Norma Desmonds of the YouTube age, get ready for your close-up.

Consumers may love 60-inch plasma televisions, but when it comes to personal electronics, it's the age of the incredible shrinking camcorder. The pictures are still big, it's just the cameras that got small.

Q: I'm a builder and I never miss a chance to read your column. With the slowdown in construction, I've been doing research on new building trends so I can be ahead of the curve once I get back into action. What do you see for the future as far as new trends that builders may want to include in new home construction? - Don, Kentucky

Many ambitious vegetable gardeners start seeds indoors in February, nurture and nudge them along through March and plant them outdoors sometime in April, often weeks ahead of the last potential frost. Sometimes they get lucky, defying Jack Frost with cloches, cold frames, row covers, mulch and more.

I love gorgeous garland. I adore shimmering, showy Christmas-tree ornaments. And I've never met a set of holiday dishes that hasn't set my heart on fire. But if I had to pick the single-most-amazing holiday decorating tool that you can use to transform your home for the season, my vote would go to the humble, versatile, never-fail wreath.

There's nothing worse than being stranded -- except being stranded in bad winter weather. Colder months are tougher on cars, and a little preventive care now will go a long way toward keeping your car running smoothly in the face of snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. We know it can be tempting to skip a service if your car is running OK.

HIGH POINT, N.C. - It's the little things that count in life.

DEAR JOE AND HELAINE: The two enclosed pictures are of a dish measuring 8 inches wide and 11 inches long. There are no marks or identification on the bottom. It still has the original twisted-wire handle. It was given to my mother by her gentleman friend in 1915. Any information or value would be greatly appreciated. -- M.W.B., Abington, Va.