Hi everyone,
Wasn’t that museum just wonderful? There was so much to look at and I can’t imagine being there in person! My eyes would be all over the place… looking at this and then looking at that, having some dolly catch your attention, only to be stolen away by another cutie.
Thank you VERY MUCH, Debbie! That was a REAL treat! I think you can tell by the FORTY THREE comments yesterday! :o) Anytime you want to share more pictures you’ve taken, please send them my way, so we can share in the joy they give us.
Now, today we are going to see something from me first…then from Charlotte. Mine is just a couple pictures of the Christmas Cactus a friend gave me and my Amaryllis from my sister, Cindy. I don’t normally have a green thumb, but both of these flowers are doing wonderful in my north/west corner spot on my buffet. They make me so happy!!!
My Christmas Cactus is white…and the flowers are like tissue paper! (I hope I didn’t already share this… if I did, sorry!)
Here are 2 pictures of my Amaryllis… one from day before yesterday and then today, when it decided to fully bloom!
Oh, and just one picture of Reuben. I took him outside to see if he had any “business” to do, and he pushed himself up with his front legs and stayed there about 5 or 6 seconds. He still can’t walk, but he has been wiggling his way out of his bed when it’s on the floor. My hubby has taken him out a few times and tried standing him up, then taking his hands away, and he’ll sometimes stay for 3 or 4 seconds, but then he collapses to the ground. It’s slow progress but we are hoping he will one day be back to his old self…
He looks so “normal” in this picture… like he could just get up and walk or run away… :o(
Okay, enough for me… here is what Charlotte had to say about her doll outing with her friend, Marika!
Hi Jeanne,
Here are a few pictures I took when Marika and I went to lunch the other day. We always bring a doll along, usually an American Girl but sometimes a different one. Marika doesn’t collect dolls like I do, so she just has a few. I was thinking she was going to bring Annie (one of her American Girls) with her, but at the last minute, Megan, her Magic Attic doll, came along instead. Her Megan is dressed in an outfit that had been an AG outfit, which she changed. I think she said it originally had a belt and perhaps some white fluff around the sleeves? (Sort of a Santa type thing.) Anyway, I brought my April Eleanore (the #22 that several of us have), and she is wearing a dress I bought some time ago. As I recall, it was from a small local company called Over the Rainbow–they used to make lots of AG clothes, and we carried them in the doll shop where I worked for a while.
The first picture shows the two girls side by side. Although Magic Attic dolls were the same height as AG dolls, they had slimmer, all-vinyl bodies.
In the second picture you can see April’s dress better. It’s actually a sheer dress with sparkles and is worn over a solid pink “slip”. April is disappointed that none of my pictures show her new silver shoes! She thought they were pretty special.
(Well, Charlotte… tell April Eleanore, we all LOVE her pretty glasses and maybe someday we can see her silver shoes!)
The third picture shows the ornament that April got for Megan for Christmas. It has little ice skaters on it! Years ago we had a wonderful store out here in Lynnwood, WA, called Wight’s, and they had tons of Christmas stuff. They had these miniature ornaments in a variety of colors and designs, and not at all expensive (under $1 each!). I bought several. When I was on the Little Darlings group and we had a swap, I included one of the ornaments in the pale aqua to match the dress I made. I still have a few of them in my “stash”! Marika said her dolls have their own little tree, and it will go on that tree.
(Charlotte, how sweet of April Eleanor to get Megan a pretty ornament for her Christmas tree!)
Hope you enjoy my pictures. Charlotte
Your pictures are very nice Charlotte! I’m sure everyone loved them… they’re dolls… just what we all love to see!
Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve… I know it’s here, but I still can’t believe it!
See you then,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your flowers are gorgeous, Jeanne! I don’t remember seeing a White Christmas cactus before. My mom had one and it was pink; my mother-in-law had a Huge one, and it was pink, too. And I think I’ve seen one that is more an orangey pink.
The amaryllis blooms are quite impressive, they are so large and showy!
Thank you for sharing the pictures I sent. I hope everyone enjoys them. Marika and I plan to get together on Valentine’s Day, too, and will bring dolls again.
Several people yesterday said something about wanting to see pictures of the cloth dolls I’ve made, so at some point after Christmas, I will try to remember to get them out and take some pictures.
Tomorrow I need to get to the grocery store, and I also have one more gift or two to get, but the ones those are for I will probably not see until after Christmas, which gives me a few days. I got the other gift cards I needed today, and am waiting for the delivery of one more item, but, again, the person that’s for is one I will see after Christmas.
