Weekend Adventure...

This weekend I went out to the little town of Mollala Oregon to attend a miniature and dollhouse show. It's in a rural area much like Mt. Angel and Aurora where I love to go so often. The historic home was built by an Oregon pioneer in 1859 and some other building have been moved to the location too. I was given a personal tour of the place and met the other ladies who were into the miniatures and dollhouses which was even more exciting. We had so much fun looking at all the dollhouses...about 20 in all... a delightful variety of skill and time periods. My favorite sweet lady was named Isabelle and she told me her husband had built her a dollhouse fashioned after Louisa May Alcott's home. I wish I could see that one! They invited me to come back on a Friday afternoon with Jim to introduce him to this lovely place and to chat with him. Just a very special afternoon.

They allowed me to take some pictures of the buildings. I loved the summer kitchen and am happy to share the photos. Note the old wallpaper. LaVonne, I took the picture of the granite wash basin for you. It looks like the miniature one you bought for your Annabelle in Troutdale! I am fascinated with summer kitchens and it was fun to see one set up. I love the photo of the table. I just happened to catch the light coming through the window.

I bought a tiny thimble and five tiny safety pins for Annabelle.

I plan to take some of my Tasha books to share with the ladies when I go to visit again. They have never heard of her and I must fix that!

Japan

My thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people after the devastating 8.9 earthquake and

tsunami. Such a sad time for all those families. I so thankful that all of my family is safe and sound tonight.

Teacup Thursday

I have joined Miss Spenser's Special-Teas "Teacup Thursdays" to share teacup pictures and see what other bloggers who love tea are doing! You'll find her listed under MY BLOG LIST on the right hand side of my blog. Donna and Spenser do such a nice job with their tea shoppe. Our Tasha Tudor group is hoping to have a Kindred Spirits Gathering there next year in April!

As it's March, I thought I'd post a lovely green teacup from Queen Elizabeth's coronation. My husband gave this one to me as a gift. I collect queen items and I think this is the prettiest one I own. Note the little clovers under the crown, thistles and

roses...lovely!

The markings are Aynsley England Bone China.

Enjoy and take a look at the other tea lover's blogs listed on Miss Spenser's Special-Teas blog.

I am longing for spring.

Antique show trades

Jim worked so hard at the antique show this past weekend and he sold sold sold! He is such a natural and God blessed him with a very GOOD show! I always help him on Sundays and take down his booth. He's pretty tired by then.

He was able to do some trading and I ended up with two dolls. I never thought I'd have a chance to own this type of a doll, so I am pretty excited and yet not quite sure about these babies. I can always sell them but I'm growing attached to them as they sit in the tea room! Roy was at the show and looked them over. They seem to be what they are supposed to be except that their eyes have been replaced. I'm not a purist, so that doesn't matter to me.

The one in white is dressed well with all her proper undies. The other one desperately needs better clothes, poor thing. Oh my, another project.

Names...now they need names. I guess if I name them, I have to keep them!

I also found a beautiful little pink dress for the Parian doll that Bev and Roy so kindly gave me. She is quite happy but she also needs undies and a bonnet.

I found another Frozen Charlotte....a bit bigger than my tiny one. They are such funny little imps.

Jim and I spent the afternoon with dad and had dinner with him. He was down to his last undies so got his wash all caught up and Jim filled his meds for him. He sure was happy today.

Lots of JOY lately.

Joy in the month of March

I was reading my past posts to remind myself about where I am going to try to find JOY this month....Joy in sewing and quilting! I forgot!

Peggy and I had to cancel our March retreat due to 4 of our customers canceling on us. Very sad, not sure what's going on. These are difficult times for people and the price of gas just keeps going up too. I was relieved yet it just made me sad for a few days. I'm moving past that now and am trying to find joy again.

So, I'm going to spend sometime doing what I'd like to do. Gina can't come home for spring break this year and Jim will be going to Illinois to help out with his mom, so I will have lots of extra time for whatever I want to do.

I went to visit Bev and Roy yesterday, my doll friends. I need to start sewing some doll clothes...good idea for the month!

The weatherman is promising some sunshine today! Haven't seen the sun for weeks.

Wishbone treasure

Last fall I found a pincushion sewing "thing" at an estate sale. Part of it was made with a real wishbone which held a thimble. Being attracted to sewing items and being more interested in folk art, I bought it. I wanted to show LaVonne when she came for her next visit as I knew she'd get a kick out of it. She raises chickens and collects wishbone dolls, so I had to share it with her.

When she returned home, she found something similar, but smaller on Ebay and bid. There was a small Frozen Charlotte doll in the thimble. I remembered I had a tiny doll in Annabelle's things and of course it took me all day to find it! Good Lord. Well, it went for a huge amount on Ebay. I guess I didn't realize how special the item was. Guess I'll give it to my friend someday when I'm done with it.

FRIENDSHIP

I am amazed at the gift of friendship that God has granted to me at this point in my life. I've always had lots of friends, but the dear ones who stand by me, encourage me, pray for me, cry with me and just love me for who I am RIGHT NOW, continue to delight and astonish me! This has made me really think about the true meaning of friendship and appreciate the ones who are there for you when you really need them. It has also been a lesson to let others go which is sometimes very hard.

I've struggled with things this winter but friendship has helped me wade through the days.

It sounds like I'm in middle school, but to have a very dear best friend at my age is truly a gift from God.

I don't want to embarrass the special friend who I'm writing about, but I know she will read this. Love ya lots and thanks for everything.