You are all so sweet. Thanks for your nice comments. I do have a few more things that I'll try to get posted from the family room. I was trying to show the tree all three ways--it came prelit with clear lights and I added the multi colored because that's what little GD, DS, and DH like best. I can have it all white, all multi colored or both at the same time. I love the flexibility. Alex, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom & Dad's ornaments--wouldn't it have been great to still have them? The nighttime picture of my snowmen in the window does show the outside lights and my lit up train on the front ledge--that's why I closed the blinds for the other pic. LOL Mary, I did not paint the little snowman plate, it was a TS find last year and I really like it allot. I found another cute plate today, I'll have to get a pic of it too. Decorations are pretty much done, now I need to put together a couple of tables to share on here. Kathleen, you started a blog? You go gal, gonna make everyone hungry with pics of all your good food? ;o) Just do what you are comfortable with--not worth driving yourself crazy trying to do too much. Sandi, Does the wreath look big enough? I love the fullness of that wreath, but wondered if that spot should have a bigger one. I've never taken the picture down from there before. Bright, can you see the bead ornaments we made on my tree? My DS said "where did you get these Mom, they're neat?" I was so proud when I answered "One of my friends on the forum showed us how to make them." ;o) Okay, now on to doing a couple of tablescapes to share, I THINK I have what I need for them. Luvs

My husband wanted to put up this ugly reproduction of a horse race painting that he found at a garage sale, I told him "give me a week, I'll find something better online!" I wanted a modern look, some realisitc photography, but I didn't want black and white because we have so many b&w prints in the house already. I finally bought a color print of a park scene (some park in NYC, I'm not sure which) at a web site called Brooklyn Prints. Every mantle is different, of course; I had just enough space to put up a 16x20 print in a wood frame. Our fireplace is for decoration only, so we didn't have to worry about heat damage to the frame or the print, but it is something to think about too. Here is a link that might be useful: Brooklyn Prints

sidney - The mirror is 32" and to be honest I haven't even put it up there to check the size yet. I love it so much, I'm going to use it even if a bigger size would be a little bit better. As you can see, I have a large area above my fireplace too. I just saw a picture somewhere and I can't remember where now, but it had three exact mirrors that were framed above the fireplace. It reminds me a little of your inspiration picture. I'll have to retrace some of my steps and see if I can remember where I saw it. Laurie

Sorry for the picture heavy page. :-). I have trouble expressing at certain times in words. So the pictures attempt to speak for me. Thank you Deborah for reminding me of creating the more soothing lines that I'd forgotten that Olychick told me about Olychick not sure if you're following this but you have helped me immeasurably. I have gone back several times over what you have said and that has been greatly appreciated and keeping me or editing. Yayagal I found this at a second hand shop. I guess it didn't suit the other person's decor or something like that. I was happy to pay the under $100 for it as it really makes me smile. Thank you for the compliment on it. 1 pink mountain thank you the compliment on my tchotchkes. I kept only my favorites when I purged many many many many things. Thanks also for your help with understanding why the smaller pieces don't work very well. When I'm up close to the fireplace I can see the pieces I love it's very hard to understand why they shouldn't be there. We are now looking for something more solid and structured but not sure what maybe some thick blue or black candle holders?