Veimar.. Sing, talk, heck dance with your plants..whichever method works is all that matters. I'd love to attend a group or university where plant studies are done. Are you familiar with Calatheas? Leaves move suddenly like their cousin, Maranta, 'Prayer Plant.' I had one Calathea with large leaves that jerked suddenly and fiercely, one leaf would occasionally knock down a smaller, neighboring plant. I don't know why it didn't happen before. Many mysteries in this old world. Please don't get me started about people who buy plants or BIRDS to match furniture. Laura, I'm okay, thank you. It's too bad your work hours are so long. Or maybe not. Don't you love people who know their minds? lol. Laura, you're joking, but I knew a few people who's s/o's were jealous of everything including inanimate objects. Rodden, can't say I blame you. 5-months of winter! Summer 2013 through winter was the worse, coldest. I think we had 2-weeks in the 90's then back to cool. I thought OK was dry??? Low humidity? I can deal with heat, but when temps rise over 100F, I need more than a fan and open windows. Don't like a/c though. Plants are on stand-still when temps get too hot. Since you have rocky soil, you'd definitely need to amend. What about succulents grown in-ground? Agave, Optuntia? My niece lives in Lake Zurich, but she has artificial plants. lol. Sorry about your mom. I imagine your winters are nicer than our spring...warm enough for potted plants to be outside. What type of plants interest you? Laura, VA got hit with 13" of snow? Unbelievable! Is 2014 a record? Toni

"ps..I wish there was a way to mark posts that one wants to go back to..." There actually is a way. If you look to the right of each post, there's a link that says "clip this post." If you click on that, you can save it to your clippings list. To go to your list, you just go to your member page and select "See my clippings."

I recall someone who characterized her style as French. She had a red fabric-covered board, I think, above her fireplace, a white painted frame sofa with a print or plaid, yellows, reds, and blues? Can't recall her name, but if you can give more details of your recollection of her room(s), maybe you'll jog someone's memory more.

Sorry its been quite a while since I've been on the forum. I've completed our kitchen and I can't get myself to leave. I received a message from flynm2 hopefully you'll see this. In response to your question below ****I was curious about how the cabinets are holding up? I am thinking of getting the Diamond Prelude as well (same color actually) in maple wood. Are you pleased with the quality and durability? Also, it looks like that is A 30 inch sink cabinet. If so, was it tough finding a big enough sink? Thanks. By the way, your kitchen looks great! Qls flynm2 Flynm2 - I'm very pleased with the quality, durability and look of the cabinets. I have not had an issues with them at all. They look rich and beautiful in our new kitchen. The sink cabinet is a 33" cabinet and I was able to purchase my sink online at overstock.com, it fit perfectly. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Ticor-Undermount-Kitchen-Sink-Stainless-Steel-16-Gauge-Single-Bowl/3666381/product.html?cid=95138&fp=f Hopoe this helps. If you have any othere questions regarding the cabinets, please let me know. thanks! here are a few more updated pictures.