I forgot to say, I’m glad to hear that Reuben has made at least a little progress. If all this was caused by an spinal cord injury I really feel for him, poor little guy. It can take a long, long time for a spinal cord injury to heal.
The dolls are lovely, Charlotte. I do wish April Eleanore would lift her lovely skirt just enough to see her pretty shoes. Megan’s red dress with the gold shoes and stockings are so festive, too. Thank you for sharing, Charlotte!
I will see if I can get a picture of her silver shoes in the near future. They are just plain Mary Janes, but they are silver, so April thinks that means she is a princess!!
Dear Charlotte, thanks for “taking us along” on your dolly adventure. I think that April Eleanor looks very festive in her dress. I always love your dolly names!
I have a Magic Attic Megan as well.
Wishing you holiday blessings from me and, of course, Miss Charlotte Noelle
Thank you so much, Dorothy. I actually really work at most of my dolls’ names (some seem to name themselves, but there are others…! Names are a sort of hobby of mine, and I have probably 10 different baby name books, including a Scandinavian one, a Jewish one and an African-American one!
Holiday blessings back to you and Charlotte Noelle, and the rest of the gang!
What beautiful flowers, Jeanne! I too, bought a Cnristmas Cactus, also in white, with numerous blooms on it, and yes, tney look like tissue paper! However, once the blossoms bloomed that were on the plant, nothing more has happened, although I do have tiny buds on it, but they fall off. I don’t know what is the problem, but they are in a southern exposure, and I think too warm for them. I’m going to hang onto them anyway, and see if they don’t get better. Yours are beautiful! Your amaryllis is lovely too, and I sure do wish I had one this year, but instead, have my red poinsettias.
Reuben looks just fine in that picture! He seems so chipper and ready to run, but at least he is trying to sit up! How sad that would be if he just laid there. I guess you are now reliving having a baby in the house! I hope and pray he continues to improve.
Charlotte, first of all, I do believe that April Eleanore is not a #22, but a #21! She is the same as my Susan, also a #21. Maybe it was a typo, but I am sure she is a #21! Her dress is lovely and how sweet of her to give Megan an ornament! I do know that dress that Megan has on, in fact, I have it! The original does not have the gold braid, but it has a plaid scarf to go around d her neck, and I am not sure that it does have fur around the sleeves, since it hasn’t been out for sometime, but I do know that dress by the embroidery around the bottom of the skirt. Yes, it is a Christmas outfit. Thank you so much for showing us your adventure with your dolls! I enjoyed seeing them!
How can it be December 23rd already?
Oh, you are right, Linda, a #21, not a 22. As soon as I read that, I realized that was correct. Thank you.
Yes, Marika did some changes on that dress to make it look how she wanted it to. I’m sure I must have seen at least a picture of the original dress at some point, but I don’t remember for sure.
This month has sure flown, hasn’t it?!
Jeanne, so glad to learn that Reuben is showing some progress. Still praying he will come back to his old self.
Your flowers are so lovely. I have several amaryills in the window of my laundry room. They are growing but not blooming yet. I’m afraid they will be finished while we are gone on our trip next month. My Christmas Cactus is showing some pink. I would love to have a white one!
We are leaving for our check up at the doc’s. I’ll catch Y’all later.
Happy Christmas Eve, Eve. I can’t believe it either!
Jeanne, I have never seen this Christmas cactus that you have. The white is incredible! Your Amaryllis is striking, red and perfect! Two well loved plants!
Reuben is so adorable. Recovery is slow but he is making a lot of improvement and both of you really keep his spirits high! My prayers continue for his complete recovery.
Charlotte, your doll lunch was a fun time! Both girls look so glad to meet and chatter in their very pretty dresses! Thank you for sharing these lovely photos of happy girls! I am sure your lunch was delightful fun!
Thank you everyone for your prayers. After the echocardiogram yesterday (the tech shared with me that the result is unchanged. I have an ever so slightly leaky mitral valve, back flow) Anyway, she did not have to tell me that but I was pretty anxiety ridden and thought that might effect the test. She was the same technician I have (and mom and dads) had for so many years. I shared my story with her because I was feeling so sad. She held me and then we sat on the bed and she prayed for me. !! She was an angel, and also encouraged me to GO and knock on the door.
I came home and I was tired. I did some sewing and wrapped a few presents and gave my kitty some extra attention, she is very needy.
I am going to drive to my daughter’s house today, wish me luck. I do not even know if they are home or anything! I feel in a much better “state of mind” today, well rested and even though it is gloomy outside, I hope to have an easy trip.
