nook, so we need some curtains, but I don't want to block the view altogether. The house came with cafe curtains, as well as an upper tier of curtains (not a valance) for the larger breakfast nook windows. They are somewhat sheer, maybe translucent is the word, which I like: it's like looking through lightly-frosted glass so I can see if someone is walking by the house without really being able to see who they are. The little ruffle probably dates them the most, but given that they are otherwise plain it's cute. What I'd really like is a toile pattern, but I just can't find a fabric that is translucent, without being "shiny".

Yes! My answer will be long because both are very special in my heart. My parents gave me a Kenmore sewing machine for my college graduation. My mother had taught me to sew so we all well knew the sentimentally behind the gift. It has generated lots of joy through making clothes, craft items, and quilts. In 2019 it began having problems and I purchased a dual purpose machine. But just recently I have decided to have it repaired/tuned because it’s always been a great machine and I can jump on it to do basic sewing and piecing if the newer machine is set up for embroidery. The other gift is this Royal Doulton figurine my sister gave me for my high school graduation. We would go to the mall together and I would stand and just stare at these ladies in the display window. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I opened it. They were expensive! She offered to buy me another - that I could choose myself! - for my college graduation. I never did. Partly because they were even more expensive. But probably mostly because of the enormity of the decision for which one. To this day it is always centered and featured in my hutch. After rereading my words I’ve realized that the greater value of these gifts is the meaning and love they symbolize. My parents were wonderful people and there is no better big sister than mine. Today is my father’s birthday, he passed away two years ago ( my mother five years). My sister is driving 7 hours south to visit. While I’ve been able to go to her state during the pandemic she has not been here since early 2020. So forgive me being sentimental today.