Hi everyone,
Thank you everyone, for sharing all your stories and antics and home repairs. You certainly keep us entertained when I’m busy.
My day was not a productive one… at least as far as dolls and sewing goes, and I never made it into my sewing room until 10:45… a bit late to start something, so I decided to share this with you.
When I was finishing up the last dress I made for American Girl, Molly, I got to thinking about what kind of “sweet treat” I could add along with the dress like I sometimes do. It’s always fun to try and match the color or colors in the dress and I do try. I got to wondering what kind of candy I could buy now that may have been popular in the 1940’s. So I Googled it and found this really fun site… which I’ll post a link to, so you can click on it and step back in time and see if you remember these candies. There are STILL lots of them around today… and I won’t tell which one I picked, so the winner will be surprised when she opens up the package I put in her box. It was really a fun read about all the details of the candies and what year in the 40’s they were introduced. At the bottom of the page talking about the all the 1940’s candies, there are “other” years starting at the 1900’s that tell which candies were famous in those years.
Now, this is a dolly blog, so let’s have at least a couple pictures from someone showing off their new doll… This is Kiki, Susette’s newest Ruby Red Fashion Friend doll, I think she arrived for Mother’s Day! I love how Susette has her posed… and this is what she said in her email…
This is the last of the orchids as they’ve been blooming since February. I saw one of the Kiki dolls on the website with what looks like a paper cutout bowl of orchids. I ordered one of what I think it was; a paper greeting card. That gave me the idea to just get outside and take a picture with the real ones. Duh! Fortunately, this one was a late bloomer.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge.
…what we do to get just the “right” picture of our dolls… :o) Thanks Susette!
I reminded me of what I had to do to take some pictures of Emmie in “Under Blue Skies.” Whatever works! :o)
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
That was fun to read about those candies, Jeanne. I remember most of them (which carried on into the 50s and 60s) except for that hot lips one. In the 50s we had the wax lips, which were great fun to play with, and you could chew the wax for a little while afterwards, too.
I would guess it’s going to be a York Peppermint Patty that will be the surprise candy to go with the outfit–the label colors are just about right to go with the dress, and I know you often do choose a treat that kind of “goes” with whatever is being sold! Of course, I could be wrong!
Susette, I loved your pictures of Kiki–fun to see how you got it all set up, too. And all those orchids…..those and lilacs are my two favorites!!
Jeanne I know you’ve shown us some of the “backstory” pictures of your photos in the past, too. The things we do to get pictures of our “children”!!
I finished the jumper (AG size) I’m making for our sewing guild’s charity project; I still have to cut out and make a t-shirt or blouse to go underneath it. Now I’m trying to get some summer slacks finished so I have something new to wear when I’m in Michigan next month. I have found a number of UFOs while digging out my sewing room, so am going to try to get them finished. Some of them will wait until I come back, though.
Oooh nice, a trip to Michigan. What part? my hubbs family on his mom’s side are all from Michigan, I think they started out in Carbondale, Ill. That said, the last name was Otwell. I think the great grandfather or uncle started 4H and something about growing field and fields of Iris flowers- in Carbondale.
I hope you have a lovely time in Michigan, I love that state.
I love Candy.
Suzette, your Kiki girl is so pretty, really elegant too.
I love this pose. She looks perfect next to the orchids. Wow, magical.
Well done, managing to get the perfect shot and lighting in the lovely crowd of beautiful plants, really!
Jeanne, you are an expert at photographing your generously willing models.
The frightening trials they endure standing so high and precariously. heee hee
The sun is out today.
we go to the bank to get the big fat check (thank you dear daddy in Heaven, I miss you terribly) to bring to house settlement tomorrow.
I hope I do not start sobbing tomorrow. Honestly, this is the part of many that has brought me to tears. Dear sweet friends, believe me when I tell you, I never knew about this trust. well, he told us, but never ever showed us. I am so glad I was with him, and all those years before caring for them, 13 lovely fun silly years. Okay I will stop now.
I wish all of you a happy day.
Here is a laugh: we are having an exterminator come today to this old house. We think there might be a squirrel in the attic, as our neighbor gave us details of what he witnessed last week…. so first we called the painter fixer roofer and he did indeed find a hole. But told us they do not do extraction of possible animabibbles. fingers crossed they vacated the area and then we can patch the hole
Rosemary, Squirrels in the attic, oh does that bring a memory! Back in 1999, while waiting for our house to be built, we rented an A-frame house. There were squirrels in the attic. My Peyton was 61 years old but still very strong and active. He put the LONG ladder against the house and carried the huge wet/dry vacuum up the ladder. He turned on that big noise to scare the squirrels so that they would be gone when he put stronger mesh over all the vents. We never had another squirrel in the attic in that house.
