Friday, January 2, 2009

Mom's Place - Department 56 Snow Village



Every year my Mom and Randy set up a giant Department 56 Snow Village and train set display in their Sunroom.



Each year it changes a little, and we love to just sit and talk about all the new little details...



This is the entrance that most people use when visiting their home, and it's really cool that it's the first thing you're welcomed by.



The first piece my Mom started her collection with is this big, white house.
It looks almost exactly like the house I grew up in:



The church was another early piece in her collection:



My brother and I bought her this log cabin. I love the little gnome. :-)



The tree house piece reminds them of their real-life tree house. She even draped little, tiny Mardi Gras beads from the branches like the ones outside:



Mom's newest piece is this Pancake House. Our ancestors were Dutch, so she just HAD to get this one:



I love the Snow Plow pushing the faux snow in front of the Toy Store:



This is a neat view of the pedestrian bridge next to the train track bridges:



And here is a cool view of the train choo-chooing its way across the bridge:



This little vignette makes me smile everytime. I have fond memories of roasting marshmallows back in Minnesota:



And the snow angel scene is too cute too. The black dog symbolizes my Mom and Randy's dog, "Shadow":



The village really comes to life at night. The windows glow with warmth...



I made the little brick-covered bridge for my Mom in Art class when I was in 6th Grade:



Inside the Pancake House, you can see a family sitting down for a yummy meal:





I also have a collection of Department 56 village pieces. I think I'm up to about eight. I have plans to display them in my Guest Bedroom next Christmas...but I don't think I'll ever out-do my Mom and Randy's amazing set up!

:-)
Layla

26 comments:

Kat said...

Wow....your Mom's snow village is beautiful! Especially when it is lit up at night. My ancestors are Dutch as well so I really loved the Pancake House :)

Thanks for sharing!

DESIGN BY CATHLEEN said...

I really love her little village! My mother in-law has a collection of Snow Village around the Christmas tree, I should have taken pictures this year, ugg, what was I thinking. Thank you for sharing.....
xoxo,
Cathleen

Lena said...

I have never seen a more beautiful snow village. I just loved it. Thanks for sharing.

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

What a neat tradition - maybe one day you'll inherit it and your own kids will have favorite pieces and memories. My favorites are the log cabin (love the picnic table) and the tree house :)

Karen said...

LOVE That Layla! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Very fun and something unique - not everyone has a huge village/train set assembled for the holidays. I love it!

Brenda said...

Wow, that is pretty amazing! I love it!

Blue Muse said...

Awww! I love the treehouse and the snow angel!! It's so sweet lit up at night - I think it's all great! There is a store down in the village where I live who has a set up at Christmas time - and your mom's is better! LOL!

xo Isa

Nana said...

That is just amazing! I love it and I love your blog... TOTALLY inspiring :) After struggling for a couple years about what to do with my kitchen, I’ve now have put plans in place to paint my cabinets black, but am considering using an old (maybe brick) red paint. I actually intend to consult with you via blog and pictures prior to going through with it.

Other things I've seen on your blog have inspired me, and now this beautiful display has me on a shopping spree tomorrow to find any pieces that may still be out on sale :)

Tammy

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'd love to sit in front of that display with a mug of hot cider. It's beautiful! I have several pieces from the Dicken's Village, but nothing close to your mom's display. Amazing!

-Hayley

Unknown said...

Beautiful!

Leciawp said...

Sweet photos!

Alycia said...

i love that little village! i am a new village collector and only have 3 lonely pieces. it must take lots of work putting all that together!

Anonymous said...

I love her village! I started one myself but it is with the collection from Walmart.My daughter and I love to sit and just look at it. She enjoys moving the people around the little town. I didnt add a piece this year. Maybe its not too late~ Clearence ! Tell your Mom Hi for me and I love your jars. Take care and have a great weekend~

Made In The South said...

What a great place to display her village. My husband started me a collection,but now I have so many I need a room like that. Missy

Beth at Aunties said...

It is amazing and sort of magical. I really like how the train weaves around and in the town. It is a beautiful collection and tradition!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I just love your Mom's village! When I was a kid, I never had a train ‘because you are a girl’ (and we never had enough money). When my daughter was born I bought her (ugg... or for me) a doll house I never had. For my next child I will be making a village and a train. LOL

Suzann said...

I love your mom's village/set-up. Thanks so much for sharing. I am in the early stages of my collection and someday I would love to have something half as lovely as your mother's.

ily shafyka said...

wow.so cute.HAHA

Rick said...

Hello Cottage Girl, Please forgive me for being so bold, but I am doing a bit of blog surf to invite people to sign up for my giveaway. There are no gimmicks. This is just my way of celebrating two years of blogging. On January 4th I am giving away a free caricature drawn by me. I'd be honored if you came by and signed up for a chance to win.

Kristen said...

Wow!!! As kids we always set up my mom's train under the christmas tree,,,my brother does it now for his kid. Have a great new year.
Kristen

Unknown said...

Love the way it's displayed! I have about 30 of the North Pole...the collection has grown, and now I let my daughter take about half of them to her house!

Decor To Adore said...

I have 5 of the 6 pieces of the original snow village (1976-79) and it stays up though January.
Your mom's set up is just fantastic.

Aktionsgutscheine.de said...

Have a nice weekend!

Brooks said...

what fun!

Fadil Wimala said...

wow, it's beautiful.. never seen anything like it.. thx for sharing :D