Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Enjoying the Snow

Enjoying the Snow

Last night some of the girls went for a walk. Everything is so quiet when covered with a blanket of snow. Some of the lights were buried underneath it, making them extra pretty. It's so nice to continue enjoying the holiday season. The simplest pleasures can be the most memorable.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Ice Skates for Christmas

Ice Skates for Christmas
Anna asked for two things for Christmas: ice skates and a puppy. She's been a very good girl and Santa brought her both, plus a lovely outfit to wear while skating. Her mama knitted a stocking hat and mittens to go with the outfit. "Woof!" says the new puppy, warning Anna that ice is very slippery!

First Time on the Ice
Anna takes a few cautious steps and then glides across the ice. What fun!

A New Puppy for Christmas
Oops! Anna falls, but isn't hurt. Her puppy runs to comfort her with a few licks on the face.

Puppy is Named Snowball Now
Puppy doesn't like ice, but he loves the snow. He bounds through the drifts piled around the pond and Anna laughs as she brushes him off. Now she knows what she will name him: Snowball!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

An Old Fashioned Christmas Part 1

 photo DSC_0034_zpsw1ukhxwb.jpg
Yesterday it snowed and snowed, closing schools and stores. No one expected so much snow and something about the world filling with soft fluffiness made everyone excited. This morning Anna woke up to a wonderland of dazzling, white snow. The bright sunshine made everything sparkle and the air smelled fresh and clean. This put Anna in a holiday mood, as if she wasn't already! She'd been singing Christmas carols non stop for the last three days. Anna decided to put on her Christmas dress that she had just received, along with a soft red coat and hat, trimmed with white fur.

 photo DSC_0011_zpswa9iopti.jpg
Anna stepped outside and gazed at the field of unbroken snow, smooth as a blanket. In the distance the mountains looked extra pretty and frosted in white, just right for Christmas.

 photo DSC_0012_zpsctvcf0jm.jpg
Off to the right some horses were wandering about in their pasture and Anna wondered how they felt about finding it covered in snow.

 photo DSC_0004_zpsvrlphm0o.jpg
Anna was just thinking about how much she would love to pet a horse and maybe even ride one someday, when she saw an actual horse coming right toward her. It was pulling an old fashioned sleigh in which there was a girl. The girl looked about Anna's age and was wearing a very fancy coat and hat. They were the kind of thing one might find in a trunk in an old attic.

 photo DSC_0009_zpsgfsek4dt.jpg
The girl stopped her horse and introduced herself. "Hi! I'm Samantha. Isn't it a lovely day? I decided this would be the perfect day to go for a ride and find a Christmas tree for the parlor."
"Hello. I'm Anna, and yes it's a lovely day, but I'm not used to seeing people riding around in horse drawn sleighs."
"Oh, I do know some people that have automobiles. It is 1904 after all. But, I still like using the horse and sleigh whenever I can," replied Samantha.
Now one of the wonderful things about being a doll is you get to experience all sorts of things, including traveling through time. I suppose it might be possible for humans, but I've never heard of them doing so except in stories. Anna realized that somehow she had traveled back in time and she felt a tingle of delight. This could be quite an adventure. "Would you like to come along and help me?" asked Samantha, and Anna was thrilled to say yes.

 photo DSC_0008_zpsp4edfycv.jpg
They only went a little bit farther when Samantha pointed to a pretty tree. "I think we can get this one into the sleigh if you help me. Then I'd love to have you join me at home for tea time and we can decorate it."

 photo DSC_0014_zpsqu0z3cyo.jpg
This all sounded wonderful and very romantic to Anna. She was not used to being offered tea! So, of course she said yes.

 photo DSC_0017_zpskaseyyzg.jpg
They loaded the tree in the sleigh without any problem.

 photo DSC_0030_zpsihn0rftg.jpg
Samantha said she would walk beside the sleigh and keep an eye on the tree.

 photo DSC_0031_zpsa2eu8uez.jpg
That meant that Anna got to guide the horse, which delighted her.

 photo DSC_0022_zpsnjq488te.jpg
Together they set off for Samantha's house and Anna couldn't help smiling about the wonders of this new adventure. This was going to be an even more exciting holiday season than she had expected.

To be continued...





