I use the cheap kind of landscape fabric, the brown one that breaks down in about a weekend if left exposed to the sun. I cover it with about an inch of fine pine park mulch. Any deeper and too many weeds take hold in the mulch, so I keep the mulch layer thin. I still get a few weeds but not that many. In my veggie garden I use the more plastic kinda barrier and I cover it with a deep layer of straw (not pine straw). It breaks down over the summer. When I pull the plastic out of the garden I just mix in all the rotted straw. Lasagna layers work great but I get the landscape fabric at a discount (sometimes free), same with the straw. The only thing I have to buy is the pine bark mulch. I still have to weed but not that much. I do have Bermuda grass/Wire grass in my yard (the most evil thing on the planet) but it is easy to keep under control by keeping an area of soft fluffy soil at the edge of all my flower beds and garden. All the weeds are easy to pull from that fluffy area and they rarely make it all the way to the bed. This does mean that I have to sit outside and feed the mosquitos every evening but it is better for you than sitting inside watching tv.

I don't think it is a huge problem, unless you plan on planting below the preen line. Supposedly it just keeps seeds from breaking through where it is laid. You may still have have bulbs or tubers go through it, as preen mostly is effective against annual re-seeding weeds. I've had bulb weeds and other perennials come through newspaper and six inches of mulch in just one season of growing.

you know how they neutralize toxins? they compost them! so you should be just fine. If you're going to plant edibles in the bed within a month or so, you might want to start them in containers & wait a little longer, but for ornamentals it'll be fine. If you want more expert advice (of course expert advice often includes the experts discussing pros & cons til your head swims!), you might post on the Soil Compost & Mulch Forum. Have fun!

I agree with readinglady regarding some of the alcohol cooking off with a preference in flavor. I’ve done something similar as Jane. I remove the cake from the pan while still just warm. I carefully turn the cake over and poke LOTS of holes with a straw through the bottom almost to, but not through, the top. I slowly pour the glaze over the straw holes until it’s gone. If you like, you can reserve some of the glaze for the top. Flip the cake back over and slowly pour the remaining glaze on top. Depending on the recipe, pouring glaze on top is optional. I’ve found soaking it in from the bottom can be enough for flavor, but having some on top can add more flavor and be visually appealing.