Now you're talking sister! I'm getting a Lee Valley gift certificate in the post from a dear friend next week. Hubby got certificates for L.V. at xmas and his b-day. We're planning a trip down there in a few weeks. Yes I have the garden catalog too and I'm eyeballing stuff now for the spring. He's getting stuff to build his dream workshop bench and I think I may invest in some decent hand tools for the garden. I should be a product tester since I really put those babies through the garden mill each year. Yardworks - toasted, Canadian Tire brand - toasted, Sears - toasted. Sure they make hard tools but I find the weakest point is the handles. If the tools are not made out of one solid metal piece I usually kill the handles over time. I got a new garden spade and garden fork last year from L.V. Yes I have even snapped garden fork tongs digging out tree roots and rocks. You want to talk about vibration through your funny bones try breaking one of those - it even rattled my teeth. Hubby heard the crack from an open window that day. Yup I'm your girl for testing stuff in the garden. Lee Valley - better than any box of chocolates or flowers hands down. Well at least for me. Already have my seeds out and garden trays to start seed planting with all the dirt I got. The gift that keeps on giving with excitement as my little babies start to grow. Ya had to mention the L word, eh? Hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day too!

EG ohh yes!! every winter!! its a must! LOL them kids just love that ralphie, and of course tabor just loves it when he cusses!! LOL and talla gets all wide eye'd and cover's her mouth, but for a week afterwards i listen to a few cuss words!@ hmmm. til i say hmmmm.....does some little girl need soap on a tooth brush to wash out that dirty mouth?? then usually that takes care of it. LOL man they are lucky!! when i was a kid, it was a BAR of soap and the corner!! GROSS!!! ~Medo

This is a fun thread - I really enjoy reading what others do to celebrate. In our family Christmas Eve is the night. Oooh, which brings me to this - xmas - was anyone else taught not to wright that as it is "x"ing out the name of Christ? Just curious? I am not overly religious or anything but my catholic girl upbringing has that ingrained in my head!!!! So Christmas eve we go to midnight mass candlelight service and nosh all night on all sorts of things (kielbasa and sauerkraut are traditional - hmmm methinks that is weird but I still do it). On Christmas day we revel in staying in our new Christmas pajamas and just hanging out. Paulines - heeee My sister is married to a nice jewish boy (ira) and my fairly religious in-laws (catholic) are visiting this year from Florida. So, I do Christmas Eve and my sister does Christmas. She just told me she will be making brisket and chicken noodle soup. Ahhh the look on my in-laws faces. Not your traditional christmas dinner! My BIL and I have alot of good laughs together. One year my sister made Ham during passover. Heeee!!!!!

Wow! That's beautiful, Squirrlley! Love the colors...and the pattern! I've been collecting mosaic table top pictures, too. Hope to get to making a small table soon. Kelly: Those 27 years will FLY by!!! Especially during the summers! :) I retired after 23 years teaching... but decided to go back. Am working on a 2nd retirement. Hmmmm... but now that I'm REALLY having fun with the mosaics.. might want to stop earlier. OH... forgot about the $$$ involved. Oh well!!! :) Meanwhile... went to my favorite little TS yesterday... bought a couple of plates to crack... but on the way out saw an OLD skateboard. It was a $1.00. So... I grabbed it up, paid, and put it with the TBM stuff. My daughter's almost step-son is an avid skate boarder so I'm planning to mosaic it for him for Christmas. More added to the list! Katie