Cass, thank you! I wasn't sure about the reindeer with his nose in the air like that but went with it and I'm glad I did (adds character to the table lol!). It is hard when our kids can't be home for Christmas. I am fortunate that our DD's SO's parents also live in this town so when they do come home, it is to the same place. Susan, thanks! Poor you, I cannot imagine not seeing one of your children for 3 years!! That must have been very special this year when you did get some time with him. Lynn, thanks for your compliments! I am forcing myself to stay out of the stores now as I keep seeing so many 'ideas' for new Christmas tablescapes - if I give in, I will be Christmas decorating until summer! Karen, thank you! Wish you could have shopped with me as there were lots of those deer left at the local store. They were all in the same sitting position though or I may have gotten another one too. Kathleen, thanks, I appreciate your comments. I need to get "Great Buys" now as I have overdone it with the Christmas decor budget this year! Gail, thank you. The weather outside really cooperated for a good backdrop to my pics! Luvs, thanks so much! I "dream" of starting a blog but that is as far as it will get. I don't think I have enough to write about or enough time in the day to work on one. Maybe when I retire which is still a ways off.... dd50 - thank you! Glad you enjoyed the tablescape and the weather outside. Mo, thanks a lot! I always like to have individual candles at each place setting. Put those ones in the bowls but of course, not practical for the meal so had to move them beside the plates after the pic taking. Got four candles with rings for $3.50 so of course, bought two sets! I plan to put new candles in once the originals are gone. Patty-cakes, thanks! LOVE your description of "snooty" reindeer! Maybe I should make a crown for the deer! Both DD and her SO did appreciate the table but were probably expecting "nothing less" from me as DD is very used to my addiction! The chargers came from a local grocery store (small town, Canada) so unfortunately you prob can't find them. Work-in-progress, thank you! I am honoured to be an "inspiration" to anyone! twomonths, WOW!! You certainly have had a busy holiday season - it is hard to fit in special times with everyone once they are grown and going in different directions. You sure are trying though and hats off to you! I am honoured that you saved a copy of my pic for inspiration. Don't you love 75% off sales?!!! DD

Hi girls, all of your bunnies and Easter talk inspired me to check out the TJ Maxx and I found a cute bunny plate like Judith's green in yellow. I am going to use it to serve asparagus for Easter. Found a pink patterned china candy dish with a gold rim which I couldn't resist at $3.99. I couldn't find enough of any salad plates (even mixing colors) to use for Easter dinner since I have 12 places to do. I think I will check out Home Goods to see if they have any nice spring salad plates. The Home Goods store has a little more in the way of inventory than our Marshalls or TJ's. DH is going to wish I never found this forum. LOL, I am deciding my menu based on the "finds". How crazy is that???? Judith, love the pics of the place settings and napkin rings. I think I may attempt the jelly bean rings, but am curious what type of wire would that be? I am also looking at the beads in the beading section of AC Moore, perhaps I may do something beaded???? Sky's the limit. Paintingfool, I thought I had alot of pins, but I have no where near as many as you. LOL. You are a lucky girl. I am a pin girl also, and love when I find a great pin. I think pins are underused, and are an inexpensive way to finish an outfit. I don't see many women wearing them tho, but do get lots of compliments when I wear mine. Judith, the tablescape on the other post with the pink, white and gold animals in the center is to die for. I love the look and think it is very, very sophisticated. A great ladies tea or luncheon setting. BTW, gave up on the copper beaded placemats. I put them away and will deal with them again in the Fall. I can use my "Autumn" china pattern with them, using the gold napkins. It was driving me crazy, and difficult to find pieces at this time of year for that color scheme. I am focusing on the Spring season. A few purchases over the weekend motivated me to clean all of the Christmas china and crystal out of my china closet, so it is now ready for "Spring" decorating. I found a nice spring berry garland and purchased two, one for down the center of my dining room table, one for over the mirror in l/r. Also, TJ's had a matching berry wreath. I can use my mulberry candles and have the garland weaved in and out between the candle sticks and my crystal compote in the center of the table. I added two crystal candle sticks as well to tie in the crystal compote. Now in search of something to put in the compote bowl. I tried my fruit and didn't like the look of it at all. Any ideas??? Here's a pic of what the garland looks like. I hate the way the pictures look with the flash. I swear the table looks better with the natural light. The silver chargers are sold at so many places. I have silver for my wedding china as the rim is silver. Mine aren't shiny, but I don't think I would call them brushed nickel, but rather a matte rather than shiny finish. They kind of look like a silver plate that someone took a piece of steel wool to??? Does that make any sense? Try Home Goods, Macy's Cellar, BB&Beyond. Any event, thanks for all the inspiration and I too am looking forward to Judith's tutorial.

Congratulations, lyban! It's wonderful! I like the print better than the clock. Glad the lamp if gone. Love the orchid addition and the gourds. This feels more like the rest of your room. I'd be tempted to keep the print in the frame since it's a nice water scene and place your daughter's photo on your piano or the side table by the hearth. See what you think by switching the outward facing right duck with the one by the orchid. I agree with 3 dogs that a horizontal mirror may work but a round may be better, although you may not need any once you change the scones. IMO you don't need to fill the space or emphasize the height. I too have 20' ceilings in this house but prefer to keep the eye grounded to human scale. Even when we built our last home with more sane 12+' ceilings I kept the profile of art, furniture low. Nor do you need to bounce light since your room gets lots of wonderful light. I think your mantle may be too high to reflect back a nice image since you apparently take these photos from a catwalk on the upper floor. These are the reasons employed for using mirrors when not needed to check appearances. That being said, you may love the feel of a mirror, but get the sconces up before deciding. Again, great job!

My3dogs, your work is wonderful! Can't wait to see what you do with the clock. I had an idea that might work with your critters...wonder what you could do with old baby shoes--what might poke out of one with hints of what could be inside? Just musing aloud... eta, I looked at vintage shoes and they really don't match what I have in my head. The ones on eBay etc, look like old bowling shoes. So, never mind.