Most recommended windbreaks around here start with an outside row of caragana, then lilacs, poplar and finally Colorado blue spruce all oriented in a relaxed V with the wind hitting the apex of the V.

There is a shipload of kitchen scales designed for average home use including some very sleek ones such as Ozeri and Escali but with kitchen equipment, sleek does not always translate to good. For instance, the popular touch button feature is indeed stylish but it just wonâÂÂt work if your hands are wet. Concerning functionality, OXO Good Grips is probably the best food scale available at the moment. Pull-out display, removable and dishwasher safe parts and tangible buttons are some of the things that make it my choice.

I bought a Weight Watchers WW43 Memory Glass Electronic Scale a few months ago and find it excellent. It has a very large digital readout against a blue background and its all glass. It has a balancing dot which floats till you are standing correctly each time so you get an accurate reading. You can also set start weight, and each time you can see how you are doing in relation to it, etc. I find it very accurate and easy to read. Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon Sells It

I got one from Penny's several years ago that works for us. Its a digital; runs on a 9 volt battery; one battery lasts for a year or more. The scale is about 15 inches square and 2 inches high. You tap it with your toe to turn it on; the display will cycle a few times while it waits for the vibrations to die away and zeros itself. When the display glows steady, step on and stand still. When it thinks everything has settled, your weight is diaplayed. Read it and step off. It'll turn off in about 3 seconds after stepping off. It seems to be accurate within 1 lb at 230 lbs. No tenths of a pound. Displays only to the nearest Lb. It has worked well for 10 years. It is a bit quick in automatically shutting off. You have about 3 to 5 seconds to step on the scale after the dispaly becomes steady. Go beyond this limit and it auto-shuts down. HINT: Weigh yourself soon after you get up and after you have used the toilet and before you slake your thirst. Weigh with no clothes. A good time is just before you step into the shower. This will be your minimum weight for the day unless you engage in extreme hard labor. Your weight can change by a couple of pounds during the day. Differenct in clothing weight can mask a trend. I have found this produces the most consistent measurement and that is important if you are graphing your weight on a daily basis.