I am going by myself because hubbs is sort of advising against it but I will go.
Please do not get any high expectations. My sincere goal is to just show them in person that I love them very much. If they are not home, I do not know what I will do….. leave the packages? perhaps knock on the neighbors door to give them the packages?
Love to all of you dear ones. Keep smiling, no stressing.
It is Jesus’s birthday
Be thinking of you on your quest today. Trying is the best.
Blessing for you, Rosemary, you have a wonderful friend in that sweet technician! Prayers that your visit to your daughter will be a good one.
Hope all goes well. Bless you for trying.
Prayers that your daughter is at home and you will be most welcomed.
Thank you so much, Rosemary. We did have a nice time at that lunch.
I hope things went okay for you today–better than you expect, in fact. So glad you had that technician to comfort and pray for you at your appt.!
Your Christmas cactus and Amaryllis are beautiful, Jeanne! I am afraid my Amaryllis is dead. I don’t think our Christmas cactus is blooming either. It is great to see Reuben using his front legs!
It is so nice to see April Eleanore and Megan in their lovely dresses! Megan has such red hair =) Do you think she has a Magic Attic necklace on? Such a beautiful ornament, too!
Thank you, Karen. I don’t know for sure if that is a Magic Attic necklace; I will try to remember to ask Marika. I know when they first started, that company did have a Lot of accessories for the dolls, so it’s possible!
Thank you again for all of your comments about the NC Doll Museum. I will be sure to share some photos of the displays in their new location when I visit next month.
Charlotte, your lunch with dolls looked to be a success with all dressed in their holiday finery. The AG that you dressed in pink is my favorite non-historical. She wears it well.
Still holding you in our prayers Rosemary.
Jeanne, our grand dog and grandnephew dog are getting CBD supplements for dogs due to failing joints. They are smaller than Reuben but much older. I don’t know about the source or the dose but maybe it would help.
Back to cookie baking. The sugar cookie cutouts are tasty but a little messy looking. I was very tired last night, will start this morning on the other two and hope for a better result.
A very merry Christmas and happy holiday to all.
No cookie making here, so it is grand to hear about yours. 🙂
Hi Debbie, I responded to your text of yesterday. We have something in common. 😊
Thank you, Debbie. April loves all pastel colors, and wears them often!
So many fun things going on today. Jeanne’s delightful blooming plants and Reuben standing if only for a few seconds. And guess what? When I stumbled out to the dining room this morning, I noticed something odd on the table in the darkness. It was the Amaryllis living here, and it is blooming today too! Maybe they were programed at the Amaryllis factory to all bloom the same day. 🙂
Charlotte’s doll photos were so fun to view. Loved the dresses, and I could actually hear them giggling over their little gifts. What a fun lunch that must have been.
We took an early run to Trader Joe’s yesterday, and so glad we pushed to get there because the place was packed. I’m sure that it became even more crowded as the day wore on. And the traffic everywhere was a mess. It was great to have a lull in the rain as we got in a walk and ran into lots of friends also out and about. I still have a few packages to wrap today and then we’ll be all set. How fun it was to open the new freezer drawer and find a completely full bin of ice! Had to dump it as recommended by the maker, but it was fun to see after all those years of cracking ice from an ice tray. We still haven’t used the new microwave yet, but I think I will give it a try this morning with my oatmeal. 🙂 Wish me luck with all of those bells and whistles to figure out.
Unfortunately, the Sierra’s received a huge dumping of warmer rain which melted most any snow already there. This caused huge flooding of the Yuba River. Lots of pictures on the news of a rescue from a cabin in the middle of the river. Interesting, as the same cabin has flooded many times in the past and you would think that those there would have gotten out before the river rose that high. I’m pretty sure that our old cabin is okay as it hasn’t flooded since we moved it back 18 feet from the river. Things do look better though up there as it is supposed to get colder and snow. Yay. Here, we’re supposed to have some high winds. I’m sure that will blow off the rest of the sycamore leaves still hanging on the trees. The rest are resting all over our soaked lawn. Can’t get to the clean up until it dries out a little more.
Oh, I think that I hears sleigh bells! Santa can’t be here yet, can he?
Why does AI change my words. It’s Hear, not hears. Sorry.
Glad you’re starting to enjoy your new appliances!! How wonderful for you.
And it was a good idea to move the cabin away from the river. So unfortunate for some.
Hope the high winds don’t blow you away… just the leaves!
Thanks Paula. We’re just hoping that the power doesn’t go out. 🙂
Thank you, Joy; I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures.
