Christmas Village

This little "salt water" pond represents any open water as it includes both swans and seals!  I incorporated some rocks from my rock collection to help create the cliff area.

Christmas Village has a new train for 2013

The new HO train survived the season fairly well, after several derailments over the edge and a few tangles with the "snow" which required some repair work.   Most of the "engineers" followed the driving instructions and could navigate the curves with respect they needed.

Christmas Village - residential area

Christmas Village - looking down the length of the two levels

Christmas Village Ice Skating Pond

Christmas Village with Tardis

Cricket and Tucker

Cricket and Tucker sporting their summer haircuts.  Unfortunately, on this particular outing, burrs still got stuck in their tails, and when they stood side by side wagging their tails, the tails would stick together.  Pretty funny.

Todd, Clayton and Colin

Oscar in the workshop

You thought it should be "Alex" in the workshop?  Look again - Oscar is in the baby holder with shop-grade ear protection.  Asleep.

Oscar

Alex

Alex picking blackberries in an unexpected wetland area south of Chicago.

Scabiosa

Worst name ever for what is a lovely easy to care for perennial flower!

Cholla bloom

Tree Cholla from Colorado is doing fine in Utah, blooming for the first time in 2013.

Butterfly on Jupiter's Beard

Jupiter's Beard or Red Valerian
Centranthus ruber; 

This is a wonderful pest free flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.  Blooms twice when cut back after first blooming.

Cactus bloom

Cold hardy opuntia (prickly pear) with purple pads.

Oscar