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!

I think that's so beautiful you want to make these memories for your child! Knowing my own decorating and reading the above responses I see a common thread of choosing which holidays and how to decorate coming about organically. Like your child will be making decorations in preschool, and now that you've decided you want to do this your eye will start noticing others' (inc. shops') decorations and what appeals to you. This forum has also really helped me with SUPER ideas about decorating. Like a few years ago kswl had that incredible slideshow of her home at xmas and I fell so hard head over heels ... it totally inspired my nutcrackers (for xmas). And another generous participant posted her beautiful gumdrop tree (again for xmas) which got me going in that candy direction, and I'll tell you I RAN with it! I don't even like (to eat) candy yet I've found it the most magical, perfect way of decorating the trees. Thank you GW! So we're multiethnic (I'm 1/2 Jewish, 1/2 WASP and my partner is 100% Shinto Buddhist Japanese) and we have fun with it. I love love love our Hanukkah waterglobe collection and growing collection of dreidels. I love all the koinobori (carp windsocks) we have for Children's Day (May 5th). I find that for many holidays my decorating effort extends to color-appropriate candies in the living room -- like red & silver kisses for Valentine's, pastel pastilles for Easter. I am NOT a jingoist but I do love red white & blue bunting on the 4th ... on other people's houses. I'm not that motivated, I guess, although this year we did line our front walk with stars and stripes pinwheels. That was fun and made me really part of our sweet little town's festivities. We have Japanese lanterns up in the backyard so they're already handy for Obondori (another Japanese celebration honoring your ancestors), and then because I am a wannabe Mexican I have tons of fun with Halloween and my calaveras / catrinas. My 6 y.o. is *delighted* with the enormous fuzzy tarantula we affix to the outside of his window each year -- the kids love it. This year I went bananas at Target and purchased a string of jack o lantern lights and put them in a tree, and then a cobweb made of orange lights which we plastered on the living room window. I'm not sure who loved all this new stuff more: my 6 y.o. or me. (me)

Here's the answer...there's a spice rack hidden behind the cook top. Not sure I like it though. Not only would the sliding door get greasy, but it doesn't look that convenient to reach, (burned chest anyone?) and I'm not sure how hot it gets being that close to the oven which isn't good for spices. Also not sure how you grab it as there doesn't seem to be a handle or even a finger grip. But it is certainly well hidden!

I want my Car very attractive and look like a Lamborghini version: How can I decor it?