Juniper - You have to really want to build a house... really want to. It's more expensive. It's stressful. It's very drawn out. It's incredibly difficult to manage. Did I mention it's expensive. When our build was about half through I lost a sister to cancer. I honestly couldn't care less about building a house at that time. I wish I was more in tune, but it simply wasn't a priority. In a way, that saved me a ton of aggravation. I simply trusted my builder to do his job. At times I'd get involved, but for the most part I had made a fairly comprehensive guide for what we wanted. In the long run that list was a really great thing. Jump forward a few months and it's more challenging stuff. Our other house didn't sell so I reluctantly leased it out for a year. I'm praying my tenant doesn't trash it and the market improves. If not, I guess I'll just keep working till I'm 70. My Mom worked till she was 75... If you got plenty of bids, checked your contractor's references, and had a few conversations with folks who've recently built, I can't imagine you didn't expect some of this stuff. Just keep telling yourself it's only money and you can't take it with you. Your contractor and his subs have one way to make money... work for you or someone else. If you aren't paying a decent wage you'll have some pretty shady characters in your new build and I'm sure you've read plenty of horror stories about no insurance, lawsuits, and sub-standard work. Just dig deep and keep smiling when you write those checks... Good luck! Saftgeek-

I also made these last week-end and was disappointed with the flavor. The recipe that I made up myself tastes much better to me and also has a texture that I prefer. However, I might try this recipe again with some changes, as I found the waffles to be very bland and airy, whether I made them crisp or not. Not only that, several of them stuck to my waffle maker, and I had never had that happen before. Maybe the recipe needs even more butter (At first I thought it had a lot!), but after the waffles started sticking, I started buttering the inside of the waffle maker, and the extra butter helped the flavor. Changes I would make: double the eggs (I like my waffles to taste more like crepes), omit the water and proof the yeast in the milk, and substitute cream for half of the milk. Also, instead of the 1/4 tsp of soda, I would add 1 tsp of vodka at the final mixing. For me, this helps the texture a lot. In addition, I think I would like to use whole wheat flour for half of the flour. I will also need to use a slightly larger bowl, as the one I used filled up completely, but the plastic wrap on top prevented any spilling. I do like the yeast better than the baking powder, as I think that baking powder gives a somewhat metallic taste to the waffles, and I do not mind a slight yeast flavor. I also like being able to make the batter the night before so that I can cook them as soon as I get up - that gave me time to do some gardening in the morning before it got too sunny. Kevin continued to garden until noon. I am glad I tried this recipe, as I had been reluctant to make yeast waffles before, partly because I was so happy with my old recipe. While I still prefer my old recipe to this one, I think I can combine the two to make something more to my taste. I personally think that the 1/2 cup water in the original recipe was a mistake, since it does not appear in the ingredients list, and that's why Ann needed to add the 3/4 cup of additional flour. The dry to wet ingredients proportion seems to be better in FOAS's recipe. I'm not sure how I would feel about the vanilla in the recipe, but it might have enough alcohol to have a similar effect to the vodka. I might decide to try Canadian Whisky in place of vodka. Lars

I am out in the Inland Empire AKA Riverside~~~we get a bit of flooding on our property but it soaks up fast. I went out to feed my birds and our grass is way over soaked I wonder how long it will take to dry out. DH read that the Laguna Beach area is closed they got slammed with the rain and are all flooded out. I am off too have lunch with my DD and gkids it looks like the rain is just about over here so not expecting any problems. I love the rain it makes the hills in my area so green in the spring and less fire hazards. We live in a semi rural area so this is all good for us.

Hi Rob!!!! Look at all of your beautiful Adeniums!! You sure have been busy with your awesome set up and with adding to you beautiful collection!!! They all look so healthy and they thrive with your excellent care.... i I totally understand about being away from the forums.. We both have had busy schedules, but I often think about you all. It's such a warm feeling to know how in tuned your mom is with us. She has always been such a great support to you and I can't thank her enough for her generosity as well as for your own. You have always been so kind from the very first time we started here on GW. Great people around here and I always find myself thinking this when I see so much negativity on the FB forums. My heart is here on GW with so many kind people.. It's where I can come to relax and hear from people like you!!! Please send my best to your mother and always remember that you lift me with every post I read from you. You are a very kind soul and I'm very thankful . Your Plumeria looks great with being tied off like those n the Bonsai world..;-) great way to keep it from moving in its container.. Have a wonderful evening, Rob and as always.. Mahalo!! Laura PS That variegated Plumeria is called " Maya". When mine is ready to be trimmed, I'll save you a cutting!!