V&A Garden Tool Set in Anemone Print


V&A Garden Tool Set in Anemone Print
Anenome print by William Morris garden tool set in collaboration with V&A musuem London. Hand trowel and cultivator, one piece aluminium, lightweight and strong with an ergonomic grip.

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Men’s Bionic Gardening Gloves
Protect your hands and reduce fatigue while gardening with these patented Bionic gloves. Created by a renowned hand surgeon, the ergonomic design features motion and breathable zones to improve comfort, fit and flexibility, plus anatomic relief pads to reduce calluses and loss of hand power. Form-fitting wrist closure offers support and keeps debris out. Made of top-grade cabretta leather. Machine wash. Imported.

Blitz 5 Gallon Spill Proof Diesel Can CARB Approved #31754
Tank Size (gal.): 5
Price: $16.99
Customer Review: No Spills here
This is a product that performs better than expected as long as you take special care in ensuring the cap is on properly. You truly have the ability to refuel with diesel without spilling a drop!

Poulan Pro 54-Inch 26 HP Garden Tractor with Briggs & Stratton Engine #PBGT26H54
The Poulan Pro 54-inch garden tractor features a powerful, 26 HP Briggs and Stratton V-twin engine and a large, 54-inch cutting deck, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and long-lasting durability. It includes true hydrostatic automatic transmission with foot-pedal control and a four-gallon fuel tank. Its 20-inch rear tires make for a smooth ride. This lawn tractor comes with a 2-year warranty.
Amazon Price: $2,730.25
Customer Review: low power in reverse
The Poulan Pro 26 hp tractor has hydrostatic transmission. There is no adjustment capability on the linkage. I had to return my tractor after taking it to an approved repairman. The tractor didn’t have enough power in reverse to go up the ramp on my trailer. The tractor may be acceptable if you are mowing flat areas and/or don’t anticipate going in reverse up hills. They should have designed the tractor such that the transmission linkage could be adjusted… or made sure this problem didn’t exist (When the repairman called the company they were aware of others having this problem).
Customer Review: Great Mower
What a fantastic price for a great mower. Everywhere else I looked the price was almost double and Amazon shipped it for free. I’m completely satisfied with the product and with Amazon.com

Draper gardening 64970 folding garden kneeler and seat?


Draper gardening 64970 folding garden kneeler and seat?
Sturdy tubular iron frame with folding legs/hand rails. Double-sided pad acts as seat (plastic) or kneeler (foam). Useful for planting, painting and other household tasks. Overall size: 540 x 250 x 400mm. Maximum carrying weight 125kg (19.1/2 stone). Display carton.

Customer Review: Vital for Less Stressful Gardening
I looked all over for a garden kneeler/stool, and this was available at a good price from Amazon. It is well made, easy to use, and has saved huge wear and tear on the knees of both me and my wife. It folds easily for storage, and has proved invaluable.



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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Academy award-winning director clint eastwood helms this story based on john berendt’s best-selling book examining contemporary events and unique characters in picturesque savannah, georgia, following a shocking murder. alternately suspenseful, satirical
List Price: $9.98
Amazon Price: $9.98
Used Price: $3.85
Customer Review: A Fun Romp but then again I live in Georgia
A fun movie, not particularly well acted but it was great fun for me since I am from GA. There really are people here like that although not as much anymore. The South has been completely diluted by an influx of people from all over the world. Even as recently as the ’80s it was entirely possible to see these type of characters here, but alas no more. I want to read the book. I have a feeling it will be much better and even a lot more fun than this cliff notes type movie of the Savannah culture. Lady Chiblis is very authentic and fun to watch although some of her dialog is just silly. John Cusack, while a complete yummy hunk, doesn’t carry his role very well. Nice to look at though. LOVED SEEING UGA!
Customer Review: Fair movie, nice sites to film in BUT…………..
Savannah is NOT much like this. I live here. Most of the town is like any other American town with strip malls, big malls, fast food joints and bad traffic. The only parts they show in the movie are the historic downtown district (about 2 1/2 miles squares) and the big cemetery and that is a small part of Savannah. I will admit some of the folks are crazy here but they tend to be the small minority of rich, white, bored people who work at being eccentric because they think it is cute. Otherwise, it is a tourist trap. Not to say Savannah doesn’t have beautiful areas, parks and charms but you can practically drawn a line where the nice part ends and the seedy, crime-ridden part starts. The reason I say all this is because people come here after seeing this movie thinking they are going to find the town inhabited by these movie invented types. Just friendly advice to stay in the “theme park” area that is safe.

Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 7.0
With Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 7 is the all-in-one home design solution! It’s the right tool for home enthusiasts using their remodeling and home design projects. This powerful software combines leading-edge technology with creaive home design expertise, courtesy of the Better Homes & Gardens magazine editors. It’s got all you need for home design, remodeling, interior design, decks, landscaping, cost estimating and more. Inspire your designs with the Design Planning Center; create a virtual walk-through of your house; or design and visualize in 3D. Choose from a library of more than 4,300 items for your designs — and generate automatic material lists for project cost estimating. Create the inspired designs you need for a true dream home! Create complete customized cabinets with drag-and-drop Detail cabinets with wood type, countertop material, door/drawer styles and more Create Plot and Perimeter Plans on flat or hillside lots and generate a 3D model Deck tools; post-and-beam foundation are automatically generated to match your lot Select from over 1,000 plants, terrain and outdoor items from the landscaping Library
List Price: $99.99
Amazon Price: $84.99
Customer Review: Warning: Not for Use with Sloped Terrain/Split- Level Entry Homes
The Home Designer Suite 7.0 is very cool, easy to use, and will make you feel like a pro in a relatively short period of time. However, if you have a split-level entry home on a sloped terrain, be prepared for wailing and gnashing of teeth. There should be a warning on the package. I do not believe that creating a split-level entry is even mentioned in the manual; you will need to link-up to the software designer’s website (Chief Architect) which can be done from the Home Designer help menu. After discovering the forbidden secrets and practicing a few times, creating a split-level entry is relatively easy. If you have a split-level entry house, this is a major design feature of your home. So it would have been nice if the manual that comes with the software at least addressed the special challenges. The other major feature of a real-life split-level is the slope of the lot. The house is sort of two stories in the front and one story in the back. Creating a reasonable sloped terrain with the software for this effect seems nearly impossible, unless you write topographical maps for a living. The manual gives you only one poorly-explained example of creating a sloped lot using elevation lines. The video/tutorial gives you one more rapid example, with an arrogant claim that it is easy. The tutorial suggests that you consult your GPS device to help with the slope of your land. Please. You can also link to the Chief Architect website from the help menu for an additional example of sloping terrain. The website says that “creating a…sloping terrain is easy….” It ain’t. In addition, various secrets need to be uncovered to prevent your split-level entry home from either sinking into the terrain or floating above it. The bottom line: if you live on flat land, buy this software, relax, and have fun. If you live on a sloped lot, you may still consider buying this software. But, be prepared for some considerable frustration.
Customer Review: Great Item
This is a software that does exactly what it was meant to do…no more, no less.

