I have a heated birdbath on a stand that works really well. The coils are built inside it, but they can be pricey. Before buying that I used one of those flat, foil types that has heat ring inside. I used an extension cord (plugged into a GFCI outlet in my garage) out to a shallow birdbath. I held it under the water with a rock in the center. You have to make sure you keep water in it (every few days a fill up), but the birds sure enjoyed it, especially the Robins. Sometimes this bath would get a tad icy but there was always a small hole with water and the birds kept coming for a drink. I think I paid about $12 something for that flat, foil type heater. It did the job and was the cheapest to buy and run at the time (a few years back). The first winter my pond had ice on it except where there was a bubbler and the birds walked out over the ice to the edge to get their drink. Last year I didn't get any ice and birds can't drink at my pond unless it has ice, as the sides are steep, (but squirrels can). I really enjoy watching the birds at the water in winter. They need it too! Do a search for heated birdbaths on-line, should bring up many choices. CT

I have three saucers with a single milk jug suspended above each. I used a regular old push pin to make the hole - it will stream out at fisrt, but over about a week slow down to the kind of drip you want (and you'll need to open the hole more sometimes, too). I find that a milk jug lasts from 6-12 hours depending on the drip speed; I typically fill mine early morning and again in the afternoon when I'm able. Sometimes I don't bother, but the birds still use the bath. I'm thinking of trying clear plastic water bottles if I can round some up.

The front door is just ugly aside from not being very weather tight. During the winter it leaks a lot of cold air from all sides of it. It's a solid core door, that has been dinged up through the years, no window either. We want something which will let in light to the hallway. Plus, the existing screen door, is a cheap one with fake stained "glass" in it and is falling apart. We recently painted it which improved it's appearance dramatically but doesn't take care of the problems it has. Plus it does nothing for the overall appearance of the home. We've been able to stop some of the air leakage with weather stripping, but because of the way the lock is installed it tends to jamb and not close properly if we use enough to really make it as leakproof as it needs to be. Thanks for the links for the French door tho. I do agree with you on the point of it going to look like a front door in the living room if I use something else - which has been part of my problem all along and why we haven't yet jumped into replacing this one. I want to make sure I pick the absolute right door here or it's going to really look terrible!

Errant--You gave me a little spark of hope but alas I checked and the other side of the tank lid is unfinished. I've searched the Kohler Stately toilet and haven't found anyone else having this issue but the seat I have is said to have a design flaw by many reviewers. The best seat I ever bought is the Tuscany Premium from Menards that is in our other bathroom. I may get another and try it on this toilet. It is a very heavy and substantial seat but doesn't have a soft close feature (and has the loudest slam of any seat I've ever heard!)