Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to come by my home. I am thrilled to be a part of the 2008 CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES! and Kimba's Holiday Open House Party. Be sure to visit the other homes as well.
So, come on in and I'll show you around. No need to wipe your feet. That fluffy white stuff is no where to be found here in Phoenix. But snow or no snow, I am always in the mood to decorate every nook 'n cranny in my home for Christmas. I'm originally from Wisconsin, so my Scandinavian roots are everywhere. Let me show you just a few of my many collections.

Many years ago my sister-in-law Carol started giving me a lighted church every year for Christmas. My husband's a pastor now, but at the time he had his own ministry traveling around the country doing concerts and each church reminded us of the various denominations that he sang to. I think we have every denomination represented in our village. One church looks just like the little Baptist church Randy grew up attending. And one resembles the little Lutheran church I attended. So, we're thinking we may have the only Church Village known to man!


Before my daughter Miranda can set up the village each year, my husband has to set up his beloved N-gauge train that he purchased almost 40 years ago. Then we build the church village around the train tracks. And yes, our little granddaughter Emolyn saw the train going around the village for the first time on Saturday and she got so excited! (See below)


Ok, so I suppose you noticed the coffee shop. Hey, every church village needs a coffee shop! How else do they stay awake during those long sermons!
Oh and umm, you should also know that there is a haunted mansion on a hill, overlooking the church village. (enlarge top pic) I know, kinda creepy. But hey, my husband and kids insisted. So, for me, it represents how the Enemy is lurking around every corner... or hill... ready to devour us. So be alert! (1 Peter 5:8)


I started collecting homemade mittens many years ago because my Mom had knitted each of my kids mittens and I wanted to preserve them in some way. So I decided to hang them over our picture window at Christmas. They each tell a story... like how I knitted a pair while snowed in my senior year of high school... the many pairs my Mom knitted for our family... or the homemade mittens I found at thrift stores. I keep the mitten garland up through January cuz it reminds me of winters in Wisconsin.


Thanks again for stopping by. I will be posting more of my collections in the days leading up to Christmas. Seriously, you have to come back to see my Lego Santa collection! It's always a crowd pleaser!

Uffda! Now where are my manners! Here ya go, help yourself to some Swedish meatballs wrapped in Norwegian Lefse. My very favorite Christmas tradition. This is what my Mom made us on Christmas Eve growing up on the farm in Wisconsin. Of course we also had Lutefisk... but we won't talk about that.
And for dessert, sprinkle cinnamon & sugar on buttered Lefse. Mmm, yummy goodness, don'tcha know.

Oh my gosh, more Home Tours! Check out Hooked on Homes and Deck the Halls! I can't take all this holiday inspiration!