Garden State
Writer and director Zach Braff does a masterful job matching the charming, heartfelt tone of films like The Graduate and Rushmore in his motion picture debut, Garden State, so it only makes sense that the music he personally compiled for the soundtrack plays just as of big a part here as it did in those films. Simon & Garfunkel’s languorous “The Only Living Boy in New York” is an obvious thread, but aside from Nick Drake’s “One of These Things First,” Braff is able to carry the mood without getting tripped up in the past. Frou Frou’s “Let Go” and Zero 7’s “In the Waiting Line” supply soft techno touches, while Iron & Wine’s “Such Great Heights” and former Men at Work singer Colin Hay’s “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” offer understated angst. It’s the pair of emotionally racked contributions from the Shins (”Caring Is Creepy,” “New Slang”), however, that really make this compilation a must-have. –Aidin Vaziri
List Price: $13.98
Amazon Price: $8.97
Used Price: $4.75
Customer Review: I LOVE this CD!
I heard this CD playing in one of my local neighborhood hangouts and asked what it was. Then my niece played it for me again (she had it) and said I should watch the movie, which I did, and loved it. That was enough for me–I bought the CD and have practically worn it out. It is a great get-things-done CD–I put it on when I have a lot of tasks I don’t want to do, and it sort of distracts me and keeps me moving (and singing). I love every track on it, even though they are all VERY different. Great selection.
Customer Review: Where are the missing tracks?
I love this soundtrack, and it is probably one of the best out there. So why am I giving it one star? When I bought the soundtrack-around the time the movie came out-I got one with 19 tracks, not 13. Where are these other songs now? The missing tracks are some of the best, don’t buy this version if you can find the one with more songs, it’s MUCH better.

The Pink Garden Kit


The Pink Garden Kit
The Pink Garden Kit is a fantastic and vibrant alternative to all those standard green and wooden garden accessories and makes for the ultimate ladies garden set….

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Luciano Pavarotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)
Anyone discovering this album who had never heard or heard of Luciano Pavarotti would immediately recognize greatness, a one-of-a-kind, one-per-generation (maybe) talent and personality that commands attention, respect, and yes, even love. These 35 selections are an astonishing achievement: Taken, for the most part from the tenor’s prime–the 1970s and ’80s (although there are four earlier and three from 2003)–what we hear is golden tone, impeccable diction, an innate sense of style and line and where the music should be going, absolutely natural phrasing, an evenness of production from C to (shining) C, and an ability to communicate warmth, passion, and the sheer love of music-making. The first CD is devoted to opera, with a dazzling “La donna e mobile,” a smooth-as-silk “Una furtive lagrima,” the famous aria from “La fille du regiment” with nine high Cs, “Nessun dorma” and many more. The second CD is mostly songs (”Torna a Surriento,” “La danza,” “O sole mio,” etc.) sung with ?lan and flawless style, plus a couple of ghastly pop tunes (from 2003); to make up for them, we get a bonus–the three arias from Pavarotti’s first EP from Decca, recorded in 1964–”E lucevan le stelle” and two arias from Rigoletto. Bravo, Pavarotti–we miss you already. –Robert Levine
List Price: $17.98
Amazon Price: $14.99
Used Price: $12.84
Customer Review: Pavarott’s Farewell Tour
This is the best of the best. It brings tears to your eyes to hear his glorious voice and to know that it is no more. What a gift he was given and he used it well.
Customer Review: Heavenly - Buy this CD
I can’t listen to this enough. If you have someone on your Christmas list who loves music give them this CD. It is truly heavenly. Shy about opera? Don’t be. Buy this CD and you will be hooked. Rest in Peace the great Pavarotti.

24 Pc Storage Bin on Rack - Perfect Storage Rack - Nails, Screw, Bolt, Washers, Etc
Made of sheet metal, black powder coating with yellow plastic bins- Perfect for any storage applications in Store, House, Office, Garage, and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Price: $79.95

The 11th Hour The Sequel to 7th Guest
Used Price: $6.78
Customer Review: Great game, not worthy of a “Sequel”
Well if you read my 7th Guest review, you would know the story about when my sister got the game and how it was cool but scary. Well a year or two later (dont remember when THIS game came out), my sister picked up this game since she loved the original game “7th Guest”. Well since I was scared of 7th Guest when I was little I was thinking “Great another game that’s going to make me crap myself” (I was around 6-7 at the time when this game came out). Well I saw her play it and it’s not a freaky and it’s not as cool. My sis let me borrow it and the patch over the summer and I beat it, here’s the review. Story: Well the story for 7th Guest was about how 6 guests went into Henry Stauf’s mansion and never came out. Well this one isn’t as cool. You play as Carl Denning who one day receives this “gamebook” and finds out his girlfriend who is a reporter has been locked into the Stauf Mansion. So you go in there and figure out what’s going on. (7/10) Gameplay: Exactly the same as 7th Guest, go around solve puzzles, except there’s one or two twists. You also have to go around and solve these riddles which are EXTREMELY hard and don’t make sense. Also I’d like to add that this game is harder than 7th Guest, this game makes 7th Guest look like a Mathblaster game, no offense. (8/10) Sound: Well the music is somewhat the same as 7th Guest, they have an eerie feeling and they freak you out. Some have upbeat tempos and some are just freaky. Some of the music is the same so you have to give props to that. Again the music sets the scene. (10/10) Graphics: This is my favorite part of the review for this game…the Graphics. The thing I really like about this game is that it’s the same graphics, nothing has changed. The really cool thing about this game is that your in the same EXACT mansion, everything looks the same except older. The only thing I didn’t like about this game compared to 7th Guest was that the real actors in this game weren’t actually in the mansion when shown like 7th Guest, it shows them as in a movie where they are in a real place and not a cartoony mansion. But a couple times they are like at the end of the game. (9/10) Outro: This game is cool and anyone who loved the 7th Guest should get this game. It’s definately not as cool as 7th Guest but it’s still worthy of a play. My sister let me borror with the patch a while ago and i’m probably going to buy it sometime soon so I can beat it again. I would say pick this game up if it’s $20 or less new or used, you might also want to buy a strategy guide for this one cause it’s harder but that’s up to you, I personally had no problem. I would also like to add that this game isn’t as freaky as 7th Guest but still fun to play.
Customer Review: Too Convoluted
I greatly enjoyed the 7th Guest. Its sequel, The 11th Hour, is not bad, but it’s not very good either. On the plus side, the graphics and the music are just as creepy and cool. On the minus side, the plot is just too stupid, and the extra puzzle elements make the game too convoluted. In the 7th guest, the plot (although not the greatest) was creepy and entertaining, and held the game together. In the 11th hour, there are some elements that are so unbelievable even horror, mystery and intrigue can’t account for them (example: somebody gets raped by a house: THAT’S JUST DUMB). The actual gameplay is also unecessarily convoluted. In the 7th Guest, you solved the puzzles to open more doors, where you could solve more, and open more, until you’ve been able to solve the puzzle that will take you to the end of the game. The plot elements emerged around the house as a natural part of this process. In the 11th Hour, there are actually two different goals: you have to play the word-clue puzzles to unravel the plot, but you have to play Stauf’s puzzles in the House to open doors and get to where you need to go. Perhaps this was an attempt to make sure the plot was revealed “sequentially.” In any case, it makes the game less enjoyable, with the word-clues seeming kind of like nagging errands which distract you from the meat of the game. Final verdict? Play it if you have the chance to borrow it from af friend, or if you have a buddy you can play it with. But don’t pay money for it.

