I’ve been gone for a few days, but you might not have noticed it. I had written my posts earlier last week and scheduled them to go on while I was out of town visiting with my brother and his family. I thought I had the post written for Tuesday, but on the way back home, I realized I hadn’t. My mom and I left Saturday morning and for the first time in my life, I rode a train…the Amtrack train. The whole thing was new to me but I really enjoyed it…I’ll know all the in’s and out’s if I ever do it again. :o)
I was hoping to find some kind of a tidbit to write about from the train trip… something sewing related, or doll related, or fabric related. I had my eyes wide open looking for something, but here’s the best I could come up with…I was on the train and I was trying to be discreet but you know how it is when your phone clicks as you take a picture? There was a guy sitting across from us and right after we got going, he pulled out his knitting needles and started knitting. I snapped this picture and then pretended I was taking it of something outside, but as it turns out, he looked back at me, I felt weird, so I just asked him when he learned how to knit? He said his mom had taught him when he was in 7th grade. Turns out he was making a beanie hat and had just learned how to purl so he was pretty excited going from black to blue yarn with his new stitch. We started talking and I told him I was a seamstress and made doll clothes. He said he knitted all his friends fingerless gloves for Christmas. I wanted to tell him I made fingerless gloves too, for dolls, but decided to keep it to myself.
We had a really good time visiting with my brother, his wife, their daughter, the twin boys and Bobby T. You’ve seen Bobby T in my posts before from the wedding…I snapped these shots of him drinking some hot chocolate after he and his brothers had helped their dad pick up limbs in the yard. It was 24 degrees and was p-r-e-t-t-y chilly outside. When he came he said he wanted hot chocolate with marshmallows… What a little doll, isn’t he?
…here’s something big sister Libby made in her college ceramic class… a Japanese Geisha girl out of clay, fired and painted. You can see her pretty kimono… see, this post does have a little “fashion” element to it.
So other than eating and visiting there wasn’t much else to write about…honestly I tried, that’s why this post was almost left blank.
With a house full of mostly boys, there’s not a lot of dolly talk going on. I did try to explain the age old question to a few aunts and cousins, when they found out what I did…”Why do grown women have to change clothes on their dolls and do they really ‘play’ with them?” I tried ladies, really I did… *sigh* I did use a phrase I had seen someone post one time… “well, grown men play with their toy trains…” I’m not sure how it went over. You either get it or you don’t.
I’m off to sleep in my own bed tonight! YAY!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
This goes to show you that you CAN write a good post, even without a lot to write about, Jeanne! I know, it wasn’t about dolls or sewing–at all, but just a good chatty post that felt like a good conversation with a friend!
That young man—well, too bad Rebecca has a boyfriend! Now when you mentioned a man knitting, I had the picture of a much older man! The picture gave new meaning to it!
Your little nephew is just adorable! Such pretty coloring too! I can see some resemblance to you in his face! I myself like to have a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows every now and then!
That little Geisha figurine is adorable, and I know how hard it is to paint those! My granddaughter had a birthday party at a ceramics painting place one time, and had me paint an Ariel figurine for her. It certainly didn’t turn out looking like a piece of Wedgewood!!
Oh so funny that some of your relatives can’t figure out why grown women have to change doll clothes! Well, I don’t HAVE to, but it sure is fun and helps relieve the stress and problems of being an adult!!!
Thanks Linda,
I was afraid it was going to be terribly boring to everyone… so thanks for the comments!
Well, truth be told… he was knitting the beanie for his boyfriend, so it’s not quite what it looks like…
Yes, Bobby T is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest disposition to go with his looks too! Everyone should have a child like this!!! He wants to be an astronaut so he’s constantly talking about “outer space” and you should hear him go on about his space ship!
I think it’s a never ending question about why women collect dolls and why they change their clothes and buy more… but it keeps lots of ladies happy and me happy TOO!!!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your post is marvelous Jeaneane….it just goes to show that you are an interesting person no matter if the blog post is about dolls, sewing or traveling. Thanks for your post.
Thank you Becky,
I’m glad it was interesting enough for everyone to finish … I was sweating bullets when I realized I had nothing to really tell…
I appreciate your kind words, Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
I also thought it was neat to see a man knitting. He is a lot younger than I would have expected. There is that football player Rosey Grier who knits. I guess I would rather see a guy knitting than constantly attached to their cell phones and laptops. We I was a child in the 1970’s all those crafts were “in”. My grandmother taught me to crochet and she and my mom taught me embroidery etc. and I’m so glad that I wanted to learn.
Train rides are a wonderful experience. At the end of July/ early August 2001 ( right before September 11th) we went to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada on a train. We had a sleeper car and it was a unique opportunity. We were seeing the Anne of Green Gables and places from the “Road to Avonlea” TV series. My mom remembered going to Texas on a train as a child and sleeping on it, but my daughter had only experienced train rides that are a day only thing.