Now, back in 1923 when my first husband and I were fixing up a small house in Ann Arbor, MI, while he was getting his dental degree, we found not only lots of walnuts in the attic but could hear the squirrels all night. Shortly after this his uncle visited and slept down stairs. His snoring was SO loud that it scared the squirrels and they left, never to return, LOL! True story!
hahahaha
Wow, what a funny story, I am glad you shared it.
I do know our neighbor down the street has dealt with varmints in his attic over the years!
“It’s always something”
LOL, 1963, not 23, !!
I read that Sissy.. I did not want to ask you if you were …. I dunno, my parents were born in 1923….. and well, I thought, wow Sissy much be at least 112, child bride or something 😀
I knew that year must be wrong because my mother was born in 1923. But I did wander what year it really was so thanks for the update.
What a hilarious story. Cheaper than an exterminator. Our experience with squirrels was not in the house but we had three large trees on the side of our house and we would have the birthday parties for Andrea and Sean out under the trees. The squirrels would sit in the trees and pitch pecans down onto the cakes. They knew exactly what they were doing because it didn’t happen just once. Squirrels obviously have a great sense of humor.
Oh my goodness, I do remember Lik-M-Aid candy very much! My grade school, was in a neighborhood, and the first street next to the school had a little confectionary in the garage of the home owner. Things were very different back in the 40’s, for sure, but our school had an hour lunch break, and of course we could walk home for lunch, or, you guessed it, walk to the confectionary for candy! The candy we bought everyday was cheap, like maybe 2 cents, and it was Lik-M-Aid! We would tear open the package and pour it into our hands, then lick it! Good grief, just thinking about it now makes me amazed that we didn’t get sick, since we didn’t wash our hands all that much! And our hands and tongue were the color of the flavor we were eating! Those were the days! And so now I find out that Lik-M-Aid is actually Fun Dip that is sold today! Never knew that!
Susette, your Kiki is just beautiful posed with the gorgeous orchids! My goodness, you have quite the conservatory there on your patio!
Then I saw Emmie and wondered why she was pictured for today. After scrolling down, I had to laugh at your “setting”! What we DON’T see makes a difference!😉
Oh, Linda, yes that stuff we got in a bag and put on our tongues. The little candy store was right next door to our junior high (which would be called middle school now). We went every day to get that stuff. I stopped putting it on my tongue when my friend showed me hers. There was a deep groove in her tongue where she had been licking that stuff!
Yes, those were the days, and it is nice to know you aren’t as old as I thought you were after reading about 1923!🤣
I certainly understand the problem of perspective when taking pictures of the very small dolls. You are a mistress of the photo takers. Very inventive setup!
I forgot to mention my favorite candy. It was a 7-Up candy bar. It had seven little segments, each having a different filling like regular individual chocolates you would find at See’s Candies. It was probably too expensive to continue to make. Does anyone else remember this one? Good question.
Susette, my husband used to talk about that one! And also that the Three Musketeers bar was actually three separate pieces, each a different flavor!
Susette’s, Kiki, is so well pictured outdoors and reaching for that illusive bloom. Love this photo. And her away shot is so fun too. Thanks for sharing Susette and Jeanne.
Then, like Linda, I wondered why the pic of Emmie, until I saw the next photos. Yes, quite a feat of photography. 🙂
As to the candy, I was surprised at the 40’s most popular because almost all were around in the 50’s too. Seeing that Almond Joy made me cringe. If there is one I don’t like, it is that one even though it is my namesake. Ha ha I am not a fan of coconut or nuts in general in candy or in anything. That said, I do love Junior Mints but Hershey Bars are my all time favorite and not even a candidate. 🙁
Wow, lots heading out on trips soon. Charlotte, Michigan, and Anne off to visit relatives around the world. Hope we get updates of their adventures.
A happy belated birthday to Anne. Sorry that I missed it.
