Sunday, December 13, 2009

Each year our whole neighborhood waits for the day after Thanksgiving.

For as many years as I can remember while living at our present house, the official beginning of the Christmas Season has always been marked by this house. The house is at the entrance to the area where we live. It was the original homestead/farm that our small community now occupies. When this house was built, all the land surrounding it was forests and rolling hills.

Thanks to the dedication of the the entire family that lives here...each Thanksgiving weekend...once gathered for Thanksgiving...they all pitch in and help decorate and each year we all are amazed at the beauty of this house...as if it was the first time we had seen it.

So many times Christmas decorating can be "over the top". Not this home...it is done "just right".

Thank you to the hard work and dedication over the years...we all appreciate it!

Dan

Update: Well I guess you had better be nice and not naughty...I will be watching! I delivered a picture of the house to the folks that live there yesterday and they were kind enough to show me old pictures of the house back into the 1800s. As we talked they spoke of their grandchildren and how they enjoy the lights at Christmas. They told me that "Santa" always arrives on Christmas morning for the grandchildren at first just peeking into the windows and then comes in to give out the presents to the kids. "Santa" who had visited for years passed away last year. As we spoke, the lady looked at me out of the corner of her eye and said, "You wouldn't want to be Santa....would you?" I said, "Do you have a suit?" "Yes" she said and without hesitation...I said "Well you've got yourself a Santa!"

As we talked more they told me they had a "special Santa suit". When me and my wife (about 50 to 55 years ago) were at that Santa age...we would always make our way with our parents to the Downtown Sears and Roebuck store at Christmas...to see and talk to the "Real Santa"...this was pretty much an Evansville tradition back then...the real Santa was always at the old Sears store. The Santa suit they have is that original Santa suit! Little did I know back when I was 5 or 6 and sitting on Santa's lap that someday I would be wearing that same suit to carry on the tradition! I am honored with the chance to make my debut as the man in red early on Christmas morning!!!

I am sure there will be some pictures and I will post them after Christmas. Stay tuned!

19 comments:

Suburban Girl said...

Oh how wonderful, everything about this post is just wonderful! I love the house, as you said, just right. I love that you got to meet the owners and see old photos. And best of all I LOVE that you get to be Santa and add the thrill of Christmas to little believing hearts.

Valerie said...

It's a beautiful house. The Santa scenario sounds good, looking in the window first gives it realism. Hope you enjoy your new role.

'My Christmas Reading'
http://tinyurl.com/ydzcty8

Sunny said...

What a beautifully decorated house. Festive with a lot of class! How exciting about being Santa, I think that is really cool. You were justly rewarded for your kind deed.
Sunny :)

Sunny said...

I forgot to mention...I hope you post a picture of yourself, ho, ho ho!
Sunny :)

Dan Felstead said...

Rebecca...This will be a first for me! Not sure what I am supposed to do but I am talking to them next Saturday about what the game plan will be. I am looking forward to it!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Valerie...thanks....I lked the part about peeking in the windows also...should be believable!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...yes I will take some pictures and if they aren't too embarrassing...I will post one.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Valerie...I read your piece that you wrote and it is beautiful...what an honor!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...I will post some pictures after "Santa" visits with the grandkids!

Dan

DawnTreader said...

OK I suppose I have to start believing in Santa now that I find I actually know him!

I bet you could offer the manuscript to Hollywood for another holiday movie... LOL

Impressive house and photo! :)>

Anonymous said...

The photo just sucks me right into it. I get the warm feelings of the Christmas days.

The dark grey trees and colorful house sphere is awesome.

septembermom said...

How cool that you'll get to be Santa! That should be fun :) Practice those Ho, Ho, Ho's.

Lovely picture. That house is decorated beautifully.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...we talked about "Naughty and Nice" last week...it looks like you will have to revisit that nagging feeling again...now that I am officially Santa!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

M...thanks...the HDR process allowed for the the capture of the bright lit house but also the tree branches in the night sky.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Septembermom...I will be practicing!

Dan

Jean said...

What a wonderful thing you are doing, Dan!
I hope you post more than one photo... uh, wait. Who's going to take the pics of Santa, Santa?

Cynthia L. H. said...

Oh, I can hardly wait for those photos!!!!!
;^)
The house is beautifully decorated. How wonderful.
;^)

Dan Felstead said...

Jean...I will have someone take some shots. Hey...Santa can do anything he wants! If I can get to every child in the world on Christmas morning...I can surely take some pictures of myself!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...it should be a treat. I am looking forward to it!

Dan