Thursday Doors – Christmas Tradition

I wrote last year about how quickly things become a tradition in our family. What I didn’t mention is how those traditions grow in both scope and importance. Three years ago, Faith took me to Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) for their “Christmas by Candlelight” exhibit. It’s great fun and walking around in the cold and the dark helps to better understand the way the people who first settled in New England, lived, worked and worshipped. One thing about this event is that OSV isn’t the easiest place to find. Getting there from our house involves a U-Turn at the end, and Greata (my GPS) never gets the location right.

Last year, we zeroed in on a Thai restaurant as a landmark. “The Thai Place” is pretty easy to remember, so a dinner of Thai food has been inserted into the Christmas by Candlelight tradition. Greta has a ‘saved-places’ entry for The Thai Place and Faith and I have already have our favorite menu items committed to memory. Another newly established aspect of this composite tradition is the Gingerbread House contest at Old Sturbrige Village. The houses are pretty, creative and a great source for doors, since the doors are new every year.

Of course, we need new doors to participate in Norm Frampton’s wonderfully creative and equally pretty Thursday Doors weekly blogfest. Norm gathers the list of doors from around the world, each week on Thursday. He checks that list, and finding none that are naughty, he hands it off to his blue frog elf who organizes it for public display. Norm is going to be tucked away in his workshop for the next two weeks, giving elves and door aficionados a long winter nap, but there are plenty of doors to view today.

This looks very much like the Meeting House at Old Sturbridge Village.

Log cabin and a couple of snowmen.

I think I like the icicles the best.

I like an open door

In typical New England fashion, the walk leads to the side door. Front doors are formal. Side doors are for friends.

I spend a lot of money on shingles. I didn’t think of having my wife bake them.

This little place looks cold.

The animals look happy

The splotches are where I blocked out the entrants names. Some are children.

No doubt a Congregational Church. Every town has one.

My favorite. A door and a train!

Hey Santa!

That’s a tight fit, but I think he’s got it.

Nice little winter scene

I think that might be an outhouse in the back.

Looks like the family is out decorating the trees and building a snowman.

Ghosts? I think this one is all set for Halloween.

Quiet little town.

Nothing says “welcome to our house” like a gumdrop walkway.

If you are joining what might become a holiday tradition, by taking a break from blogging, let me wish you a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate) a Happy New Year and a joyful season regardless of what or how you celebrate. I will be posting through the holidays, although I might keep some posts short and sweet.