'grats to you! And your first success was with some more challenging veggies - at least they are for me. I remember my newbie victory (back in the day, a year and a half ago) of green beans and radishes. I was thrilled, but later discovered those two crops at the top of all the 'easiest for beginners' lists (aka the 'any idiot can grow' lists) But bugs have made my brassicas and squashes a challenge, so I'm impressed by your success! I don't know of any way to increase the size of your already growing heads, but depending on the type of broccoli you planted you may get enough side shoots to make it more worthwhile. Congrats again, ~emmers

The shed dormer should be pulled at least a foot away from the front facing gable so water can drain. In a cold climate it should be pulled away at least 2 feet. It's a much better design but it is still not a Craftsman house. The steep roofs, boxed cornices and pent roofed pediments are Victorian which is not a bad thing. You should allow the house to be what it wants to be instead of trying to disguise it as a style that is foreign to it. I see a great opportunity to make it into a Shingle Style house which I consider to be far more elegant and easy to adapt to modern life styles. It's almost there; the long continuous rake being a hallmark of the style. Add some more shingles that wrap around the corners (no corner boards), place the porch posts farther apart and make them tapered round or square columns (a column has a base and a capital) with entasis (convex side curve) and delete the big rake overhangs and brackets. Pair the windows with enough space between them to look traditional and use mullions only in the top sash.

Gina, I was thinking that the hand vac might benefit you. Sometimes you just need some suction above the floor (I'm baiting EJ)... the hand vac would be a perfect supplement to that stick vac since the stick vac doesn't have a hose. Nice also that you can swap the batteries out if one were to die in the middle of a job. Those batteries are supposed to last a good long time though. David, try putting the fried chicken or bacon in the pantry instead of the 'fridge and discovering them a week later! And I was only 24 when I pulled those stunts! Here's a pic of the hand vac since it wasn't in the other picture. It looks good too! Lee, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't comment on your stick vac! (Your observations are spot on though... decent on bare floors, but not so good on carpet) It was recalled about a year ago! There was a case where the battery exploded in a ladies hand and caused severe injury. The batter is in the handle of the part where you hold it if take it out of the stick "shell" and use it as a hand vac. If you only use it as a stick vac, you should be far enough away if it were to explode. I just wouldn't want anything to happen to you, dear sweet Lee (that's my middle name, by the way :o) Lee, I'm linking to a story about the recall that has model numbers so you can check and see if yours is one of those affected by the recall. Fair warning though, there's a picture of the lady's hand at the bottom and it's graphic. Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux recall...

Good work! Yep its a good feeling watching and helping things grow. Enjoy the gardening!