Thank you everyone for the encouraging words and wonderful compliments! The party went great :-) Now it's time to make the grocery list for the family party next weekend, no calling the caterer next time...lol. But at least my house is ready! So many of you asked about the door sprays. I found those in a booth at an antique mall early in the fall. They were an autumn arrangement and I liked the look of them so much that after Thanksgiving I just added the sprigs of red berries and decided they would work through the Christmas season too. The holder is a cone shaped metal (tin?) with florist foam stuck down in it to insert all the dried leaves and stems. After I bought the arrangements I saw the holders sold separately at another shop. They were $15 each with no arrangement. I took a close-up picture and another one of how I mounted it on the door. I used the 3m Command hooks that peel and stick on. Then I used a little spot of the Bluestick putty like teachers used to stick things on the walls to anchor them toward the bottom since they are so tall. It seems to be working. They've stayed up since October. sippimom...You asked about the living room rug. It's Karastan and the design is Paysage. Whenever you look up Paysage it looks nothing like the real thing. My living room picture is an accurate representation of the colors in it. Thank you for the compliments :-) You must be somewhere down around the Oxford area? It's fun to find people here that are close by!

Yes, lol, and a maid, LOL! After the Bistro and then Papashon, he returned to being his own boss catering. Half Moon Bay "Red Ginger" (exceptionally beautiful space still available if you're interested) chef was a favorite and last I heard, he is now a private chef for a movie mogul traveling the world. Devils Slide closing Hwy 1 destroyed the perfection they had created, Huge loss for us, I still cry, but hope he's happier than ever. Crab Landing just opened with a two story view of Pillar Point Princeton in the Harbor Village Mall. I'm most eager to dine there, I'm hearing good reports so far. www.Oceanohalfmoonbay.com have a delightful chef in their lounge. Nothing quite like upscale room service, lol. Most people have no idea how hard the work is behind the scenes. Thank you so much for La Tienda, one taste of the white anchovies and I was addicted. Do you serve them? I first tried them showcased as a salad and I'm so glad I did! Haven't been in your neck of the woods for a long time and would love to stop down to explore next trip to Indiana.

Thanks for the many positive comments. Yes, I love my little shed. :) It's 8x12 (tiny) but I think it's just right. We've already had several neighbors ask about it. Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamt of having a little playhouse of my own. This "little mansion" went way over budget but I've assured my husband that when it's time to sell the house, that wee house in back will probably be a major selling point. It even has an attic with a ladder going "upstairs" and operable windows. I like to sit up there and just meditate on life. The deadbolt is an extra-security deadbolt and the little house is connected to the alarm system in our big house. We even had a house-warming party last month to celebrate the completion of our little house!! Here's a picture of the little house my first husband and I built for my two oldest daughter (built from a kit) in the early 1980s. The girls loved it - and so did the neighborhood kids. And now I have one of my own!

I'm so glad it was a great success, Lydia, but I knew it would be. What a big turn-out you had. And there is no way your parents could really be together for 50 years, they look way too young. Your Dad is so cute and your Mom is pretty and looks like great fun! You favor your short cousin a bit, good looks run in your family. Your brother- I hope he behaved himself and I just gotta say it- he's really good looking! I am totally blown away by chiroptera's poem/magic act/routine! That is really impressive and I'm betting the crowd loved it. I would have loved to seen the memory board up close. You went to a whole lot of trouble, I'm sure your parents were dazzled by it all and I hope they appreciate your work! I know they're lucky to have you as their kiddo!