It snowed last night so everything is a blanket of white for Christmas day. I feel a little guilty, but I don't think it is too deep so I'm not going out with the snowblower til tomorrow. I'm the caregiver for my Mom, and it is just the two of us this year. We open presents on Christmas Eve, so we had a lovely night with the house decorated, the fireplace going and the tree all decorated and lit. Then about 11:00 pm as I was settling into bed but not asleep yet, I heard this funny thump and a tinkling. Uh oh, that can't be what it sounded like! Sure enough, go out to the living room and the tree had fallen over. Didn't fall out of it's stand, just tipped the stand and flopped over! Luckily only one ornament broken. Unfortunately, it was one of my favorites, my duck bell. If you are now scratching your head and going, "Duck bell???", it has a bell for a body with a duck neck and head on top and duck feet for the clappers. Very cute. Fortunately I think I can glue it back together. And I was very relieved that none of the older (my grandmother's and mother's) ornaments were hurt. Anyway, just stood the tree up again, filled up the water and everything seems back to normal today. We just had a simple dinner (lunch?) today, turkey and cranberries, asparagus, rolls and peppermint ice cream. And just for snacks, of course, we have 3 lbs. of See's candy and assorted cookies, fudge and other goodies in the house. Should be enough to last for awhile! Forgot to mention the wine we had with lunch, which will make Mom nice and sleepy. So I figure she will plop herself down in front of the football game and promptly fall asleep, thus giving me a restful Christmas afternoon to read or shop on the computer - my sister-in-law gave me an Amazon gift certificate. Which reminds me, Mom gave me a moth orchid for Christmas. First orchid I've tried, so anybody who has any tips, send them along. Also growing paperwhites this year (usually do amarylis). They are just starting to bloom. Look lovely. However, they are supposed to have a wonderful fragrance and while they do have quite a strong smell, I'm not so sure yet that it's wonderful. Maybe it will improve as they open more, or maybe I will get used to it. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all of you and yours.

I'm so sorry that this Christmas Season has been such a tough one for you! I'm hoping and praying that 2009 will more than make up for it. You have the right idea, though, Christmas is not so much a part of a specific motnh as it is a specific part of our hearts that we share with the ones we love. I wish you the lovliest Christmas celebrations! Lynn

WOW! What a Christmas wonderland! I am lovin' all the nooks & crannies of vignettes ...everywhere! And you said 14 trees! Well, lynnenc, I'm seeing probably at least a hundred (in all your wonderful displays!) LOL! Love how you used mirrors & windows, too! I love the dollbaby on the pillows in the gold/silver tree vignette & that wonderful circular mirror on the wall with decor. Also your antique ornies are just PRECIOUS...that Santa & eggs. That basket filled with pinecones, greenery, berries & that mosaiced birdhouse just CALLS to me! Love it! The white built-ins look very lovely with your dishes...love to have dishes out where you can see them everyday! Enjoy! enjoy! What a celebration! I've enjoyed your home immensely! TFS! Jeanne S.

Hi Alice, I am sooo sorry to hear about your well head. I have lived that very same experience with our family property. The well head died & well went dry about 6 months after my Grandfather passed away (4 years ago) in the middle of summer, it was really stressful. The positive for you & your family is the piece of mind moving forward that your well is good to go. The guy that we dealt with (3rd generation family owned well company, since the 1920s) told me that a good quality well head should last 20-30 years with good water conditions/good well configuration. You will sleep good at night not worrying about your well, & you deserve that Big-Time for all that you do on this forum helping people. Keep us posted how the well pump change-out works out. Best of Luck to you.