White House looks like Christmas

WASHINGTON -- While first dogs Barney and Spot roamed about the sumptuously decorated White House East Room, first lady Laura Bush wished America a happy holiday season Thursday morning and sent greetings to members of the armed services.

Capping the day was an evening "Pageant of Peace," during which the national Christmas tree was lighted.

"In this season we celebrate with our families, and deeply missed family members no longer with us," said President Bush, bundled against the cold in an overcoat and Stetson. "Thousands of families in our nation are still grieving over the terrible losses that came to them last year on Sept. 11."

Many in the military are on duty far from home now, the president said. "They stand between Americans and grave danger."

The president and first lady, assisted by two Washington-area 7-year-olds, then flicked a switch and a blaze of light illuminated the Colorado blue spruce that stands permanently on the Ellipse just south of the White House.

Earlier, Mrs. Bush showed off a White House dressed for the holidays in an elegant red-and-gold decor made whimsical by papier-mache likenesses of pets of presidents past.

"I wish for peace," the first lady said. "I hope that all Americans will remember other people during this Christmas, that they'll ask senior citizens in, visit with people who are lonely, that they'll work in their food banks, that they'll make sure that they use their good fortune to help people who are less fortunate."

A winter storm dumped a blanket of snow just in time for the annual preview of the mansion that will serve as a backdrop for 19 holiday parties -- the first was Wednesday -- and 7,000 guests.

This year's theme -- "all creatures, great and small" -- had a plethora of animals that have played a role in White House life. The lineup includes George Washington's horse, Nelson, and runs through Spotty, Barney and Willie, the Bushes' two dogs and cat.

Producing the most buzz were quirky previous residents such as John Quincy Adams' alligator, the tobacco-chewing sheep that helped keep the lawn trimmed during World War I, and the raccoons the Coolidges walked on leashes.

"We picked the ones that were some of the oddest," Mrs. Bush said.

In fact, Barney, the Bush's busy black Scottish terrier, will help provide the only look the general public -- still unable because of security to tour the White House -- will get of the decorations. Starting Monday, the White House Web site (www.whitehouse.gov) will begin featuring a "Barney-cam" view, taped from a tiny camera attached to the dog's collar.

The traditional gingerbread house, a month in the making by pastry chef Roland Mesnier, features a large lawn to make room for dozens of tiny marzipan pets, including a goldfish in a bowl, a snake and a rooster on the portico. Former President Bill Clinton's cat Socks made the menagerie, but his dog Buddy, killed this year, did not.

Mesnier meant no offense, noting there were "already quite a few dogs."

The White House Christmas decorations were closed to the public for a second year, but Internet users will be able to view them on the White House Web site, and TV viewers can get a tour on a Home & Garden Television special premiering at 9 p.m. Dec. 15. For more air times, go to www.hgtv.com.

-- Information from Scripps Howard News Service, Knight Ridder Newspapers and the Associated Press was used in this report.

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