We got about 3 inches of snow, but the winds were/are bitter and it was well below zero last night. Still, we have power and the snow can be easily shoveled. Next Friday, we’re supposed to get snow and ice and that is worrying. I know many of you were in the path of this storm and got much more snow. I hope you are safe and I pray you have power.

Today, I introduce you to Madeleine. I wanted one more girl and I wanted her to have curls. Most of the curly haired Blythes have too many curls for my taste, but one day last week, I saw this girl and I was enchanted. There is no other way to describe it. I thought about it for 24 hours and then I went for it. It helped that she was very reasonably priced.

Here she is. She arrived on Friday afternoon all the way from Spain. I now have 4 girls from Spain.

She was dressed this way when she arrived. The dress, the little sweater, the scarf, the socks and shoes, and that adorable tote bag: all of it charming.

She had originally been named Kate and I was going to keep that name, but to me, she looked French. I started thinking of names and right before she arrived, I came up with Madeleine. I think it suits her. (My paternal grandmother was named Madeline – different spelling – but there’s a nice connection there.)

The tote bag had a scroll of instrumental music inside, as well as a book. When I examined the book more closely, I saw it was a Tintin book! Tintin is a beloved French comic book character. So my instincts about her were right. And, of course, wearing a scarf is very  French.

Isn’t that the sweetest face?

Normally, I immediately want to dress a new doll in something I have in my wardrobe stash, but this outfit is so adorable that I’m going to keep her in it for a while.

Of course, the other girls in this family are fascinated by her curls. Sophie, for so long the only child here, now has 7 sisters. (I’m not sure she’s thrilled with that.)

Quite frankly, I have no more room on the top of the sheet music cabinet for another doll. I managed to create some room for Madeleine and her curls, thank goodness, but 8 (!!) is enough. Or to spin it more positively, 8 is great!

I now have 2 girls from Russia, 1 from Belarus, 1 from England, and 4 from Spain.

Can I say that few things make me happier in my daily life than looking up from my chair and seeing my girls. I’m so lucky that Don is almost as enchanted with them as me.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.