Hi all,

I thought clue one was pretty simple. Water skiing was invented on a stretch of the Mississippi River known as Lake Pepin. So that means we’re either west of the river or east of it.

On to our next clue, which has much to do with a simply gorgeous river that divides York and Lancaster Counties. You decide what river and what state, and then float along for a bit to see where this clue might lead you.

Pretty stunning image, yes? This is one of my all-time favorite spots. Really popular with the rock climbing crowd.

Photo by Anita363

Photo by mikefats

Good morning!

In checking the poll this morning, I noticed that Maryland is the front runner in your votes for the HGTV Green Home 2012 location. Close. Kind of.

Today, I share the first photo clue. Let’s establish a general geographic location and narrow down from there. Post your comments and questions below. Good luck.

Photo by Tom Hilton

We’ve chosen the winner of HGTV Green Home 2011, so I think you know what might be coming next (aside from the winner special).

Location 2012.

Let’s see: We’ve built homes in South Carolina (Southeast), Florida (Southeast), Massachusetts (Northeast) and Colorado (Midwest). Do you see any sort of pattern? Would we do Northeast again? Or perhaps we’d build two back-to-back homes in the Northwest and then head Southwest?

Let the games begin.

Our HGTV Green Home 2011 winner special does not air until August 20, but you can now watch a sneak preview of the show, which includes exclusive footage of the ambush (Jamie Durie is so adorable). Enjoy!

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Last evening, HGTV’s Jamie Durie ambushed Sayreville, New Jersey, resident Debbie Stolte, who has won the HGTV Green Home 2011 grand prize, an eco-friendly, single-family home located in the Stapleton community of Denver, a 2011 GMC® Terrain® and $100,000. She was enjoying dinner out with her husband Brian and teenage daughter Erica when Jamie came knocking. A curious neighbor contacted Debbie and urged her to head home ASAP to claim her prize.

Debbie, a former special education teacher’s aide, entered the giveaway twice a day online throughout the entry period. “I am so excited! My heart is going crazy, I am so happy,” she says. “This couldn’t have come at a better time. I am out of work, so this is miraculous!”

To watch the ambush and share in the excitement of Debbie’s first visit to her new home, watch the nationally televised special, HGTV Green Home Giveaway 2011, on Saturday, August 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

A big thanks to all who entered and congrats to you, Debbie!

That’s what our Super Fan calls the amazing powder room at HGTV Green Home 2011. Watch her latest vlog to find out why. It’s a double feature today, with info on the master bathroom, too! Gail opens cabinet drawers to highlight storage and climbs in the shower to give you an up-close look at the amazing tile. Enjoy!

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This morning, HGTV’s Jamie Durie paid a visit to Knoxville, TN. The occasion? To draw the name of the HGTV Green Home 2011 winner from over 22 million entries.

Only he knows the name and location of our grand-prize winner. Pretty exciting, yes? Keep your fingers crossed and your eyes peeled for colorful balloons. And if Jamie comes knocking on your front door, by all means answer it (makeup or no makeup)!

Congrats to Brad Short of Breckenridge, MI! Brad won our eco-friendly selection of housewarming gifts, the same gift collection we will bestow upon the winner of HGTV Green Home 2011.

We’d also like to share the winning gifts. Thanks to everyone who voted for these products. To learn more, please visit our HGTV Shopping section.

Happy Monday!

Today Gail takes a tour of the eco-friendly kitchen. I really appreciate the extra-deep cabinetry — storage will be no problem in this space. Watch the vlog and then post your thoughts: What do you like best about this kitchen and what green features have you incorporated in your own kitchen?

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Now that the sweeps entry period has ended, let’s start dreaming. If you win HGTV Green Home 2011, what will you do first? Fire up the patio fireplace? Cook a meal for your family in the gourmet kitchen? Organize a movie night in the loft? Share your thoughts!