For more than 20 years, Diane has set up a Christmas village, and each year the village grows and grows.

 "It's been a joy. It's come a long way," Diane said. "It's brought me a lot of joy over the years. The thrill to bring home one more piece whether it's a $2.00 person, or a $20 building."

Each year, Diane usually adds two or three buildings to her village. She usually receives them as Christmas presents, although at this time of year, she confesses,  "I never come home without buying something."

 The village's layout is different every year. This year's village - which measures 8' by 4' - has a shopping district with seven quaint stores encircling a large, decorated fiber-optic tree which plays Christmas carols. Paths from the shopping district lead to a beautiful red brick church where carolers sing, and to a fire house. Beyond a forest is a farm and a residential section with four houses and a large log cabin. And at the edge of the village is the river front with docks, a mill, and a lighted ship. For Diane, this represents the St. Lawrence, which she and her family love. "I try to keep the village home related," explained Diane. "Whatever we're interested in is under the tree.

 "My children (Jamie Lynn and Nate) are both members of the Forest Lake Volunteer Fire Company. So, this year, they wanted to get a Fire House to add to the village." After looking in several stores, they finally found one that they liked and bought it.

 Diane and her husband, Craig, tap the maple trees on their property, so, of course, there's a Maple Sugar House in her village, and a man carrying the syrup in metal buckets. Diane found the Maple House about five years ago. "I was really excited when I found that!" she said. "Call me a kid if you like, it's OK"

 Diane sets up her village around Thanksgiving - it takes her about three days - and she leaves it up until Easter. With so much time and money invested in her village, it's a shame to leave it up for only a few weeks. 

 Her Christmas tree will eventually sit in the center of the village. The tree stand is already there. Diane covered it with casting material and white caulking - now it's a hill  enjoyed by sledding kids and skiers!

 The village sits on her son's old train platform, which she covers with white cotton batting and the occasional flurry of store-bought powder snow. One of her tricks is to use sandpaper as an inexpensive way to create the illusion of dirt roads and pastures.

 All of the buildings have light bulbs inside them and  Diane lights every one, which gives the village a warm and wonderful glow. When things get rough or stressful, Diane lights up her village, turns on some music, and sits down to relax and enjoy her enchanting Christmas village.