Totally agree with sbryce "I cannot imagine feeding worms anything that you have to pay for." That's why I can't bring myself to purchase coconut coir as beddings. I just started my very first bin in my life last Thur. and has done a lot of homework to figure what to do to decorate wormy's home. So far shredded paper/cardboard is the only thing that I use for bedding, along with the peat moss that came with my 1 lb worms. Any suggestion so I can skip coconut coir and substitute it for? p.s. I do have one bag of peat moss in my garage, but I think my bin is way too acidic/watery already, due to overfeeding. (You know, newbie's common mistake.)

Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's ideas and homes that I was inspired to post my own. I have to say it was such fun taking the pictures and learning about photobucket. I do enjoy the collecting of Christmas stuff but like most of you here on the boards I am budget minded too. When I get some on these gorgeous items on sale after the holidays it makes it that much sweeter. To answer some of your questions: Kathleen li - I love the ironing board Santa in the hall display too. It isn't really an ironing board but a piece of plywood with fabric and paint done to look like Santa. I bought it years ago at a craft fair here in Birmingham, AL for less than $20. The santa portrait is new this year from Kirkland's Home. The have one every year and it is only $59. I got it last week at 25% off. Calicocat1967 - I like the Santa plates. I was fortunate enough to most of them from Fitz and Floyd last year on Christmas day. They put everything on sale and I get their emails telling when. I picked them up for less than $10 each. The covered dish in the kitchen corner cabinet came from Tuesday Morning after Christmas last year. It is a Christopher Radko but I only paid $15 for it on sale. luvstocraft - Thanks for thinking I "belong". I kind of felt like I did and it's nice to point out to hubby "There are others like me. I'm not the only one always picking up dishes or decorations everywhere I go" One of the things I have enjoyed about the board is the comradery. Every when I didn't post I felt apart of the community. I am glad that I came out of lurkdom. I got the angles in the pictures for 25 cents a print years ago and had them framed for less than $10 each. I stole the hanging on a ribbon and dowel idea from a magazine. Very eye catching and costs very little too. phyl345 - I'm glad you enjoyed it. sameboat - Thanks for looking and commenting. melvalena- I hope I didn't create new work for you for next year. I am enjoying changing up things a bit from year to year, so I love the ideas you guys come up with. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your grandkids. bonniee- Thank you. I enjoyed your post about decorations too. mary ruth - Thanks, I love the Fitz and Floyd too. I got the large santas on top of the refridgerator last year on Christmas day. They are normally $350 each but on their clearance/outlet on their website they were only $89. I know that is still expensive, but I couldn't pass up the chance for something so large and beautiful for that price. I ordered my mom and her sister one for this year's Christmas present. I am so excited to give them to them. They are the chief decorators in the family so I came by it honestly. slinkey - What a nice welcome. Thanks for you praise and I feel like I will be a regular now that I've broken the ice. I do love my home. It is older and I actually came to these boards because we are considering building a new home on a lot we bought so I was researching building and come across this board on a search. But it didn't take me long to go from the Building a House forum to Decorating to Christmas/Holidays. purplemoon - I have loved all of your decorations and posts for the year. I thank you for your comments. The pair of large leaping reindeer are my "pride and joy". This is the first year I have displayed them, getting them last Christmas Day online. They came from Frontgate, which is not a store that I can normally afford. But after Christmas they put all their stuff on sale and mark it down a little more each week. On their website is a section called Outlet. I did not know of it and wanted a large reindeer for my fireplace hearth, so I searched and got a hit on them. The are regularly $199 each and but were on clearance for $59 each. Again a little more than I normally pay for a Christmas decoration, but a great deal on a heavy well made piece. I am pleased with the display. I would be honored to have some of my stuff in the Inspiration Album. Thanks for asking. Does that mean I have "arrived"? Ha-Ha. Feel free to look all you want. prosperity66 - Thanks for your kind words. I am glad others enjoyed it. Thanks again to all of you and I am off to scour the Internet for any clearance deals, but not ever sure where I could possibly put more if I find it. Merry Christmas!

Remodelfla, I knew we were kindred spirits. Until we got new windows 2 years ago, I had placemats (bought on clearance, but cute enough) on the diagonal on rods over my doorwall and large kitchen window! My mom still asks me if I'm not going to put them back up because they looked so nice. I diplomatically reply that I was tired of the look and prefer to keep them bare for now. Florantha, I think the second treatment looks nice as long as you want to cover the view (at least for the most part), but I think the lace is what makes it look charming. What kind of tablecloth are you thinking of using? Mnerg, you definitely aren't alone with having lots of pics that are waiting to find homes on the walls. No way that's getting tackled today, however. :(

I think the idea that interior items are investments is pretty silly. Investments are things you will sell when they increase in value. With some exceptions such as antiques, furniture does not increase in value. It is even sillier to think that decorating one's home increases its value when selling. People do look at what's already in the home, but they're not buying the furniture--and it doesn't increase the appraised value of the home. My wedding rings aren't in investment. If they become worth more, then that means my daughter will someday have more expensive rings. On the other hand, we have quite a bit of original art by an artist friend. If that becomes worth enough, we might sell it :-). (Or our kids might--I'm pretty attached to the piece he gave us as a wedding gift.) (In the link below, it's the black and white study he did before he did the yellow one) Here is a link that might be useful: Troy's art