Ok, I know. I’m a bad blogger. I haven’t posted in, well, um, a *cough* month *cough*. I have a good excuse, really! Which I will share with all of you a little later.
Mike and I have been super busy around the casa with a few projects, some that will have to wait until next year to finish (stupid winter). Some you will hear about soon!
Winter isn’t all that stupid I ‘spose. It does mean CHRISTMAS. My favorite time of the year. The crafts, the smells, the lights, the baking, the family, the tree, the music, everything!
I’ve never been one to decorate with any sort of color scheme. I totally appreciate those who do but I love collecting different decorations/ornaments and enjoy unpacking them every year. When hubby and I go on trips or vacations we buy one special ornament as a reminder of our memories and then reminisce when we decorate the tree each year. The same goes for our home decorations. I know where every snowman, santa and reindeer came from and each holds a special memory for Mike and I.
Growing up, my Grandmother had a beautiful, elaborate, Christmas village that my sister and I would admire for hours. I knew I would have one just like hers when I got a place of my own. Before getting our first place I started collecting little pieces for my village- trees, people, village ‘accessories’. I was a little sad to find out how much money it was going to cost me to collect my own village, we’re talking minimum $30.00/house.
So I decided to ‘make’ my own.
Years ago I found some cheap ceramic houses at walmart that I could paint myself. All it required was time, paint and a steady hand. Two years later I have my little village started.
It’s taken some time but I love my little hand painted village. 
My ‘residential area’, complete with St. Catherine street sign.
Kiddo’s need to go to school!
Santa hanging out feeding his reindeer…
And complete with a functioning mini train track!
I still have a few unpainted houses to finish which will complete my little collection that I hope to share with my family for a long time!
Looks fantastic! ANOTHER reason I wish had a mantle…to have something like this to display without it getting destroyed!
So funny…we do “travel” ornaments too and I am in the middle of a blog post about some of my favorites!!
This is GREAT! My mother-in-law has a village and I always admire it. I love how you hand-painted all of the houses…..what a keepsake!
As for collecting decorations on your travels, that’s such a smart idea. I think I need to start this tradition in our family!
I remember wcahting A Christmas Story so much during the holiday season, I know the script by heart! The ornament shows Ralphie sliding down the Santa shoot. I’ve a dear friend who loves A Christmas Story and these ornaments will bring a smile to his face. The detail of the ornament captures poor Ralphie’s dismay.