Well, I still have my pumpkins outside, and next week, I'll have my Christmas lights up! My favorite look for my house is the "Christmas look" (even better than spring flowers) -- garland around the door, big wreath on the door, and white icicle lights. Nothing fancy or unusual, but I love it. In between, I have to say, replacing my front door was great for adding a 'focal point' for all seasons. It is an oak door w/ a pretty window and nice bronze hardware. I also have a copper mailbox and a copper/bronze standing sculpture of a flower, about 3' tall, that sits on the porch next to the door. I'm packing for holiday travel so no time to take a picture, but I'm interesting to hear/see what others do as well.

What is your winter landscaping? I've tried to make sure I have plenty of evergreen plants around the house and foundation: hollies, rhododendrons and azaleas, pachysandra (sp?. Also, there are many deciduous plants that have a winter interest. This is more involved than temporary decorating, but more satisfying in the long run, I think.

Oh, this all sounds lovely! I hope you have a nice trip and when you get back you'll post some pics for us. I'd love to see what you've done.

The bones of your garden and landscape should be complimentary to your house and the season. I like the way the garden looks for a short while in late fall and winter; otherwise, it would not be half so lovely in spring, were it not for the overwhelming barren stark naked beauty of winter. Foliage and architectural shapes of your garden should lend autumn and winter loveliness, but if you do not like that, add evergreens; they will always be pretty.

Each region of the country looks different in different seasons. Adapting to your area and finding what makes you happy is key. I love pansies in winter. They are quite happy and cheerful and add a little color to an otherwise gray day, with their sweet little faces even blooming through ice and regardless that there is so much distaste for fountains here, I love mine and so do my feathered friends and neighbors as it is a favorite gathering place for birds to can find water in my garden fountain and respite in the trees and large roses. Some mornings the birds are just chattering away before I get that mound of ice unfrozen so they can partake of it.

Here is a picture of my house exterior...

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One problem is that there is very little contrast between the body and trim paints. It's not ready for repainting yet, but I'll look at that with a very critical eye come summer. What color should I paint it if I do?

I've also been somewhat reluctant to paint the front door, although I think it would help. My problem with it is the memories of the door in my last house sticking after it was painted, and how it had to be done over and over. The door as it is now has factory paint on it and is trouble-free. Am I just being chicken?

The huge bush/small tree thingy at the right corner of the house is no longer there. I had some fellas remove it late this summer. I had to get up on a ladder to trim it frequently so it was a pain in the neck. It also touched the house siding, which would make it difficult to paint. I replaced it with a pink hydrangea. When the front bed blooms it has two gorgeous big dalhias, one red, one white. The azeleas under the window bloom pink. On the right side of the garage there is a killer clemantis...

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The wreath between the garage doors helped a lot...

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In the summer I put hanging floral baskets on the garage corners and usually a potted plant between the garage doors, and pots up the steps, so it looks nice. But right now it looks very plain Jane.

The steps up the front are just boring old concrete, and I do think about doing something with them. The plaque on the front door got taken down because it banged in the wind.

Thanks for any ideas!