First Decoration Up and Last to go Down

I know I've shared how creative my Grandpa was.

He truly made Christmas magical at their

house with all the handmade decorations

he put up year after year. 

Here's a picture of little me in front of a

 wooden manger scene Grandpa created.

This would be mounted on the house

year after year.

It would be lit up for all to see.

I wish I had a picture of the musical carousel he

carved out of wood.

 As kids we couldn't wait

to go flip the switch and watch it go

 around and around.

All his creations were always

"grandchildren friendly".

So naturally, when Christmas rolls around,

I get rather nostalgic of days gone by,

especially when I take this creation of Grandpa's

out of the original box he stored it in,

and make it a focal point in our little home.

Grandpa made this little village

maybe 50-60 years ago.

 He hand-carved the little santa, skier, and other pieces.

The little village buildings, of course handmade.

The church complete with little stain glass windows

 he drew on wax paper and inserted.

 

As careful as I am tucking this away

each year, I still lose fragile pieces.

Sometimes I can repair it,

but this year I lost another antler

that I could not repair....sigh.........

This little village was never a finished product.

 Over the years Grandpa would add pieces to it.

 The manger scene is a little gift

one of us grandchildren

probably gave him for Christmas.

It was one of those prizes 

you would win for selling Christmas Seals!

The little tree was probably from

sometime later in the years.

Look how sweet the village lady is!

She's feeding the chickens and dogs!

So...

as I start to put away the decorations

for another year,

this little village will be the last to be tucked in.

And the first of the decorations

to be displayed next year!

I still miss you my special Grandpa!

Happy New Year dear followers!

Many blessing to all of you for

a wonderful 2012!

xo

xo

clare