Missing - the fuchsias are in pots, and are definitely annuals. Variety unknown. Woody - these are clay bricks fired at extra high temperature to make them weather-resistant. They used to be imported from Germany, but are produced here since last year (which dropped the price by half, but the local ones only come in two varieties, I really hope these will age gracefully and take on darker shades... in 200 years time, maybe?) Not slippery so far, were covered in snow in winter anyway. Drtyrl - the reasoning behind using different materials was that I had quite large areas to pave, and was afraid of a big uniform surface, so had to break it up into smaller parts: brick for "fast" paths used frequently, limestone for "slow" secondary paths and walls, wood for sitting down and relaxing. I like that I can step out in slippers now, and have less lawn to mow. Granny's reaction was: "This is too posh for our place!" (well, she had the same reaction when a bathroom was built to replace the dry toilet) but she does appreciate the ease of moving around. DH and my dad (and of course you too) helped me make many of the tough decisions - encouraging me when I felt it was all going to hell - and son, as I already mentioned, is using the path in ways I'd never have thought of. I need to build one more retaining wall - now trying to figure out its shape and location - for the ground was raised near the shed door so the parking could be level, and there's a knee high change in grade towards the veggie patch. The other area to think about is the lower entrance from the foot gate. Thanks for the kind words so far!

Up, up and not away!

I love small house efficiency ideas! Some of the favorites in my house are: 2 reclining loveseats instead of the standard 1 sofa 1 loveseat configuration. My short legs get the luxury of reclining without having to store an ottoman. The television that hangs on the wall with an articulating wall mount so I can swivel it to watch from the kitchen. Little stereo speakers mounted on the same wall as the TV, with the cords for both the speakers and TV running down the inside of the wall, underneath the house and then back up into the closet under the stairs where the stereo/DVD player sits. The old floor speakers took up valuable floor space and always collected fur like crazy. We have a decent sized CD collection because DH doesn't like the sound of MP3's, so we have 2 300 CD disc changers that store most of the collection. I spent a fair amount of time alphabetizing and organizing the discs, but it was worth it to get the shelves of music out of my living area and into a closet. We mounted an IR sensor on the wall so the remote controls can still talk to the various equipment. We have had this set-up for several years, so technology has probably made achieving this result much simpler.

Thank you, everyone, for the lovely thoughts. I just love that picture of Madison with all of her Minion decorations, including the infamous pin-ah-tah. I WAS going to make the Minions look like they were pushing the candle upright, but who am I to argue with the Frozen Minion Princess? (grin) Sol, I'm not sure she broke the interwebz, but she nearly broke her Dad. (grin) Pam, we tried to find a place to hang the pin-ah-tah so she could "smack it with a stick", but were unable to find a suitable spot. We were at my ex's house and he's picky about messing up walls, etc., and unlike me, doesn't have a pole barn. So.......Daddy found a hoe, which he used to hold the pin-ah-tah, and we found a broom with a removable handle and used that to "smack it". Watch out, Daddy! Mommy eventually helped, although I do think I am more afraid of Ashley with a stick than I am of Madi! Eventually, though, they broke the thing and the Frozen Minion Princess and her guests dove into the candy. And they all lived happily ever after, except Mommy and Daddy, who had to contend with the aftermath of copious amounts of sugar. :-) And so now I have three Princesses. I have the original, the Monkey Princess, of course, and I also have the Frozen Minion Princess and her little sister, the Crybaby Princess. Bud is everyone's Prince Charming, of course, being the only boy..... Annie