I just opened this thread today and read through everything. This was like a "Judith" lesson on building a vignette! Shee, your centerpiece is lovely. It has reallly transformed over the course of this thread from OK to great. I love the fabric that you first added. It really changed the whole look. Then adding height...The basket brings it together. I, too, like Betty's idea to spray paint it darker - I think it will "ground" it. I especially like the link you found with the white pumpkin on the pedestal with the fall arrangement. I'm going to shamelessly copy that one! You are definietly going to WOW your Thanksgiving guests.

Thank you for your kind words! I like you all very much and admire your own talents in decorating, so it means a lot to know that my own efforts look good to you. OA, I'm really incredibly touched that you think my home looks very welcoming. This has always been my main goal and I'm happy that it shows. A place that's a showplace but unwelcoming and not warm is a house, not a home in my mind. Here's a pic I took recently of my living room. It was heading towards dusk, so it's not the greatest picture. I'm also including one of the table's edge, too. Jeanne, it's so nice to "meet" you! I love your turkey in a cage. What a fun idea! It looks to be the same one that Jane has this year. Lynn

Thanks everyone! Thanks for the information on the dormer, that gives me something else to research. We had toyed around with the idea of razing the 2nd floor altogether and completely redesigning it but nixed that idea (for now anyway). The kitchen is down to the studs right now, I hope to have a working kichen by the end of January :) I posted a thread on the kitchen forum with pictures of all my ideas and linked it below if you're interested. I have also changed the landscaping to more of a cottage garden. I love continuous color all season and various textures so I'll work on adding some of those pictures as well. I have considered naming the house but haven't really come up with anything yet. I'll have to give it some more thought :) I'll see what other pictures I can get off the external hard drive this weekend to give you some other images of the house. I truly enjoy this house and we love giving it our own personal touch!

Oldbat--Stoli with fresh grapefruit sounds yummy! I'm enjoying a warm cup of that spicy mulled cider I made for T'day with a glug of rum. What? It's not 5:00 pm here, but I know it is for some of you! Besides, DD is down for her nap; DH and DS are outside installing holiday lights; and I've got a quiet house to myself. Heaven! I'm taking advantage by cooking up a double batch of chunky tomato and meat sauce for lasagne. A pan for tonight, and one to freeze. Plus, some herb and garlic bread to go along. Hey, I just realized I have everything to make another salad using the tangerine-chocolate vinaigrette. I should have mentioned that the initial recipe came from epicurious.com before I modified it. Your DS sounds very adventuresome just like mine. Poor kid never grew up on standard fare like PB sandwiches so now I have trouble coming up with lunches for him to take to school. He's too used to warmed up leftovers, fresh saut�ed zucchini, stir fried broccoli, etc for lunch. Can't do that now that he's in school all day! Deedles--I've seen that recipe some other place and ignored it for my standard ATK recipe. The reviews are so good on the vodka crust that I'm going to give it a try next time. I almost hate to use vodka as its so expensive now that my state privatized liquor sales, but I'll go for it since I bought some gonzo bottles of vodka out of state to make vanilla extract for gifts this year and have some leftover. It's either that or drink the stuff, right? ;)