Today I thought I would share what took the place of the Christmas tree, which we finally managed to take out on Saturday! I have a small collection of lighted houses, which we often circle around the base of the Christmas tree. We most often put the Christmas tree in front of this picture window, moving the blanket chest to do so. Then, when the tree comes down, we move the chest back and arrange some of the houses on it in a little village. We still need light and sparkle here in northern New England! The little houses look so warm and welcoming with light spilling from their windows on a cold night.
Here are a few more views:
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| It's always amazing to me how the houses magically turn into a village when you add trees and people. |
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| The church at left is actually a school building. It makes a great church however, and I found the church sign at Walmart a few years ago. The building at right is the dog bone bakery, and on the hill in back is the library. |
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| A little bit better view of the library. |
Here are a few more photos, these from years gone by. The first two are "villages" from previous years, then we have a closer look at some of the buildings. Lastly, a couple photos of winter decorating on my hutch, with a couple of other lighted buildings. I have a few others which I don't always bring out, including a truly wonderful lighthouse!
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| The needlework and quilt shop |
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| The saw mill is in the center of the photo |
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| A better look at the library |
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| The crockery shop |
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| Can't forget this glittery lighted church on the bottom shelf. |
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| The little Currier & Ives house is also a lighted building. |
Hope you've enjoyed this look at a few of my lighted houses! I'm sharing today with Sandi's
No Place Like Home at
Rose Chintz Cottage.
It does make me smile that the tree only recently came down. I love it! If my home were not so small, I think I'd copy you. Your little village is adorable and so cheery. Does it stay up until spring?
ReplyDeleteVee, it will probably stay up until March. By then I will be tired of looking at snow indoors ...
DeleteYes, a friend told me the other day something along the same lines as what you said, that if she had an artificial tree, hers would still be up too!
I love your little villages. I didn't put up mine this year, the first time in a long time. I did create a village using animal and people in cloches's with white paper houses. Our homes are so empty after Christmas and now it looks pretty again! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI just went and looked at your winter mantel, Cathy, with the white paper houses, the cloches and trees -- oh my, so much inspiration there. Thanks for stopping in here at my kitchen table ... please visit anytime!
DeleteI always left my tree up past New Years but this year I took it down the same day my son left to go back to the states, on the second of January. Hubby missed it right away. I'm afraid to tell you that I didn't get my village out this year. I just ran out of energy. Usually I keep something out for the winter months but it's all put away except for a wreath and a centerpiece in the dining room. Hopefully next year I will start earlier and get everything out. Your village looks so charming and it's lovely that you can enjoy it a little while longer. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
You know, Sandi, I didn't get everything out this year, either. In fact, when we took the tree down (which my hubby had decorated with only a fraction of the ornaments we own, but it still looked nice), he asked if we wanted to relocate the village to the blanket chest as we usually do, or just put it away. Between eldercare, ministry, and his busy, stressful job, neither of us has the energy we used to have. We decided to put the lighted houses up as usual and I am so glad that we did. The light and glimmer are very cheering. Glad you enjoyed seeing my little village.
DeleteMrs, T,
ReplyDeleteI love that you leave your village up for Winter decorations!! It is so pretty and I am so partial to villages!! Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for visiting!!
Hugs,
Deb
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Deb! It is simple ... no Dept. 56 here, just inexpensive lighted buildings from Jo-Ann's and other places, but we like it. Thanks for stopping by my kitchen table!
DeleteIt is so nice to keep some happy lights going after Christmas! Your village is beautiful!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you enjoyed my little village! Do stop in again anytime -- and spend some time in the archives -- I have a lot of prayer journal posts (in particular) that might interest you in view of the one that you have shared.
ReplyDeleteThe lights of the village are warm and inviting. I have about 21 houses, but have not had them out since we moved to this home 6 years ago. Every Christmas I think I will, but by the time I get everything else out I wonder where to put them. Maybe next year. :) I see that you live in New England. Hubby and I visited last Fall and loved every minute of it. We stayed in NH, but traveled around quite a bit. Thanks for visiting me!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Jann, I am glad you liked the houses. Maybe next Christmas you can get some of yours out. It can also be very effective to just display one house, or church, or whatever tucked in somewhere in your decor. My daughter has a lighted library and this year she displayed it in a niche in their kitchen. Their local library is a wonderful part of their lives and it was so nice that she showcased it as she did for Christmas.
DeleteYes, we live in NH. If you ever get back this way, get in touch! It is beautiful here, particularly in the fall, but summer and winter are pretty too.
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen table, and please visit again anytime!
I'm so glad you decided to enjoy your village longer instead of packing it up too! It's lovely. Thank you for sharing the pics for us to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mrs. Smith! I am still enjoying the lights of the village in the dark early mornings as well as in the evening. Lifts the spirits.
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