Thursday, December 10, 2015

All About Elves

Do you have elves around your house? We do! It's a lot of work to decorate the house for Christmas, but we were lucky to have the help of two elves. Actually, you will recognize them as Anna and Lacey, but they really did help out, or tried to.

 photo DSC_0399_zpsaep3mfib.jpg
It took both girls working together to get the ornaments out of the big box.

 photo DSC_0416_zpspdn7xhrx.jpg
They had to climb on a big ladder to reach the tall tree.

 photo DSC_0420_zpsjwv1eyof.jpg
Lacey needed some help with the tangled chains of cranberries which were actually shiny beads.

 photo DSC_0393_zpsikpcbpkd.jpg
Hey look! This one is an elf, kind of like us!

 photo DSC_0407_zpsrsws9eo8.jpg
And these cheeky little elves were caught hiding in the tree and didn't help at all.

 photo DSC_0409_zpsn9yu7lkt.jpg
This elf deserves to rest because he is one of the original Christmas elves from long ago. He was made in Japan and is very old, even though elves seem to look the same no matter their age.

 photo DSC_0433_zpsr95ztxxi.jpg
Finally we climbed under the tree to straighten the tree skirt. Lacey pulled on Santa's beard and said it was real. teehee!

 photo DSC_0426_zpsbnn20hu5.jpg
And that's the story of how two little elves helped make Christmas happen at our house.

~ Kiki

Saturday, December 5, 2015

A Visit to the Store

 photo IMG_0776_zpsugyd57a8.jpg

Yesterday it was Lacey's turn to go to the store. She was so excited that she put on her favorite shiny dress and a sweater that her person had just finished which has silver thread running though it. Lacey was ready for a festive time!

 photo IMG_0777_zps27s7qqgr.jpg
Here are Lacey and her friend Aleah in front of the pretty tree in the entryway.

 photo IMG_0768_zpsmm5khxpr.jpg
Lacey's first stop in the store was at the Seaside Diner. She had a little chat with Maryellen and suggested she decorate it for the holidays.

 photo d546bc8a-02dc-4ee4-a168-52184aecd5b7_zpst1dd4vms.jpg
Samantha had decorated her gazebo and it looked really nice.

 photo IMG_0772_zpsrhsbu0qf.jpg
A couple of really lucky girls got to go for a ride in a horse drawn carriage.

 photo IMG_0771_zpsntmqg0xa.jpg
Lacey was glad she dressed up because so many of the other girls in the store were in fancy clothes.

 photo IMG_0769_zps1lj0gfmy.jpg
All this shopping made Lacey hungry for some ice cream.

Sooooo... Who or what came home with us???

 photo IMG_0773_zpsdjt9kyot.jpg
Say hello to Anna, sometimes called Annie. She is a birthday present for our person. We got home late, so Anna put on her new jammies right away.

 photo IMG_0774_zpsphpjvrqn.jpg
Today we went outside for a quick photo of Purchase with Purchase outfit. It's perfect for this time of year.

I hope you are doing something fun for the many holidays that we have this time of year.
~ Kiki

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Sharing - A Thanksgiving Story

This year Kiki, Clara and Charlotte decided to go to the local shelter and serve food for Thanksgiving. There are always so many people who can use some help, and a nice meal is a wonderful gift to give them.

 photo DSC_0364_zpslic7vbpp.jpg
Kiki arrived early to help set things up and was put at the front of the service line.

 photo DSC_0365_zpseteybnov.jpg
Charlotte started out by serving pie. She brought cupcakes that the baking club made to serve, too.

 photo DSC_0366_zpskhmqcq14.jpg
Clara handed out drinks and made sure the guests had everything they needed.

 photo DSC_0387_zpsny3rlbsv.jpg
"Look at all this food!" said Sophie. She admired the feast before getting a plate to fill.

 photo DSC_0371_zpssw2rrxno.jpg
Soon a line formed and the girls served up the yummy food and made many people happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July!

Our person actually made this jacket a few weeks ago, but Clara decided it would be perfect to wear today to go see the fireworks. It gets cool after dark and a sweater or light jacket is perfect.

Sewing a Jacket for AG 1/3
The pattern is Penny Lane on Pixiefaire and is made of linen.

Fun Lining 2/3
Clara is taking off the jacket because it's too hot to wear during the daytime right now. You get to see the lining, though, a quilting cotton. The pattern has a lining and facing and goes together perfectly.

Jacket Back 3/3
Hang that up so it doesn't get wrinkled! Love the pleat detail in back. Clara is becoming quite aware of fashion these days!

We hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July!

