Cool idea, toomuch! I love the copper leaves on these projects and the spinning idea. Copper seems to be in my mind lately (since painting the Dutch Windmill & accenting it with copper. Just got a copper planter on clearance sale at Lowe's ... & the other day a big fiberglass copper looking one, too! I love recycling metal leaves on my Barnwood Blooms, too. So, as I've rattled on...you may be able to tell that I love your copper leaves & ideas! TFS! Jeanne S.

LOL Tex, that's how I get my bottles, both wine and beer! I use them for garden borders too. I use fiberglass fence posts (which are basically dowels) cut in half so each half is about 2 ft or a bit longer. I pound these into the ground leaving an approx one foot section sticking out, and slide the bottles over them. I left spaces between them so I can get inside with the weed trimmer. I'm lazy and let mother nature remove the labels over time, which is why some still have their labels in the pictures. Hubby loves my bottles when he's mowing because they are easy to see, unlike the rock borders I used to have!

I think it important to remember that there is no single correct method, with all others being wrong; if you do nothing at all, you can have a rather attractive rose. However, if the idea is for some specific look (e.g, to make a climber conform to the structure on which you're growing it), there are certainly methods that will help you accomplish that goal. Remember that even on climbers, flowers will appear on the new growth, not directly on those existing canes. So prune and train with the idea of where the flowers will appear. If it's a variety that puts up 6" or 12" or 18" canes before flowers, plan with those not-yet-existing canes in mind, realizing that they're going to emerge from the bud or two nearest the cut tip, or if the cane is horizontal, all along the top surface of that cane, from the axillary buds. I think that's the trick that you, as a "newbie" will soon learn, but maybe don't have just yet -- envisioning what the plant will look like on the spring growth flush, as opposed to what it will look like on pruning day. In your first year or two or three (depending on the climate and the size of the structure), you're developing an architectural framework for the plant, while also trying for some good bloom in that framework. Once the structure is covered, then your job each winter/spring will be to bring it back into good form for the upcoming year. If possible, to do that I like to remove the entire plant from the structure and re-tie it in the places I want it (much easier said than done in the case of big, heavy, thorny, stiff plants that are years old). But to the extent that you can do it, you'll get a better plant. That's one good reason to have a climber cover only the surface of the structure -- not woven through it -- so you can get it loose for retraining in future years. And yes, in a climate such as ours, we can usually remove massive amounts of wood each year, to the improvement, not the detriment, of the plant. There are a few exceptions (Marechal Niel comes to mind -- it hates hard pruning), but most roses can handle a really severe pruning in early spring, if that's what's needed. Is there any chance you might drive down to Lakeland this coming Sunday? The Central Florida Heritage Rose Society will be meeting at 2:30, Jack M. Berry Citrus Building, Florida Southern College campus, for a training session on pruning. Jim Bailey will be leading the talk and demonstration in the classroom (on potted roses). But then afterward, we could look in the FSC gardens and discuss pruning of the larger climbers. Malcolm

This is the one I always made.....maybe added a handful of raisins.....maybe topped with some grated cheese or some dill seed....but this is basic beer bread. Linda C Beer Bread Here's the easiest loaf of bread you'll ever make. The beer gives it a deep yeast flavor. If you like, add your favorite herbs or seeds such as sesame, millet, etc., or even a bit of shredded cheese. 3 cups self-rising flour* 3 tablespoons sugar 1 (12-ounce) can of beer Preheat oven to 375*F (190*C). Lightly grease or spray a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Makes 1 loaf.