WackerChaps Gardening Chaps Large
WackerChaps can be used in many different applications; all around the yard and in the garden. Use the garment to protect your clothes and shoes when mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and bushes, using pesticide sprayers, and so much more! Below are just a few examples of our garment in action! WackerChaps are a garment designed to protect your shoes and clothes from the messy, moist, grass clippings associated with weed whacking. No more stained shoes! No more grass covered clothes! No more cuts on your legs or knees from pebbles flying into the air from the power of the weed whacker! WackerChaps solves these problems!!! After weed whacking around your trees, gardens, and flower beds; simply hose off your WackerChaps and hang them in the shed or garage. WackerChaps cover the feet, legs, and chest. They are made from durable, easy to clean canvas/vinyl; hunter green in color. They are reversible and have adjustable straps at the neck, waist, thigh, and ankle. A stretch band slides under the shoe. This garment is designed to protect your shoes and clothes from the messy and often moist grass clippings associated with weed wacking and lawn mowing. Although the concept of WackerChaps was developed and invented for use during weed-whacking, the possibilities for its use are endless. Patent No. 6,845,516 B1
Price: $24.95

Sonic Cat Repeller- Protects Your Garden Habitat & Helps Bring Wildlife Back


Sonic Cat Repeller- Protects Your Garden Habitat & Helps Bring Wildlife Back
PROTECT YOUR GARDEN HABITAT:

There are 9 million cats in the UK. The mammal society says cats kill around 275 million prey items a year, including 55 million birds. Voles and other small mammals make up much of the remainder.

The Sonic Cat Repeller will help protect your garden habitat and encourage wildlife and birds back into it.

Customer Review: it works,but keep at it
As with the other reviewers, cats were a constant problem.The cat repeller worked within a day or so,so I left it in the front garden for about a week so the cats got used to it being there,then I moved it into the rear garden.Now instead of jumping out of bed a number of times every night with my trusty water pistol whenever I heard cats jumping over my fence or gate I could sleep through the night-heaven! But after a couple of weeks I noticed [the evidence was rather obvious!]that cats had discovered that the scarer was no longer in the front,so I had to put it back there again.I now divide it between the front and back gardens ['cos I'm tight and won't buy two!] a couple of weeks in each,and it seems to work OK.My 12year old son can always hear when it’s on,though I can’t,but that can be an advantage if I forget to turn it off during the day and leave it on when there’s a lot of foot traffic in the “cat alarm zone”.I haven’t been able to find rechargable 9v batteries,but if the scarer is placed correctly the batteries last quite a time.I found it better not to place it facing the entrance to the garden as everyone passing by sets it off.[unless you have a solid,reasonably high fence or wall]I place mine near the gate facing the house and garden,so only anyone/thing coming into the garden sets it off.Just keep it out of sight of neighbouring kids or it may disappear!Nothing else kept the persistant cats out-netting,nails+wire in the top the fence,but this is brilliant.It works!

Customer Review: At last a deterrent .(yahoo !!!!!!!)
I’ll keep this short and sweet.These work great at keeping cats away,and cause them no harm.Especially when they stay out of my garden.Not only did I have them doing their dirt in my garden.They would also just wander into my house if I opened the door to let some air in. Even if I was sitting watching tv.Then give me a dirty look when I chased them out.10 out of 10 for these repellers.A tip is to buy rechargable batteries.(bye bye pussycats!)

Just a little add on to the above after couple of weeks use to let any potential buyer know that there are a few dissapointed cats in my area now.Its really turned into a no go zone for them.And contrary to what a couple of people who shouldnt have been allowed to review these would have you think… the cats that have come near are still alive,and so are my kids.Strange eh!



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Although Mark Levin is known as a constitutional lawyer and a nationally syndicated broadcaster, he is, first and foremost, a dog lover. In 1998, he and his family welcomed a half-Border Collie/half-Cocker Spaniel they named Pepsi into their lives. Six years later, his wife and son persuaded him to adopt a dog from the local shelter, a Spaniel mix. It turned out he was older than originally thought, and he was the most beautiful dog they’d ever seen. They named him Sprite. Their lives would never be the same.

Sprite and Pepsi became fast friends. They did everything together, from rummaging through the trash to loudly greeting the deliveryman. And the Levin family fell in love with him — with his gentle nature, beautiful face and soft, huggable fur. But on Halloween night, shortly after joining their family, Sprite suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the animal hospital. It was the first of many such visits, and the start of a long journey for the Levin family, filled with much joy and anguish.

During the next two years, Sprite and Pepsi were inseparable. And Sprite’s bond with the Levin family deepened. Friends, neighbors, and even Mark’s radio audience came to know and love Sprite. As Mark’s daughter turned eighteen and graduated from high school and Mark’s son turned fifteen, Sprite’s health deteriorated — even as his spirits remained high and his beauty and grace continued to inspire. Comfort came from family, fans, and friends, and between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2006, the Levin family said their emotional final goodbye. Crushed and consumed with grief, Mark turned to family, friends, and fans for help.

But new hope came when the Levins least expected it.

Rescuing Sprite is a stunningly intimate look at the love between a family and a dog, one that movingly shows, in Mark Levin’s words, that “in the end, we humans are the lucky ones.”

The author will donate a portion of his proceeds from the sale of this book to animal shelters.


