Linda December 29th, 2009
My daughter and I were at Target yesterday just wandering around the store killing time. Mimi was wearing her tutu, fingerless gloves, arm warmers, leggins, converse tennis shoes and a kitty earred hat (among other things LOL). An older lady poked her in the arm and proceeded to tell her how lovely she was. She went on for sometime telling her that she was a beautiful young woman and that she obviously had her own mind and taste and expressed it in her dressing style. She said that girls today are taught to comform to societies mold as early as 8 years old. That Mimi got alot of flack from her friends but that was because they were jealous and did not have the confidence or bravery to be who they were. She told her to be who she is and that that is a beautiful thing and that when you do you will be happy and do great things. At first Mimi was caught of guard by this and a bit embarassed (she told her thank you) but as the lady continued to talk to her she just beamed with pleasure. When this lady was done, she walked off around the corner. I told Mimi, “I think she was an angel!”. What an awesome blessing to my daughter..this woman/angel was totaly right and I pray that Mimi takes her words and keeps them deep in her heart!
I am sure there are angels out there (“we entertain angels unaware…”) and that I met one yesterday.
Linda May 5th, 2009
The weather here has been wonderful the last few days and it is all I can do to work in my studio and not run outside and play. I got the veggie beds cleaned and planted with the early veggies. The peas are already up about 1 and 1/2 inches. And ofcourse so are the radishes, lettuces and spinach. I trimmed and tied up the raspberries and we are going to have one of Scott’s spring favorites–rhubarb bars, yummy good. Noel and I have been busy with his running start application/testing/meeting stuff…it is almost over, whew!!! I have just finished up writing an article (with pictures) for Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine (hopefully it will be in the Oct. issue). Was requested by Art Doll Quarterly Editor to send off 2 dolls (yet another post office run–the lady there is now used to my weird shipping requests and questions ;0). Gypsy doll was in the latest issue of ADQ (page 72 if interested). In the picture above you can see 2 jean skirts that I made for my daughter and I. Hers is the blue-ish one and mine is the pink and orange one. Scott donated the fabrics–I am not sure which line they are from but were decorator weight and washed up beautifully. My 100th post is coming-up and I have added new goodies to the pile so stay tuned.
Linda August 1st, 2008
Last weekend my daughter and I were doing the bi-weekly shopping and came upon a barn-sale. We stopped by and bought a few treasures. One being this tin doll house. I have read somewhere that when you have 3 of something, then it is a collection-so now it is official, I collect tin/metal dollhouses. Now, I digress here. When I was little (o.k. till I was about 25) I was what is called in polite society a “big girl” or “chubby” (ohhh, I hate just even writing that, grrrrrr). Anyway, sometime before the age 10 my parents gave me a metal doll house such as this for Christmas. Later in life my mom informs me (several times) that she had to throw it away because I sat on it and crushed it. This story (and her other “gems”) made me fell “large”….I hated it. I am no longer classified a “chubby” but still feel ”large” at times. When I bought my first metal doll house (actually Dh let me buy it–he’s sooooo sweet to me). It was my way of healing that memory and kinda ”thumbing my nose” at my mom, ”see, I am NOT that person anymore!!!”. Call it weird but it has helped. And it doesn’t hurt that I think the graphics in them are so sweet and nostalgic. (again, there are squatters in it–my daughter has moved some of her furniture in–sigh, real estate at my house doesn’t just sit around!)
Linda July 31st, 2008
These are called “globe thistles”. This flower/plant is just a bit taller than I am and I am 5′ 8″, so yes..they grow very big. My husband is baffled why I have a lot of these in my yard and garden, so here are my reasons: they are pretty, the bees love them and bees are good (can you see the bees on the left pictures? Every time I was trying to get a shot of them they would move to the other side–very camera shy. LOL), they are easy to grow, the deer don’t like them, and the birds love the seeds. In front of my kitchen window where I do dishes (by hand) is a big patch, when it is fall/winter the finches will do all sorts of funny acrobatics to eat the seeds right in front of me–very fun to watch.
These pansies are “volunteers”. This phrase cracks my best friend up. I have only planted these once and now years later they keep coming back. It is neat to see all the color variations that appear. Some I leave in the rocks or veggie patches, some I replant in other places. My danish Grandfather loved pansies so when ever I see them I think of him–I suppose that is why I have a soft spot for him? Do you have any flowers that remind you of someone??
Birthdays–I turned 49 (!?) on the 29thof this month. July is always a stressful month for me. I can ignore the dysfunctionin my family most of the time but when it comes to holidays then I am forced (!?) to deal with it. This year my dad has forgotten my birthday, sigh. He only has 2 children so there is really no excuse (and there is along list of other slights). I don’t think his emotional distance has effected me much until I don’t hear from him and then I feel the rejection and hurt all over again. I did have a good dinner with kids and husband–we went out for Thai food (oh so very yummy), Noel bought me (with his own money–he was VERY proud of himself) a big box of really good truffles (I am saving those for mommy quiet reading times), Max, Mimi and Scott bought me lots of batik fabric (I have a weakness for batiks) and my darling honey bought me a tattoo gift certif. He says this is the last one–so he figured that he better bless it since he knew I had my heart set on it. This one is to be a phoenix. Ii is a sign of death, rebirth and renewal (my role as a mother/homeschooler is coming to an end in a few years and I will embark on a new “career”, my daily walk with Christ (I am daily crucified with Christ and His renewing work on my mind and heart), and my continued healing of my past.)
My daughter’s birthday is on the 30th and this day went much better…I took her on a surprise trip to the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art . It was a very fun trip…the museum is next to the Bellevue library and she was most puzzled that I would take her to the library for her birthday. We spent 3 hours there and could of stayed longer but we were getting hungry. If you live in the area and like dolls I would highly recommend it. The off to do lunch and some shopping with her birthday money. Then home to have dinner with Grandpa and Grandma H and family. She had a very good day and it was good to concentrate on making her day special (and I had a good time too ;0)
Linda July 25th, 2008
I found this sweater redat an estate/garage sale last weekend. It is COVERED with red bugle bead fringe, front and back and must weigh at least 10 pounds but is was sooooo much fun, I HAD to buy it. My daughter (who gets embarrassed by me all the time–she is 11 going on 25 LOL) said, Mom, you aren’t going to wear that are you?! I said yes, of course–I think it will be great with jeans. Funny thing is, my husband of almost 20 years asked the same thing!!! You would think he would know better. Isn’t it great fun?? And when you shimmy–well……… (LOL)!!!
Linda July 24th, 2008
Here she is, in the Aug/Sept/Oct issue of Art Doll Quarterly, 2008. I was happy to see her but…(o.k. so maybe I am being nit-picky) the collar is supposed to be standing up, sigh. I only “I” would know that. Next time I am going to send a picture of how the doll is supposed to look. Last issue they edited the heck out of my writing, this one they didn’t but the presentation is wrong–what will the next be (Dear Princess, Princess Deer) LOLOL!!! My daughter was sad that she didn’t see her doll in this issue…we sent in dolls that we both had done, they were spiders.
