Well, a month from today is Christmas. I have a feeling all of us are craving the magic of the lights and decorations, especially this year. Since we buy a tree, we’re going to hold off getting one until later next week, simply because we want it to last through the beginning of 2025. I have to admit that I’m craving some sparkly lights. I have a small artificial tree – a couple of them – and I may pull that out of the shed and put some lights on it. Maybe it could go on the little green table that sits to me right here in the den. And, of course, the porch lights need to be hooked up. I’ll probably have them up by Thanksgiving.
I wish I had one of those antique feather trees. They’re so beautiful.
It was a low-key weekend. Reading, a walk at the library, watching old movies. We checked the rivers on Saturday and they’re much higher than they were before our two days of rain earlier this week. Thank goodness! The Canada geese looked quite happy as they paddled around on the river.
I think I’ll prod Don into taking another walk this morning.
In addition to creating little Jessie’s face up last week, I also received another doll in the mail that I won in a giveaway. It’s a “Boto Doll” a BJD designed by a young woman who is Asian – I think, Chinese – and lives in Germany. She just moved there from France, where she has been pursuing a graduate degree. Anyway, I was surprised and pleased when I won the doll. She’s about 10 inches tall – taller than I expected – and very solid and heavy compared to my other BJDs and Blythe dolls. That was surprising. Because her body is a different size, I had to order her wig, shirt, pants, socks, and shoes from the designer. Very inexpensive, but, as you can see, nothing is every truly free!
She’s named Ling.
I think she’s adorable. Right now, she’s living on the shelf under the dollhouse, standing in front of the little dolly clothes cabinet. Because she’s heavier, she can stand on her own. I did ask Don if he minded another doll staring at him while he’s watching television. Nope, he’s completely cool with it, bless him.
Jessie was a giveaway doll, too. Lucky me!
A reminder: BJD dolls are Ball Jointed Dolls, made of resin. (Blythe is plastic.) Because they are created by independent doll creators, they’re eventually made from a mold and it’s a complicated and expensive process. Usually, but not always, the designer comes up with a new doll design and lists it on IG or their website. They can make only a limited number. After all the orders have been received, production will start and it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to receive the finished product. My BJDs were much less expensive than a customized Blythe. I like them because they’re generally smaller and I can easily add them to the edges of the shelves in the cubby. Plus, they have so much personality!
My BJDs are the two Eat Zongzi dolls I have – Wren and Lily, Jessie, and now, little Ling.
I have one more coming in a month or so – just the head, which will have a finished face up, along with a wig. I’ll add the same body I use for the Blythes – an OB 22 body.
That will be about it – only so much space! But I do find myself wanting to customize one more Little Keiko so that Jessie can have a sister.
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe…
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Ling is darling! She looks like she’s just come in from playing all day! We started getting rain early this morning and it’s forecast to rain most of today and tomorrow. We do need the rain. Fortunately, Thanksgiving should be dry here. I’ve seen quite a few houses lit up with Christmas lights. I definitely think people are needing some brightness and joy!
It’s supposed to rain here tomorrow. We’ll take any rain we can get.
Stay safe, Barrie.
I know you & Don enjoy watching classic movies. Does you library offer Hoopla & Kanopy? So many classic movies for free! Hoopla has BingePass which is for 7 days. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t used it.
Stay safe,
Luanne
Thanks Luanne, but between TCM TCM On Demand, Amazon Prime, and Netflix, we have them covered!
Stay safe.
Well…first off, you are not old. I’m older than you by a year, and if I’m not old, you are not allowed to be old either…lol. And if you lived in a shoe…you would probably have even less space than you have now. So…you can be the delightful woman who lives in a cottage and collects various things…including, but not limited to….your delightful doll companions. Ling is a cutie…she should fit right in with all her sisters!
Enjoy your day! ;)
Thanks so much, Donnamae! How kind of you!
Stay safe.
I love your new doll! She’s really unique and beautiful. You have a fabulous collection.
Thanks so much, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Oh my gosh, Ling is adorable. I enjoyed reading about BJDs and how they differ from Blythe dolls. I think you should customize another doll. You’re very good at it. We’re just back from getting our Covid booster and flu shot so that’s off my mind. Stay safe. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine. Glad you got your shots! I’m debating getting the shingles vaccine…Don got one about 2 weeks ago.
Stay safe.
welcome, ling, to a very nice home!
glad you had a really nice weekend and more rain, that the rivers look healthier.
agree about holiday lights and decorations … i’m ready for them, too … though we will wait until this weekend to put any out, and maybe just start by bringing them up from the basement.
waiting on those scroll bars to start another cross-stitch project; hopefully they arrive before thanksgiving (i’m learning how to cross-stitch with some noise around me, including upcoming football games). in the meantime i’ve started reading a book. long before reading and loving “war and peace” earlier this year, i promised myself that i’d try reading more classics. now it is “little women”.
i hope you all have a good day and stay safe.
kathy
Enjoy Little Women, Kathy!
Stay safe.
Claudia, I love Ling. I think she is my new favorite. She looks like someone who would be fun to take a hike with and would be eager to learn about trees, birds and insects. A curious girl.
I had some luck, too. I was returning a book to the library and checked out the used book shelf and there was a new never been read paperback of “Hamnet” for a $1.00. It has been on my reading list since you spoke so highly of it. It made my day.
I think I will bring out a little Xmas tree , too.
Greetings to Don.
Take Care,
Kaye
Yay for Hamnet! It’s truly one of my favorite books. Enjoy, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Ling is a cutie! I’m so glad you have these charming dolls to help make the days be a little bit lighter and more cheery. They’re awfully cute — your family is growing!
I am SO ready to start getting things out!
Oh, me too!!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
My niece loves your dolls. She would like to see you decorate a Christmas tree for them.
They have little trees in their cubbies…or will have in a few days!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, I know you don’t have dolls in your dollhouses, but for me the little people have a need for “homes” and they have lives and stories…. I think your dolls are all little people with characters and stories too! There is just something about the little “being-ness” of them that calls to us. They become part of the family! (This is why I have to be so careful about adding more….. I know mine are smaller but…..! )
I too am ready for the lights…. got mine on yesterday and it feels right.
Enjoy your little people any way you can! :):)
I agree wholeheartedly, Betsy!
Thank you, my friend.
Stay safe.