Nov 30: FINALLY! IT'S DONE

I haven't felt like building the last couple of days, but did manage to finish the village. I've decided (1) it doesn't fit it this small space; and (2) it has gotten out of control size-wise! LOL I'm not sure if it will go up again, but this year I'll enjoy it!



For right now, I'm going to post the video of the last portion that went up. I'll fill in the explanations tomorrow. I'm beat and ready for a day off! Enjoy!

(Video Length: 1:51)

DUNNVILLE 2009

Nov 28: (Day 11) City Almost Complete!

Today was 'one of those days' ....

Soon after beginning my build today, I realized I was, again, running out of room; i.e., the space I'd provided for this year's village simply wasn't large enough. But I didn't want to omit an area of Dunnville (the Bay Area) and I couldn't allot any more space if I wanted to be able to walk into my living room without knocking over a village building. What to do. What to do?

I don't know what anyone else does, but I try to visualize what the end product is going to be. However, with this year's village, I know what I want it to be ... but it is seeming to take on a life of its own during the build ... it is flowing from one area to another without a lot of thought on my part. Until today.

I wanted a "L"-shaped village this year ... which grew into a "U" shape. Now, I believe it's going to be a "U" with the middle of the "U" filled in ... in other words, a rectange with one vertical leg longer than the other. Oh well. So much for 'best laid plans' ....

I took a few hours off, too, when my daughter and her boyfriend showed up for a visit this afternoon. Family always comes first ... even over Dunnville 2009! :) As soon as they left, though, I started putting my new plan into production.

First, I had to redo some of the base of the display ... or, I should say, FIND something to build an additional base on! Finally finding some empty boxes in the garage that would fit nicely, I was back to the task at hand. So, I did get some buildings up! The city is about done; I believe I have 3 buildings to place yet. And then on to the Bay Area and the airport. By tomorrow night, I should be awfully close to finished! Then, I can just sit back and enjoy it!

Besides the base addition, the following are now part of Dunnville 2009:

• To the left of the Town Hall (set up yesterday) is the Bank, Savings & Loan. If you look close, you'll see Mrs. Bressler and her dog have made their way to the bank.



• The Village Inn sits next to the bank. The sign outside says "NO VACANCY". Must be a lot of people from out of town visiting for the holidays already!



• To the right of the Police Station (also set up yesterday) is Fire Station #9. Look! Their must be a fire somewhere! The fireman are outside and appear to be headed somewhere, anyway!



• To the right of the Police Station is Tattered Covers Rare Books. No matter what book you're looking for, you'll either find it there on the shelves or they will find it and order you a copy. Have purchased some rare treasures there!



• Between the Police Station and the book store is the News Stand. They carry most popular magazines and the most-wanted daily newspapers besides the Dunnville News.



• Above the fire station is Green Heaven Bed & Breakfast. The Green sisters own the place ... both spinsters. When they no longer could afford the upkeep on their home, they started renting rooms. Seems to be working for them.



• Next to the B&B is the Cherry Blossom Chinese Restaurant. If you have a craving for Chinese food, don't pass up this hot spot!

(Video Length: 55 seconds)

Well, that's it for this Saturday. As I said, getting close to finished. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not. LOL It remains to be seen how the day develops!

Until then ....

Nov 27: (Day 10) NOW the City!

I got a late start today. And, no, I wasn't shopping on Black Friday! I haven't done that for about four years now; it's just easier to wait until midnight Thanksgiving night and order online! Get up at 4:00am? Stand in line when it's cold outside? Hell NO! The comfort of my living room is more my style! LOL

I slept in a bit ... as long as my dogs allow, which is about 8:00am. Made a pot of coffee. Drank 2 cups; still didn't have any energy. And my BACK hurt! Must be all the stretching and bending I'm doing building my village ... using muscles I haven't, obviously, used in a while! Then, my girlfriend called; she's having computer problems ... would I come look? Of course! This woman has done so much for me, it's the least I could do!

When I returned about 3:00pm, I started messing with the outside lights. We had our annual "Light Up" ceremony last night, but I wasn't happy with the way the lights looked. Actually, I'm still not happy with them so will fiddle with them some more tomorrow. Here's a short video of them:

(Video Length: 53 seconds)

At any rate, it was after dinner when I finally started to pull everything out again (I'd sort of 'put it away', i.e., hid it due to family being over for Thanksgiving). Then, I rebuilt a portion of the display base in order to get more usable space. Finally, time to build! Follow along:

• First to go up today was the Towne Hall with a Clock Tower and the American Flag. Of course, we have to have some musicians and carollers. 'Tis the Season'! And, there is Mrs. Bressler walking her dog. Looks like they are having quite a lovely afternoon stroll.



