desperation falls, I am thinking that either a large sand cast or a 4" piece of blue/pink foam cut to the shapes of your cloister arches may work. Brainstorming and have not thought totally through, but you could use a 4ft section of 4" blue foam, using big felt marker transfer a pic of your arches. Consider just making one/two of the arched sections for easier handling and working out the texture/detail while still damp. After your drawing is there using a serrated knife (there are other options for this but 1st thought)cut out your design. Tape the raw edges of the form with duct tape so you can release your form later. Bend some rebar or using straight pieces at least for the straight edges, set these aside. Lay your form on a flat space covered with plastic, and using a mix of concrete/tufa/lightweight mix to your liking, begin adding to the voids of the foam. Half way lay in your rebar, then add the rest. Once the mix has set up a bit you can carve the columns/cloister to your liking. This would be difficult to turn over, but with help you may be able to pancake it and turn it to be able to carve into the other side. Let the whole thing set up for several days before releasing from the foam. To create a more stable design you could incorporate a short length of pvc pipe into the column portions that would allow you to insert rebar into the ground, and use the pvc as stantion posts to hold in place, plus allowing you to reposition later. As I am writing I think I would make it in no more than 2 sections at a time. In the pictures it appears they used 6" cardboard columns from a hardware store that had molding added on the inside to create the fluting. It is so much fun to see what others have come up with. Dena

It'll be interesting to see how well EAB survives in the South. The Ash populations down here are so scattered, you can travel a hundred miles and not see a single one. I'm thinking they'll travel the path of the rivers (where green and pop ash thrive) and not venture too far out from there into the pine forests. Only time will tell I suppose.

Mark, I started my tomatoes indoors last year on Feb 8 and planted out April 12. I used the hoophouse only the last month and still had to bring the tomatoes inside when temps dropped below 30 degrees. I started mine in a flat then transferred them to 5ounce cups then to 2 liter containers. Repotting tomatoes forces them to build stronger roots than if you just plant the seed directly. If you want to wintersow your tomatoes in the hoophouse and skip the indoor step, I'd wait until about 4 weeks before your average last spring frost. You might still need to use a bit of heat, maybe a couple 60 watt bulbs or a couple strands of rope lighting at night. And watch for daytime temps. Those hoop houses get HOT inside when all closed up if the temperature gets above 50 outside. I had temps in the 90s some days even with one end slightly open.

Yes, Annie, it WAS a perfect CF get-together! There was great, delicious food, as we grazed our way throughout the day, and never a moment when conversation lagged. Weed was absolutely right right about the Maple Nut Goo. Goo is GOOD! I love the Goo, and will take every opportunity to eat Goo in the future. Yes, Silence Must Be Observed for full enjoyment to ensue. Weed thinks she may be in trouble as it's going to be very near her new house, but I think she just needs to embrace it, and develop a personal relationship with those who serve/sell. Leave a standing order so there will be Goo in reserve! Carl's da bomb burgers? Oh yeah. 'Nuff said! What a fun day we had! Since you're filled in on the details, what I wanted to add is how familiar Weed was to me, even though I'd never met her in person. I started thinking about ''Things Weed Has Taught Me'', which include: The Problem with Framed Cabinets How To Make A Clickable Link (I didn't learn that one very well, but I'm counting it anyway) Cooling Food Quickly For Safety in the Kitchen Maple Nut Goo is Grood Famous Barr Onion Soup (a St. Louis Tradition) is Awesome, Including the Stringy Cheese on Top and so many others! I had the best time at her new house, wandering from room to room. Her house is very familiar to me, as it could almost come out of my own neighborhood. I will let her share the details of her home when she's ready, but I loved the feeling of the neighborhood and good house vibes. I always love a good ''before'' and ''after'' view, so I'm really looking forward to the changes she's going to make. You all know how I love to live vicariously (since I fully expect to be invited back you see!) Here's a picture at Global Foods. Weed is buying baby bok choy, (even though she's holding dates!), and I bought some sharp swiss cheese, brown bread and KerryGold butter. She was telling me how her mom used to make sandwiches out of this, and of course I wanted to try it. I also bought Vanilla Bean Powder and enjoyed the shopping trip while trying not to feel bad we don't have anything remotely like it where I live. She also turned me onto Mexican sour cream and her favorite corn tortillas. The Pork Chili Verde was delicious. I got hold of some peppers which burned the roots of my hair, but once I got over it, enjoyed it very much. Here's our beloved Weed, looking great at the end of a very hot and mugly day. Yes, that is a margarita on the table, which is partially responsible for why there aren't more (or better) pictures. I simply didn't care by then. I'm so happy to finally meet some of you! We talked about you all, only in the nicest way. I wish there were more of us in the midwest, but we did talk about a road trip to Des Moines to see about visiting Lindac. When the stars align, that could happen. But then, if any of you want to fly into St. Louis or Kansas City, it's not that far for either of us!