List Price: $22.00
Amazon Price: $13.20
Used Price: $10.29
Customer Review: Rescuing Sprite
I wanted to like this book but the writing style (or lack thereof) got in the way of the story. As an English teacher, I was tempted to read it with a red pen and send a corrected copy to the editor who should have picked up on many glaring deficiencies. While I don’t discount Mr. Levin’s experience, his book reads like a law brief at times and like a teenager’s journal at others. I’m sure the experience of writing this was cathartic for the author, but it’s painful for the reader. If you’re looking for a book that explores the profound bond between dogs and their human companions, read Anna Quinlan’s lovely discourse on dogs and life — “Good Dog. Stay.”
Customer Review: A MUST READ!
This is a “must read” for dog lovers, but even more, it will make you examine your own relationships and evaluate yourself. It is an easy read, but bring the kleenex. If you are a fan of Mark Levin, don’t expect any political pundits; on the contrary, you will be exposed to a warm and caring side that you have never seen (or heard).
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Stay clean and dry while taking some of the ache out of aching knees. Choose from Blue, Yellow, or Green. Cushion Measures 16 inches long x 1/2 inch thick x 7 inches wide.
Price: $7.95
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Container Water Gardening for Hobbists - Get inspired by the beautiful photographs and help form the step by step instructions to build your own container water garden. TJB INC has been a dealer & installer since the mid 90’s & have installed hundreds of water features throughout the Southern New England area. We have used all of the products we sell giving us first hand knowledge to better answer any of your questions or concerns. TJB INC carries the complete product line of Aquascape Designs including Biological Filters, Books & Publications, Container Water Gardens, Filter Media, FlexForm Ponds & Pond Kits, Installation Tools, Liner & Underlayment, Mechanical Skimmers, Pond Kits, Pondless Waterfall Kits, Pond Aeration, Pond Lighting, Pumps, Predator Controls, Preformed Ponds, PVC Pipe, Water Treatments, & Wetland Filters.
Price: $39.98
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List Price: $9.98
Amazon Price: $8.98
Used Price: $5.95
Customer Review: McKennitt at her best!
We bought our original copy of this album at a crafts fair, years ago. It quickly became a new favorite. My folks and I look forward to listening to this album all year long. It contains well loved favorites like “Good King Wenceslas,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Yet Loreena McKennitt also sings two other hardly known favorites like “The Coventry Carol,” and “Snow.” Her rendition of “Seeds of Love,” brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I highly recommend that you add this to your holiday collection. You won’t regret it one bit.
Customer Review: perfect Solstice CD
Albeit short, this album is a perfect companion piece to Loreena McKennitt’s “To Drive the Cold Winter Away”, a sparse, classic album of older Christmas /Solstice songs while this presents a shorter, very soothing and lush recording. Kind of like a glimpse into what a full length Christmas CD by McKennitt might sound like if she incorporated the sound she and her band have cultivated over the years. Every Christmas season we look forward to hearing these albums. There just seems to be so much commercial sounding holiday-overload tunes, obsessed with Jesus and forgetting that this time of year is based in an older tradition of the seasons changing and forgetting the wonder of a winter sky at sunset… Even Enya’s few Christmas tunes last year (with the exception of the haunting “Christmas Secrets”) seemed hollow. This however is a well-thought and expertly crafted EP. It is not long but the songs are quality. If you are a serious fan then you no doubt own this already but if you are interested in Loreena McKennitt or non-traditional Christmas/Solstice CDs then you can’t beat this.
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Garden of Life - Super Seed Organic Apple Cinnamon, 12 bars

Landscaping & Gardening Information

Hills and Holes: Not Part of Your Landscaping Design?


Do pests ‘gopher’ your lawn? Chances are, if you have a lawn, you risk
the chance of having pests, such as the gopher and his cousin the mole.
And, perhaps even those pesky six-legged creatures- ants and other
insects- call your grass patches home.

Fertilizers - What you Need to Feed Your Lawn


Just like humans need food, water and shelter to survive, lawns depend
on certain elements to live, sixteen to be exact. Most of these elements
are already found naturally in the environment, but several others need
to be added to your lawn.

Guide to Basic Lawn Mower Maintenance


Trying to start your lawn mower after a long winter can be very
frustrating. Performing a few routine maintenance tasks before you store
your lawn mower for the winter can save you time in the spring, prolong
the life of your lawn mower, and save you money over the long run.

How to Attract Butterfly Activity…


The flittering of the butterfly through your garden is no accident if
you planned your garden carefully. The adult butterfly flitters from
flower to flower - sipping nectar from many flowers in your gardens,
while other adult butterflies search for areas to lay their larvae.

Planning a Water Garden…


A water garden is the area of your landscape that will provide you with
relaxing sounds of the water, while adding to the overall details of
your landscape. The water garden is a project that you must ‘plan’ for
continued success.

A Bit About Bare Root Roses…


Scents from the rose garden filling the air as you walk by..

Garden Room Boundaries…


The areas of your landscape can be divided into several sections and
areas, which are also known as garden rooms. Garden rooms are spaces
where you plant, grow, and display different ideas in gardening in
various creative methods.

Starting a Shade Garden…


The shade garden can be exploding with color and texture. No matter how
much shade is in your landscape, the right flowers, plants, bushes and
bulbs will grow in this area when given a chance.

Choosing Pond Plants


A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond plantsfight
algae, give fish a hiding place against predators, andbeautify our own
little slice of paradise to plunk down in at theend of a tiring day.

Hand Feeding your Koi


One of the most rewarding and entertaining things about having aKoi pond
is when your fish finally start eating out of your hand.There is no
better way to learn each fishes’ personality andtemprament than to have
them nuzzle your fingers when they arehungry.

Summer Pond Tips


Low Oxygen levels Kill FishUse an oxygen tester and air stones to keep
your availableoxygen level to at least 7.0 parts per million of
dissolvedoxygen in 90 degree F.

Gardenscape On A Shoestring


Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while thinking that it
takes years, a professional, or tons of money to landscape the gardens
featured in the glossy pictures. This isn’t necessarily true.

Beauty With Indigenous Species


A garden a serves a man’s every day need for s refreshing and pleasent
experience.We have to appreciate that the garden serves as a home not
only to the trees and plants that appear, but is a home to lots of small
and big creatures of animal kingdom.

Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places


Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located either on hills or forests or
river banks.In ancient times, the temples were constructed in such
locations faraway from human habitations for providing a calm, peaceful
and pleasant environment and also for ensuring a close bond between man
and nature.

How To Choose Water Garden Plants


So. The water garden bug has bitten.

