I did a quick search online and found some sites stating that parts of the plant are poisonous if not all. Honestly, if you don't find the plants on any lists of edible plants, then it's best to just assume it is poisonous. But, that doesn't mean you couldn't serve food on it. I would maybe call some local nurseries and ask them what they think. Some plants are only harmful if bitten into. If you are just going to be laying bread or some other food that can just be easily picked up off the leave with out puncturing the leave, then you may be just fine. Some plants though, can have an oily like substance on the outside that can be poisonous. I doubt canna's are like that because if they were, not as many people would grow them because they'd have to be super careful each time the worked in the garden. If you do use them, just play it safe and make sure whatever is laid on them is a finger food that a utensil will not be needed because a utensil will puncture the leaves far too easily (even a spoon could scrap into the leaf's flesh.

I think zone4newby hit it -- shave off from either side and you'll be fine. But my comment has to do with the questions you didn't ask (of course). You're on acreage, and your DH is all about the mud room, dog wash, etc. Is this a farm/hobby farm? Are there horses or other livestock? Big garden? Big workshop? If so, where are those things, and how are you envisioning people getting from those places into the house? Because your mudroom opens from the garage. If coming from the barn/shop/whatever, am I expected to get into the garage (car doors or man door?) and then wind around the cars in the garage to get into the mud room? As for the dogs -- it sounds like they are a big part of your life. And that they get muddy. Are these indoor/outdoor dogs (not hunting dogs in a kennel elsewhere on the land)? How do they get outside? Is there a fenced yard? Where is the access to the fenced yard? If the access is through the back of the house, then the muddy dogs have to walk through the house to get to the mud room to get cleaned up. Finally, you're a family of 4. If the garage is a 2-car, that means one or two vehicles will always be parked outside in the drive, or in a pull-off area. And that is probably the kids' car(s). How is the kid meant to enter the house? Open the garage and go through the mudroom? Or will he take the straight line to the front door? You might want to consider a breezeway of some kind between the house and the garage. It can have a door opening to the front for the driveway parkers, and to the back for those coming from whatever activities take place in the back. It can also work for the dogs if everyone is disciplined enough to take them through the breezeway to be let in and out.

Thanks everyone... Yes Teresa....the red and green cherries were much used there LOL! I guess they were thinking about Christmas coming. I forgot to mention the price included all the wine and water we could drink! The waiters kept coming back to our tables to take away the empty bottles and bring full ones. Sure can't complain about that. SharonCb

I have a cabinet with metal screening to hold an extra set of dishes and serving pieces. It does get some dust. Open shelves would collect dust also, of course. But the things up on your mantel collect dust. The vases and lamps and collectibles on your buffet get dusty. Items on your end tables collect dust. Coffee table arrangements will also need to be dusted. Dust is why they make Lemon Pledge. If you don't have the time to do your dusting, then, don't keep things out. But for "Displaying" pretty things, open shelving, flat surfaces, and tabletops are the best. For "Storing" items that get pulled out and used, a closed cabinet is the best. Most people who have dishes and serving pieces out, know they need to give them a quick wash before filling them with potato salad or gravy or pilaf. If I wanted open shelves to complete the pretty look of the room, I would have the hutch built with shelves and put my bottle of Dawn out on the sink, ready for action. Red