Just some info about how I make the teacup feeders. I don't use them as birdfeeders but use the clear glass teacups and saucers and put a tealight in them for around the patio. Look very nice at night with the candle glowing. Anyhow we use 2 part clear epoxy to glue the cup to the saucer, then glue a copper end fitting to the bottom center of the saucer. The copper pipe then fits into the end fitting and isn't glued, just a friction fit. The pipe can be removed for winter storage. If the cup and saucer needs washing I can easily remove it. We've made and sold many dozens of these. They cost less than $2 each and sold for $8. Most of the cost was for the copper pipe. Only took a few minutes to make a bunch assembly-style so it wasn't bad profit. I've heard of people selling them for $25 but I think that would have to be in a really high-end shop. The ones I have for my garden use rebar cause the price of copper went way up a couple of years ago. I have a few but haven't put them out yet - I'll try to remember to post a pic later. I'm really busy trying to get on top of this gardening so not spending a lot of time on the net.

Nonacook, Thank You for also sending prayers for my brother and prayers back to you as I remember you recently lost your DH. I Love your gardens and saw the bird feeder on the lamp base. What a cute idea and I just happen to have the ingredients for the recipe :-)Your cabin and garden looked like many good times were enjoyed there. Sorry it no longer exists :-( I looked at your Elephants. I collect'em too and have one like your gray one you have sitting by the amber pole arrangement. I got mine many years ago at a FM in Texas. He has moved with me everywhere and is looking old for sure, but he still sits in front of my house all weathered but still has that sweet look on his face.

I was also wondering about that frozen mint, Charlene. I think what David might be doing is either making ice cubes or freezing the mint. Washing herbs, putting them in a plastic bag, and promptly freezing them has worked fine for us on what we've tried. You also have to be prompt in making use of them after they come out of the freezer - thaw them out and they quickly, quickly decay. Just a guess as to what David is up to in his role as a dad . . . My youngest is still in college and she's a junk food hound. Oddly, she shops at the natural food store and eats all this healthy stuff with her junk from Micky d's. Best of luck to all you parents. Charlene, I think you've got what you need for some fun trials. Everyone's tastes are different. Basil has that licorice flavor and I really like it in various dishes - not my favorite for tea, however . . . I've got all those herbs except the choices of oregano. That would be where I'd go first (nah, that wasn't me you saw reaching over your fence, honest ;o). My favorite commercial product is Stash Licorice Spice - "licorice root, cinnamon, orange peel, Chinese star anise, vanilla, sarsaparilla, orange oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, cardamom oil." And, I'm a root beer aficionado, as well. Can't grow any of what's in Stash unless I'd like to try some Russian licorice sometime - then I'll be out uprooting bushes in the yard. As it is and at this time of year, I just loosely fill my tea mug about one-half full with nice green herb leaves. Rinse a few times under the facet then fill with boiling water and allow a few minutes steeping - all it takes. I realized a few years ago that in cultures where a lot of mint is used as tea - the experienced will "stuff" their cups with fresh mint. If you think about it, what's in a tea bag probably amounts to quite a bit of bulk if it hadn't been dried first. Catnip has been a favorite for quite a few years but I think I'm ready for a little variety. What I was hoping was that a simple combination of 5 or 6 herbs, all of which I like, would give some complexity to the flavor in my cup. I am really pleased with my very first experiment. And, of course, you've gotten to know me a bit - I don't just have one of these planters . . . oh no, and there's already a few transplants in the garden. I was just trying to keep one planter close to home. digitS'

Igloochic, I've used the clear glass teacups/saucers on a copper pipe with a tealight in each. They give a nice glow in the evening in the garden around the patio. They do fill with water when it rains so will need frequent washing. I prefer to use them this way rather than as birdfeeders as wet bird seed is not pretty and we have way too many squirrels and chipmunks to feed! I've made and sold many dozens of these 'tealights' as well as glass totems. This is the only pic I seem to have that may show better what I'm taking about. These 'tealights' are made from vintage punch cups with dessert dishes upside down under them which I've used when I run out of the cups and saucers. They have copper pipe fittings underneath so fit on a copper pipe in the garden. Love your stuff Pesky! Especially those tilted teapots! Thanks Tuesday! I'll post the link to my garden album in case anyone is interested in seeing my totems. Here is a link that might be useful: my glass garden totems