Dolly Thursday

It's Thursday and my one of my favorite days of the weeks....Dolly Thursday! It's such a fun day on my Tasha Tudor site when we all share things about dolls. I wasn't sure this morning what I was going to share, but I was in for a sweet surprise.

Jim and I had planned to go to lunch with our friends Bev and Roy. They introduced me to dolls years ago. They have a fine collection and Roy restores dolls and paintings. He does some work for Jim when Jim finds paintings to sell. Bev has given me seven dolls over the years. She knows I have a fondness for them, or should I say, an addition! We took them to The Albertina Kerr Nursery house for lunch. There is a connection to the Kerr canning company. It was started as a home to help young mothers and babies and continues to help families. The was quite a scandal and sadness involved in the history of this beautiful building. The wonderful restaurant, thrift store, gift shop and antique shop are all run by caring volunteers. It is all so pretty and nicely done.

 Bev has been sick and doesn't get out too much but she was feeling well today. I love this photo of them...so cute.

Jimmy is always ready for a yummy meal and some good company!

The building is just lovely, built in the Georgian style of architecture.

This is a photo I took of some of Bev's dolls quite a few years ago. I took LaVonne and Kristen to visit Bev and Roy when they came to visit me one day. We had such fun, talking about dolls that afternoon. I have learned so much since then. The china head in the pink dress now lives at my house. She is one of my favorites.

Bev and LaVonne....now that's a pair! those two had so much fun. Bev grew up in Idaho and LaVonne's from Montana. They had a lot in common.

So, on our visit today, Bev asked me if I would like her silk thread, some dolly fabric and lace. I told her I was really serious about sewing doll clothes. She took me into her doll room and had Roy get down a doll from a top shelf. She called her the pink lady as her body is kind of pink. She said to take her home and have fun, learning to sew for her. The doll is 18 inches tall, so she should be easier to sew for than my 10 and 12 inch dolls. I am excited. She said she would get together the sewing items and give them to me soon. I am excited and the doll is so pretty. I need to comb her hair. Bev gave me a head mannequin to work with her hair instead of trying to style hair on the doll. Bev just can't work on dolls anymore and wants to pass on her things to me...what an honor.

She has a leather body that is so soft. She has one little place on her chest that Roy had to repair.

Don't you just love her face? She has dainty blue eyes that open and shut. You can't see how soft they really are in those photo.

Legs that bend at the knee, so she can really sit! Bev thinks she has some shoes for her.

She also has jointed arms and hands. I am taken by her. I don't have many dolls that are her size,
And so, Dolly Thursday turned out to be quite the Dolly Day! I do love this new addition to the family. Let the adventure begin! I am so thankful for all that Bev has given to me and all she has taught me. 

Tea Time Tuesday #159 Tea Cup Reveal

Today, the postman brought me a lovely and exciting package! It was from Oliva, my tea cup exchange partner for Stephanie's special exchange. Oliva has had a difficult time lately, so she had written to me that my package would be a bit late. That's just life and I understand how those things happen.

I opened my box to find it all so pretty...wrapped up in pretty tissue paper. I kept taking little gifts out of the box and soon had a pile of treasures on my table!

So exciting! I felt like it was Christmas.

I carefully opened the cup and saucer first. Isn't it dainty and so pretty? I love the pink flowers. It's from Japan and a bit fragile. I love it.

Sweet and dainty.

Look at this generous group of precious tea goodies!!! I still am in awe.

Don't you just love the pink napkin and teapot napkin ring? I will treasure this and use it and think of Oliva when I do. Very very special.

These must be the prettiest floral gardening gloves ever made! And of course she tucked in some seeds for spring time planting.

What a cute little tea holder.

Wonderful organic Earl Grey tea. I will sample it tomorrow for tea time.

I adore this sweet GRANDMOTHER kitchen towel.

What a total surprise to find a fat quarter pack tucked into my box! I will have to find a quilt pattern to make something special with this gift!

A few yummy goodies too...yum,

How did Oliva know I love little lights? Look how cute these are!

Thoughtful Thank you cards too and a great bookmark with a wonderful quote.

One of the dear things about these exchanges is making new friends. She tucked in a little letter sharing somethings about her so I could get to know her a bit better. What a nice touch that I will have to remember for the next exchange.

So dear Oliva...thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was such a treasure box of goodies. I cherish my goodies. I thank you for getting to know me...you picked the perfect gifts for me.

Thank you so much Stephanie for organizing yet another wonderful exchange.  You can find Stephanie's lovely blog at The Enchanting Rose.

Papa John's 88th Birthday

April will soon be gone and I wanted to be sure that I get my dad's 88th birthday party pictures posted! His birthday was April 8th. My dad is so blessed to have his siblings close by and they just are the cutest family. Steve is the baby and dad is the oldest. My "Uncle Steve" is actually two years younger that me. I think it's funny that my mom and my grandmother were pregnant at the same time. My brother John and Steve are just months apart. Uncle Steve is so good about helping his older siblings get together. He drove down from Spokane, picked up my Aunt Dee and her husband and they stayed overnight at my Uncle Ray's house. He is always so happy to do it and he makes me smile. In this photo, you see my Aunt Dee (my godmother), Uncle Steve, My dad (Papa John) and my Uncle Ray. We had 29 family members show up for dinner at the Vancouver Spaghetti Factory. My brother John and his wife Ginger had a family funeral on her side, so they were the only members who couldn't attend.

My sister Debbie and my brother-in-law Bill.

Uncle Steve, nephews J and Patrick.

My daughter Angie, and my niece Anna with her hubby Matt.

My sister Alisa, my brother-in-law Marcos and my niece Desi.

I was sorry the lighting was bad on this photo...my nieces Maria, Amanda and Jenny.

My niece Jenny and my daughter Gina.

My son-in-law Chris and my grandson Otto ( couldn't catch him).

My nephew Markie and his girlfriend Jessica.

My great niece Bella and great nephew Peyton.

My niece Desi's hubby Don and his kids!

Some of the gang.

My Jimmy.

Jimmy and Linda with Uncle Ray and Papa John.                                                                              

The balloon guy with my sister Debbie and niece Amanda.

Aunt Dee and her big brother John.

All my dad's grandchildren. Anna, Angie, Amanda, Markie, Maria, J, Jenny, Desi Gina and Patrick.

Dolly Thursday and Thursday Finds

It's Dolly Thursday on my Tasha Tudor group again, so I wanted to share this sweet little miss. She is a reproduction doll, but I think she is so beautiful. Her face is darling. She was left in a back room at an estate sale last fall and I just couldn't leave her there, so she came home with me. She was also 1/2 price.

Her dress is sweet and she even came with her little locket. I haven't given her a name yet. She is holding a few friends for the season.

I stopped at an antique store on the way home from the beach last week. I found a few fun things for Easter gifts and a few goodies for me. I love tin dishes and containers. I found this sweet little sugar canister in the basement.

I collect plastic rattles and Easter animals, so this duck will be added to the gang. I think he was quite pleased to join the group.

I always look for vintage books from the late 1800's and early 1900's. This one just has the perfect look.

Someone started to do the embroidery work on this fun little panel and never finish. I think it will make a darling little fun pillow once I get it completed.

Don't you love the ducky?

This is where I found the cute little Beatrix Potter trio that I shared on Tuesday. I just love anything Peter Rabbit.

I think we are actually going to have a sunny day tomorrow! I am excited to see the sun. What a wet and dreary spring we have had.
I was supposed to join in the Tea Cup Exchange reveal today, however, my exchange partner is having a hard time and was delayed in getting my package out. That's just fine, as I understand. It will be fun to share it when it does arrive.