After a hiatus of a couple of years, my daughter and I again set up a window display in our local hardware store. After crawling around in the 3' X 9' space, I remembered why I needed a break from it. This was not one of my better years...breakage, electrical issues, items "4 feet in" that fell over when I was "7 feet out", etc. I used some larger houses this year. I think the consensus of this group was that they were homemade houses intended for train layouts. They are very simple, with muted colors and a gravelly finish, and rice paper (or something like it) over the windows. I did get some fun new Barclay figures this year so they added some interest to the scene.

Hi Barb, this is a great village, very enchanting. I love the figures and the reindeer is great, did you make him?

I can't imagine putting up this village, it's hard enough for me on top of a cabinet

Thanks Lynn! The little reindeer was a treasure from a miniature show in New Jersey.

It turned out really nice and the figures are fun.

Barb...

I'm thinking this window should be called "Christmas in the Country"...the beauty of nature...a few widely spaced homes...the local church...and the hardy villagers...all enhanced by a fresh costing of snow...

Howard...

LOVE the architecture of the house in the first photo.

So serene and peaceful...just lovely!

I just love the village photos. They are just so wonderfully done for the Christmas season. I look forward to seeing more as everyone's villages are assembled.

Lucy

Serene and lovely in its simplicity. Very few elements, but the way you have used them distills the
essence of Christmas. The hardware store is lucky to have you two decorate their window, I'd say!

Thanks all! I'm with you, Maria.... that house is my favorite. There is a great one on ebay and the listing says it is handmade and it is signed on the bottom. Since these type of houses all have the same finishes and window treatments, I'm thinking they were kits in which people got the pattern, instructions, finish materials and window papers. Maybe they were prepainted?? All seem to have the same range (or lack) of colors. Interesting stuff!