The Christmas cactus is really pretty and delicate looking. I’ve never heard of that plant before but I’m not a plant keeper. I kill everything even though I appreciate lovely plants. I did receive an Amaryllis from a friend and I hope it blooms. It has no instructions and if it needs sun, I’m afraid not too much sun comes in until the afternoon so I’ll make sure it’s near those windows. No bloom yet.
Jeanne, so happy to see Reuben. He’s such a pretty little guy and he’s well taken care of. Hope he gets better in time.
Charlotte, It’s so nice to see the girls out for lunch with you and Megan’s mom. They are both dressed in pretty outfits, just right for Christmas and a day out to go visit with friends. Yes, it’s too bad April Eleanore’s silver shoes didn’t show up but it’s nice to see their pretty festive outfits.
Yes, I agree with Linda, April Eleanore is AMG #21 – and she’s one I just got recently otherwise I wouldn’t have caught that. She’s adorable and I’m glad you have one too.
It’s nice to see the girls having fun with you and your friend. Hope your lunch was great too.
Thanks Jeanne for today’s pictures.
Everyone, enjoy your day.
Thank you, Paula. Yes, April is a #21. Not sure why I was thinking 22….I’m sure that was a completely different doll! When I got mine, I got her from the AG store we had out here at the time. I took 3 or 4 of them out and set the boxes up side by side, lids off, to compare. The one I chose has slightly greener eyes and somewhat less “poochy” cheeks than the others had. I thought she was the prettiest one!
I kill plants, too, I’m afraid. The one exception was an orchid plant I had for several years, and it bloomed every year for me. And then, it just quit. So, no more plants.
Your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous, Jeanne. White would be my color of choice as well. I know they aren’t technically toxic, but they can cause stomach upset, so I avoid them. Amaryllis is toxic, but I know Reuben can’t reach it this year. I’m happy to see he is making some progress.
How fun to see your April Eleanore, Charlotte. She is indeed #21 as #22 has long light blonde hair and light blue eyes. How sweet that she brought Megan an ornament. I recall getting those Magic Attic catalogs, but by 1994 had already started with PC and we loved the historical clothing and accessories.
You are right about April being #21, Laura. But she doesn’t have blue eyes, she has Green eyes! It could be they don’t show too well in the photos. I compared several, and chose the one with the greenest eyes to be mine. I also have sort of greenish eyes (actually more teal) and blond hair, which is why I chose her.
Dear Jeanne, thanks for sharing your update on Reuben. As he is our “sofa” dog, we like to hear how he is doing.
Your flowers look very pretty. I love the annual tradition of the Amaryllis you receive from your sister.
How blessed we are to be standing at the beginning of a new year. Most of us will remember Y2K when some folks thought the world (or the world as we knew it) was ending. We could not imagine how we reached the year 2000! And now 25 years have passed. An entire generation has been born, educated, and employed in what seems just the blink of an eye.
Excuse my reflecting or musing or whatever this is. I just wanted to take a moment here on the sofa with you and the wonderful Sofa Sisters to sit in peaceful communion and feel gratitude for all of my blessings.
Whatever holidays you celebrate this month, I hope they are joyous and infused with love.
Dorothy, beautiful reflection for this time of the year.
I am also grateful for all of your friendships. I love knowing all about each of you and your great love and collection of zillions of beautiful dolls!
Dear Rosemary, thank you for your kind words. Jeanne really has created a sisterhood on her site. It is amazing to “belong” here with people we have never met but yet are not strangers because we all have a spot on the Sofa.
Dorothy, what you wrote about the Sofa Sisters meant so much to me. Thank you !
Dear Paula, you are welcome. I felt from my beginning to comment here a few years ago that Jeanne’s Sofa is a welcoming place.
Dear loved ones, It is now two thirty in the afternoon.
I believe I arrived home one hour ago, pretty exhausted. Living in Northern Virginia is very congested, but we love it here.
So, I packed up the little happy Goose ornaments to bring to my estranged daughter husband and three littles. I got in my old car Acura RDX 26 year old car, and drove from my new house, down to route 50 old name is Little River Turnpike, and then to Route 28 south to Bristow, west on Rt 66 and over to Elizabeths house. The whole time in the car, I carried your encouragement and prayers and of so many others. I held tight to God’s promise of something good.
Honestly? I thought they would not be home. I thought about what I would do, drive home sad. I was kind of expecting that.
When I got to their street, I was surprised to see Elizabeth’s bright blue van in the driveway. I wondered if I knocked would they answer or pretend they were out.