Hugs,
Kiki

P.S. Clara's top is from Build-a-Bear, leggings are AG and shoes are OG. Her hair clip was made by a friend.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Caroline's Work Dress - My Version

Our person decided to use my blog to show you a dress she made for Caroline. AG made a very sweet work dress and we never purchased that one because it looked like something that could be made at home.

Caroline's Work Dress - My Version
Kiki: Caroline, you look really nice in your new dress, but what is Garnet doing in the parlor? Aren't you going to get in trouble?
Caroline: It's supposed to rain this afternoon and the pasture is already muddy so I brought her inside. She promises to be good, right Garnet?
Garnet: *chews cud* ...
Caroline: Anyway, thanks for the compliment about my dress!
Kiki: And thanks to our friends for stopping by the blog!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Who Came Home From the Store With Us???

DSC_0497
“Quick! Clara, will you wash the dishes? Eva, will you wipe off the table? I’ll get some treats out and try and create a nice display!” said Rosa as she scurried about the kitchen looking worried.

DSC_0500
“What’s the rush?” asked Eva. “I mean you don’t usually get all flustered like this.”

DSC_0502
“What? Haven’t you heard? Kiki is bringing the new girl over to see the bakery kitchen and have lunch at the diner. We need to make a good impression.” Rosa was moving so fast she could hardly catch her breath to speak.

DSC_0503
“So? That’s no biggy. Don't get your apron in a twist. I mean I doubt she will look very carefully at the kitchen. She’ll just want to eat at the diner,” said Eva, being practical. "Anyway, we can be ready in time. Right, Clara?"

DSC_0550
Clara explained, "Grace, that’s the new girl, is a baker. She has studied in Paris and everything. I just know she is going to want to join the baking club. She’d be awesome to have and could probably teach us tons of recipes.”

DSC_0544
"Paris, huh? Well that is pretty impressive. I wonder if she's into fashion?" was Eva's first thought, since her real goal in life is to be a fashion designer.

DSC_0506
Clara went back to calmly washing the dishes. “We just need to be ourselves and everything will work out fine. Don't worry, Rosa.”

After carefully placing some treats on a plate Rosa stood back to inspect the kitchen. “Well, she’ll be here any minute so I guess this will have to do. I wish I had some flowers to make to decorate the table…” But, just then Kiki brought Grace in to meet the girls.

DSC_0515
“Bonjour!” said Rosa just a little too loudly.

DSC_0517
Grace looked surprised. “Bonjour! Do you speak French?” and proceeded to say something more in French, but none of us caught that.

DSC_0518
Rosa was immediately embarrassed. “Um, no. That’s all I know. Yeah… So… I mean… Welcome,” she said looking down at her shoes.

DSC_0516
“Thanks!” replied Grace. “I don’t really speak that much French either.”

DSC_0521
Kiki introduced Grace to Eva and Clara and they began chatting about how pretty Pleasantview is this time of year, but wishing it was less rainy. Rosa stayed in the background and listened, still feeling anxious. Pretty soon she realized she actually was twisting up her apron in her nervous fingers. “Get a grip!” she said to herself as she smoothed the apron back down.

DSC_0524
“So, Grace, would you like a cookie or a pastry?” she finally asked.

DSC_0527
“Well, sure. Maybe just one cookie. We’re about to go have lunch, so I don’t want to spoil that. Did you bake all of these?”

DSC_0528
“Yes, I mean no, not me. I mean not alone I didn’t. I mean we all did,” stammered Rosa as Grace looked on politely.

DSC_0529
Eva jumped in, “Actually, we have a baking club. Rosa is the main one who leads us and we are all hoping you will join since we know you love to bake. We made these treats together.” Grace responded with excitement, “Oh my gosh! I’d love to join your club! I was worried about finding a way to continue my passion for baking when I came here, so this is perfect.”

DSC_0530
Rosa ran over to Grace and gave her a big hug, crushing the cookie Grace was holding into a million crumbs.

DSC_0533
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry. I was just so afraid you wouldn’t want to join us, but when you said yes I could hardly believe it!” she said as she brushed crumbs from Grace’s shirt. Suddenly Grace began to laugh. Then Clara, Eva, Kiki and even Rosa joined in! “You must be very serious about your baking,” she said to Rosa while still giggling. “I know just how you feel and I think I’m going to like it here. But, maybe this is a sign that I should wait and have dessert after lunch!”

DSC_0543
That brought more laughter. The girls had a group hug and group photo before they headed for the door discussing the specials for today in the diner and what they’d like to bake after lunch.