Holly, Tara, and Jean - Thank you so much!
I really wasn't trying to show off my garden. I actually wanted others to consider the many uses of concrete in a garden setting. I have found that concrete is much more affordable for me than wood. And even more so if I don't have to replace it every 3-4 years! Concrete has saved me quite a bit of money in the long run. I am also getting older and having to replace hardscape is not as easy as it once was. So now when I build/create something using concrete, I know it will be there for years to come. I can concentrate on changing out plants if I want my garden to look totally different. The beds remain constant even if the plants don't. Whenever I "used to" do my early Spring garden evaluation, I'd look at the wooden raised beds and see how much the wood had deteriorated from the previous year. It's so nice now, to see how good those beds continue to look year after year. It has actually made gardening less stressful. Now my gardening is all about the plants instead of the garden beds. I've discovered that now I actually have time to sit back and enjoy my garden. What a concept!!!!
Holly - I do have plans to do a mosaic bench. If you make one, I hope that you will post a photo of it. I bet it will be beautiful!
I ordered my bench top molds from History Stones:
http://www.historystones.com/b... The price of each mold has gone up since I bought mine about 6 years ago, but they will save you money in the long run if you make 2-3 (or more) benches. I made the smaller benches, not the large bench. I've made several benches that are placed around my different garden rooms as well as the front yard. Some are hidden in secret garden areas. These benches get a lot of use. Sometimes they are in the perfect place to sit quietly, photographing the birds and other wildlife.