I knocked on the door, I heard clomping down the stairs, Elizabeth opened the door and she looked surprised but not angry. I smiled at her and told her I loved seeing her face. She said Hi mom. I told her I had a bag of some cute things I made for the kiddos. She invited me in!!!!! I was getting a bit shaky but just kept holding on to all of your hands. She led me upstairs. Her older daughter, Lena, shouted, “gramma! I have not seen you in so many years, maybe when I was 6!”
Lena is 8 now. Aveline is 6, she said she remembered me. Mason did not remember me as he was only 2.5 the last time I saw him. And they have adopted a cute boy from South Korea, Asher PuRuem. He is 2 and very active but of course not too chatty. The kids were so nice. My daughter offered me a chair but I sat on the floor with the kids. They liked the gooses I made, I made them with little crowns. I will send Jeanne a picture of them.
I stayed for only about an hour and a half, and they did not seem like they wanted to throw me out. Elizabeth’s husband was kind to me. Invited me to stay for lunch but I did not want to impose or rearrange their day. hugs and kisses all around, and from me, grateful thanks.
It was good. I drove home pretty sure that it was a success and I would not be crying in grief every evening. I felt that they were not feeling pressured, really, they seemed — typical parents of 4, tired!
I do not know what the future holds. I know what my younger daughter and son in law’s children look like. I am just grateful for your prayers and how everything fell into place just so.
Love, Rosemary
three littles? they have four littles now
silly head me.
Oh, Rosemary! I am so, so very happy that you visit turned out so beautifully. I was checking back to see if you had gone and they were home. I’m glad your son in law was kind.
Hopefully the grand girls who remembered you will ask to see you soon again. Maybe you could invite everyone to your new home for lunch? Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Laura. I felt very brave with all of your prayers.
I honestly could have not done this with out the courage.
My heart is soft and content, but I did come home exhausted 🙂
What a wonderful true Christmas story. Loved reading it, and I’m so happy of what you accomplished. Congrats on four grands. 🙂
Thank you. I am feeling content. I hope the future continues in this gentle manner. There were moments I felt shaky and fearful but I pushed it away and looked at my adorable grand kids. I still feel like today was a dream, mainly because I have been dreaming for years.
Dear Rosemary, thank you for sharing your story with us. Christmas is truly the time for miracles. I am sure that your gesture meant so much to your daughter. And, of course, seeing the grandchildren is definitely the honey in the tea.
Dorothy, driving there, I was really kind of scared but I focused on the traffic and roads, I kind of told my self to not expect them home. I did not think it would turn out this way. It really is like a dream. I hope it continues. So many cute things the girls expressed about their Christmas play, Lena the oldest said she has been a donkey two years in a row! Aveline is younger, but she said she was an angel, and last year she was a sheep. Mason took me to his room to show me his trains and said he wanted to clean them up so he and dad could play legos. I asked him if he wanted me to help him clean up. He said oh no, I can do that myself later.
It was just so nice, just like my dreams.
I will continue to just proceed gently. Hubbs stayed home to go through a box of old school papers and it really was a good day to go.
I’m so happy for you, Rosemary. I hope things will change for you now and that you will feel more and more comfortable seeing them from time to time. it is wonderful that everything worked out for you today.
Merry Christmas, Rosemary.
Dear dear Rosemary, I am so happy for you! To get to hold and hug your grandchildren and daughter again! And spend some real quality time with them. That is just wonderful. God is so good. He answers prayers!! love, Charlotte
Lovely to see your photos Charlotte. April Eleanor looks delightful in the pretty pink dress.
Jeanne my friend gave me a winter flowering cactus cutting for my Christmas gift. I have never seen a white one yours is gorgeous. Mine is in my kitchen window, which is also south facing Linda but in the southern hemisphere that is the coolest spot. Anywhere else will likely be too dark or too hot.
So happy that Rueben has had a small improvement, praying that it continues.
It is Christmas Eve here, we have a lot to do today. The house needs cleaning and Sam has to finish cleaning the deck. I also have to make lemon meringue pie, the pastry cases are ready just have to make the filling and topping.
Better get started
Meri Kirihimete
Merry Blessed Christmas, Dear Anne 💚❤️
I hope you have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas, Anne.
Hope your Christmas, is delightful!
Happy, merry!
Thank you so much Anne. I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures.
Loved the Christmas Cactus! My kitty would nibble at it so I will enjoy seeing your pictures. 😃 still praying for Rueben he looks so okay in that photo🥲