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Garden of Life - Super Seed Organic Apple Cinnamon, 12 bars
Price: $35.88
Customer Review: Very tasty and satisfying Garden of Life Bars
Garden of Life bars are 100% satisfying and energizing. I have trouble with eating many items and allergies, but these bars are made out of such wonderful ingredients, they leave me feeling energized, not sluggish like other bars. Sprouted grains are the way to go!!

Oregon Scientific AW129 Wireless BBQ Thermometer with Probe Thermometer and Remote
No need to have to wait by the grill to find out when dinner is ready. This wireless thermometer alerts you when the meat has reached the perfect temperature - even if you’re in another roomentertaining guests. Length of stainless steel meat probe - 3.28 feet /Temperature resolution - +-2?F / Heat resistance - 158? F / Steel sensor probe’s operating temperature Maximum - 482? F
List Price: $39.99
Amazon Price: $26.13
Used Price: $25.78
Customer Review: Problematical Probe
As with another reviewer, my unit now reads 199? but I never used mine in a BBQ. I called Customer Service and they told me that I had obviously closed the oven door on the probe wire and it had shorted out. I asked if there was supposed to be a hole in my oven through which I inserted the wire and was told “NO, but you can’t close the door on the probe wire.” I’ll wait until Oregon Scientific develops a “telepathic” temperature sensor before I buy another unit. BTW, the Customer Service Rep told me he’d send me a new probe. That was 2 1/2 months ago. I think he’s walking up from California to my house in Washington.
Customer Review: How did I cook without it?
I’ve my Oregon Scientific wireless meat thermometer for about a year and I love it. It takes the guess work out of cooking. Sometimes I cook meat that isn’t quite totally defrosted but with the thermometer, it doesn’t matter. The meat comes out cooked to perfection. And, because it’s wireless, I can be in the other room hanging out with my family and not hovering around the oven to check the temperature. I liked my thermometer so much, I bought 4 this past Christmas for gifts. That’s the ultimate seal of approval.

Victorinox SwissMemory 2 GB (Silver Alox)
Victorinox SwissArmy 2GB SwissMemory Alox Drive
USB-Memorywith 2GB memory stick; Blade;
Nail file with screwdriver; Scissors; Key ring.
Compatible with: USB 1.1/2.0 interface, Windows 98SE, ME,
2000, XP, MAC OS X, OS 8.6 and higher, Linux 2.4 and higher.
List Price: $172.00
Amazon Price: $98.00
Customer Review: Swiss army knife with flash drive
Flash drive works well and is recognized without loading any drivers in Windows XP. Knife, nailfile/screwdriver,scissors are a plus to have. Small and very portable. Only complaint would be I think the price is a little steep.
Customer Review: Great gift
I bought this item for my husband for Christmas and he loves it!! He actually requested it, so I don’t know that much about it myself. ALl I know is that he is a computer wiz and knows his stuff, so if he liked it, it must be good!!

Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle

Discount Patio Furniture - An Easy Way to Get the Best


Buying discount patio furniture is an economical way to obtain quality
furniture for your patio. Many department stores offer patio furniture
at discounted prices towards or at the end of the summer season.

Patio Design - Expanding Your Home Outdoors


A patio can be just like another room in your house. Effective patio
design can mean that your increase the floor space of your home, by
adding an outside room that allows you to entertain like never before.

Daphnes for Scent and Colour


Anyone with even a passing knowledge of plants knows that daphnes have
wonderfully fragrant flowers. And because some of them - usually the
most scented - flower in winter, they’re the sort of must-have plants
that are usually among the first planted in any new garden.

Can Your Sundial Really Tell The Time?


“I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of what is done far better by a
watch”So wrote Hilaire Belloc, but is this really fair? Sundials are the
earliest known form of time-keeping having been used for some five
thousand years. The Greek historian Herodotus stated that sundials were
first used by the Chaldeans and Sumerians in Babylonia which was part of
the modern Iraq.

Science Cant Explain Everything!


You will know that if you have spent at least some time reflecting on
the world around you, some things cannot be explained in purely
scientific terms. Armies of scientists and researchers swarm in labs
around the world trying to take the mystery out of every bit of wonder
we witness.

No Dig Gardens - How to Build One


The no dig garden is exactly what it describes..

Starting Seedlings Indoors


Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like it, those
living in cooler climates will have to start seedlings indoors if they
are to take full advantage of their growing season.Here are some
gardening tips to starting seedlings indoors.

Composting - aka: The Circle of Life!


Composting is where the gardening thing comes full circle. You’ve
created your garden bed, you’ve nurtured your plants.

Growing Vegetables in Containers - The Compact Solution


Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that don’t
have access to backyards. There can be a range of reasons to grow your
vegetables in containers.

Cat Repellent or How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden


Do cat repellents work? How to stop a cat from using garden as litterbox?
Tell me how to keep cats out of my garden. These are common questions of
concern to all gardeners but is there a real answer?The first line of
defence is to ensure that your yard boundaries are secure.

Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit


Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden with their supernatural
associations and practical uses.Records show that herbs were in use in
ancient Greece where they were valued as flavorings and for their
fragrance.

Wildflower Seeds - Ten Reasons Why You Should Plant…


Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the
landscape before the first settlers arrived from Europe. Ever since that
time more and more plants have been introduced from around the world
with very mixed results.

How to Build a Waterfall For Your Garden Pond


Building a waterfall is easier than you think and will add a new
dimension to your pool.When building a waterfall, as with any garden
project, you must first consider the design and make a plan.

Orchids Plus More Newsletter - December, 2004


Newsletter Name Change?After several of you made suggestions to me to
shorten the name of the newsletter we have decided that it may be a good
idea. But first I’d like some suggestions from you, our readers.

Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em


When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions. The pretty yellow
flowers were small, colorful, and looked nice tucked behind my ear!
However, if one had popped up in the front yard, my hair accessory would
have been considered an atrocity!I often feel sorry for weeds.

