[honeychile]

ThetaPrincess, I love the Tribeca pattern! I'm sure it goes with everything and looks lovely.

I can't speak for everybody, als463, but with each piece of china or sterling I've inherited, there's been a story about how it spent "the war" in the well, or was purchased in celebration of a first child, or was given to an ancestor as a special momento. Most of my serving sterling doesn't match, but I rather use a 160-year-old ladle full of history than a new one that matches! And no one could ever talk me out of having the dent in my teapot "corrected". That would just be wrong, IMHO. So obviously, I wanted a pattern that complimented these pieces, not one that clashed. I also believe in Marilyn Vos Savant's comment that, when one hits 40, one uses the good china & sterling everyday - and the sterling looks SO much better when you do! But back to the topic at hand:

LPIDelta, I hope that there's a mixup in the traveling orders, and your husband gets home safely & soundly, and before Christmas. catiebug, I see no reason why your wish shouldn't be granted, either.

-a gift certificate for landscaping
-several books
-a studio portrait of my mother & I (we've never had one taken!)
-a spa weekend
-Family Treemaker 2008
-time, time, and more time. It's going to be a busy year, and I haven't even started to think about what I really want.

The boy just called, and asked how I feel about smallish Robins' Egg Blue boxes. I don't dare to think...