Karen, thanks, ya can't help but love kids and what they come up with. OA, the light silverware are cream colored and what a great idea being able to use both on one table. And to think I was thinking I needed more. Now I can ask for other colors. U R so smart.LOL How's the eye infection today? That's not good! I was catching up on my laundry and housework. Dream, I wish I had a birthday to celebrate right now so I could see the ice cream dishes on a table. Oh, that's right, we don't use the tables I set so maybe I'll try one soon. Jane, you sound like all my older B & S and they made me this way.haha They must not think I'm to bad or they wouldn't come and stay for months with me. I'm going to try to come up with a table to use these ice cr dishes so I can get help from all of you pros here. This way when it's time for DGD's bd it should look great. NanaKaren, GD's are so much fun. No one should be w/o at least one. I do love my family. Frou, you are so right with the colors on the ice cr dishes. They would be perfect in your kitchen. Sorry I'm not ready to part with them.LOL Magpie, I was ready to tell you to "get out of here" but went and looked at your page and we do share the same birthday.LOL Happy Belated Birthday to you. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a pattern for the placemats on the net. Do you crochet? Send me an email and I'll see what I can find if you are interested. Can never plant enough trees. Where do you live? If I am close I will come and pick you up and take you shopping and buy you lunch! You will be able to think about what you want so when DH gets to feeling better you can pick up your trees and more. thanks so much for letting us know it was your birthday. If I ever get organized, I will put all of your names on a calendar next to my computer. J, my family never ceases to amaze me and I love them. Thanks for the blessings for Magpie and I. Luvs, I will never get back to painting if my family keeps this up. Maybe I should ask for more painting books for Christmas. I hope these dishes are ones I can use for DGD birthdays for several years and then pass them on to her for a keepsake. DD delights in making everyone's gifts SPECIAL. Party, the placemats came from Dillard's so are not handmade. Jeanne, you are so stinkin' funny,"cheerleading pic". I just turned 55 and would not want to be caught chunky dunkin'.LOL Oh, if you don't know what chunky dunkin is, it's what I do now instead of skinny dippin'. Thanks so much everyone for all the sweet comments and Belated Birthday Wishes for myself and "Magpie". Punk

Mary you will be driving thru my neck of the woods. I did my student teaching in BC, lived in Jackson and am originally from Coldwater MI. My brother went to "that other college" in MI, not Michigan State University like me and my dad. Actually I used to have a lot of friends in A2 and I still have one friend in S. Lyon. BTW, if you're going to be anywhere near Jackson, you definately want to check out the Flavor Fresh Fruit Farm. They have the BEST apples and cider. They're on S. Jackson Rd., just off of US 12 near Somerset City. Lots of other goodies at their farm market. Their baked goods are very good too. Here is a link that might be useful: Flavor Fruit Farm

Sigh. I am bothered by rude children and I do not hesitate to correct my nieces and nephews, my grandkids, heck, even the neighbor's kids. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, I don't think at the party is a good time to do it. If you see these boys in advance I'd probably take them aside, tell them that this year is a bit tight and ask for their help in making sure there's enough for everyone. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for and they do not need to be protected or insulated from all of life's realities. Other than that, I think putting out portions at different intervals is a good idea, it'll keep the buffet line fresher anyway. If you really can't afford to throw all those wings into the bottomless pits that are your nephews, I'd change the menu to something less expensive. You could ditch the wings and personally, I love a baked potato bar and never eat chicken wings. They are all skin and bones and here they are $3 a pound. I can get chicken breasts more cheaply than I can get wings and I can get thighs for even less. Cut those into strips or chunks, add the sauce you'd use for the wings and you have the same thing, but cheaper. Good luck, and happy holidays. I'm thinking good thoughts for your DH and the work situation. Above all, have a good time, this is a celebration. Annie

This is a nice community, just look at this conversation! It is nice to read your thoughts, thank you everybody for answering my question and making me hungry! Chris, my mouth dropped when I read you had 60 trees before you even started posting! To the fig farmer in Hawaii, I need to start taking my fiancé on the road with me so that like you, she will not be home enough to care for so many trees! Figsinhawaii, if you would be a dear, I would love for you to come back and post some pictures of Hawaii please, the beach, mountains, sunsets, scenery, and your fig farm! I'm back on bedrest and you would be bringing back some beautiful memories. Not to mention, I'm sure we all wouldn't mind a virtual break from our winter here. I have been around the block and I have never seen water as clear as the one in Kona in my entire life, even compared to the Belize reef and the Caribbean waters. Please tell me you fish. Let me know if you need that trusted caretaker for your trees..............