Here, some dreaded housecleaning yesterday. After dragging so much stuff around here during the recent water heater fiasco, the place needed some work. But, with that done, it will be back to the yard hopefully today. 🙂
Anyone have that tiny dress made for Dazzle? I’d love to see how it might come out. Here, I was finally able to finish sewing on the three sets of snaps on a shirt I made for one of the Ruby Reds. Oh, it’s only taken what three weeks. So many times sewing them on and they didn’t match or were showing too much. etc. etc. etc. I took them off so many times trying to line up the bear’s nose and the deer right across. But, I’ve finally given up. However it looks, I really do not care, but at least it has those dreaded snaps applied. And on to something more fun. 🙂
I accidentally posted my comments under Charlotte’s comment, as I started by
mentioning her trip to Michigan, the Mitten State
Yes…but the Best part is the U.P., the Upper Peninsula! So gorgeous, with many waterfalls, and Kitch-i-tee Kipi (Big Springs), a deep, fresh-water spring that stays the same temperature year ’round and so clear you can see to the bottom! Also two lakes (Superior to the north and Michigan to the south). Won’t be going to the U.P. this time, though, just the Flint/Jackson/Detroit area.
I loved your photos as always, Susette! Kiki is so lovely among the orchids, and the orchids are amazing! the second photo showing how you managed to get her up there and then Jeanne shows her photo of Emmie’s stand, so fun! Thank you both for sharing.
Happy Hump Day, Everyone!
Okay, back from the bank, getting the huge check. I did not cry.
on the way back home we were laughing about how they just printed the check on regular
white paper. No special embossed stamp or ribbons… we thought, what if you had a naughty dog that ate the check? Anyway, we were assured that if it is not used in three days, the money goes back into the account. Interesting.
With all of that – Hubbs and I got all of our “standing” points for the day 😛
Now, my favorite candy bar, which I believe I only at in the Summer at the pool
was PAYDAY. I always gave my mom a bite.
I still love sugar. I also like salty licorice from the Netherlands.
Je ne sais pas ,qui est la plus belle de la poupée ou de l’orchidée.Toutes ces plantes sont superbes.
Pour les bonbons,je ne connais pas les votres ; a part le collier de toutes les couleurs. Mais ,nous avions,un marchand de bonbons,en face de l’école et,bien sur,nous étions des clients fidèles. Il y avait des bonbons à un franc ,à deux francs etc..! ( francs de l’époque ) Georgina.
I don’t know who is more beautiful, the doll or the orchid. All of these plants are magnificent.As for the candies, I don’t know yours; except for the necklace of all the colors. But we had a candy seller in front of the school and, of course, we were loyal customers. There were candies for one franc, for two francs, etc.! (francs of the time) Georgina.
Your Kiki looks so sweet with the orchids, Susette. I saw her on FB, but nice to see her again. Emmie looks so pretty, Jeanne.
Junior Mints are something we always got when we went to The Ohio Theatre in Columbus when I was a child. They had a summer movie series (still do) and the movies were $1 back in the mid to late 1970’s. Old movies from the 30’s through 60’s. We saw Gone with The Wind, The Sound of Music, Hitchcock’s etc. Loads of fun! A real cheap entertainment as my dad was in dental and then perio school. I also liked York Peppermint Patties, Smarties, and of course M & Ms. Now I had to head to the 70s and 80s and report on my favorites.
1970s – Pop Rocks How I remember those.
1980s – Skor
There was a small candy and magazine store right down from my high school. It was tradition to stop by everyday to get your “study candy” and check for the latest issue of Seventeen and Young Miss. I usually got a $100,000 Bar, my favorite (yes, it was called that from the 1970s through mid 1980s and I still call it that!) or a PayDay and a pack of Necco Wafers. I also liked Whatchamacallit.
A very Happy belated Birthday, Anne!! I’m sorry I missed it as well.
Thanks, Susette for sharing the lovely picture of Kiki among the orchids. She is a beautiful doll and your patio is amazing. I love doll photography because it’s easy to imagine the doll is in their own environment. Some people are really good at portraying that image (i.e., Jeanne’s picture of Emmie). Jeanne has a lovely yard for a backdrop but I’m not so fortunate so I use purchased backgrounds. I love the backgrounds that are out there because they look so real and dimensional. I have some amazing backgrounds that are made for 16″ dolls like Ellowyne. I plan on doing some sewing for her in the near future, and I hope to share them so everyone can see the backgrounds.