• Next down the street is the local Grocery Store. I see they have Christmas Trees for sale today! I may have to stop back by later and pick one up!



• The building beside the grocer's is Vicki's Blooms (a flower shop) and Greenhouse. She sure has some beautiful poinsettias in her shop! Oh Oh! A policeman is writing someone a ticket. Looks like they parked in a No Parking zone. And, look at that cute little dog! Must belong to the person getting the ticket based on what he about to do to the policeman!



• At the end of the street is the Old Sloan Tavern. Every town should have a place like this: comfortable for anyone and everyone (of legal age) to hang out, chat, and have a toddy; a place where everyone knows everyone else; a place to hang out by the round fireplace in the center and enjoy the company of good friends and interesting conversation.



• See the trash bandits in front of the Tavern! Bet they are going to make a mess!



• Below the tavern is the public golf course. See those crazy guys playing Hole #15 in the snow? And, that is one of the most difficult holes on the course: water trap, lots of trees, tall rough ... and now, SNOW! Those golfers must really love the game!



• At the of the golf course is the Dunnville Police Station. Don't envy those people their jobs ... even though I am unemployed! Takes a certain type of person to put their life on the line every day for people they don't even know. There is one of the 'Boys in Blue' ... right beside his car. Must be on the way to a call. Hope it's nothing too much.

(Video Length: 55 seconds)

Nov 26: Cooking and Cooking Some More

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nov 25: (Day 9) Build, Demolish, Rebuild

I started building the city/business portion of the village today. Had about nine buildings done ... stood back ... and decided I didn't like it. Tore it all apart and put the Dunnville Kids Christmas Park in it's place. Liked it a LOT better!

This Christmas park takes a lot of time as each piece takes a special adapter (as opposed to plugging in a cord with a light bulb). And this year, I decided to add a Petting Zoo so I had to make a sign for it:

The outside of the Christmas Park is made up of:

• Mr. and Mrs. Claus watching over the Dunnville sign.



• The WalMart, complete with a bell ringer.



• The Indoor Ice Rink. Watch for the Coca Cola bear hockey player!



• The Christmas Shoppe ... find ANY toy or perfect gift there! If they don't have it, they'll order it!



• Santa's Workshop ... looks like Santa is quite busy getting ready for the 'big night'!



• The Toy Shop ... Santa's elves work here when they aren't up at the North Pole.



• Wind-up Toys where the toys come to life. This is a favorite among Dunnville's toddlers.

Inside the Christmas Park you'll find:

• A ticket booth: Buy your tickets here for the Cha-Cha.



• The Cha-Cha: don't eat before getting on this ride!



• High Meadows skating pond. Listen to the music and watch the skaters ... or put on your own skates and take a couple of laps around the pond.



• The Village Arcade ... come in ... test your strength; play one of the many games ... try to win a prize!



• The playground, complete with a see-saw and a jungle gym.



• And this year's addition: the Petting Zoo.

(Video Length: 1:05)

Keeping this short since I have to get ready for tomorrow. And, tomorrow I won't be building. See you again on Friday!

Nov 24: (Day 8) Turbo Build!

As I enjoyed my first cup of coffee this morning, I realized that Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow! It isn't that I'm having a whole lot of company ... just the kids and their significant others ... and I'm not cooking a 25+ pound turkey like I usually do (a 12 pound one suffices this year) ... but no one can walk from my front door to anywhere in the house! You come in the front door and the walkway is blocked with boxes, buildings, and building materials! It was time to TURBO BUILD!

So, fasten your seat belt cuz here we go .....

• We left off yesterday with the Legaspi residence. The the left of it is the Terrace Tea Room. I've never stopped in, but I hear they serve a mean cup of Darjeeling Tea. I'm more of a coffee person myself.



• To the front and right of the Legaspi home is Webster Manor. They are long-time residents of Dunnville. In fact, their ancestors were some of the original property owners in the little village.



• To the left of Webster Manor are two properties that look almost identical: one belongs to Bob Jones; the other to Tom Jones. The Jones brothers met and married twin sisters! To this day, their houses look the same; they drive the same cars; the couples dress alike when they are out. Kind of strange behavior for adults, but to each his/her own!



