Dancingirl, Thank you so much. Batting never occurred to me. You see, I don't really sew - I just thread the machine and press the foot peddle. Batting makes perfect sense. It's not really a pillow. It's for play. As felt sticks to felt, the ornaments should stick on the tree so that my little babe can decorate and redecorate to her hearts content. She's just starting to learn her colors and the names of animals, so there's plenty of chances to work in learning games with this too. Again, thanks for responding so quickly with the tips. I hope to shop for the materials this week.

Sharon, GW has a wonderful Christmas and Holiday forum. The people there are full of great ideas. Come on over and play! Here's the link. Here is a link that might be useful: Christmas and Holiday Forum

Maybe not if the state gets involved. They have all sorts of strategies they can take advantage of. Meanwhile, I'd get all the neighbors together and form a neighborhood or lake association and research the zoning laws. You could also go the town offices, where ever they keep records of filed permits to see if permits have been filed by either party. that's not being nosey. It is legal and enlightened self interest. The lake may be the saving grace. Get a town wetlands map and see if there are wetlands associated with the lake. Generally no development can happen with 100 ' of a wetland. I'd suggest someone 'friendly' to both parties stop by for a chat with each one and caution both of them not start building or filling or spending a cent because it is rumored the Zoning Board and Conservation Commission have taken an interest.." Well, that's obvious if the State is involved. Even if seems out of your hands, you neighbors--and especially abuttors-- should become familiar with the issues because there will be hearings where you will be allowed to speak. We had lesser issue, though not of the scope you have. The owner wanted to develop a previously undeveloped pasture with the best sunset in town. He made all sorts of "improvements" for a therapeutic horseback riding program that put up a 40 foot high white fabric indoor arena. Think gigantic quonset hut Meanwhile he paved over a small wetlands. without going through the conservation commission and made other changes without permits. A bright neighbor got us all going, and soon the conservation commission was holding hearings and the owner was slapped with a order to complete restore the wetlands &, tear up one the parking lots. the therapeutic program- as a non profit program- kept its arena because ugly is generally legal. However, they actually relocated the small wetland and it will be more sustainable and a better ecosystem than the original. The Zoning Board and Conservation Commission strongly suggested that further screening of the ugly arena would be a neighborly thing to do. The owner agreed. I encourage you and your neighbors to become more active than innocent bystanders. You have your property values at stake. Marie

If I ever build a new house, a dedicated Christmas tree closet would be on my must-have lists. It would be on the same floor that the tree is on and big enough so that the tree could easily fit in there fully assembled. I would leave the tree fully decorated, ornaments still attached (I attach my ornaments with the wire hangers wound around the branches a couple loops rather than just hung there so they are secured and can’t easily fall off when bumped/knocked), and the whole thing would be on wheels so I would just have to wheel the tree out of the closet, plug it in and voila! My current tree is 9 feet and while I do enjoy decorating trees, it’s not AS enjoyable when no one wants to help or cares that much about it. I grew up decorating the tree as a family so it felt like a tradition with family bonding time rather than a chore/task like it does now. A large tree can be an undertaking when you’re stuck doing it by yourself, especially if you’re like me and like a full tree! I do get help when I ask but it’s much more enjoyable knowing others enjoy it and look forward to doing it without me having to ask.