Baileybear, I have a 'start' on a Fall-Thanksgiving Village. Just two houses and some cute accesssories so far. From the LeMaxx site I believe, got them two or three years ago so not sure now. Of course I'm always on eBay looking for stuff . I've seen some really cute Halloween Villages too. (And Easter ones tho not sure who made those. A good friend of mine, Kirk who comes here some, has found a LOT of Easter pieces at thrift shops in his area of WA.) Oh, and I'll find my "want list" and see if any Dickens pieces are on it and let you know in case you have them. Christine, if you're enjoying your Village, I say leave it out as long as you want. Personally I consider mine more of a "Winter" decor than Christmas. One year I set up first part of Nov and left it up till Feb 1st, so I could enjoy it even longer. I saw a GREAT set once, in a magazine long ago. A couple had a neat set-up in some kind of large linen type closet, with electricity for the buildings to light up. When they didn't want it seen, they just closed the doors! So theirs was set up all the time. :o) My little Fall Village, set up in a tray on vintage tea cart. hugs, Karen This post was edited by purplemoon on Sun, Jan 5, 14 at 19:18

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! I was sort of depressed thinking I hadn't recieved any responses to this sub, was thinking maybe nobody was in the Christmas spirit. As it turns out I just forgot to check the box that says, email responses...duh!...I should have known the great folks of the forum would be in great spirits. I'm glad I wrote the sub, all your wonderful responses started getting my mind going. Though I'm not Catholic, I spent many Christmas Holidays at my aunt's house who is Catholic and went to a many Midnight Masses. My children have never been to Midnight Mass, I wouldn't have thought of it without all of you. We will go to our own Church on Sunday than go to Midnight Mass Christmas Eve, in honor of my Aunt....*smiles* I already set the box of games out on the table. They have a fundraiser Christmas Light Display in the town next to us that cost $10.00 a car. It takes about 25 minutes to get through by car. I own four Christmas CD's but only have a cassette in the car, going to copy a CD. We are going to go Christmas caroling. I have a little money now to spend on Christmas because my oldest son bless his heart told me he was going to give me $500.00 when he got here. I refused and we finally settled on half. I hate to take his money, on the other hand I found it hard to refuse him in fear of hurting his feelings. I'm going to buy each child one small cheap thoughtfull present and use the rest for food and activities! It's the spirit that counts! This is going to be the best Christmas! Thank you all for getting my spirit going, and my mind rolling! Thank you all! Cheers, Kristy PS - We always donate one day to ringing the Salvation Army bell as a community project! This year will be no different!

I haves everal friends who have Spode Christmas Tree....and there are cloths that are the right red or green. The china is white and a cream cloth doesn't look right with it. I always find an off white cloth with china that has a really white ground looks dirty....and I don't like a white clothw ith china that has a cream ground. For an absolutely "knock your socks off" table, look for av ery dark green cloth...I have one that is Ralph Lauren, bought at T J Maxx a few years back, and use gold chargers. Stem ware with a gold rim and white napkins will be lovely. I would concentrate on crystal, gold, and silver for a centerpiece. Perhaps an arrangement of crystal candle holders with white candles and greens touched with gold and silver glitter...time to get creative. Linda C

How about a pot pie? Ina Garten's recipe is fabulous. The recipe is a lot easier than it looks and makes a lot. I have frozen hals the pies when it has been just the two of us. Chicken Pot Pie 2005, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved Serves:4 individual pot pies Ingredients • 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on • 3 tablespoons olive oil • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 5 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade • 2 chicken bouillon cubes • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter • 2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions) • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups) • 1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves • For the pastry: • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening • 1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced • 1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash • Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken. In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well. For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot. Or maybe a Quiche and Salad? Or Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce and a salad? Both easily prepared ahead and re\-heated. Linda