Posted by admin to Blogging, Controversy, The Big Boys on 2008-02-13, 08:23:43

Some posts just keep on giving. Two that have gotten attention well after they day they we’re posted are about two on companies having problems with their business. Aquascapes is the largest supplier of pond related products in the U.S. Greg Wittstock, the CEO started a blog called Pondemonium in which he details his thinking on what is up with the company. Reading the comments from Greg’s supporters as well as his detractors is an excellent lesson for any CEO considering a blog. Greg even mentions here about quitting the blog because of the reactions. He asks, “Here’s the ultimate blog question to all of you in blog heaven or hell. Should I just button up and close this blog down? Or should I continue to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with running any business? You tell me.”

Another post is about Hines Nurseries, one of the largest wholesale plant growers in the U.S. They have been having financial problems and we’re de-listed on the stock exchange about a half a year ago. Commenter Robert Jones has some of the latest on what’s up with the company. He says, “Hines may be going up on the ‘For Sale’ block soon! Rumor has it that a small financial group lead by a former Hines employee is charging ahead with a offer to purchase the failing dirt pile that today’s upper management has created.”

It’s interesting to see these two one time powerhouse companies as they try to steer a course through the choppy waters of doing business these days. Concerning Hines, I had always thought what Robert stated, “… maybe someone with some intellect will look at the crappy business model that creates the illusion of actually making money by selling lower to box stores than it costs to grow the plants! I could never figure that one out!” I can’t either!

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-13, 08:20:13

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-13, 07:33:27

Posted by admin to Amsterdam and Edam Holland, German spiral chimney on 2008-02-13, 05:43:00

Canal-side in Holland
(I do like the structure and formality, softened by the wise
use of color and texture, as well as by the canal's
mirror image.)

Amsterdam - miniature paving stones
form an intricate and pleasing pattern.

Window on Amsterdam (complete with butterfly lace curtain)

More crafty stonework graces this Amsterdam walkway

An Amsterdam Yew

More Amsterdam pavers

Chestnuts in a window... Edam, Holland
(Click here, on the San Francisco Chronicle website,
to learn the fate of Anne Frank's chestnut tree in Amsterdam)

Lastly, we find ourselves in Hamburg, Germany...
gazing up at an amazing spiral chimney,
cleverly designed and vented to prevent
a smoke-filled atmosphere, within the building.

Special thanks, again to S.R. Calef for the ©2007 photos from his European cruise. Disclaimer: The above photos are not mine, although I am grateful for such photos and the opportunity to share them, through this blog. I am not a world traveler. Not even close. On three separate occasions, did I travel great distances from my New England home. Are you ready? Mapleton, Maine - Mystic, Connecticut - Desmoines, Iowa - "that's all folks!" Seriously. So, I guess I'm living vicariously through the travels of others. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get me one o' them new-fangled digital cameras. Mustn't rush these things. Perhaps I'm still in mourning for my poor little dead Advantix camera... at some point, I shall move on.

©2008 Deb Lambert

Posted by admin to Irrigation, Landscaping, Outdoor Color on 2008-02-13, 05:34:43

The prices in real estate seem to continually keep creeping one way or another up and down. The whole home real estate market bounces around like a ball. Some areas find selling a home a hot commodity and other regions across the country find slow sales.

No matter what a home may be worth you cannot “tap into” the money inside the house unless you decide to refinance or sell. There are things you can do inside to make the house appraise higher for the refinance, a coat of paint can go a long way. But what about outdoors… in the landscape.

Adding some landscaping or upgrading the backyard landscape with ideas could not only enhance the look but add to the value for refinancing or make the sale easier.

Usually the return on investment for what you put in not only returns in money later but you can gain the benefit of shade and privacy. If you add fruit trees you may also enjoy nature’s foods. Flowers also make the landscape more appealing.

Where do you start in the landscape design path?

First ask yourself what are you looking for? Do you want shrubs for privacy or for beauty.

Borders offer a low cost solution that can add a lot of punch, either on entry ways or in front of hedges.

If your neighbors are close, placing a line of shrubs or a hedge at the property line can “define” the property. When you’re looking at shrubs don’t pick things based on “likes” but also what is best in terms of soil, sunlight, water, and other factors. Make sure you take into account the exposure of light available. Sunny or shady will affect your plant selection.

Water is becoming more and more of a precious commodity. You never know what can happen in terms of drought. Putting plants in the landscape is good but also consider the long term maintenance in water and care. Consider putting in an automatic sprinkler system, the long term benefits is not only watering the plants regularly but also it adds to the “salability” of your home.

From personal experience I’ve watched small landscape jobs of $2500 - $4000 increase the value of a home between $10 -12,000 dollars. Last time I checked that’s a pretty good return on investment!