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Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle
The sun has set and the mist that falls on the rugged landscape blankets danger. But if only that were all you need to be concerned about. The eerie Cornishlandscape springs to life in Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle, a haunting mystery adventure game for the PC. With only one night to unravel a sinister story using real archaeological techniques, you will experience the powerful mystic forces of an ancient burial ground known locally as Barrow Hill.
A detailed and spellbinding story and organic puzzles are woven through the very fabric of Barrow Hill, leading you to explore well trodden pathways across the land, seek clues in almost forgotten shrines, unearth ancient artifacts, and delve into the Celtic legends which haunt the green lanes of the hill. Cornwall, the setting for this supernatural adventure game, boasts itself as the home of sorcerers, ancient kings and mythological characters. From the piskie folk of the hedgerows and cliff tops to the beasts of Bodmin Moor, there isn’t a corner of England’s most western county that isn’t rich in folklore, magic and danger!
Can you tackle the task? Can you solve the mystery? Can you survive?Will tonight be your last night on Barrow Hill - or anywhere else? It’s up to you.
List Price: $19.99
Amazon Price: $16.99
Used Price: $6.45
Customer Review: Good Game For Straight RPers
This game is cute and fun. It’s easy to immerse yourself in it and become the unnamed main character. It involves some problem solving techniques, though nothing over complicated or too hard. I solved it in about two hours without a walkthrough. There is only one enemy and it will only kill you if you go on the wrong path before the required clues are collected and you don’t have to even run from it then, just turn around. And even if you do die, nothing happens. There is no experience to lose, no levels to raise. You are basically in a scavenger hunt for items and clues in a very small playing field. You can set your own pace, but there really is not any point in delaying because unless you are going to the next clue, nothing will happen. The controls are stiff compared to modern controls, you basically click on the four sides of the screen to move with very little finesse, but at least you can cover huge areas with a single click. The sounds are moody and believable, the atmosphere is not scary but somehow compelling, a little creepy and a little… well almost peaceful. It is a horror mystery, but it feels familiar, like an old well worn nightmare you know by heart. There are a couple of gruesome images, a fried slag heap that used to be a kid with twisted glasses, a single sneaker, and scattered coloring crayons, toys, and books and the on-phone killing of a dog, but it is mild enough to be kid safe. If you are looking for a horror shooter, this isn’t it. Get the Silent Hill Games. If you are looking for something scary, this isn’t it. Get the Fatal Frame Games. If you want challenging puzzles and mind benders or obscure clues, this isn’t it. Try Killing Ground for that. If you want a fun diversion to remind you of simpler times, buy Barrow Hill and enjoy it.
Customer Review: Does not have 360 degree turn…
I’ve played Myst games and Scratches, and although the first 2 Myst games were without the 360degrees turn, Myst 3 and 4 had 360 degree turn in the game. The reason the first 2 Myst games did not have 360 turn was that they came out in the early 1990’s. This game did not have that, and I was expecting it to have it, mainly because its a recently new game that probably came out last year or so. Another thing is I just didn’t care for this so I returned it for a refund. Sorry to be the only one here who didn’t pick up interest in this one.

Back To Basics Apple and Potato Peeler
? Peels, cores and slices all in one easy operation with minimal waste. Perfect for apples or potatoes used in pies, canning, salads, etc. Quality cast iron construction with stainless steel blades provide years of trouble free service. Suction cup base steadies the unit when in use.
List Price: $29.99
Amazon Price: $23.09
Customer Review: nice product
My grand children loves peeled and cored apples. Grand Paw hates to peel them! Enter this product, now the kids line up to peel and core their own apples. Works great, lot of fun. Just try to get apples and potatos that are a uniform size, works better…………..great solid construction.
Customer Review: It really works!
Hard to believe, but this peeler/slicer really works great. It will peel a potato or apple and, if you want, also slice it. You need to adjust all of the spring loaded arms for maximum effect. After my husband did the necessary adjustments, it works like a charm. Highly recommended.

Sunterra 300214 Sunterra Water Gardening Nozzle Combo Kit 1/2″, Black
List Price: $12.99
Amazon Price: $12.99

Infrared 1.3W Wall Mounted Garden Heater


Infrared 1.3W Wall Mounted Garden Heater
IP44 rated weatherproof casing for full outdoor use . Simple to fix & install with pre-drilled holes for fixing on walls.
Mains powered 220-240V 50H. Carry handle for easy fixing and portability. Insulation class 1. Lamp holder r7S.

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* Forecast icons display 12 to 24 hour weather forecast * Automatically sets itself to the US Atomic Clock, never needs adjusting for Daylight Saving Time * Displays the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity * Barometric pressure reading * 3 levels of pressure and temperature indicators including Rising, Steady, or Falling * Moon phase indicator * HiGlo Electro-luminescent backlight * Comfort Level and Heat Index indicators * High/Low Temperature and Humidity alarm * Heat Index reading * Ice Alert * Crescendo alarm with snooze function * Wireless sensor LCD displays humidity and temperature * Three-channel temperature and humidity channel capabilities, additional sensors required * -22 deg. F to 140 deg. F outdoor sensor temperature range
Price: $49.95
Customer Review: Great Weather Station!
This wireless weather station has everything that I was looking for, and has been extremely accurate! I like the fact that it displays ALL of the information that I need “at a glance” - indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, date and time, weather forecast illustrations (sunny, rainy, cloudy, etc.), barometric pressure, wet or dry conditions, and arrows which indicate that the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity are either rising, steady, or falling. It also has an alarm function to warn you if the temperature falls below or rises above a specific temperature setting. Setup took some time (but isn’t that part of the fun with a new gadget?!). It took two days for the atomic clock to set automatically. Inputting your location’s elevation is suggested in order for the barometer indicator to work accurately. It was somewhat of a challenge to find the ideal location for the outdoor remote sensor - there are a number of requirements/recommendations - such as away from direct sun and moisture, and in a direct line and within range of the base unit. Also, the unit is not wall mount. It is tabletop display only. The Fahrenheit/Celsius switch is located in the battery compartment. The black “frame” has a shiny finish, and there are several function buttons located on the side and back. Also, you can press the front (top and bottom) of the frame for additional functions (alarm on/off). I am very happy with this weather station and hope that this review is helpful!!
Customer Review: Lives up to its advertisement
This product is easy to set up and has an easy-to-read display. It may take up to 12 hours for the atomic clock to automatically set, but then it is always accurate. I love being able to know the outside temperature without venturing outside. The sensor is small and unobtrusive, easy to find a good spot outside for it. I’d buy it again.
Read more..

Welcome to Gardening in Louisiana! Expand your gardening knowledge from season to season. The Gardener’s Guide books provide information on plant characteristics, habits, and basic requirements for growth. Information on the various climatic conditions of your area, general pest control, and landscape tips aid you in creating a beautiful and successful garden. A Gardner’s Guide Book is available for each state. Published by Cool Springs Press.
Read more..

