About 13 years ago I made the decision to start collecting Department 56 Original Snow Villages. I began this collection because for Christmas every year, my granddaddy always gave me money. Instead of buying clothes or something else that may not last, I decided to use my Christmas money on something that would last. So, the year Tim and I married I began my collection. My first house was "Nicks Tree Farm". I went to the store and was told by the sales lady how to look for and inspect each and every house I collected. Little did I know how much went into seriously collecting these beautiful villages! There are the trees, the people, the animals, the cars, the streets and all sorts of things to add to make your village "come alive".
Now, each year I would save the money granddaddy gave me and buy a new house for the following Christmas. I would research each new house added every year and see if there were any houses that would be retired. On occasion, I would buy a couple of houses (you have to buy before they are retired).
Each house in my village has a special meaning, but my most prized house is Graceland. This house was a special order, limited addition to the Department 56 collection and I just HAD to have this house.
Thankfully I got my Graceland and it is proudly displayed every year in a place of honor! (No one but me is allowed to touch Graceland). Elvis rules!!
Every year granddaddy would laugh as I called him up to tell him which house I bought and why. He seemed to really enjoy my enthusiasm for my houses and would inspect my growing village each year.
In 2003 granddaddy passed away, leaving a very deep, sad and irreplaceable hole in the heart of our family. This was also the last year I collected a Department 56 house, with the exception of the United States Marine Corp. Recruiting Station that was introduced a couple of years ago. This one I got in memory of granddaddy.
So while my village isn't extraordinarily huge, it's complete. Every time I look at one of my houses, I think of granddaddy. I can still hear his laughter as he looks upon them... (Laughing and shaking his head). Of course Christmas has never been, and will never be the same with out him. However, I have my beautiful houses to keep his memory alive and each and every year we celebrate the lifetime of memories we had with him. Merry Christmas Granddaddy!! We love you and miss you!! Tell Shelby hello for me…
My Granddaddy and Shelby....
I miss you both.
Granny and Tim.
Then it was time to open gifts...
o I though I would just post a few pictures of Christmas past and some of my tortured cats in reindeer antlers. I hope everyone who reads this blog this week will remember to be nice and kind and think about what this Christmas season means to them. Merry 
NIGHTY NIGHT ALL!!!!!
