All I can say is that I would be in Victorian Christmas bliss if my town hosted such a display! I loved all the photos, but I was especially impressed with the one featuring Santa along with those long magnolia garlands. Were they natural? Simply amazing and beautiful. I have forwarded this link onto a friend who is a Christmas fanatic, just like me :-) I hope to see the display again this year and yes, I expect you to photograph all the 60 porches for us :-) Thank you very much for sharing the photos with us. Eduarda

Kathleen all of the "homemade" faces/figures were made by one woman in our neighborhood 15 yrs ago. The mannequin ones she bought and dressed. Here is a link to the local paper and an article. My porch Santa is featured in the Vol 4 of the BH&G Santa Book. I am so glad you both enjoyed the pictures. Victorian Front Porch Tour starts Wednesday Tamiko Lowery Opelika-Auburn News Sunday, December 2, 2007 Santa Claus is coming to a neighborhood near you, a historic neighborhood that is. In its 15th year, the Victorian Front Porch Tour will showcase Old-World Santas created by artist Jan Jones in Opelikas Northside Historic District. More than 100 different figurines, stored in the GradyÂs Tire & Auto warehouse, will see the light of day Monday as set-ups takes shape. The finishing touches are added Tuesday just in time for WednesdayÂs tour kickoff, which runs through Dec. 9 with the traditional walking tour at 6 p.m. on Saturday. "You get a long look at what Opelika used to be; itÂs a way of going back in history with the people, costumes and carriages," said Temple Anderson of GradyÂs Tire & Auto. "It just helps set the mood for the holidays. People come from all around for this event." Jill Bonneau, coordinator of the Victorian Front Porch Tour, said about 50 to 60 volunteers help make the tour possible. Event sponsors include the City of Opelika, Opelika Rotary Club, Opelika Kiwanis Club and GradyÂs Tire and Auto. "This is OpelikaÂs premier Christmas event," Bonneau said, adding that when Jan Jones, the tour creator, decided to move, "many, many people made an outcry to the mayor saying, ÂWe cannot have this event end. I think that shows how much people love this event." Greg Pettey, of the Opelika Rotary Club, said he remembers the tour from his teens and said the Old-World Santas look the same and the choir on the corner still sounds like Christmas. "I always thought it was a neat thing. My wife (Michelle) is from Mobile, and the tour was a new experience for her; she just loves it," Pettey said. "ItÂs an Opelika tradition. We go every year." More than 60 turn-of-the century homes will be featured in OpelikaÂs Northside Historic District, where the tour spreads out across 10 city blocks along North Eighth and Ninth Streets between Second Avenue and Seventh Street. David Jones, president of the Opelika Kiwanis Club, said it was such a blow to lose Jones, but says heÂs glad the tour has continued. "The tour is done in such a classy way," Jones said. "ItÂs like a throw-back to the old days when carolers sang and people walked the streets. This, to me, is like an old southern celebration of Christmas. The citizenry takes pride in this." Already featured in Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens magazines, the tour has since been voted one of the SoutheastÂs top tourism events and is expected to draw more than 10,000 spectators. The walking tour Saturday showcases Victorian garb. Costume coordinator Carole Harrison said borrowed costumes are available for the tour on a first-come, first-serve basis. "ItÂs special to be involved in something so unique," Harrison said. "As a homeowner, itÂs wonderful to show off our neighborhood and our homes and the pride we have for our community." Bonneau credits long-time neighborhood liaisons, Rosanne Denson and Debbie Purves, as well as an artistic committee headed by DiAnn Cullinan and the North Opelika Historic Neighborhood Association headed by Roger Bell for helping keep the tour tradition alive. "IÂve lived in 17 different places in my life and this is the first town I fell in love with," said Bonneau, who moved to the area five years ago. "We must do whatever it takes to keep the tour alive."

funcolors: I was SO HOPING you would see this ! I was going to post something to get your attention and approval. I have read your article in haint blue so many times and was going to send for a sample from you. Would you like a paint chip from this ? I would be more than glad to send you a piece of the wood with paint. This is like a treasure hunt for sure and I hit gold. What kind of paint would you suggest on a covered porch in the South ???? Are you kidding!? Yes, I'd love a sample and will reimburse you for shipping & handling! Thank you. I'm so excited that someone is sending *ME* a sample of Haint Blue! lol! SW Duration in matte would be a good choice. Duration's film actually goes on at the thickest mil rate than any other exterior brand. Thickest mil rate meaning the paint film is nice and fat. And that can be a good thing for exterior substrates (surfaces). The haint blue story has been so incredibly interesting. I've heard from people all over the world -- really it's amazing. The store has been very helpful because I was getting a ton of phone calls and emails. A few aren't a problem but it kind of started cramping my time management. And that's why I created the store -- I just don't have time to talk to everyone who wants details about Haint Blue. I'd be nice if I had that kind of time because it's very fun hearing all the stories but reality creeps in. Moving to the southwest, I've learned about Taos and Mayan blue as well. I don't feel confident writing about them yet and I really don't feel confident enough to create my own interpretations of the colors. Maybe this summer. I dunno, not sure.

victorian It sounds perfect how you decorate. Love the tree on the porch..they do it around here and it always looks beautiful. I once had a spot light on the house ( on the dim side, just to softly illuminate it, but never with "snow" never seen that, but sounds really nice) one year I did the wreaths wraped in a mix of red and clear lights and it did look pretty.. but that was enough colored lights to last me..lol What is with men and colored lights? we go through the same argument every year..he never wins (smile) Today I went in the attic and started looking through everything..one thing I forgot about (new last year) I bought large size artificial poinsettias "plants" in a Âplanter" in home depot. I took the clear mini lights and wrapped them through the flowers and stems. Placed them on the buffet table (where the large picture of the lady is) on either side of that picture and plugged them in..they really looked pretty. I am going to maybe check ebay..(Carolers) maybe with some luck I can find something that is not a fortune. That is so nice they still do that by you..it happens here once in a blue.. years back, we had adults caroling and they sang really good..but I love to see the kids do it..touches a soft spot. well again..I am looking forward to see your pictures.. hang in there with decorating..I am sure you are doing a great job and you home will loook just beautiful! Ree