Your little nephew is adorable. Such big brown eyes. A cup of hot chocolate is great on a cold day. I am a tea person and have a cup almost each day. If you don’t care for tea, you have to try different ones until you find something. I like Harney’s, Bigelow’s Constant Comment and Twining’s Irish Breakfast.
Most people have a problem with adult women and dolls, but wouldn’t bat a eye at a man with a toy train, action figure or model car collection. I had a few dolls as a child, some clothes, and a little tea set for them. Dolls didn’t have the little miniature sets available for them. Only my dollhouse had the tiny miniatures. I like the creative outlet and I’ve always had a vivid imagination.
HI Laura,
That young man did have a phone but he spent more time knitting than he did on the phone.
Your train ride to Nova Scotia sounds very nice! I think that would be fun too!! It sounds like something from an old movie…right up my alley!
It’s been very cold here and I’ve been trying out some different hot teas myself… I’m not a coffee person.
Thanks for your thoughts on the dolls… I think we all should just do what we like with our dolls however we like!
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the knitting guy post! Perfect!
As to aunts/cousins, buying or making new outfits for the seasons for our dolls is a lot of fun. Looking forward to Valentine’s Day. We’re being creative! Don’t know about them. Ha Ha.
HI Joy,
Thanks so much for your thoughts. I think ladies who have dolls are some of the most compassionate and caring women around. I’ll take a dolly lady any day of the week!!!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I agree with everyone in that your posts are always fun and creative and this train post is quite grand. What an interesting young man. Loved it that you rode the train. How fun.
I must say though, the one time I rode on a night train from Virginia to Indiana, it was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. However, I do like to take train rides that are short rides and are meant to be entertaining… like the one that has an entertaining ride for fun near Stone Mountain, Ga.
What a cute little guy Bobby T. is. Such big brown eyes. He looks so cute with his cup of hot chocolate after helping his daddy work out in the yard.
Laura reminded me of something that explains some of my love for dolls. When I was a little girl, I was very much into dolls and girlish stuff. I had a great imagination but had to make things for my dolls, like a bed, and pretend on most other things. I think I had a dish/tea set. So today, especially with AMG, the accessories are out of this world. I started with accessories long before I even bought my first AMG doll. However, I was using the accessories for my 19″ Gotz dolls at the time.
Speaking of a tea set (and Laura’s reference to tea) I was shopping yesterday and went into a little English store. I got myself some decaf tea called PG Tips. I’d never heard of it but the very English gal said it was the one she sold the most. I also got myself a little teapot for 1 cup. It’s so sweet. It’s ivory colored and has purple pansies on the front.
One last thing, a couple of months ago, only I can’t remember who or what it was they collected but I told myself to be sure and tell Jeanne and the girls about this collection…Now I can’t remember what it was but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know. I do remember it was most odd but yet it was someone’s collection. As far as collections go-some women (and men) collect teapots, little figurines, old lunch boxes, purfume bottles, clocks… I think those are cool collections. Almost any items is collectable anymore. And some collections just sit on a shelf and get dusty but dolls…you can be so creative with!
Have a great day!!
Thank you Paula,
The train was a lot of fun…our trip was only 3 hours one way and 3 hours back, but my brother had to come 1 1/2 hours to pick us up… The travel meant lots of talk time though, so it was good!
I think everyone who has dolls sort of has an imagination already built in. It’s like we just think differently!
It’s pretty chilly here, so I think I’ll join you and have a cup of tea myself!
You are so right…. dolls are the MOST creative collection! You said it and that settles it!
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love that the man was knitting. Travelling is a good way to meet interesting people. PEI is a most beautiful place and we toured the island on a cruise. There was a woman from Auatralia who travelled to board our ship in NJ just to visit the Anne house, but the port was cancelled because of wind, but we visited on another cruise that was able to dock. Many on these cruises were on the ship just to see the Anne house. I have never seen the series or read any of the books so it was all new tome. Your post brings hreat memories so I found the day’s blog very interesting.
Thanks so much Jan,
I’m glad you enjoyed today’s post and that it brought back sweet memories. I love it when that happens to you all!
Your travels sound very interesting and fun! I don’t usually get very far from home, so I’ll take any traveling I can get!
Blessings, Jeanne
It was a nice post. The ones like this make you into a person, not just a designer. I think we’re all glad to have them.
I like tea, teapots, teacups — all the things that go with tea. The Republic of Tea has some nice teas and a huge selection. I also like the English tea called Yorkshire Gold. My neighbor from years ago had an English mother-in-law who much preferred our ordinary Lipton to all the expensive herbal teas my neighbor served her. If anyone knows where to find the tea called Her Majesty’s Blend (the reference is to Queen Victoria), I’d like to know. It was the best I’ve found and seems to have vanished.