• To the front of the Jones' properties are the Library and local Elementary School. I see the Martinez children are on the see-saw!



• To the left of the Library is St. James Cathedral. Every year the put on a live Nativity scene. It is truly something to behold.



• Above and behind the cathedral is the residence of Gordon and Bonnie Bressler and their two children, Mark and Kathy. Looks like Bonnie is trying to get Mark to wear mittens!



• To the left of the Bressler home is my home



• To the left of me is the Hanford House. The Hanfords recently moved in and I haven't had a chance to meet them, though. They sure have decorated their maple tree beautifully!



• To the right of the Hanford House and directly below me is the Martinez residence. It is their children that are playing on the see-saw.

That is the end of the residential area. (Video Length 1:25)

I'm going to continue building ... on the business area ... but wanted to get this posted before it got too late. G'Night!

Nov 23: (Day 7) Houses, Houses, Houses

Shortly after I set up the first house today, I could see that I had a design issue. The issue? I hadn't allowed enough room if I was going to put up the whole village. The village was to reside this year in what is usually my dining room. In fact, the dining room table is supposed to be part of the base. (Who needs a dining room table anyway? What's wrong with TV trays? LOL)

And, I wanted visitors to be able to see "up close and personal" all of the details ... and one wouldn't be able to do that if the village is 4' wide or more. So, I set a pair of sawhorses with some cabinet doors over them; that wasn't going to work. I tried a couple of large Rubbermaid storage tubs; nope. I finally turned the table 90 degrees, set it up against the short wall and as close to the door as I could get it. If I'm really careful to make the best use of the real estate, I should be fine ... 'fine' being the operative word here! In fact, as I was reviewing the pictures I took this evening to put into today's blog, I noticed an empty space behind one of the houses! So, I took that area all apart again, built a raised platform, and set another house behind it.

I also wired in some decorative pieces today:

Fiber-optic hedges

Fiber-optic trees

and the lighted deer and sleigh at the Schroeder's house plus some red and green lit bushes at the North Pole.

And things would go faster if I had room to move!

This is what is called an "Electrician's Nightmare"!

All in all, though, I'd say it was a fairly productive day!

• The Victorian Garden house is the one added as an after thought. It is the highest and to the left of the observatory. Victoria, the owner, a widow and sole occupant is a bit of a strange bird. Hardly ever see her. The gossip-mongers say her husband is buried in her garden and she won't go anywhere without him!



• Below Victoria's house is Grandma's house and it looks like she has gone "all out" decorating her yard this year. Wonder who she had do it; she didn't call me. Hmmm. Anyway, it appears she has adorned her front yard with every decoration she has ever purchased during her lifetime! Quite bright!



• Next to Victoria's house is the Schroeder house. They have quite the large family: 5 children ages 5-12. Dad sells cars; mom owns a beauty shop. Their children seem quite well behaved, too. Nice family. The Schroeders have decorated their front yard with lighted sculptures of Santa's sleigh and a reindeer.



• To the left of the Schroeders is Riverview Manor owned by Arnold and Mary Brudigam, and older couple, both retired. Very nice people; always so thoughtful. They have added LED lights to their hedges for the holidays.



• Below and to the front of Riverview Manor is Emily's Place ... another widow. Her husband used to work for the railroad and has been gone quite a few years now. She's a sweet old lady and is always helping anyone and everyone. In her front yard are the vintage blow-mold candles and Santas she has put out every year that I can remember. It's nice to see that some things don't change!



• Below and to the left of Riverview Manor is the Legaspi's home. They are a nice Philipino family ... hard, honest workers. I heard their daughter is attending community college and working! Now, that's perseverance! It doesn't appear they have added any decorations to their yard yet ... and I can't remember every seeing any there in years past.



• Oh! Almost forgot the squirrels I saw today ... looked like they were trying to get Mr. Snowman to play with them!

(Video Length: 46 seconds)

And, the saga continues tomorrow!

Nov 22: (Day 6) A Day of Rest ... Kind Of

It's Sunday ... a day of rest ... even for village builders. However, I felt like I had to do something. So I did.

I fiddled with 'snow'; rearranged a couple of pieces; figured out how to make trees look like they're sitting in a crevice on the sides of the village (instead of having white fleece for the side); and did a bit of building. Of course, all of that was after I checked those two adapters again. All was still good. Thank God!

