Karen, You missed your calling, you should have been an interrier designer. You decs are absolutely beautiful. I too love the little squirrels, they look so real. You seem to have the knack for knowing just what to put together. I have taken a terrible head cold today, and just feel lousy, so I hadn't been on my computer until just a little while ago, so I am behind on posts. You said you wished you had my will power about not buying Christmas decs. Believe me, it is not will power, it is already having more than I can possibly use. There was years that I couldn't pass up Christmas decorations, at ys, ts or after Christmas sales. Every year when I start getting things out, I find things that I don't even remember buyung. Durring the month of Nov. my time is usurally spent in the wreath barn (remember, we live in Christmas Tree Country) and I always try to make enough money to do all my Christmas shopping making wreaths. I started doing this yrs ago when my kids were small, and I needed the extra money really badly at Christmas.When they all grew up and moved out, making wreaths had just became such a tradition, that one year I didn't make any and it really didnt seem like Christmas. I usurally make a few hundred wreaths from the last of Oct to the 2nd week in Dec. I gues thats one reson that I never worried much about Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations. I usurally have all my ks and gk here for Thanksgiving Thursday and then right back to the barn an Fri.I really don't know hardly how I am going to do it this year, what with babysitting DGS, but on of my DGDs says she will help me with him. Guess time will tell... I also enjoy your albums; you do so much to keep this forum interesting. Janet

Karen you have a lovely home. Hard to believe you were able to fit so many china cabinets in, but it certainly doesn't look overcrowded at all. Each of the cabinets and your collections are wonderful. I would feel very comfortable in your home. If you remember reading the post about my fall decor and my concern that the fall items did not fit very well with my normal pastel things--Judith reminded me that many of us do traditional Christmas colors that don't match our normal decor either. It is a seasonal thing, and we should just relax and enjoy it. You certainly found some pretty pumpkins, candle holders and silk flowers and vines. And I love the vignettes and arrangements you made with them. Clap, clap, clap. Good job gal. ;o) Most of all, I am just so thrilled that you felt well enough to shop and do all this decorating. I think maybe you were so interested in doing it that maybe it helped keep your mind off some of the pain. That's a very good thing. ;o) Luvs

Betty, I found the little candleholder at GW last Fall. And DD, the plate you like was at Marshalls then too. I don't do much collecting on the dog stuff anymore. I've been collecting it for over 30 yrs now. Just occasionally I see a piece I really 'need'. LOL. I have to work on controlling my rabbits tho, no room for me to get to get really carried away like with the whippets and my Trail of Painted Pony collections. I just like too much STUFF, and always have. Even as a child, I loved collections. Thanks for the nice compliments on my house. I know sometimes its quite a shock to see someone so obsessed with dogs. hugs, Karen

Karen... WOW!! I had no idea. I know Dept 56 has pricey items...but had no clue on this item.. This WAS a great deal. When I saw it at GW, DH had just gone down the same aisle, but missed it (man's shopping). I followed behind him, and spotted it right away. He was so surpised that they even had it there and of course the price. The other day we went into one of the little shops in town, where they have a large display and selection of Dept 56. DH likes to go in there before Christmas to see if there's any retired pieces. They're usually discounted. Well, ALL of Dept 56 Christmas was 50% off. When we questioned the owner..she said she was not going to carry it anymore. There is not much interest anymore from customers, as in the past. We saw the same thing this Summer, in Cape Cod...many of the stores who would have large displays...either cut back on stock or did away with it completely. We are so disappointed to know, this might be another hobby that will be a 'thing of the past'...just like Train Sets under the tree. :( Thank you Karen for doing the research on the Pumpkin Wagon...I will treasure it even more so!! lol jane