Do you suppose that RMG could recruit a member to visit the Mediterranean and do some really, really serious research on annual plant varieties during the "off-season?" I mean, a thorough 6 months in, let's say, Spain, the south of France, northern Italy and Greece could do wonders for a data-base. Those are only 4 locations so this may not be too onerous a task to assign to someone with some free time. It was 27.5 °F at the little weather station between my big veggie garden and dahlia garden this morning. The little veggie and cutting garden got "fried" yesterday. That was a surprise but frost often occurs in the other 2 gardens weeks before now. Cleanup shouldn't take long. Steve

BinsB How GREAT! I'd guess by now the 'kids' are knocking from the outside - yes? Paleese post a pic if you can. We'd all (I'm sure) love to see your accomplishments :-))) after waiting soooo long. Love the orange colors of the nursery but mmm - are they really going to sleep in one crib? :-)) Just kidding. When you have time, which likely won't be for awhile I'm sure, would love to see the nursery with the paper flowers, et al. Not to worry about the non-span house of present. It's the spirit inside that can carry it thru. Imagine what a tough time I have in my location. LOL!! You'll have lotsa fun (when/if you can find the time) doing some special stuff in your new abode. Trop - hmmm pictures this year? LOL! That will be fun to see. I'll look forward (but won't hold my breath too awfully long). :-))) I'm thinking maybe you just eliminated the kitchen altogether and are doing take out now? Houseful it's great to have you posting again. Perhaps you can help us breathe some life back into this thread as I know Bins is going to be rather busy over the next while. :-)) If it weren't for her dedication, I'm sure this thread would no longer exist. I have a few things on my plate but hopefully they will be resolved shortly and I can return to my decorating love. And speaking of thread(s), I didn't check but I'm thinking we must be getting close to limit - yes? Should we be starting a new thread? Waddya all think? Take care all, Holly

A few books that seem very apt for the occasion and great fun, especially with teens, the sea and the and Mediterranean regions involved: 1. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Great fun for reading out loud, if they feel up to it. They won’t be able to stop laughing. It’s a hilarious, semi-autobiographical account of a family moving to the Corfu island near Greece, as told by a teenage boy (who later became a writer and a naturalist). 2. Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. Also funny. As the title suggests, three men and their dog, montmorency (sp.?) in a boat on the Thames. both these are extremely funny and family-friendly books. Over 50years old though, but still accessible to the sense of humor of teens.

Dunn Edwards has some great historical colors. I think we used historic white and crimson something for the trim. https://www.dunnedwards.com/colors/then-now-and-forever-collection