Hi everyone! Sorry for the delayed response--been very busy with work. I do agree with needing to raise the tree up. I have a large box that should work and will see if I can procure some faux snow. I think I also have some old bricks lying around. HMMMMMM. I actually like red and white lights, as well as blue and white--but my neighbor has blue and white, so I think I'll stick with red and white for a candy cane look. I agree that the lights on the japanese maples aren't my favorite, and that they detract from my christmas tree indoors. I guess I could put them on the bushes to the left of the porch? (There are some large overgrown evergreen bushes to the left, though I'm not sure they show up well in the pictures...) I AM having fun--love decorating my new home for the holidays! Such a fun time! I still have work to do indoors--we're having a party in a week and I have a lot to do before then.

This photo is a bit washed out due to the sun streaming in the window. Curtains were a rummage sale find and the dresser scarf used as a valance I purchased on eBay and hung with curtain clips. The little white shelf was a $1.00 deal that just needed a few coats of paint, the little cups came from yard sales too. The headboard I bought at a garage sale about 25 years ago. It has been pink and several shades of white at various times. The matching footboard was made into a bench which is on my front porch. Image link:

Kat, Those are adorable! Stars aren't only for Christmas time. You can just change the color of the bows to make them seasonal. Pastel colors for Spring, Red White and Blue for summer and then orange or brown for Fall. That makes a nice and easy, yet interesting year round display. It makes me wish we had saved ours after it rotted.

Been browsing around these sights for a long time and this was just calling me to tell my story. If you have not made the connection, we do drive a '57 Chevy. We were on our way to a car show one Friday evening. Well, as luck would have it we broke down. I decided to walk up hill about 5 blocks to my folks house. As the fellows were fixing the car. Here is where the luck comes in. I happened on a big dumpster in the driveway of a home that the resident had passed away. The family was cleaning out the house and I saw the greatest bike sitting on top of the pile. I was so excited when I got to my folks, i had to patiently wait for DH to get back. When he arrived I told him that we had to go back down the hill to get that bike out of the dumpster. My father almost disowned me and my mother said she would not be accepting any phone calls. They thought I had lost my sanity. Well, all we had to drive was the 57. The bike fit perfect in the trunk!! I was as of that moment the proud owner of a 1950's Montgomery Wards 24" bike in almost new condition. I am a treasure hunter!!