Oh, Charlotte, I wish I could go to Michigan with you. What part of Michigan? My favorite vacation ever was in northern Michigan. We went to Mackinac Island and did the cruise through the Soo Locks. It was around July 4th and the weather was wonderful. We actually had to wear sweaters when we took the water taxi to the Island. We did the July 4th dinner cruise through the Locks and at the end of the cruise they moored the boat across from the fireworks. It was truly magical. I would love to do it again. We also did Niagara Falls on that trip and that was amazing too. So many wonderful things to do in that area.
My favorite candy was Necco Skybar. I loved the four-in-one idea and it was delicious.
A few years ago I bought some online but the chocolate was not the same, too thick, and they weren’t as good. I was surprised not to see Necco Wafers listed anywhere on the lists of popular candies. They were sent to the soldiers during WWII and when they returned home they kept the candy in demand. I loved them when I was a kid. I thought they were first made during the Depression but I looked them up and they were first made in 1847. We used to have a store down the street from my elementary school in the mid 1950s where you could still buy penny candy. Those sheets with the candy dots, wax lips, licorice mustaches and several other things including candy cigarettes, both chocolate and the white ones with the red at the end. Not surprised the candy cigarettes and licorice cigars are no longer on the market. Glad for that.
Well I FINALLY got the twins pinafore dresses finished and they look absolutely adorable. When I thought I was almost finished I realized that somehow I had twisted the eyelet sleeves of the pinafores on one side so I had to take part of them apart. It seems I got one side right but missed the concept on the other side. I was about to tear my hair out when finally I got it right. It seems so simple now but I still can’t figure out what I was doing wrong before. All of a sudden things just fell in place – and none too soon. Now on to the dresses for my two Natterer girls. This is a fairly simple pattern and they are bigger dolls so maybe the project will be more relaxing. Fingers crossed.
So glad you were able to fix the pinafore dresses. Sure hope a picture can go to Jeanne. 🙂
Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone. I am now officially old. In my head I still feel 40 but then my body says “No you’re not” lol.
It was fun reading about squirrels in the attic. New Zealand has no indigenous mammals except a tiny fruit bat but early colonists introduced some like rabbits, deer, pigs and possums and even wallabies. Now many of them are pests, possums are particularly bad, they eat the eggs of our native birds many of whom are endangered now and they also strip trees of their bark killing the tree, one possum can kill a tree in a night. Anyway, what I was leading up to was that in about 1990 we rented a house on a hill in Napier, Hawkes Bay, the area below the house was very steep with lots of trees. We were often woken up in the night with strange sounds coming from the attic area, and it was becoming annoying. The owners had lined the attic area and it was completely bare so the noise was obviously coming from inside the roof itself which wasn’t accessible. Someone suggested it might be a possum and my (then) husband managed to borrow a trap. We didn’t catch anything at first except a very angry cat! but one morning there was a possum. Only now we didn’t know what to do with it! eventually we decided to let it go in another area that had no houses nearby. A farmer friend was furious with us. We should have killed it not let it go! Nowadays I would have found someone to do that but I didn’t realise then just how destructive they are. The odd thing is that the possums are Australian and over there they are endangered! We just wish they would take them back. You can buy lots of products in souvenir shops here made of possum fur, they usually have a label which says something like “kill a possum save a tree” with information on the damage they do.
Only two weeks before I leave for UK. I will certainly send photos. When I come back I really must make a new outfit for Sara, she is fed up with her jeans and t shirt.
Anne, that is interesting about the possums. When I was in Australia in 1996 I only saw one possum. It was when we were on an over night trip and after dinner they threw out the leftover food and a possum showed up.
The possums we have here in the Southern USA are very different of course, not the same animal at all. They are called Opossums. I am sorry to hear that yours are so destructive!
I really enjoyed reading about everyone’s favorite candies from the past! When I was a young girl, we had a neighborhood “mom and pop tiny grocery store about three blocks from our home. It was across the street from the elementary school I attended and I don’t remember any other shops next to the store. (I wish we still had small neighborhood grocery stores around, within walking distances!) My cousin and I would walk to the little corner store to buy a sack of “penny candy”. The candy was in a display case by the register, and the shop keeper would put your candy selections in these tiny brown grocery sacks. It was so much fun to decide on what five or ten pieces you could have for your nickel or dime. I remember Necco Wafers, little wax bottles filled with sugary liquid, Smartees, Tootsie Rolls, Bubble gum, Chuckles (5 fruit flavored jelly candies), and a taffy square with a bright pink, white, and black licorice stripe…cannot remember what those were called. Chuckles were my favorite!
Thank you ladies for sharing your favorite candy from the past….talk about a walk down memory lane!