So, get your jacket on ... it's cold outside ... 51 degrees ... then, go with me for a ride. I think we'll take the buggy today. Sound all right? OK, then ... let's get rolling!

• Below the Christmas Tree Farm we came upon the Ludgate Hill Mill. It's not running this time of the year because the creek that feeds into it has frozen over. In fact, there are some men outside of the mill, Ice Cutters, filling up their wagon with giant ice blocks. Wonder what the ice is used for? Maybe to keep a meat locker cold or something.



• Over the hill and down from the Antique Barn, stands the country Schoolhouse. Classes are out for the holidays, but there are still kids playing on the playground. Angel and Kathy are seeing how high they can get the swings to go. Tommy and Andrea are chasing each other around the Christmas tree. And Beverly and Travis are on the see-saw.



• Then we had to go quite a ways to find the last building ... the Majestic Peak Observatory. Looks like there is a viewing tonight. Too bad it's getting late and we can't stay; we'll have to go another night.

(Video Length: 34 seconds)

I believe I explained that my village is going to be in an "L" design this year ... at least, that's the plan ... with the vertical leg about 12' long and the horizontal leg about 9' long. The 12' wall holds the North Pole, the Ranch, and the Countryside so far. The observatory is the beginning of the 9' wall and that's where I'll begin tomorrow. The residential area is next and takes the longest due to all the extra wiring required for yard decorations, etc.

Usually, the larger houses go higher on the hill ... the higher on the hill, the wealthier the residents. And, no 'tent city' this year (last year's village had one down by the railroad tracks; some thought it 'tacky' but it was at the request of my son ... yes, the one who thinks a fire is imminent). I may even mix things up. Guess tomorrow will tell!

Good night!

Nov 21: (Day 5) Electrical Issues

Every year since the size of my village grew 'larger than normal', my son has said "Mom, you're going to start a fire with all of those lights and surge protectors." Well, his prediction may have come true this year if I didn't always take precautions to prove him wrong.

I get the proper county building permits and meet with each and every inspector to insure each building is 'up to code'. Even though I write my own permits (sure sure sure) and I do the inspections, I'm quite confident the village won't burn down to the ground.

Yesterday, I set up two pairs of round spot lights that run off of a 3v DC adapter that should handle up to 500mA. I also had plugged in a little tree that lights up as a yard decoration (sort of like the spiral trees you see in quite a few yards during the holidays); and by my figures, I was close to 500mA but not over it. Shortly after I turned the village lights on this morning, I noticed the spots were out. I felt the adapter and found it to be quite warm ... OK ... it was hot! So, I had to tear that area of the village apart (since all electrical is ran under the boxes I use for a display base) and start troubleshooting the problem.

First, I tried plugging in a single pair of spots and the tree; adapter still got hot. So. I tried the other pair of spots and the tree; same result. Next, I plugged in both pairs of spots minus the tree. No difference. One pair of spotlights only didn't alter the results. I finally decided to try a brand new adapter (purchased in 2005 at a sale but never used). I plugged in one set of spots ... WE'RE GOOD! Lesson learned: even though accessories, adapters, etc. look like new, they need to be thrown out and replaced every three years or so, depending on how much they are used.

I have a plastic tub (28" x 14" x 14") full of these little adapters, some still packaged, so it isn't like I'd have to go out and buy some. I catalogued 26 of the 3v 500mA 4-jack adapters, 12 of the 4.5v 930mA 3-jack adapters, and 6 of the 4.5v 1000mA single-jack adapters ... so I think I have the electrical covered! :)

I ended up using two adapters instead of the single one: I plugged one pair of spotlights plus the tree into one and one pair of spots and a "shimmering spruce" into the other. I learned long ago that just because the adapter has 4 jacks it doesn't mean you can plug 4 items into it! (Kind of like having checks left doesn't mean you have money in the bank!) I burnt up so many adapters in 2003 I probably kept the company in the black that year ... and back then, once the adapter went out you had no choice but to throw it away. Now, I keep track of how many milliamperes each little electrical piece draws and calculate carefully. This time, though, it was the adapter that was failing. No way to know that without doing daily inspections while building and before enclosing the village when finished.

So, there went my morning! But, better safe than let my son get the opportunity to say "I told you so!".

