Madeleine

Deer, Flowers & The Girls

July 1, 2022 at 9:12 am by Claudia

To add to the loss of the tree, the deer have been particularly voracious this year. They’ve eaten the buds on countless coneflowers, every bud on my favorite day lily, and several buds on the black-eyed susans. I tend to forget to spray them with the deer repellent recipe, thinking, for some reason, that I don’t need to do it yet. That’s on me. Anyway, I mixed a batch of it the other day and sprayed everything. We’re due for rain and thunderstorms tomorrow, so I’ll make a new batch on Sunday.

It’s very depressing, but I didn’t notice it until Tuesday – the same day we lost the tree – and I was so upset about the tree that it didn’t hit me quite as hard as it would normally.

Then the Supreme Court crap. This week has – may I say it? – SUCKED.

So I’ve played with the girls every day, dressing one per day in a new outfit, trying to remain sane. It really does help! I’m almost 70 years old and I’m rediscovering dolls – who’d have thought? If I’ve learned anything over the past 5 years or so, it’s that we find peace and respite where we can.

Plus, these girls are displayed directly in front of me here in the den, so I get to see them every day. Pure pleasure.

First up on Wednesday was Madeleine (same dress but with the addition of a bow) –

Heavens, she’s lovely!

And yesterday, Pippa got a new look:

We took her hair out of the barrette.

Both girls have a little cleft in their chins. Adorable.

I think I’m going to dress Miss Imogen today.

It’s going to be very hot today – in the 90s.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

It’s A Monday For Sure

June 6, 2022 at 10:02 am by Claudia

I’m running late this morning. I’m going to have to start this day over. So far, I’ve spilled coffee in the bathroom, dumped water on my foot, and I’m rapidly becoming out-of-sorts.

So a reset is in order.

And maybe a primal scream.

Life is a bit tough lately. I’m working through some things, worrying about other things, but at the same time, it’s beautiful outside and I’m grateful.

Note to self: meditate after you finish this post.

Yesterday, I did what I sometimes do to lighten my mood. I dressed a couple of the girls.

My international girls.

Madeleine who is from Spain in a beautiful flowery dress made by LenaLittleDress who lives in Russia. The shoes are from Cora Huang, who lives just one state away in Connecticut.

Also out on the porch with Madeleine – Wren.

Wren, who is from China, is determined to explore the porch and the surrounding property.

Her hat, and overalls are from its.soquiethere, who lives in France. Her top is from moshimoshistudio in England. Olivia (from Spain) was wearing those sneakers when she first arrived at my door. They look pretty cute on Wren.

I do love them all. There’s something almost meditative about choosing clothes for them. And I love to photograph them. They can’t take a bad picture, of course – how I wish the same held true for me!

Okay. I’m going to have some of the coffee my dear husband made for me to replace the cup I spilled.

And I’m going to hit ‘reset.’

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Eight and Done

January 30, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

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.

Deer, Flowers & The Girls

It’s A Monday For Sure

Eight and Done

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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