The wire bin idea is a great idea (whatup Pablo!). Now that I have read all these great ideas I plan on running to one of the box stores and get some fencing and wing nuts too. I have two plots that are a long way away from my main bins and have been thinking of making some new bins there. The fence will be the way I go this time to see how it works. As it relates to the four (4) -bin systems you can take a look at the link below, I posted about it when I completed it about a month ago. I use it for storing and curing finished compost. Once cured I use the compost to top-dress all my beds before planting in them. As long as the cost is minimal I am all for doing things the "free" way. In regards to the clay comment, when making the piles moist some water usually gets on the clay and creates a slippery surface. I was stating to be careful in that regard, for our clay can be like ice when wet, as you well know. Not to change focus, but Pablo, have you ever composted any of your rabbit manure? I got two truckloads from a new friend (HA!) that sells champion rabbits. I have two bins full of rabbit manure, leaves, coffee, and other kitchen items and was wondering if you have ever gone that route, seeing as you raise rabbits. There is also a very large pile of rabbit manure and leaves I can use when making the new wire bin. I am sure you have not accumulated truckloads, but was wondering just the same. I know that barn where my new friend keeps his rabbits is strong with urine odor, and the piles are smoking like a choo-choo train when I turn them. Do ya got any skinny on rabbit compost? Now you guys have me excited about wire bins, will this obsession ever end? Oh no, it just keeps getting better Blutranes Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Compost Bins

I picked up some pyrethrum "Robinson Hybrid" (Tanacetum coccineum) - which I think are painted daisies? at a sale table. One got chewed down already. Rabbits to blame?

ikea, plan on a multitude of games to annoy your deer. This is the first year in which I have not lost a single hosta, except a few leaves on the far side of a hosta that were missed by the spray. Here is what I did: 1. Homemade spray: Mix 1 egg, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp ground Cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp Murphy's Oil soap in a blender with 2 cups of water. Place in 2 Gal pressure sprayer and add water until 3/4 full. Apply every 2-3 weeks. 2. Place packets of Green Screen all around your potted plants, including your nursery area. 3. By mid May start planting Gladiola bulbs throughout your garden. The will start blooming by the end of June. Lightly dust each blossom cluster with ground cayenne pepper. Use a small brush, dip it into the Cayenne, tap the brush against the rim of the container. Also treat lillys and other flowers your deer might display a liking for. 4. Install motion activated lights or similar motion activated gadgets. 5. Get a bottle of cuyote urine. Use small plastic containers from old 35mm films, pill bottles, drill or punch several holes through the shell. Place 3 cotton balls inside and use tie-wraps to hang them up on trees and bushes. Squirt one eye dropper full into each capsle. Now sit back and enjoy. I see deer marching around in several of my neighbors yards. For awhile they came around checking, nipping of a few hosta blooms, let them enjoy!!! By the end of August I got lazy and stopped spraying alltogether, even collected the Cuyote pots, when we had a picnic, but no more deer! Manfred

QOD: Friday: A date with DH! We haven't had a date in 10 months, but finally found a lady who is fingerprinted and back-ground checked who can watch Baby V once a month. Besh, maybe we'll light a fire later...right. One DD has a slumber party and one DD has a dance, so we are going to dinner on the waterfront! Saturday: Book fair at 9. Pick up pre-ordered tree at 10. Community Santa party at 4 to get Baby's pic with Santa,-if he will tolerate it! (Baby, not Santa...) Maybe a visit with prospective adoptive parents. Sunday: Off the rock to choose light fixtures for the new place. Maybe another visit with adoptive parents. Then DH leaves to go to the city for 2 nights and I have big plans to organize THE WORLD--(insert evil laugh here.) Donna- Hugs for your mom. Wow! That sounds painful! I slammed my right-hand pointer finger in my glovebox last Friday and took off the top of it. It's been pretty enlightening, learning how much I use that pointer! It's getting better after getting worse! Patti-Enjoy the scrapbooking. Dave has the right idea, for sure. Have fun with water! Peg: Your aunt is trying to keep you busy so you don't get into trouble! Everything happens for a reason! She sounded like she loved life and has everything planned out for leaving it. I love pre-plans in the funeral biz. It makes decision making much easier. I saw so many families aginize over the deceased and their funerals. PLAN AHEAD! Besh: I never miss "The Year There Was No Santa Claus" Heat Miser and Cold Miser are the bomb! Milkdud: The Friends of the Library here does SO MUCH! They also have a book sale in teh spring at the elementary school that earns a ton of money. People donate books all year and the "Friends" organize them on the risers at the school and sell them for a dollar an inch. NHSuzanne: you and your "Where did the year go?" lol. It was you who, a few months ago, couldn't wait to get through 2008! I remember because I felt SO STRONGLY the same way! Now we have almost made it. Raeanne and Milkdud: I still take the ferry and drive to my old town for dentist--an 8 hour drive plus the time in the chair. I take my kids there too. I can't bear to part with my dentist. I have found a new hairdresser but it's a ferry ride away and a short drive. I sent my kids as guinea pigs for the first visit, but I will go myself this month! Raeanne- PROMOTE YOURSELF. Your work is amazing. But the "shy" you would be fascinating to witness, I'm sure....lol. Have a geat weekend, everyone!