The author obviously didn't do his homework or was just doing a puff piece because he neglected to ask Mr. Carl about Viking's recent relationship with Asian juggernaut LG. I see a few problems with their strategy long term: watering down a high line or luxury brand rarely works, you ruin the very thing that got you to the show - quality and exclusivity. while they claim to practice kaizan - I just think those country boys can't figure it out. Many of their products still have quality issues. Their built in fridges still have defects that were in the product from day one. Not good for image as a "quality manuf. " they've done a piss poor job marketing their metal cabinets - I see more LaCornue metal cabs than I do St. Charles/Viking and they cost 5 times as much. Still unclear what their Asian partner strategy is.

Graywings, Suppose you were worth half-a-Billion dollars, and let's suppose, God forbid, you were accused of molesting a child. You know you're innocent although to "outsiders" the circumstances seem suspect, but you know you are very much innocent. The slew of lawyers you hired are costing you millions for the defense of your Innocence, and in the meanwhile your image is being maligned in the media. Now let's suppose your attorneys "suggest" to you to simply pay the family a million dollars a year for 20 years, and this will put an end to the trial, the attorneys' fees, and the daily barrage of media coverage... Which would you choose? A million per year for 20 years is cheaper than the price of the media crucifying you daily. As for the child not testifying, if you knew you were lying about your child being molested, would you make your child "testify/lie" in a court-of-law? We usually see and hear only what we choose to, whether it's true or false. That's what I saw through all the media-hype. Remember the Don Henley song? "I Make My Living Off the Evening News." Read the lyrics. So sad, but soooo very true! The World Loves Michael Jackson, especially moi! : )

I just voted. I was getting cross-eyed--I've looked at these pics so many times. I liked so many of them.I wanted to vote for one where someone had tried a new technique.I wanted to vote for one with beautiful quilting (I'm weak in that area and I envy anyone that can do it ),I wanted to vote for one that appealed to me visually. I even wound up giving each one points for different aspects--detail, originality, visual appeal,etc. Then last night I thought, well, if I was given a choice of keeping one for myself--which would I choose? Made up my mind, went to vote and changed my mind again. LOL. I wish I could have had at least three votes!! Anyway, I've voted. I just wanted to say that this has been really enjoyable and if there's another challenge I'll join in. Everyone did such a great job. Clap yourselves on the back. ~Geraldine

I've been keeping an ear open for quite awhile on real estate markets and the dollar. What we need to remember is that as credit tightens, it doesn't make people want or need home ownership any less than it makes them re-think what they really need compared to what they thought they want. There's always a lag in the consequences from market changes. People who are first time prospective buyers or looking at retirement on a pension still want to get on the equity bandwagon and qualify for the tax breaks home ownership give them. Credit isn't the only thing tying into choices of real estate. As energy costs zoom, not only for utilities but for commuting to and from jobs, ultimately there will be a shift toward locating close to work (like there was years ago) and considering things like being able to actually afford to live in the house they bought after they factor in variables like tax hikes and utilities. I'd like to see home sales figures broken down into the $$$ increments of listing prices. When the dust settles after the housing market gets stable, I think what we are going to see are people who start to consider housing they actually can afford.