I didn't try to get the M & M's to position their hands like in OA's pix I love so much. I just told them to hold hands and I got photos from in front of them and then in back of them. I wanted their hand-holding to be 'natural' to them. I think I'll get photos done of both shots, and let my daughter choose her favorite to put in the frame. I am going to do the feet one too and see if she wants it. What she doesn't want, I'll put in my M & M's scrapbook. (my daughter has 3 girls, all named with an M. The oldest girl is 22 and lives in Alabama now.) Thanks for all the great comments!! hugs, Karen

The vivienne files has a lovely aqua and black capsule wardrobe, Maire cate! I am decidedly not a size zero, so you may well be Impressed at the number of garments in the bag :-) I am not a roller, I tried that method once or twice and it was a hot mess to get things out--- any time you want an item you have to completely unpack and repack. If I am staying in a hotel longer than one night I unpack almost completely, hanging everything and putting other things in drawers. But I usually use the packing cube thingies from Eagle Creek and ebags. I will use a medium or large zippered packing bag for all my slacks, another for all the tops, a small cylindrical one for undies and socks, another for scarves, etc. that way when I want a shirt I can just take that cube out and not disturb everything else. I put these cubes in drawers as is unless something would benefit for being hung up. Alternatively, if we are going on a trip requiring a lot of dressing up, I will pack complete outfits individually in those space bag thingies. That way I have not only the clothes, but the stockings, shoes, jewelry, any special underwear, etc. in one package. Those are the bags you ziplock and then roll it up to,squeeze all the air out, then unroll it to lie very flat. It's amazing how unwrinkled clothes are when packed in those space bags!

Haha, lavender, my builder would kill me, esp. after the last minute change w/ the laundry/dog wash area. Plus, DF is never going to go for it :( Everyone has told me time and again that 4 fireplaces are enough (so untrue!) and I already upgraded the fireplaces we do have to bigger and better ones, inc. adding a marble mantel to one and blue bahia surround to another, so my fireplace spending has been quite out of control. Plus, I got my engagement ring for christmas so I'm sure DF thinks he's spent quite enough already on me :( I will have to live vicariously through you! Just make sure you post LOTS and LOTS of pictures once you have yours installed!! Your kitchen is going to be sooooo beautiful and cozy and inviting!! And, if it really bothers me, I'll ask for it for christmas next year! It's right by an exterior wall, shouldn't be too expensive to add on later, right...

Celery root isn't really seasonal, though sometimes my store is out. It might be labelled celeriac. Have you asked the produce manager? They might just not get enough demand for it but could get some for you. It's wonderful roasted! Also pureed. And in soup. And lots more... Cleaning it can be a bear. You(r sous chef) can use a sharp peeler, but it's sometimes easier just to pare it with a knife. Then you can scrape the hairy stuff out of the cracks with the tip of the peeler, or just V cut the whole area out with a sharp knife. Waste bugs me but I'm learning to let it go and give it to the city compost. :) Congrats on the success of your new adventure!