STAYCATING AND ITS REWARD

Mike and Bess are hunting in southern Idaho / Oregon, which means I’m staycating with Nellie. Caring for Nellie has its frustrations now, and a reward for me is long overdue.

Thanksgiving at Grandmother's

I collect a few Department 56 “Original Snow Village” houses, and in recent years, I’ve focused on the “grandmother” theme. The first I bought was “Thanksgiving at Grandmother’s House.” It’s not that I’m “Grandma.” No, I immediately loved the Thanksgiving house because it reminded me of my mother and her mother.

The minute Halloween is over, I set out my Thanksgiving house, and often I throw a little fake snow around it and let it stay out for Christmas. Then, several years later, I added “Christmas at Grandma’s,” and last year, I discovered a long-retired piece, “Grandma’s Cottage,” which I purchased as a used item. (That was a good buy.)

Christmas at Grandma's

The OTHER Grandma's House

While Mike traveled in June, Dept. 56 offered a special on “Home for the Holidays,” and since that fit my theme, I bought it as my staycation gift. But the one I really had my eye on was “The Other Grandma’s House.” That the other Grandma would have a house just sparked my imagination all over again, and I intended it to be my staycation reward. However, something in the description of the house made me think twice. Long story short, I discovered that “The Other Grandma’s House” is simply a reworking of the original “Christmas at Grandma’s." It's the same house!! That was a disappointment, and I was disappointed in myself for not seeing it sooner.  Clearly, the “other Grandma” does not mean to Dept. 56 what it means to me. I’m not saying I’ll never buy it, but I’m not buying it now.

Meanwhile, a couple of doll clothes designer / bloggers are currently offering “grab bags” from their stash of wonderful fabrics, a timely offering since I’m looking for a good gift. I ordered two of them. Since I'm not buying a house, I feel like I can afford it! KW