I have read that collectors are people who like putting their world in order. Dolls are great, as Linda says, for relieving stress. For those of us recovering from the effects of chemo, dressing dolls helps our numbed fingers figure out how to work better — the exercise is much more varied than squeezing tennis balls. In a world where 2 pairs of jeans and 3 tops will take you nearly anywhere, it’s lovely to have dolls dressed in petticoats and hoops or riding outfits or dirndls and hats or bonnets or mob caps — all the things most of us don’t have a chance to wear.
HI Marilyn,
Thank you for your kind words about the post today… I thought it might be a disaster of a post, so I’m glad so many of you all enjoyed it.
I hope someone can help you find the tea your are looking for… Majesty’s Blend…surely someone knows something about it.
I feel less stressed when I’m in my sewing room, so maybe there is something to your words about collectors being people who like putting their world in order. I like that. I don’t know very many people who have crummy looking doll areas. It’s all done as neatly as can be and truly is in order. I think you may have something there!
Thanks Marilyn,
I’m glad dressing dolls keeps your fingers working better.
Blessings, Jeanne
I really enjoyed the post too. All kinds of interesting things in it from other readers also. I dug out my doll from when I was a child and, sure enough, it had been held together with rubber bands which have now deteriorated to where she was in pieces. I don’t think she’s worth restoring but fond memories of my mother making the skater’s outfit.
Aren’t children cute who look exactly like what they’ll look like when they grow up? I’ll be this little boy will. He looks like a very handsome miniature adult. I lived in Japan and know a geisha when I see her; nice job. A most interesting post.
I wish they made the variety of toys for boys that they do for girls. It seems cars and warfare are just about it for boys. Had to cover a box with Mader (from the Disney movie) stickers to make a treasure box for my grandson, but there are hundreds out there for little girls but boys like boxes too. The AG Patisserie is filled with plastic things but they sure are sturdy, the three-year-old grandson playing right along with his six-year-old sister. She has the most fun, though, with the things she makes herself and she is very creative, a little map of Paris the last endeavor with parks and lakes.
HI Susette,
It’s funny how a post I write can evoke a feeling that you just have to get out a certain doll or find an outfit… I’m glad what I might happen to mention brings back memories.
Bobby T is an absolute adorable little boy. Those pictures don’t even do him justice. He is a little doll. Maybe I’ll share some that his grandpa took… He will have the girls clamoring around him when he gets a little older..as he’s already got the grown women swooning over him.
There was a birthday party for one of the boys cousins while my mom and I were visiting my brother. Will had a pirate party and got all kinds of pirate booty! I don’t know if that’s the big thing right now or not for little boys, but the boys sure did play with the pirate ship like we girls play with our dolls!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
I enjoyed the pic of the young man knitting. Isn’t it wonderful that some of the younger men are secure enough to do what they enjoy without worrying what other people might think? My husband did piece his own quilt some years ago because, according to him, he wanted to see what was so interesting about it that I could spend so much time doing it. But, of course, he wasn’t doing it in public either. As for adult women playing with dolls, I can’t explain it either, so I don’t even try. I didn’t enjoy dolls when I was a child, so I think maybe I am just a late bloomer. I think a lot of us enjoy our dolls, and it’s really a nice hobby.
By the way, Bobby T is a real little cutie!
HI Carolyn,
Since I’m a crafty person myself, I was intrigued by the guy knitting. I enjoyed watching him go down one row, turn it around and go up the other side. He was pretty fast too.
Congrats to your hubby for doing something that you do so he could see what all the fuss was about. That’s neat!
I’m a late bloomer too… I played with dolls when I was little, then had a spell where I didn’t, and then about 15 years ago, I started up again… and in 2006, I REALLY started up again… not so much playing for me, but ACCESSORIZING for everyone else.
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, I Love to ride on a train, and I’m so glad you got to have that experience! When I was a little girl mom took us on the train from Stephenson to Escanaba (Michigan–the Upper Peninsula), and that was pretty exciting for my brother and me!
As an adult, I’ve taken two train trips across country–my son (age 5, I think), my girlfriend and I traveled back to the midwest on Amtrak about 35 years ago, and then about 20 years ago, I traveled back by myself. The first time Daniel and I had a little roomette, and Joyce had her own roomette; the second time, I just stayed in the regular car, as those seats recline, there’s a leg rest that pulls out, and I had a large tote I could put my feet on. I brought a chunk of polar fleece along to be my blanket when I slept, and a small pillow, too, I think. It worked fine, and I didn’t have any trouble at all. Nowadays, though, I’d probably get a roomette for that long of a trip–I’m old enough now to want to be more comfortable when I sleep!
Charlotte