Since my roommate (my ex-husband ... don't ask!) offered to work on the outside lights, I continued to work on the village ... but with many breaks! LOL

As I've mentioned, I build the display on the plastic tubs and cardboard boxes that are used to pack the village away every year. However, since Dunnville has grown so much, that's not enough base material. So, I have to scrounge around to see what else I can use. In the past, I've used the dining room table, my desk and credenza, cupboard doors set over sawhorses ... you get the picture. Well, I hit that point this afternoon.

And, since I'm trying to build a compact village this year, I'm experiencing a bit of a learning curve that is slowing me down some. However, I'm pretty happy with the progress so far.

Why don't you take a ride with me and and let's see what was accomplished today:

• Looks like the sledding hill is done and the kids are trying their sleds out for the first time this season. Such fun the sledders are having ... falling off the sleds, racing down the hill ... laughing all the way. See that kid up there? The one with the red scarf on? He kind of looks like the Coca-Cola bear!


• Below the ski mountain and the camping area, we came upon the Christmas Tree farm. Everyone was quite busy by the time we arrived ... chopping down the trees, loading the large ones up in a wagon and the smaller ones in a wheelbarrow. Besides selling fresh-cut trees, the residents also sell firewood. They all were working so hard, I decided to erect a sign for them down the road a way to get them some more business:

• Continuing down the invisible road (I don't do 'roads'), we come upon a bustling farm. Looks like everyone was doing chores:
  
  • A couple of men were mending a fence;
  • Another was feeding the pigs;
  • A third was carrying hay ... Hey! Wasn't that the same guy we saw at the ranch taking hay to the horses? Well, with the economy the way it is, doesn't surprise me he is working two jobs!
  • Oh oh! Look there! To the right of the house. Back by the hickory tree! Janice and Adam are K-I-S-S-I-N-G under the mistletoe. Ooooo. He's going to be in SO much trouble! Not for making out with his girlfriend but because he wasn't feeding the chickens ... and now there is a fox in the henhouse! If something happens to those chickens, Adam's dad is gonna be pisssssssssssssssssed!!


• Let's see what is going on at the next place ... the Antique Barn is open! I've picked up some nice antique pieces of furniture there and the prices are quite fair. Looks like everyone is having fun here!
  
  • Mom is out cleaning the walk, but Baby Zeke and puppy Bella aren't helping any!
  • Ashly and Chris are playing on a round hay bale. The rabbits don't seem to care; maybe they are just thirsty.
  • Their dog, Tyson, is getting on the fun, too; he's tinkling on the tire by the fence!

• During our excursion, we happened to see some other interesting things:
• There was the couple in the antique buggy out for a ride and enjoying the day.
• A buck and doe out by the Christmas Tree farm. Seemed they were checking out all of the activity below them.
• And, high up on the mountain side was Mr. & Mrs. Moose. They seemed to be out basking in the sun and enjoying the day, also.

Well, that's the end of today's journey. Hope you enjoyed it! More coming tomorrow ... as long as there isn't a fire!

(Video clip: 56 sec)

Nov 20: (Day 4) At the Ski Mountain

I was going to work on the outside lights today ... and did ... for a short time. Then, I decided I really didn't know how I wanted to decorate this year. I had this new design in mind, but that all changed when I was laid off. Since I have plenty of Christmas lights, etc., it just doesn't make sense to buy what I would have to in order to carry out the new idea. Maybe next year. So, the plan now is to work on the outside lights tomorrow!

I was thinking earlier today ... it doesn't seem like traditions mean much to the present-day young adults. Growing up, my family had a lot of traditions: Fried chicken for Sunday dinner (now, what we call lunch); Grandma's house every Sunday night to watch Bonanza on color TV; Santa arrived on Christmas Eve while we were at church; chili and oyster stew served after opening Christmas presents; Christmas day shared between the two Grandmother's houses with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins; bean soup on New Year's Day; etc. I still follow through with some of the traditions: baking Christmas cookies and candy; Santa arrives on Christmas Eve (actually, I'm here all year long! LOL); and the night of Thanksgiving is the official "Light Up" ceremony where all that gathered here for dinner and the day's festivities, step outside while the main "switch" is thrown (think Clark Griswold), step back and say 'ahhhhhhhh' ... unless I blow the circuit breakers ... which I usually do at least once per year!

Therefore, I'm going to stay with tradition, and at least be able to light up the outside lights. I say 'at least' because, usually, my village is finished, too, by Thanksgiving. Not this year ... I suppose because I was spending too much time feeling sorry for myself instead of counting my blessings.