The sun has set and the mist that falls on the rugged landscape blankets danger. But if only that were all you need to be concerned about. The eerie Cornishlandscape springs to life in Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle, a haunting mystery adventure game for the PC. With only one night to unravel a sinister story using real archaeological techniques, you will experience the powerful mystic forces of an ancient burial ground known locally as Barrow Hill.
A detailed and spellbinding story and organic puzzles are woven through the very fabric of Barrow Hill, leading you to explore well trodden pathways across the land, seek clues in almost forgotten shrines, unearth ancient artifacts, and delve into the Celtic legends which haunt the green lanes of the hill. Cornwall, the setting for this supernatural adventure game, boasts itself as the home of sorcerers, ancient kings and mythological characters. From the piskie folk of the hedgerows and cliff tops to the beasts of Bodmin Moor, there isn’t a corner of England’s most western county that isn’t rich in folklore, magic and danger!
Can you tackle the task? Can you solve the mystery? Can you survive?Will tonight be your last night on Barrow Hill - or anywhere else? It’s up to you.
List Price: $19.99
Amazon Price: $16.99
Used Price: $6.45
Customer Review: Good Game For Straight RPers
This game is cute and fun. It’s easy to immerse yourself in it and become the unnamed main character. It involves some problem solving techniques, though nothing over complicated or too hard. I solved it in about two hours without a walkthrough. There is only one enemy and it will only kill you if you go on the wrong path before the required clues are collected and you don’t have to even run from it then, just turn around. And even if you do die, nothing happens. There is no experience to lose, no levels to raise. You are basically in a scavenger hunt for items and clues in a very small playing field. You can set your own pace, but there really is not any point in delaying because unless you are going to the next clue, nothing will happen. The controls are stiff compared to modern controls, you basically click on the four sides of the screen to move with very little finesse, but at least you can cover huge areas with a single click. The sounds are moody and believable, the atmosphere is not scary but somehow compelling, a little creepy and a little… well almost peaceful. It is a horror mystery, but it feels familiar, like an old well worn nightmare you know by heart. There are a couple of gruesome images, a fried slag heap that used to be a kid with twisted glasses, a single sneaker, and scattered coloring crayons, toys, and books and the on-phone killing of a dog, but it is mild enough to be kid safe. If you are looking for a horror shooter, this isn’t it. Get the Silent Hill Games. If you are looking for something scary, this isn’t it. Get the Fatal Frame Games. If you want challenging puzzles and mind benders or obscure clues, this isn’t it. Try Killing Ground for that. If you want a fun diversion to remind you of simpler times, buy Barrow Hill and enjoy it.
Customer Review: Does not have 360 degree turn…
I’ve played Myst games and Scratches, and although the first 2 Myst games were without the 360degrees turn, Myst 3 and 4 had 360 degree turn in the game. The reason the first 2 Myst games did not have 360 turn was that they came out in the early 1990’s. This game did not have that, and I was expecting it to have it, mainly because its a recently new game that probably came out last year or so. Another thing is I just didn’t care for this so I returned it for a refund. Sorry to be the only one here who didn’t pick up interest in this one.
Read more..

Garden Kneeler


Garden Kneeler

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Customer Review: PikStik Rave Review!
PikStick is great! Got it for my husband for Christmas. He laughed when he opened it, but now uses it all the time. He has some health problems and this really makes things easier. Very easy to use. I recommend it highly.
Customer Review: Darn handy tool
Good for light use or for dragging/maneuvering heavier things. My dad uses it extensively and swears by it.
Read more..

The Poulan Pro 54-inch garden tractor features a powerful, 26 HP Briggs and Stratton V-twin engine and a large, 54-inch cutting deck, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and long-lasting durability. It includes true hydrostatic automatic transmission with foot-pedal control and a four-gallon fuel tank. Its 20-inch rear tires make for a smooth ride. This lawn tractor comes with a 2-year warranty.
Amazon Price: $2,730.25
Customer Review: low power in reverse
The Poulan Pro 26 hp tractor has hydrostatic transmission. There is no adjustment capability on the linkage. I had to return my tractor after taking it to an approved repairman. The tractor didn’t have enough power in reverse to go up the ramp on my trailer. The tractor may be acceptable if you are mowing flat areas and/or don’t anticipate going in reverse up hills. They should have designed the tractor such that the transmission linkage could be adjusted… or made sure this problem didn’t exist (When the repairman called the company they were aware of others having this problem).
Customer Review: Great Mower
What a fantastic price for a great mower. Everywhere else I looked the price was almost double and Amazon shipped it for free. I’m completely satisfied with the product and with Amazon.com
Read more..

Having a water garden is not just about the plants A gardener can have a refuge in his or her own backyard Part of the Can’t Miss series, these Cool Springs Press books provide recommendations for creating and maintaining a water garden suitable specifically for a region. These books include information on planning and design, installation and maintenance, and stocking with plants and fish.
Read more..

PATIO HEATER/HALOGEN /HEAT YOUR GARDEN THE SIMPLE WAY


PATIO HEATER/HALOGEN /HEAT YOUR GARDEN THE SIMPLE WAY
ELECTRIC PATIO HEATER

THIS ITEM COMES WITH A FREE SPARE HEATER BULB.

This electric patio heater only warms people- not the air in between!
These innovative heaters are perfect for draughty areas and external use. This exclusive 1200w quartz lamp emits both radiant heat and a
pleasant golden red ambient light.
This heaters is designed to blend in with all environments. Very easy to install in a durable weather-proof casing with toughened safety glass in front which has been specially formulated to allow heat to pass

Ideal for wall mounting in patio and garden areas and heat an area up to 3.2 x 3.2 meters recommended mounting height 2.25 - 2.5m.

5m of cable with fitt

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Ateco 11-Piece Graduated Round Cookie Cutter Set
Complete with a tin storage box to reduce clutter, this set of 11 round, stainless-steel cookie cutters comes in handy for all seasons. The cutters range in size from 3/4 inch high to 3-5/8 inches high, and they have rolled edges on top to protect fingers during the cutting process. They’re constructed to be long-lasting and are dishwasher-safe. –Fred Brack
List Price: $20.00
Amazon Price: $14.99
Customer Review: More than biscuits
They’re your basic biscuit cutter, but also do a good job when cutting out puff dough, or layered cookies that require a filling in the center. Be sure to dry them after washing, because I can already see a little trace of rust on the bottom of the tin. So just be sure to keep them clean and dry and in their neat little tin! It would be nice if the size was indicated on the side of the rounds, but you can pretty much eyeball it.
Customer Review: Exactly what I needed
I no longer have to search the house for a 1 1/2 inch circle. I can now make circles in 11 different sizes! The circles all store nicely in thier tin.

