Mel and Jo, I often donate my services as designer/consultant to various charitable organizations for fundraising events. In my case, it is my time and knowledge that is being provided - there are no materials in involved - and the value of those services on the open market is what I write off on my taxes. The caveat is these donations are provided for a charitable organization and they in turn provide me with a statement for tax documentation. To my knowledge, tax deductions for donations are only allowed provided they are made to a registered charity. I think you might be hardpressed justifying to the IRS that the contractor is a charitable organization should the question arise :-) Had the design been implemented, you could make a case that the value of your time and effort in creating the design could be considered marketing or advertising expense (getting your name and talents out before the public) but barring the actual implementation of the design you may be just out of luck and have to chalk it up to an unpleasant, unprofitable and time-consuming experience.

I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow. Our T-day is going to be on Friday this year, because of various travel schedules, not to mention the several people who wanted to have dinner at their in-laws AND wanted to have dinner at DD's. I'm actually pleased ~~ for once, I won't be rushing home from work to start the prep for all the veggie dishes. Five vegs this year: cream-cheese/chili corn, harvard beets, gingered carrots & pears, snap peas (a change from the spinach squares), and a broccoli/cauliflower dish that has a nutmeg/cheddar sauce. Tried this last year and it was a success. 1 big bag of baby carrots, thoroughly rinsed, and the fat ones cut in half lengthwise. Dump in big pot of lightly salted boiling water, let boil for 10 minutes. While the carrots are cooking, open and drain a can of sliced pears -- this year, I'll have to slice halves, no pre-sliced in stock at the store. Put about ½ cup of pear jelly [or pear jam or apple jelly] in a small bowl and nuke just until warm and mostly melted. Stir ½ teaspoon ground ginger OR 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger into the melted jelly. Taste jelly and add more ginger if needed (you should be able to clearly taste the ginger). Depending on how many carrots, you may need to double the gingered jelly. Drain the carrots and dump into a large bowl. Pour the gingered jelly over and stir until all carrots are coated. Fold in the pear slices. For the dinner, it does very well on a warming tray, not going mushy. Have a good day, and may all your Thanksgiving dishes be wonderful.

Thanks for that, rococo. It's no secret anymore. You're timing is impeccable. You may be my new best friend! Is Homeclick a reliable source for everything?

En route home from the library, after my comment here last Friday ... there was a "RIDE" check, with a couple of cop cars with lights flashing at a road junction, and we all had to roll down the window to let one of the cops get a sniff of our breath. If one blows too heavy on the breathalyzer - give up keys, right there ... walk home. Didn't envy the cops their task, on that snowy, rather blowy, night ... ... but, 10 mi.from town, with no phone nearby to call a cab (expensive!) ... it'd be a long walk home! And the fine for drinking and driving is massive! ole joyfuelled ... and fuelled by just gas in the car, that night