I did get some building done today ... didn't waste the WHOLE day! The parts that were added today:

• Santa is in his sleigh and pulled by a pony. He must be giving Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen a rest before the big night! I wonder if he actually believes that covered bridge is large enough to get through? Then, again, he is able to go down chimneys, so anything is possible I suppose!
  
  


• The Dutch Windmill possibly could be a sign that Dunnville is 'going green'. I'm sure those large blades could generate some power. I hope, though, that the deer outside the door is smart enough to keep his head down!
  
  


• Nym's Nook and the Silver Birch Lodge are favorites with the skiers during the winter season. No better place to rest and relax after being on the ski mountain all day than beside a nice, warm fireplace!!
  
  


• With all the skiers, snow boarders, and snowmobilers on the mountain today, I'm surprised that the Mountain Rescue Station wasn't very busy. I didn't see any of them, though. Did you?
  


• I overheard some campers/fisherman talking out by the fireplace earlier today. They were talking about their bad luck. First, they had to share their fishing spot with some otters. They could have made do with the little fish-eaters, they said ... but when a couple of polar bears made an appearance, they knew it was time to pack up and leave! Polar bears around these parts? Nahhh. They had to have had too much to drink or been hallucinating!

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but make sure your sound is turned up before watching the video in order to hear snippets of popular Christmas songs! (Video Length: 46 seconds)

Well, that's about enough for today. Time for this old woman to get some rest. And, we'll see how it goes tomorrow, won't we?

Nov 19: (Day 3) Clumsy!

It's a damn good thing I don't have to get up on an 8' ladder or anything to work on this village. I'd kill myself by falling even further if I had to use something higher than what I am. I got so engrossed in what I was doing, I stepped off the top step of a 2-step step ladder thinking I was on the bottom step. And, I did it ... not once ... but twice within five minutes! Of course, even I have to outdue myself and the second time was a prime example. Everything I was working on went flying as I tried to grab at "nothing" to stop my fall. Good thing I have a lot of built-in padding! LOL

Slowed myself after the step-stool incident and haven't quite gotten into the 'swing' of things ... but I will. Don't get me wrong ... I did make some headway today. It's almost like I have to re-learn what I'm doing every year. I'd read the directions, but there aren't any! :)

Today, the following went up:

• Horseshoe Ranch:
  An alpine style home sits on the ranch ... fits rights into the mountain scenery. There is also a barn and a stable. A little girl walks by the stable but stops to give the horse a friendly pat. Maybe the horse is her's? A pair of cowboys on horses meet you at the ranch entranceway. Three cowboys are walking across the ranch toward the fence to see who is coming to visit. Someone is carrying a hay bale to the stable. Guess it's feeding time! Another ranch hand is saddling a horse. A second saddle straddles the fence. The ranch is surrounded by towering pines, crystalized by the cold, wet winter.
  
  At one end of the ranch, a deer nibbles on a Snowman's nose. Lunch time! At the other end of the ranch, a boy stops to read the sign, "Let it Snow". (Video Length: 40 seconds)

• Stoneybridge Church
  A stone church with high steeples and decorated for the holidays sits quietly in the country. It appears there must have been a wedding there today! Do we know the lucky couple? Doesn't look like anyone I know. I beautiful nativity scene sits at one side of the church; at the opposite side, two children dare each other to start ringing the bell. Oh! To be that age again!
  
  Look! A lady driving a buggy is coming out of the woods. That looks like fun? May I hitch a ride?
• Crystal Creek Winery
  Next to the church is the winery. At least, the minister doesn't have far to go far to restock the communion wine! There is a Tasting Room. Darn! It doesn't appear to be open today. A beautiful brick and wooden fence and gate guard the entrance way to the winery.
  
  A stone bridge traverses Crystal Creek. A man is getting water from a well at the far end of the bridge and someone has built a snowman at this end. It appears he was put there to greet and welcome all those that cross the bridge! (Video Length: 44 seconds)

And do you see that giant snowball those kids are making over there? Wonder what they plan to do with it?

• Wow! Did you see that Eagle fly over? Look! Look up there high on the mountain side ... see the Eagle's Next? That's just too cool!
• As you pass the bridge, you come upon an old Skating Pond. There are even two people skating! I bet they aren't as clumsy as I've been today!
• Hey! You need to use the bathroom? There is an old-time outhouse over there!
• Above the skating pond, a Deer Family ... dad, mom, and baby take in the sights all around them. However, I bet they don't see ...
• The black papa bear and his cub higher up on the mountain side!
  
