SOMETIMES, THE JOB FINDS YOU.

ell Avenue and continued the tradition.Electric Lizzyland is a dazzling display of thousands of lights and dozens of illuminated plastic figurines which were wildly popular in the 1960s. A sparkly 8-foot sleigh, which Simmons created, sits upon the lawn, filled with stuffed animals and giant wrapped presents. Simmons and friends made the Abominable Snowman with papier-maché floral wire and white fur.

frequently haunts estate sales and the Lakewood shop Curiosities for creepy/ cool Santas. She also has anonymous help.“Sometimes I’ll come home to find a bag of weird little holiday things on my porch.”

She now covers her giant front-yard tree with 30,000 lights, using a rented boom lift.She also strings up large molds of Santa and his reindeer between her front tree and house.

Simmons has been hard at work “giltterizing” plywood sheets, which will cover the front and sides of her house. It fooled City Code Compliance, who stopped by one day and informed Simmons she absolutely could not paint her house with glitter. The matter soon was resolved and all is well with the City.

Simmons’ handiwork is everywhere. Look for the “weird candy canes,” which she made herself. Among her favorites: the taxidermied rodents.A selftaught taxidermist, she learned the art from an instructional DVD.

It’s not just locals who’ve noticed and appreciated her work. In 2007, she placed in the top 20 in a nationwide Home Depot contest and a few yearslater she appeared on ABC-TV’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”

Simmons keeps an eye out year-round for holiday decorations and deals. She found a set of elves, dating from 1964, at a thrift store on Garland Road, and she

When you check out Simmons’ bright, glowing roof, know that she scurried up multiple times, sketching out a design, then painstakingly hot-gluing the lights one by one.

All this effort has garnered fans, particularly neighbors. A ccording to Rosalyn Duke, “Her house needs to be on everyone’s Christmas list of mustdos.” Kalee Blythe and daughter Ellie are fans, too. “Liz’s tradition of holiday decorating truly brings the whole neighborhood together.”

Echo Boutique

Upscale resale & unique gifts

Exciting New Fall Arrivals Daily! Upscale resale - unique giftsdesigner consignment - hand picked vintage work by local artist and artisans.

9020 Garland Road (Between The Arboretum & Casa Linda) Dallas, TX 75218 214.370.4444

DALLAS WOMAN’S FORUM AT THE ALEXANDER MANSION

2018 Holiday European Tea Room

December 5-9 & December 12-16

Tickets $55 per guest that includes champagne

Dutch Art Gallery

Fine Art & Custom Framing

JURIED ART SHOW Through Dec 22

What is it about a particular place that draws you in, that fascinates you? Come travel the world with us as these artists give you their interpretation of our “Around the World” theme.

First 25 patrons receive an original miniature artwork by a show artist.

“The Piano” by Jacob Secrest

10233 E. Northwest Hwy. Suite 420 Dallas, TX 75238 214.348.7350 dutchartgallery.net

DAN “THE COMPUTER GUY”

Computer Repair

972.639.6413 stykidan@sbcglobal.net

Don’t panic! Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky windows computer. Hardware & software installation, troubleshooting, training, $60/hour — one hour minimum.

4607 Ross Ave. For reservations go online at dallaswomansforum.org or call 214.823.4533

Capture the joy of the holidays with an afternoon tea at The Dallas Woman’s Forum. Also, explore the magnificent boutique upstairs.

Creative Oasis Gift Certificates

Give the gift of creative joy this season!

Jill Allison Bryan CreativeOasisCoaching.com creativeoasiscoach@me.com

E-mail CreativeOasisCoach@me.com to order your gift certificate for a one-day Creative Oasis Retreat or 3-month coaching package.

Order by December 23rd to receive a personalized, printable gift certificate.

Advocate Ornament

Home decor email: foundation@ advocatemag.com or call 214.560.4206

Own the Advocate Foundation’s limitededition, numbered, and hand-painted ornament; perfect gift for the new home owner or long time resident.

By GEORGE MASON