The Altar, What do you use as altar Options

I was wondering what you guys use as an altar.

Currently i don't have a good altar and am looking in constructing one.
For the moment i use a big granite stone that is elevated a bit above the ground, but its to low and it doesn't work comfortable.

Also, do you place your ritual tools on the altar? I place mine at the margin of the circle at their corresponding direction. It helps me see where the border of the circle is.
If you place the tools on the altar, then how do you see where the circle is?
(Astral vision perhaps?)

These are just questions i want to hear another opinion about, so i can keep them in mind when constructing my altar... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/search.gif) just searching for new ways to view stuff, keeping an open mind (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wandwizard.gif)

Ahhh very nice. I just noticed your earth disk in the back ground of the picture. You must like to keep things minimal like I do. Still consider adding a small colored candle to each corner next to your tools. It adds a nice touch and has that extra mental kick when you light each one when you begin to set up and blow each out when you shut down. Something to think about.

Frater NERO