nckville, those are lovely (including the vase!). And token, if I had a sunny enough living room to support a ficus, I would use it as a Christmas tree too. I'm not sure who decided it was a good idea to bring a huge tree into a house. I've always lived in small houses, and it's always a struggle to find a place for one. For the cuttings, do you stick to something that needs to be trimmed anyway, or do you find it's unnoticeable if you snip a branch here and there to get as much as you need? I don't want to ruin my evergreens!

Small town life sounds good to me. As does living in the country. We had a few acres when I had horses and other animals back in the 60s and 70's. Phoenix is soooo big, too much traffic, and I hate driving even if it didn't cause my leg to go on the warpath. I was born in a small town, in Ala. I don't really going places alone either, and won't go out at night except to family gatherings at one of my kids. I'm waiting the arrival of my toile plates I just bought. Tho heaven knows what I can find to do with them, but will try just because of all the support I've gotten here. Any table settings I do will be just for ONE, maybe two if you're lucky. LOL. I'm going to be a one-trick pony, sorry about that. I just can't do full tables for many reasons. I've been 'planning' my Christmas decor. Really planning this year. Thought it might take some of the load off me being so over-whelmed with it when I go to unpacking a zillion things in the middle of the floor while telling two cats NOT to help me. A zillion times! One sleepless night I started plotting different places to put things this year. I want my newly begun collection of Nutcrackers (started last year) pretty much together. But I think the purple one should go with the Santa. And I have two golf Santas and two golf Nutcrackers that should stay together. Last year they were with my two other special Nutcrackers, a policeman and a fireman. These have a lot of meaning! I'm going to put my Village in the antique china cabinet in my entry hall this time I think, instead of Painted Pony Cabinet in familyroom. Tho I still have to move over a 100 statues from BOTH. I was thinking of putting Xmas horses and reindeer in the pony cabinet. I have quite a few of both now. Anyway, its fun to mentally decorate. It also doesn't wear me out or hurt my body. LOL. I think I'll start my Village next week in fact. First I have to make room for all those dog statues to safely go on closet shelves for the next two months! Ugh. hugs, Karen

Hi Ruth! With such a long mantel . . . and your very prominent fireplace, my take is that you need to balance it out with taller, larger items. Things that won't be overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of your very pretty fireplace. A couple larger, framed pictures with a large clock in the middle would be the first thing I'd try. They don't have to be Christmas themed art, although that would be lovely as well. Two matching large mirrors would also work, if they'd reflect something you want to highlight. 2-3 big chunky candleholders, or two of the red ones you have in your pic already. I'd then add greenery and lights. The bottom line, IMHO, is that you need larger items to balance your fireplace's mass. Lynn

Gibby, what a great way to decorate your mantle shelf, I love the color scheme against your wood. Mrsmarv, your kitchen is too perfect for this season! It's great anytime, but decorated for Xmas, it's postcard perfect. I did a little bit of kitchen decorating tonight (finally). Bought a couple things at Walgreens (LOL!) that were on clearance on the way back from DD's Orthopedic Surgeon appt. The funny snowman cookie jar cheered us up! Then went to the market, and picked up the rest of my decorations: cranberries, cloves, and oranges. A few existing pieces I worked in and I think that's it for this year...unless I happen across the sale of the century! :-D Thanks to all those who have shared their wonderful photos, and a standing invitation to those who might still! Nat