Today I am joining Susan at Thoughts From Over the Rainbow for her Deck the Halls Party and sharing with you my Christmas
Department 56 Village Collection.
I have seven lighted houses.
I love each house, but especially the "Apple Valley Schoolhouse."
When Olivia was just 5 years old,
the Colonel took her shopping and
had her pick out the house to purchase that year.
And since she was in kindergarten, she picked the schoolhouse.
They had it wrapped at the store and she placed it
under the tree when they got home.
I could tell how excited she was!
On Christmas Eve when my family was over and
we were about to exchange gifts
she ran and brought me "her" present to me.
I told her, "No, we're going to open those presents in the morning."
Well, the look on her face could have broken any one's heart.
My husband said, "Oh, please open it tonight, she's so excited."
I opened it and, of course, she helped and was so happy for me
to have the house she picked out all by herself.
With the Colonel gone, I didn't put up the village this year.
These are pictures from last year.
Olivia's choice...Apple Valley School House
I hope you enjoyed my little tour!
Linda C says
I love Christmas villages. I have sort of a miniature one:) by the time I spread cotton batting around it, it looks like a blizzard has hit;)
Such a sweet story about Olivia's special gift to you.
Merry Christmas, Lois!
Linda C
Sandra says
Love looking at your village. Merry Christmas!
susan says
Lois-I have always loved these villages especially when they have places or buildings with significance. I know they are a lot of work to put up, take down and store so I can see why you decided to skip it this year. I wish you a blessed Christmas for all of you (near and far) By the way, I am looking for a poem I gave my children when they got their licenses. The title is "Angel in the Back of the Truck". It gave me great peace. I'll keep looking 🙂 Thanks for joining Deck the Halls.
vignette design says
I always love to see Christmas villages. Yours is so pretty. Merry Christmas. --Delores
BECKY says
Hello My Friend! Hope your Christmas is absolutely delightful!! Your village is!! Sweet story about Olivia!!
I'm powering down and now doing the things I love like baking and wrapping and all that fun stuff!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Lois!
Big Hugs and Merry Christmas Wishes!
Becky
Busy Mom in NJ says
I think Christmas villages are so pretty. What a great memory of the schoolhouse that Olivia got for you. Hope you have a blessed Christmas!
Jane says
I love Christmas Villages! Very beautiful!
Jane
Nellie's Cozy place says
Hi Sunshine,
Love your lil village houses., they are so neat. Nice that Olivia picked that school house out, what a nice gift to her Mommy. Sweet story.
My hubby has really grown to love those lil village scenes over the last years, but we have so many Christmas decorations we could never figure out where we could put one especially since you have to plug them in! We had friends who made there own, adding a lil more every year, and it took up half there living room, but it was so neat
and enjoyable.
Phil is still gonna be home for Christmas isn't he??? You said with him gone, so am hoping nothing changed that I missed!
I have been unpacking the Christmas dishes and trying to figure out what to use as a centerpc that would be different.
Hope you are having a great day hon,
Merry Christmas!
Nellie
Karen says
Your village is beautiful, and I love the story behind the schoolhouse. Very sweet! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!! Hugs~ Karen
Sharon says
I loved the photos of your village.
I add a new piece to mine each year.
I enjoy putting it up every Christmas.
Thanks for sharing yours
Merry Christmas to you and yours dear friend.
Wylie says
These are awesome! Love it! Merry Christmas!!!!
Wylie
Tara says
Love your village. I have one almost exactly like yours. I didn't get my out this year either. My kids came over the other night and fussed at me for not putting it out this year. I told them I did good to get the tree up, Thank you very much! LOL... Been a tough year, but believing for a better one in 2010. Will be keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Hugs,
Tara
Loretta says
Hi Lois,
Your village houses look so pretty. I love the story about Olivia! So sweet! I love Dept 56 and my mom has a beautiful collection too! I have the cheaper versions but they are cute none the less. Stop by to see my village all set up. Blessings to all of you this Christmas! Warm Christmas hugs, Loretta
Maggie B says
Such a pretty village and such a sweet story to remember each year.
Merry Christmas from Normandy
Maggie
Debbie says
I love village sceenes, and yours is really nice. I have a similiar story to your daughter's. Only it was my youngest son who had "picked" out the new addition to my village. He was 11 at the time and THRILLED with himself. He had also saved his own money and bought it himself. It doesn't match my other pieces (a little bigger etc.) and was a candy store, which I already had and his older brothers quickly pointed out, haha. I quickly assured him of course MANY towns have more than one candy store. Needless to say it is my very FAVORITE piece, and I never put it up that I don't see his little face that day. Don't you just love Christmas memories? Hope you are enjoying your time with your family.
Hugs,
Debbie
Carmen C. says
Those are beautiful, and I like the schoolhouse best too:)
Jill says
They are all so pretty! Merry Christmas friend!
Cari says
That village is adorable and what a great story about your daughter!