Jeanne, that white mouse was DM and I always thought it was gross. Now here I am using it on of all things my Table.Geez Years ago I would of never used witches, mice, spiders or skeletons to decorate with. Any more nothing really bothers me for Halloween. I just think of it as somehting fun for the moment. The runner is one I've had for a few years. The orange napkins are new. Now I can make carrots for Easter. I hope Rowena's spell she cast on you was a positive one.LOL Luvs, I'm pretty sure you've seen my painted plaques in the past but here's another close up for you. Do you remember the pink Boo platter? It is one of Jamie MillsPrice patterns. Glad you like Rowena and I'll tell DGD again she's winking and likes her. It's nice you enjoy seeing the little girls dressed for the different occasions. I stopped by a friends home the other night and she had her old play table set up in her front room with two bears having a tea party. It was so neat. Karen, so maybe it isn't Candy and myself who need to keep you decorating. Sounds like Luvs is so on top of it! Yea, keep that card out and maybe it'll be enough to keep you decorating. Can hardly wait to see Teagan's Surprise. Jane, so sorry to hear you had to look at a spooky witch as a child. Wouldn't keep this one out if DGD was really afraid of her. Do you remember she didn't like my last witch to begin with and then ask if she could take her home. I wanted to borrow her last year and she said "Nana, you know she's the only sister I have." I looked up Veronica Lake and read about her. I can see why she reminded you of this witch. It's all about that hair. Just found out today that one of my DBro's and family will all be coming for Christmas. I'm so excited but it may change how I decorate to some degree. Thanks for all your coments. I'm still doing laundry to gotten go. Punk

Very nice table Frou. I like the 'Traditional' look with Orange & Black. All your Halloween figures are cute, but my favorite is the Glittered Jack O Lantern man. He has a Vintage look that I like. Is that a Paper Mache Jack O'Lantern on your table? If it is, I have one just like it that I bought over 20 yrs ago. They're very collectable . I like your plates and bowls and think they're a nice combination with the napkins. Great look with the frayed edges. Your candy corn in the candle holders look very festive. Frou...with so many 'Dramatic Halloween Tables' we've done and seen, I think Traditional is still my favorite look. jane

OK, all, thank you for some great tips from the PROS that you are :) I have since found out she chose the bolder color scheme of hot raspberry pink and lime green with accents of tangerine. Very tropical and vibrant ! I agree with your suggestions about using the tropical "colors" in decorating with locally available plant material, not necessarily the with "tropical" plants. That is a good money saver. I can envision the impatiens in hot pink and orange with cascading sweet potato vine, and the beautiful caladiums in hot pink and cool green and white, and the rich tapestry of coleus in the green/hot pink range. I am getting tired of my 2 patio pots right now, so I may try to recreate some "wedding ideas" now to see how they'd look. That would be fun ! I want to rent fuchsia table linens (would an orange cloth with a fuchsia overlay be too strong ?) I see your point in renting enough chairs and will do that. I guess I need a full # of tables then too. We plan on renting the glassware, dishes, etc. as well. I was in a restaurant and saw a very simple but chic "centerpiece" int he lobby. It was a tall square glass vase with black river stones in the bottom, with a stem of 8-9 orchids in it, submerged 3/4 of the way in the water, so that most of the flowers were underwater. It looked just beautiful, almost sculptural, in it's simplicity. I would like to recreate that on each table with some votives surrounding each vase. That would save some $$ on flower centerpieces, although I love that lush flower look too. Remember, strict budget :) I have to keep telling myself that. They said they DO want a dance floor, so that will have to be incorporated in somewhere too. I don't think the tent will fit the tables and a dance floor, so is it OK to have the dance floor next to the tent, yet uncovered ? We could put potted flowers at each corner to dress it up. I think the signature cocktail will be rum punch, yum :) Should that only be served the first hour, or - since this is a cocktail reception - should we plan to serve it the whole time ? Since the party will be from late afternoon thru early evening, I was going to add white Xmas lites to the trees and the gazebo, and accent the gardens and outer edges of the tent with tiki torches. I am looking into a steel drum duo for the reception, I think that would add a ton of ambiance and get people dancing ! Still up in the air is the catering. The bride's neighbor owns a restaurant, so we may be able to strike a deal there... Since this is both their second wedding, it is going to be more of a celebration of family than a formal shindig. However, the groom's first wedding was at the courthouse and he didn't really have a "wedding" so to speak, so we are doing this mostly for him :) Heck, I'm just happy to be involved !!! Thanks again for being my sounding board to bounce ideas off of, keep your thoughts/advice/ideas coming !!!! Sincerely, Amy

nancybee_2010: As in most of my decorating projects, I had it 98% complete, but your question gave me the nudge to finish the remaining 2%. I had tried out and returned several pots before settling on just the right one and transplated my other plant in it. I also decided to keep the old photos in my bedroom since I liked them there and bought a new frame that coordinated better with my candlesticks. That 2% remaining was to pick the photo to put in the frame--finally I decided to put last year's Christmas family photo there as I felt the sepia photos didn't look so good in the gold frame, though if others think sepia is better I can scan and tweak this photo for a sepia version. I should probably still tweak the bookcase some more, but it works for what I need it to do which is store books and photo albums. The photo albums don't fit on the lower shelves so I'm stumped how to change it without just storing the photo albums in a closet and then they are not out for people to see. As for the dining room, I did keep the red vase. I love how the light reflects in it. I may add some more vases at some point when the bulb actually dies, but so far it's hanging in there. cliff_and_joann: Thanks for the compliments and feedback. As you see above I did swap out the green vase. Your home is an inspiration to me--esp. your tablescapes. I've been following your DR chairs makeover with interest and can't wait to see the results! On another note, I recently got a new camera and am very excited that I am finally able to take pictures of window shots without the background getting washed out!