Kathy your totem is lovely! Also the plate flower. Deb the BB is so nice, maybe you can redo it, 1 of nicest tributes I've seen. Liked the others too. Since this is July 4th post, we have total ban on fireworks! Ha, Ha, Ha! They are all around me but lucky for me neighbors aren't doing anything. If I sat on my roof I could really get an eyeful!! We are in a drought so have to use water sparingly. Too short of weekend tho. DS over with DD & kids watching fireworks,(DS returning to So. Dak. in morning) we had BBQ with youngest bro & bro. that lives here, I had a hot dog!!! 1st in over 20 years!! Allergic to nitrates but OM has Angus ones without them!! A bit salty, for me, but sure did taste good! Happy 4th everybody!! Jan

OMGosh, Jeanne, you really hit a jackpot....I think you just gave Candy a run for her Bargain Queen title. LOL. At least for one round. So MANY wonderful things that I hardly know where to start. But the big Santa in the first photo really is fabulous. I'd have gladly paid a LOT more for him. The little Elf reading the book is just darling, and perfect for you. But all the elves are cute and the little fairy girl too. I'm so glad Dollbaby now has her very own cloche. You'll have to find her some miniatures to put in it. I have to applaud your restraint, coming home with only two boxes. I shudder to think of the load I'd have bought, and no place to put any of it. The only restraint I have is to NOT GO shopping in the first place. LOL. You did good, Girl. And should be grinning all week over it. hugs, Karen

Aputernut what are the origins of your kings? They are magnificent!! DH and I took a trip to Bronner's this fall. #1 on my bucket list was a visit!! I am sooo embarrassed and feel so STUPID. I was not interested in the video of the history as I knew it and saw much on Youtube, so avoided the "Program room". I did peak in at one point and it was dark as a show was going on...The next day, an hour outside of Frankenmuth I began reading their literature. To my GREAT frustration I discovered in that dark room are cases of 150+ nativities from 50+ different countries!! I have been begging and the Bronner's Facebook page has begun posting pictures of some of them. Unfortunately they do not post as many Creche sets as they do ornaments. But they are not for sale--they are a private collection so I get it. ANYWAY I added a camel and cow to my outdoor set..and I am scouring ebay for a few more shepherds..there are some older characters out there I would love to get my hands on!! We also went to one large spot light. DH is very into cutting our wattage use DOWN. I have a star hanging on the back of the light pole, and we have enough snow to cover the blue extension cord so it is all very nice IMHO

Free shipping at Lands End. They do this a lot; they'll announce Free Shipping for three days only, and the day after it ends it'll be back again. But I'm not complaining--I love Lands End Overstocks, and I love free shipping. So far I've bought faux shearling gloves in forest green and matching pull-through scarf for my DIL, and these boots for me. The white "fur" won't stay white very long, but I like the pull-on style and need something to trudge to work this winter. And the price was certainly right.