Christmas Village

We went to Kosiar's Christmas Village last night with my husband's mother. He had been when he was a child. It was a first for me. If you go to their website and watch the flash intro, it's exactly what it's like when you approach. Over a big hill and then, voila, an amazing light display. 

 I like how the barn looks like a PA Dutch quilt.

(click on photo below for a larger image, I stitched two together so you could get the full effect)

As you walk around you see a lot of little houses with themed displays inside. 

Some are a little creepy for me but the kids like it. 

As you walk along the path, you see all sorts of hand painted wooden lighted cutouts.

Here's a Rudolph I set for a long exposure and them zoomed out. He's a light explosion!

The spinning propeller looks neat with a long exposure.

Zoe had a blast!

Andy Capp getting yelled at by his smoking wife... quite interesting.

We set up our tree this weekend too. 

One of my favorite ornaments...

I love my feather tree with vintage ornaments...

Foggy December morning...

More Longwood

A few more photos from our Monday trip to Longwood Gardens. 

It was in the 60's outside and we were able to walk around without our coats. 

I loved how the winterberry bushes looked with the little spring house. I must get some of those!

My husband gave me my Christmas gift early, a Canon macro lens. It captured this oak leafed hydrangea beautifully. I must get one of those shrubs too, the foliage is amazing this time of year when everything else is just brown.

We went around the lake and said hello to the geese. 

Next we headed out to the meadow, one of my favorite spots that is often overlooked.

I think this next photo looks like Andrew Wyeth would have painted it, it was practically in his backyard.

I think this is my favorite shot of the day...

Trees lit near the Peirce DuPont house. Not dark yet but still pretty. 

Inside the house the trees looked so beautiful. 

You can ALWAYS find Belin in the house. Not a bad life being a cat at Longwood Gardens!

After dinner we went into the main conservatory. Even though it was members only day, it was still crowded and I had a hard time getting the perfect shot.

See my last post, Gingerbread Fantasy, for more inside the main conservatory. 

The macro lens made the backround light bokeh look quite magical

By the time we were finished, it was dark outside so we could enjoy the amazing display.

Very hard to capture how beautiful it is in photos. You just have to see for yourself!

We could see the crescent moon everywhere we went.

This video was from last year but it gives you an idea of how beautiful the lights are. 

Gingerbread Fantasy

The theme this year at Longwood Gardens for Christmas is Gingerbread.

I believe they have been making it for months to prepare. In every room and on every tree you'll find a little gingerbread man, leaf or flower. 

The main display was the Pierce DuPont House and conservatory recreated in gingerbread. It was really amazing to see. There were also larger than life gingerbread trees and a huge rotating Christmas tree covered in gingerbread garlands and whimsical, candy colored ornaments. You can see they filled the shelves with enormous jars of candy to complete the fantasy. 

In the kitchen of the Pierce DuPont House. 

I love the metal tree frame with the cookies hanging from it. 

This large vine wreath was hanging from the skylight with cookies dangling down.

A little gingerbread leaf is tucked in a tree. 

Watch a video on the gingerbread display...