The Christmas Village: The Best Christmas Present Ever!

The Christmas Village: The Best Christmas Present Ever!: I received this wonderful note in my email the other day! Dear Miss Goodwin, My name is Peter and I am in the 3rd grade. My mother just ...

(Came across this while searching for village-related things) Wish this book was out when I was a kid.

Inspiration for Villagescapes by Village Fantasies

The inspiration for our Villagescapes that this kind of scenery provides is spectacular. Our snowed in street in Arrowbear Lake

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Heartland Valley Water Mill is Back

Villagescape showing Heartland Valley Village Water Mill

It's back. We're so happy to see that Ace Hardware has contracted once again to carry the Heartland Valley Village Water Mill during the holiday season.  This was hard to find anywhere previously.  We have since painted the wheel of our only working model in a dark brown for a more realistic appearance.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another miniature mill anywhere that has a working wheel that uses real water.

Some New Villagescape Inspiration for Village Fantasies

A day after we moved to Arrowbear Lake we received an early season light snowfall. Our first gift of inspiration to come.

A neighborhood view from home

Downtown Arrowbear Lake

A Big Move for Village Fantasies

We'll be making a big move to a new setting at month's end to the scenic and very inspirational San Bernardino Mountains here in California.  We're moving to the small hamlet of a town called Arrowbear Lake nearby the more well known Running Springs.  Arrowbear Lake is as the name signifies, half way between Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead.  We're looking forward to the majestically forested canyons and peaks providing multitudes of inspiration for many a Villagescape to come. Pray for us though and our sanity as we make this trip up the hill.

Apple Season in Historic Oak Glen

The fall season hasn't officially arrived here in Southern California, nor the cooler temperatures that typically accompany it, but that's no reason for the arrival of the apple season to be held up in historic Oak Glen, nearby in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Things are in full swing with all of the local orchards and vendors offering a multitude of local apple varieties for sale, in addition to entertainment, great food, and fun away from the hectic pace of city life below.  If you haven't checked out what Oak Glen has to offer, it is well worth the trip.  

A Return to Elgin Park

I thought this was worth a repost.  Take a minute to check out Michael's talents at bringing a miniature world to life.  I can appreciate his skills. Our mutual fascination for detailing the villagescapes of yesteryear tells me we're cut from the same cloth.  Everything in his photos are miniature except for backdrop trees and skies.  Amazing work. Check it out.  http://elginpark.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Elgin-Park/11485172_4X4fK8#809002693_VNe7n

A Return to 1906 San Francisco

This is quite a magnificent tour down Market Street in San Francisco just days before the horrific earthquake in 1906 that destroyed much of the city.  From watching the way the cars and people darted in front of the cable car, this is way before drivers training and pedestrian crosswalks were created. Enjoy.

Why Christmas Villages

Someone asked me once, "Why are you so interested in designing and displaying Christmas Villages for others to see?" My answer to the question wasn't preplanned, scripted, or sugar-coated.  It was one of passion and of shear love for the history of our country and its beginnings.  There is a reason why I choose to depict scenes from out country's earliest days in my village displays.  I was the kid in school who loved reading about American history.  I wished we had spent more time though on the pioneering and Colonial periods.  That could be the essence of what pushes me to a sense of realism in my village displays, and depicting true to period decor and dress.

Pride in Our Glorious Flag and What it Represents

 A grand shout out to our beloved country.  Tis a wonder why too many of our fellow countrymen fail to take pride in flying the colors that represent the country that provides them their freedoms.  Were it not for what happened back on July 4th in 1776, there may have never been a United States as we know it today.   Too many are more than ready to gather for BBQs or other traditional gatherings without giving due honor to the sacrifices made by those that came before us.  Let us give thanks and a prideful salute to those who laid the groundwork and helped forge the development of our country.

In this American's eyes, it's sinful to be seen flying the colors of a country you left behind to come and take advantage of what our country provides, and not fly colors of your adopted land.  That's like a royal slap in the face and disrespectful to the country that opened the door for you to come in.  

Colony Bay

Check out the link to this great new site from the founders of Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, California.  If you're nostalgic and love historical theatre based on our country's glorious beginnings, you'll love this.

http://www.colonybay.net/

A Bit of History on Villages

Thought this was a pretty good article for those who just want a brief capsule of information on the history of villageing.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_village