Charmion, you don't even need to build frames for raised beds-- lasagna gardening.

Ohio:

Two DW loads actually put away, and the last two big handwashing items are soaking.

The potting-bench end of the long kitchen table is now clean and restored to vinyl tablecloth prettiness-- I was given some surprise succulents when Judy's garden center closed, and it took quite a messy dig to shoehorn them into the terra cotta dish garden with its other inmates. I'm down to one box of miscellaneous cluttering that table, now.

Btw I decided to forego our fabulous PA kitchen island. If I liked bar stools... it would be perfect, and it being a tad narrower than the table, it would ease one of the two kitchen traffic paths. But after several months wrestling with how to add a hinged tabletop to side of the island, I decided I love that table too much to give it up. And the space under it swallows up even more stuff than the island would have. So Hardi gains a garage storage piece, with a food grade top for prepping outdoor-cooking goodies-- we'll need its storage space out there.

I got into the habit of sitting at that long table not only for food prep, but for at least one meal out of four each day-- like the LR eating space, it overlooks a pretty front yard view,,and I like varying the view. And from there, at brekky or bedtime snack, it's a few quick steps to call Newbie in (out of barking mode).

I'll miss the island-- I'd planned it for so long. But I ljust love that table, and it will seat 8-10 people-- which actually happens nowadays, since we're finally near family. (It's also a fabulous buffet space!)

~S~