I always use the kind that looks like person with their arms down, then up. As you twist in the screw, the arms go up. You push the arms down and it lifts the cork out. One tip from my son the bartender is to put the tip of the screw into the cork slightly off center. Most people aim for the direct center of the cork, which actually makes the screw go in off to the side, causing problems when you pull. After some googling, I learned that my type of corkscrew is called "winged", although it looks like arms to me. Also the screw thingy is called a worm. Ick. Here is a link that might be useful: types of corkscrews

Hey squirrelheaven, Are you serious about your ferns? Mine have never volunteered. Everything else seems to. I love the JP ferns and wish they would reseed. It took them forever to get to a decent size. oakleyoak, I think yours just need some time to get established. In MN, we have had a mild summer. Hi lesmis, my yard is such a work in progress. I have spent this summer widening the garden area. I had to move over 200 brick edgers to widen everything. Now I need more mulch! Here is a pic where I moved the bricks and added mulch and plants: Here is a pic from earlier this year. I swear my dogs pose when they see a camera. Here is one where I moved the bricks but need more mulch and add plants: The Pink Diamonds are just a type of hydrangea that were trained (or grafted) into a tree form versus a shrub. My neighbor has a Limelight tree form. It is lovely!

That is the prettiest backsplash I have ever seen. I love: - the surprise sparkly squares - the color flow between the backsplash and the granite - the large amount of bright white in the backsplash and granite, with a minimum of grey (I like silver/gold, but not grey tones) - how the cabinet stain seems to match a hue in the mosaic backsplash... PERFECTLY! As though the cabinet stain was designed for that mosaic or vice-versa. Wow. Also quite clever is that curve-around feature on the peninsula. That looks very fun and very practical. Questions: Do you do cartwheels into this kitchen every morning from sheer glee? Did you put brackets under the granite curved out part? What chairs did you settle on ? Thanks to the person who linked to this thread from a posting today!

Good new Kat. Keep those hands shiny clean. I went through chemo with all the non existent immune system and up until the present time, yes, I mean now 3 years later, I haven't even had a bad cold and I know it is because I keep my hands shiny clean. I have the disinfectant sheets everywhere and I make my DH do the same..Gotta keep your hands away from your mouth too..Sending good thoughts your way.