We're still harvesting lots of hot peppers and sweet peppers, quite a few bite-sized tomatoes, a few slowly-ripening regular tomatoes (I may pick 'em green this afternoon because we're expecting about 36-38 degrees here at our house tonight), a decent amount of green beans---would have had more if the sun would shine, a few okra pods her and there, and still have winter squash and cukes growing. Dorothy, I ended up getting enough fall cukes for about 18 to 20 or maybe 22 jars of pickles....mostly bread and butter slices, bread and butter stackers, dill stackers, but also some dill chips and some sweet relish. I think it we could have a couple more weeks of sunshine without a freezing night, I'd get enough cukes to make at least one good batch of dill spears, but think tonight's cold may thwart those plans. My entire fall garden has produced less than expected (back when I planted in sunny weather!) and more slowly than expected due to all the clouds and rain. However, the cool season crops look good and I have high hopes for them. The fall potatoes look good above ground, and I'm hoping that when I dig them, I'll find lots of taters underground too. I hope your broccoli, cabbage and chinese cabbage can take the light frost tonight so you get a chance to make kimchee. I may or may not go out this afternoon and cover up what I can to get it through tonight's cold. The forecast for Marietta doesn't sound so bad, but our well-experienced local forecaster took great pains to explain on the weather forecast Thursday night and yesterday as well that those of us in "rural outlying areas" were likely to go into the 30s and likely would have patchy frost in some areas. So, if I don't cover up and everything is damaged or killed, I can't blame him for the weather because he warned us. I'm not really ready for the warm-season gardening season to end, but it is inevitable at some point, and the cool-season crops ought to hang on a bit longer. I have several volunteer tomato plants sprouting in the pathways, undoubtedly from one of the cherry or currant types, because the birds get some of those maters....especially the currant ones. I'm tempted to dig up a couple of those 6" tall tomato plants and try to grow them on the patio in tubs, but I know from trying it before that tomatoes that ripen in cold weather just don't have the flavor I expect. They always say it isn't over until the fat lady sings....well, for the warm-season crops, the fat lady may sing tonight. Our temps here are running 10-14 degrees colder than average for this time of year, so I don't think we'll make it to our usual average first frost date in November. I think we'll freeze here, if not tonight, then soon. Dawn

Hi Mike, nice to meet some other Okie plumie lovers! Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. Somehow I just knew y'all were going to tell me to cut it into pieces. Yikes, I'm scared-lol. Should I try to make the cuts and root it now or should I do as Moonie suggests and wait until spring? I have to admit, I did go to Southwoods and buy another plumie last week. A miniature Divine this time. Didn't want to take the chance of growing another monster-lol. I've also been eyeballing a Scentsational in full bloom. It smells good enough to eat but I'm not ready to spend $80 on a plumie. I went back today just to smell it and talk myself out of it for the 3rd time. I'd love to have the name of any local nursery that sells plumies! Moonie, thanks for the advice ! I appreciate getting help from plumeria growers with more experience and know-how than I have.

Three things about the space...I think the fridge does work best by the main sink, especially if the table is over there, too. The prep sink on the island is FOR the cooktop/range. Without it, you don't have a very functional kitchen. I think the island works best opposite the cooktop, but maybe just a bit smaller. The desk should be in the kitchen, IMHO, but not in the main work zones. By changing the island slightly and moving a stool to the end, you are no longer all lined up and it will be easier to visit with the cook and each other. Also, the desk chair should be the same height as the table chairs...that way you can move it over for extra seating, when needed. The banquette will give you MUCH more seating, because people can squeeze in, where chairs would take more room. Having the banquette on one side only, makes it easier for people to access and with outdoor fabric, a breeze to clean up. There are some beautiful outdoor fabrics (that look like indoor) that would be perfect for the banquette, cushions, chairs, etc. Oh, and I think the banquette will allow you to sit in the sun and take full advantage of the windows and view...although the windows will have to be a little higher from the floor, for the banquette. Hope this helps :) From Kitchen plans One more thing...why is the laundry door opening out? It would probably make more sense to swing into the room, against that right side (away from sink) but can't see entire space. This post was edited by lavender_lass on Mon, Feb 24, 14 at 18:45

Wow. You guys are great! Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement. It helps a lot. And I see I'm not the only one in this boat! I do know that things will get better, and I can always plant new roses, etc. But it's just the loss of the rare roses that pisses me off. Why couldn't it be the more common ones that are easily replaced? Of course that's not the way it goes, altho there were a few of those too! And it's my fault for planting the tiny own-root bands in this crappy soil of ours before they've grown to a decent size. And it's my fault for not keeping on top of the sprinklers to be sure they are covering the entire beds, and my fault for not getting the most invasive weeds and underplantings pulled out when they were smaller. But... that's because I've been so busy, and overly obsessed and buying waaaay too many roses. I'm not growing and cultivating them, I'm collecting them. That's what I do. I collect things. It's sad. It's a sickness I guess. I know that in the coming seasons I will get all the beds done. And Bluegirl, yes I am doing what you said. I plant a rose, or weed part of a bed. In this heat, that's all I can do. It's slow going, but it's nice when I do get something done. Right now tho, I also am now dealing with the death of my 98yr old mom. We've been expecting it for sometime, but it's kind of surreal now that it has finally happened. My brother just flew out from Upstate NY and my sister is coming up from SoCal, so we will be dealing with all the estate and stuff over the next two weeks. I'm not going to get much done in the yard for awhile, except watering. Which is ok, since it's been too darn hot to work out there. By then it will be cooler and easier to do stuff outside. The only drawback now is the days are getting shorter, so I won't have as much daylight to get things done. Oh well, it'll get done when it gets done. LOL My life will be so different now. I'll have more time and less stress. Not that Mom was stressful. It was my niece who is my partner in the shop, and who lived with her. She's got mental issues and was a nightmare to deal with regarding Mom. Our lives revolved around her needs and wants, and my younger son and I had to go stay with Mom whenever she wanted to have time off. Now I have freedom, and so does Mom! She was trapped in her bed in a body that didn't work and a mind that was basically gone. I will miss her, but I will not miss the ordeals we went thru with my niece. And I will think of Mom when I'm out there working in the garden. Being out there will help me get over her passing. Judith, your chickens sound wonderful. We only have room for a few. (In fact we're not supposed to have more than 2... which is totally ludicrous... why bother?) Anyway.... we built a decent little shack for the girls and have a run that's 8'x24', but we're going to add another 10-12' in length and use our old satellite dish to put over part of it. It's going to be a fun and funky set-up for them. And next yr... I want some of those Blue Laced Red Wyandottes and Brahmas. Can't wait! Oh and I also am using weed barrier under some of my potted roses. Saves on weeds that's for sure. Altho they still get in the pots. But now I am sort of cultivating some weeds. Those are the goodies for the chickens! They love it when I bring them their "greens!"