Garden Of Life FucoThin, 90-Count Bottle
fucoTHIN is a natural, whole food based supplement that is made with a proprietary concentration of fucoxanthin combined with pomegranate seed oil, for a patent-pending formula that is naturally thermogenic. fucoTHIN has been studied by leading scientists
List Price: $49.95
Amazon Price: $39.99

National Geographic’s The Savage Garden with Leslie Nielsen
Your average backyard garden may look tranquil and serene on the outside, but what lurks beneath will truly amaze you - as Leslie Nielsen is about to discover. As he strolls among the flowers, herbs and vegetables, there’s a war for survival raging around him; from dangerous daddy longlegs and ferocious fire ants, to an eight-eyed jumping spider in a wrestling match with a belligerent bee. There’s even a Top Gun-style air battle between a praying mantis and a bat. In this terrifying - and funny - new natural history comedy, National Geographic filmmakers use state-of-the-art cinematography to reveal what the world looks like from the insect’s point of view.
List Price: $9.98
Used Price: $0.83

Garden Riddle - Sieve


Garden Riddle - Sieve
Bakaware Fb17-600 Garden Riddle Colour: Green - Mesh Size: 3/8in

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Step-by-step instructions on choosing and caring for more than 150 low-maintenance plants and shrubs. The Tough Plants series from Cool Springs Press is aimed at the gardener who wants plants they can forget about! Low-care, no-care, tried-and-true winners?they’re all here.Each tough plant is shown with a full color photo and a brief description of its main features; readers won’t find a lot of horticulture instruction in these books because these plants simply don’t need that much attention! “Kinda Tricky” and “Best for Beginners” lists help match the plants to the reader’s experience level.Published by Cool Springs Press.
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Container Water Gardening for Hobbists - Get inspired by the beautiful photographs and help form the step by step instructions to build your own container water garden. TJB INC has been a dealer & installer since the mid 90’s & have installed hundreds of water features throughout the Southern New England area. We have used all of the products we sell giving us first hand knowledge to better answer any of your questions or concerns. TJB INC carries the complete product line of Aquascape Designs including Biological Filters, Books & Publications, Container Water Gardens, Filter Media, FlexForm Ponds & Pond Kits, Installation Tools, Liner & Underlayment, Mechanical Skimmers, Pond Kits, Pondless Waterfall Kits, Pond Aeration, Pond Lighting, Pumps, Predator Controls, Preformed Ponds, PVC Pipe, Water Treatments, & Wetland Filters.
Price: $39.98
Continue …

List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $5.33
Customer Review: Admirable - As “Swan Lake” Goes. . .
I must first acknowledge up front that “Swan Lake” (SL) is not my favorite ballet, and of the three most famed full-length ballets set to Tchaikowsky’s music, I prefer the other two, not least because the music itself in “Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty” is far superior (in my opinion) to the pedestrian, repetitive score the composer did for SL. Act I is an outright bore - Baryshnikov once said that as a youngster when he was sent off to see productions of SL at the Kirov, he would sit there thinking to himself, “Isn’t it over yet? Why isn’t it over yet? When is it going to be over?” Out of four acts, there is really only about 45 minutes of dancing worth watching: the Act II lakeside scene, the famed Black Swan pas de deux in Act III, and a few moments in the rather short final act. The rest is filler, and to less than inspiring music. All that said, great dancers in the leading roles can make SL worthwhile, especially if you can push a button and skip Act I and everything in Act III until Odile arrives. . . In this particular version, the Royal Ballet serves up its excellent corps, a mature but still technically sound Natalia Makarova in the title role, and Anthony Dowell as the feckless Prince Siegfried. Makarova was born to dance Odette - her lyricism, beautifully articulated feet, back, and arms, and Kirov style are in perfect soulful sync with the choreography. Although close to the end of her career here, she is still just about fully in command of her technique and shows that her fame in the role was justly earned. I have never found hers a particularly sympathetic persona but in this performance her occasional inability to conceal her awareness of her gifts did not intrude. She is less successful, but only slightly less so, in Act III as Odile. Makarova was never a brilliant classicist, and the bravura dancing required of Odile is generally not her strong point. In this dilemma she is not alone, as few ballerinas combine the extraordinary lyricism required of Odette AND the brilliant, diamond-hard classicism required of Odile. In fact, originally, the ballet was conceived for two ballerinas, one dancing Odette and another Odile. The same ballerina doing both parts was a later development. Nevertheless, Makarova does well in Act III, considering its choreography does not play to her strengths. She travels practically all the way downstage during her 32 fouettes, but she gets them all done completely and, at the age of 41 and in such a taxing role, that is saying something. Her balances (which were curiously lacking in security when I saw her years earlier in “Sleeping Beauty” - Aurora was definitely NOT one of her better roles) are marvelous and this is, ultimately, a very satisfying performance. Dowell, by contrast, seems curiously bland emotionally - perhaps his natural reserve paled even further next to Makarova’s Kirov emotionalism - although he executes his few solos beautifully - one forgets what beautiful, elegant, legs he had - with high jumps and clean turns. His partnering is, as always, faultless, but, like the Prince in “Sleeping Beauty”, this is mostly a thankless part. The Royal Ballet’s corp performs beautifully, the production is completely traditional - and one of my favorite dramatic dancers from the Royal’s past, Derek Rencher, is wasted as von Rothbart (who is NOT wasted as von Rothbart?!). You want to see Derek Rencher as a biting Tybalt in the first of these recorded, live full-length ballets from the Royal, the Czinner production of Macmillan’s Romeo & Juliet, filmed in 1966, with a very mature Margot Fonteyn and a young Rudolf Nureyev - but that, as they say, is another story.
Customer Review: Still the best Swan Lake on dvd
I’m not an expert but was a ballerina as a little girl and graduated into toe shoes in my early teens, so I know how difficult it is to dance ballet. Makarova is simply enchanting as Odette the Swan Princess. She was in her early 40’s when this was filmed in the 80’s. Her classical training in the Russian ballet program is very evident here. She’s not perfect, but comes pretty close. This is a very demanding role for any ballerina especially one nearing the end of a fabulous career. Her legendary reputation is certainly solidified by this magnificent performance. Her beautiful, fluid arm movements are absolutely mesmerizing. Her facial and physical expressions add to a beautiful, dramatic interpretation. I have yet to see another ballerina emote and bring forth such dramatic intensity as Odette. Dowell is a very talented dancer and quite handsome too. I enjoyed his pirouettes and he has amazing balance. I thought he was quite sensitive as Prince Siegfried. They seemed to have very good chemistry. The Swan maidens were wonderful, but lacking the exact precision of the Paris Ballet or Kirov corps. Film was beautifully shot and has held up well considering the age of the original master tape. Overall, this is still my favorite Swan Lake performance on dvd simply for Makarova & Dowell’s performances. At the curtain call, it was charming to see Makarova kiss a single red rose from her bouquet and present it to Dowell for a job well done.
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