something special and memorable has always been something I have enjoyed. Time has changed my tastes some from time to time but I have always enjoyed collecting things that made my heart sigh with a sweet remembrance of where and when it was collected, purchased and brought into my home.
My Mother thought I should collect these. I think she always secretly wanted them for herself but as few things between us, she started these as a tradition and for a few years gave me one every Christmas. I think its a one and only memory of something we both enjoyed.
She started out be giving me the cottage.
It, as well as the others I have, were the only villages that were "antiqued" with muted colors. They are very pretty with very warm and soothing colors.
Then in the next three years she added the church, the pinkish Victorian home on the right and the Grand Ole Opry....as I loved and still do love, Country music. I was shocked when she kept adding to this collection but very pleased that she wanted to.
The Post Office was the next to the last one she bought me. She liked the brick....and thought it added a cheery place to our collection of villages....and always reminded her of how she hated to wait in line to mail anything....LOL
The last one she gave me was the Antique Shoppe. She knew I loved and collected many antiques throughout the years and she thought that this one was so appropriate for my collection.
One of the last ones I added to my collection was the Mill. It was done is such great colors and I love how quaint it looks.
The also added the Victorian house. I love the front porch and the muted colors but most of all I added this the second year my daughter was with me. She was to young to know it....but it was something I cherished as we had a very Victorian home and it was decked to the max for Christmas every year. Our staircase was draped in garlands and glitz. We had a Victorian tree in the front room and a big eclectic tree in our family room. And these Villages were always gathered and displayed on our hutch in the dining room. That was almost 27 years ago.
So finally after 6 years of being packed and stored they have arrived once again to give us warmth and memories of when they were given to me each year and I added to them five years after that. They are called "Colonial Villages" and after the last one I purchased they made them in garish colors and tones that I just could not get used to. Thus the 10 I have will be the last of them collected.
I am hoping when I turn them over to my Daughter.....she enjoys them as much as I have and they will adorn her home as they have mine. Inside each home or building there is a note on when it was purchased or given and the "deed" as well. I'll keep adding a few things, trees, fencing and Tom found a tiny car with a tree on the top and its darling with everything.
I cherish my little Villages......and am so pleased we finally have them out for this Christmas. Each one brings a memory and warmth.
