Betty, you just showed WHY we've all missed you so much... your photos, your stories, your sense of humor, your Alfred. I'm so glad you are back. He's just the sweetest man and you are so lucky to have him. And getting those pretty Peace ornaments for him was very special. Your tablesetting is beautiful, ALL of it. Those dishes are to die for. I mean I am seriously loving them! And like Jeanne said, they were meant for you to find. (but be careful showing Jeanne anything with pines, LOL. She's like Luvs and her acorns.) As for Christmas stuff during the summer months.. BRING IT ON. That really helps me deal with our 100 degree days and think good thoughts. hugs, Karen

Wow...thank you Everyone.. So glad you all enjoyed my 'Simple Table' !! Honestly..if you look at it, I think the Santa is the 'Main Attraction'...then I guess the red against the white. Like I said, I don't have much in the way of 'Christmas Table Accessories' like some of you, who have set some VERY impressive tables. Luvs...glad you remembered Petals, and their catalog...You're right, I used to drool over it too, and thanks for the 'High End' compliment...LOL Mary ruth...thank you..glad you liked the 'Santas Under Glass...lol..sounds like an exotic dish!! Punk...thanks...DD did surprise me with that Santa..personally I wouldn't have bought it for myself (way too much $$) ..that's my generation..but her generation..has no problem!! lol dream...You can 'shop' at my house, if you let me 'shop' at yours!! ... I've seen some pretty nice things you have, that I'd be very happy with! Betty.. honestly, one of my dreams, is to carve a Santa...I've been telling DH for the longest time that I want to try to do one. If Alfred ever gets to doing one...I'd love to see it. I don't know if you ever saw the tv movie - 'The Dollmaker'...with Jane Fonda..ever since I saw that, I was inspired, but never got to it...guess I'm afraid to start and find out I can't do it! lol Also, I bought that cheese dome last summer at GW for $1! Now make sure you get the one you saw... judith...thanks...I love the 'layering' look too and, of course RED...can't you tell! lol jeanne..thanks, and Happy New Year to you too. I always enjoy looking at your DR..I think we enjoy the same decorating style. I guess when I say 'A Real Cloche'... not like mine. The ones I've seen displayed here are just exquisite, and taller than what I'm using. lynn..thank you and I'm so glad you enjoyed everything in my DR !! I'm sure the tree you donated (bless you) is being enjoyed by someone Very Much, and I'm sure another tree will come your way, that will have 'your name' on it! Thanks again Ladies... HAPPY NEW YEAR...

Juts lovely...I hope to be able to work on one of these tonight...I think I have some fabric I can fussy cut the center piece...thanks for the picture and all who have posted ideas for me...I have some people at work that I would like to make some runners for and 11 days to do it...Judy

I am using the stuff Mary posted, I bought a box of it, it was yrs ago and was like $75/box. I only use it on the outside, it is U shaped not H. I like to use it to harden the outside of panels too, I solder it onto the copper foil around the edges and so it makes it super strong. I bought it off a guy who had his own shop and sold really nice small pcs that he dipped in his own electroplating system.He was mass producing little window things, but I can't seem to make more than a few of the same thing and move on. Now you can get those kinds of things at the dollar stores, made in china, for nuthing! In china and elsewhere they have robots that solder lamps etc and sell for very reasonable.