  (Video Length: 28 seconds)

I wired one special piece today ... a 9" glazed hickory. Did you see it? It was the blue-glowing tree behind the kids ringing the bell! I think I've only used five surge protectors ... which is good. LOL
In my 'thoughts and history' post, I neglected to mention a couple of things that came to mind today (it must have been the two falls that shook something loose in my brain).
First, once the village is complete, I am able to turn it on and off by flipping two switches. That's it. Just two! Each of the buildings has individual switches, but can you imagine having to turn them on and off individually? By the time you got them all on, you'd have to start turning them off! Furthermore, once complete, you will not be able to find one exposed wire or cord. Nada. None. Naught. Nil. Nix. Zilch. Zip. Zot.
Secondly, my village pieces are a mish-mash of different Christmas Villages:

• I have nine Department 56 pieces. Some feel this is the creme de la creme of all Christmas villages. I like some of their pieces; but in the long run, they are often over-priced.
• When I started collecting, Joann Fabrics sold Santa's Workbench village pieces and I own 67 buildings and accessories.
• I've purchased or been gifted with 51 Holiday Time pieces, most often sold at WalMart.
• Lemax is, probably, the most recognized name in miniature villagecs. They put out a nice product at a moderate price. I own 124 of their pieces.
• Plus I have a small collection of pieces by companies that no one has ever heard of. Have no idea where I came across those!
• And I look for things that will work in a village but aren't normally for a village.

Like I said ... a very eclectic collection!

I don't know if I'll get much building done tomorrow. My daughter, Ashly, and her boyfriend visit on Fridays. My plan is to get up the outside lights. Of course, that involves a ladder ... a very high ladder. With my luck, I'll be at the top of this 14' ladder and forget where I'm at. On the other hand, I hate heights, so that may work to my advantage!

I'll let you all know how it goes ... or not ... depending on injuries!

Oh! And I'll give you one guess as to where I found one of my dogs tonight as I was organizing for tomorrow. Yep! Asleep on the fleece in the chair!

Nov 18: (Day 2) Begin Construction

I sat for the longest time trying to envision how this village is going to go up ... and I was unsuccessful. LOL But, I can start laying in the mountains and backdrop.

The 'mountains' are chicken wire which is attached to the wall and molded into something that will pass as a mountain range. Normally, I use quite a bit of wire. Today, I only used a small piece about 3' wide! Hmmmm.

I use the crates and boxes that the village is normally stored in to make the base and different levels. I know from past experience that it may help to start laying in the base ... and maybe ...just maybe ... some great vision will appear and I'll be on my way. Sure, Judy ... keep up the positive thinking!



HALLELUJAH! The first building is up and lit. Doesn't look too bad. This actually may work. Only 100+ buildings to go!

The first building was, appropriately, Santa's house! Can you SEE it way up there in the corner?

Well ... it's a start. And I know the rest of Santa's buildings ... the Post Office and Santa's Air ... plus the elves will sit in the same vicinity. "A plan has been born" although it may be short-sighted and incomplete!

Time to get moving !!

WHEW!! I'm tired ... going up and down a ladder and finding where I set my 'tools' (scissors, straight pins, tealight candles for leveling, staple gun, etc.) is a tiring process. BUT ... ta da ... I think I have a plan!

The North Pole is complete! (Video Length: 34 seconds)

Now that I have a plan, I'm going to bed! G'night!

Nov 17: (Day 1) Sort and Design

After all of the 30-some boxes and crates are moved in from the garage, they all need to be unpacked. The boxes as well as the figures are sorted by which part of the village they belong: Business area, residential area, etc. It becomes very difficult to navigate between rooms!

Above and below: my living room and the future home of Dunnville 2009

BELOW: The hallway leading to the bedrooms ... and BATHROOMS!

ABOVE AND BELOW: My family room

I have no idea how I'm going to get all of this into a single corner, even IF the wall length is a total of about 20 feet! Tonight, I'll stare at the walls attempting to get a 'visual'; tomorrow, I build!

Nov 16: Judy's Village History ... and Thoughts

It's time again to build the Christmas Village ... although every year I swear up and down I'm never going to do it again! This year, however, I haven't purchased ONE new building, figure, or accessory ... not yet, anyway! But, I've decided to do something different: share the process with my family and friends.

