Dadereni, it was largely a matter of time spent with them (which we paid for !) and messing with designs. At some point, it became obvious that "he wasn't getting it". One architect put together a lovely house plan, but he missed the view entirely. Then, when we said we wanted vinyl siding, he paled and said had he known that, he might not have worked with us at all. One guy was going to charge us very little and essentially wanted to draft up our floor plan and send us on our way....he didn't see it as complex or aesthetically challenging...it felt like he was a step up from what a custom builder would offer. We could tell he wasn't willing to put enough of himself into the place. Another put together a plan that might have worked based on what we were asking for at the time, but it was out of our price range in terms of what we wanted to spend to build it. Another architect was very focused on energy efficiency and we learned a lot from him about layout for solar design, but his floor layouts...and we went through a lot of them... still missed the mark, despite our sitting with him sketching for several hours at a time. Another architectural firm, we spent very little time with...when they started talking about custom cutters to make their own custom designed woodwork, we knew they weren't for us. Then there was the other guy who we also spent only a meet and greet with. (I loved him...he was Greek....I've never met a greek guy I didn't fall for....must've been a past life!) He was going to design our house for us and we were going to like it! He was going to pick out everything including switch plate covers and our job was to enjoy this lovely home he built for us. Definitely not our guy. So we ended up back with Uncle Joe. I think our first go round with him was a disappointment because we expected to walk in, describe what we wanted and get it. It took awhile for us to learn that that wasn't going to happen, no matter who we went with. After we left Uncle Joe and went through these other guys, fate had it that we ran into each other in the mall, so we sat down and had a nice conversation. He said, "You know, I can build your house for you." Something in the way he said it told us that he "got" where we were going and that he was willing to stick with us for as long as it took to get there. Well it took several more years and lots of designs, but we got there. (I chalk that up to my "tuition fees" as it took awhile for me to learn what's necessary to make an exterior and interior work together to create a lovely house, to think in 3d....and control freak that I am, plus with my interest in interior design, I was not willing to let go of the interior layout as that's where we live and feel the house on a daily basis.) So, from my POV, the most important thing is, (in addition to obvious core competencies and licensing) can you collaborate with the person? Can you duke it out over various issues while both maintaining your focus on your common goal of creating the perfect house for you? Can you see enough creativity and vision in the architect that stumbling blocks and trade-offs can be worked out? Does s/he have enough pride in their work and is s/he willing to put themselves into the project to make it their own as well as yours? As you collaborate, are you finding your visions converging or diverging? Below is a link to a thread where I talk about how we turned our inspiration into reality. Here is a link that might be useful: From inspiration to reality...

Beverly, I've seen lots I didn't like either, they were either too short, or had plunging necklines about to the naval, so low in back that you could see their butt crack (well, nearly), or slit up the side to their armpits. And those were the ones that weren't so tight they looked as though they'd been applied with a paint gun. Sheesh. I was always told there was a fine line between slinky and sleezy, and a lot of dresses this year crossed that line by about a mile. Nope, I liked that little mint green fairy dress with the floaty skirt..... Annie

Just checking back in here. You've been busy. I love the RL dress on you too. I suspect the other is also really flattering, but that the overexposure of the lighting on the pic and maybe the pic angle makes it not as enticing as the RL. Either one would be perfect. Are you in the mood for silvery/pewter shoes? I just bought these at Dillards (amazing selection I'll add) to wear this weekend as stepmom of Bride. They are comfy enough for me to wear and still act as hostess at this wedding. By J Renee and pretty affordable. I'm a lot taller than you, but have the same figure issues, ie shapely ample tush and bustline. For this "black tie optional" wedding all the bridesmaids will be in long dresses as will I. I ended up buying a dress in the salon the day we went wedding dress shopping, at Sweet Elegance in Atlanta where they were absolutely wonderful. And I went with a mock wrap - silver, beaded. Still haven't decided on jewelry. sigh. Wedding is in three days. (why do they picture a 20-something in a dress meant for MOB?) I made my dresses for my two sons weddings, but making it this time was going to be a logistical nightmare. Have a wonderful time at your barn wedding.

hm....to tell the truth I have never checked the temp of my starter or my oven with/without the light or my bread dough or the starter as I was getting it going ! My house is 68 all winter and then in the Summer we keep the thermostat on 78. Whatever time of year it is all seems to do just fine. I have never made an exception for my bread dough other than to place it in the oven with the door propped open with an oven mitt. That is how it is today with the dough I am currently making. It has to rest at "room " temp for 3 hrs...with stretch and folds every 30 min for the first 2 hrs and then leave it alone for one hour. Then shape and let rise one hour at room temp then retard overnight and bake direct from fridge in 500 degree pre-heated pots tomorrow. I just checked my oven temp with the light on and it is 73. That is where I do my apple yeast water and my starter after I feed it and that is where my first and only , current , stater got going. One of the things they caution is not to over feed your starter...as in until it doubles don't feed again. I followed the method I linked 4 yrs ago and didn't have a problem. I know others on the Fresh Loaf have had to try about 3-4 times to get one going. I used rye flour from my local health food store and bottled water ( that is important when getting it started) and King Arthur white AP flour. It could be that is the problem with your first starter is over feeding. As to the second starter I wouldn't worry at all about "bad" stuff growing at this point. The tiny bubbles and concept of "bad" are not a problem at this point. Simply carry on and move it to a slightly cooler place and feed/discard and definitely stir well and give it air via a loose cover. It should be fine. As to the other one after 6 days if it has bubbles and has a fine odor I sure wouldn't discard it either. I would take out half and feed it and leave it where it is about 75 for 24 hrs and see what is what. As to apple yeast water just chop up 100g of apple and put it in the quart jar with 2/3 full filtered water...it does love the 80's so use your oven with light. Stir very well every couple hours all during the day for 3 days - 4 days. It is ready to rise bread. The apples will always float and the water will be VERY fizzy ! You can hear it ! It does need a lot of attn and warmth the first 3-4 days and then it is completely care free and can be in the fridge for weeks at a time and not used. Once you get your other starter going....and I do urge you to go to TFL and read some of the discussions on getting a starter going...I will tell you how to store it when not in use for lengths of time...when I am gone on a bicycle tour I leave mine unattended in the fridge for months. Keep us posted. c http://www.thefreshloaf.com/search/node/debra%20wink%20starting%20a%20sour%20dough%20starter read the first two articles by Debra Wink...linked above and then the link below...you will know more than I do when done :) Debra's way always works !! c Here is a link that might be useful: TFL...link to a lot of discussions