I have a lot of time this year due to the fact I'm unemployed at the moment. Rather than sit and stress about that situation, I decided to pull the 30+ boxes and crates out of the garage and begin the design and build process once again. "Better to stay busy" ... or so I've heard! LOL Wonder WHO said that!

In the past, I've had the luxury of using a whole room or long wall to construct my village on. This year, I don't which threw a monkey wrench into the design process. Last year, 25' wall; this year, L-shaped corner area. I'm bound and determined to put up each and every piece!

My village has grown considerably since the first one in 2000 of about nine buildings and a handfull of figures (people).

By 2003, it had about tripled in size and I made a "starry sky backdrop. This village was built on the living room floor ... where the dogs could get to it, of course! We nicknamed Itzy (my female Boston Terrier) "Godzilla Itzy"; the only place she wanted to be was in the middle of my "sea" (blue fleece seen toward bottom right). I was always amazed though, how she could lie down and not move a thing out of place!

By Christmas 2005, the village had, again, doubled in size. Now, it took up my whole dining room. "Sorry guests ... " I said. "We'll have to eat off of TV trays as the dining room table isn't available until sometime next year." I had finally smartened up and built the village off the floor!

I added some special effects that year, also ... like Santa in his sleigh with his reindeer flying through the sky (hung from the ceiling with fishing line). The effect was really cool at night when all the overhead lights were off thanks to the use of some very tiny spotlights aimed at "the man"!

In 2005, I added a train. That slowed up the building process that year! And, quite the learning curve. You have to understand that the oval track was big enough one couldn't reach the far side of it. So, when my son decided to see how fast it could go and it derailed as far away as it could ... "Mom ... we have a problem". Fortunately, we could use a broomstick to unlock the dining room window (we sure as heck couldn't reach it) and from the outside of the house, retrieve the poor wrecked train. Needless to say, if Adam gets a hair to race a train against anything, he must buy his own and leave mine alone!

In 2006, I was living in Windcrest, Texas (outskirts of San Antonio), a town which is well-known throughout that part of the country for their elaborate lighting displays. If you don't decorate your house, you have no business living in Windcrest! My neighbors tried to talk me into charging admission to people who want to stop and see my creation. But, with my son and his girlfriend and my sister and brother-in-law expected for the holiday, the last thing I needed was a bunch of strangers parading through my living room. By December 28th, all my company was gone and I decided I needed to be, too. Within eight days, the village was packed away as was the rest of my worldly goods ... all headed back to Vegas via UHaul and me.

The 2007 village took up the whole otherwise empty living room of the house I'd recently moved into. I figured I had the room so why not "let it spread". And, the setup allowed visitors to walk around and see all the cool scenes ... like the bell ringer in front of the WalMart store! Or the new ranch which somewhat depicted my friend's place, Rancho Vegas Performance Horses (thanks for the idea, Barb!). Detail, detail, detail!

In order to put further stress on myself (and my family as I evolved into something close to a lunatic the closer it got to Thanksgiving), I decided to really decorate the outside of my house. I've put up lights for years, but nothing in comparison to 2007! Of course, my kids thought I had watched the movie, "Deck the Halls" one too many times: add more lights until they can be seen from outer space! I thought the display turned out nicely.

(Video Length: 15 seconds)

The 2008 village took up a wall approximately 25' long, still in my living room. The video is about 13 minutes long, but well worth it if you are all about Christmas, as I am.

This village, as with all villages since 2003, the setup had to make sense. Therefore, there is a residential area; a commercial/business district; a bay area; the ranch, farming and countryside area; the ski mountain; an airport; a golf course; an amusement park; a couple of ice skating rinks with skaters that actually move; and, of course, the North Pole.

As of 2008, the village is comprised of 307 figures (people) , animals and accessories (such as gates, fences, etc.); 107 buildings, all lit and all wired in; hundreds of assorted trees; 41 lighted decorative pieces, each of which have to be separately wired; 17 power adapters to power the decorative pieces; an airplane; about 100 yards of white fleece; 12 strings of white lights for 'under lighting'; and, at last count, 83 surge protectors! No, I'm not sure what the investment is; and I'm not sure I want to know! :)

I usually try to have the village up by Thanksgiving as well as the outside decorations for the traditional "Flip the Switch" light-up Thanksgiving evening. I don't believe I'll hit that goal ... it remains to be seen, though. Anything is possible!

So, why not join into the fun and see how long it takes to build Dunnville 2009? Hope you enjoy the visit! Come back soon!

... Oh! And the dogs still want to lie on the fleece!