The Dolls Have Tea

I didn't decorate for Easter this year as we couldn't have any company over. I just decided I didn't really want to put it up this year. I wasn't going to do anything with my dolls either. My dolly friend Melinda from Vermont sent me some sweet dolly Easter things, so I decided to set up a late Easter tea for the dolls. This is my wonderful Tasha Tudor doll. It was made by Marjorie Tudor, who is Tasha's daughter-in-law. She is quite a doll maker and a wonderful person. I enjoy her company but she also lives in Vermont, so I don't get to visit her often enough. I was planning to go to the UFDC doll convention in Vermont this June, but it has been canceled. So, I won't get to see my friends this summer.

The doll's Easter Tea table. So fun to play with the dishes and little sweets. You can see the tiny  sugar cookies I made recently.

This is one of my favorite dolls...Lily. She was the doll who was in the doll's wedding last summer.
She loves to go to tea.

Of course the dolls have a Peter Rabbit tea set!

This is one of the gifts from Melinda...the Lamb of God for Easter. I love it.

I was gifted this little Easter tree years ago from my friend LaVonne. She has sent me little ornaments over the years.

So, I did have fun playing with my dolls. Somedays the news is so dark, I just need a little dolly break. 

Resurrection Sunday

Happy Resurrection Sunday! It was a beautiful day in many ways today. The virus canceled church services which is something that has never happened. I whole heartedly agreed with this decision, as we are still staying home to limit the spread of this virus. Some people were upset but I feel it gave people a chance to explore different types of Christian services via the internet. I joined several programs this week. This morning I watched a sunrise service at Arlington Cemetery. I didn't know that services were held there. I live in the Pacific North West, so I have never even been there. The chaplain was fabulous and what a joy to view this service online. Later this morning, I joined my friends Paul and Angelia for their home church. They live in Alabama and I visit this service often.
Yes, it was a very different Easter but Easter Sunday was not canceled.

Last January, someone in a tea group I belong to, posted these adorable tins. I was able to order a set. I don't even remember the name of the company. The larger tin is for cake. Isn't it pretty?

The smaller one says Tea Time Treats! Oh, how I dove that tin.

Jimmy likes sugar cookies. I had a roll of dough in the fridge, So I decided to bake some cookies for him. I LOVE cookie cutters. I used some of the red plastic ones from my youth, some Hallmark ones that my girls loved growing up and some I have picked up along the way. Yep, I still have my Tupperware sheet for rolling out dough. I have had it for about 40 years!

Jimmy doesn't like icing on sugar cookies, so I just used colored sugars to decorate them a little.

This is one of my spice cabinets. This was a Mother's Day gift long ago.

I have very small cookie cutters in some of the drawers. I used to use these to make cookies for my daughters when they were little.

I picked out a few to make some cookies for my dollies. I just love these tiny cookie cutters.

The finished project! I will have to share them with my dolls.

I also decided to make one of our family traditions for Easter. They are called Blarney Stones. They started out as cakes for St Pat's Day by my maternal grandmother. She cut a sheet cake into squares, frosted the cake all around and rolled it in coconut and chopped walnuts. My mother changed the process a little. She made them for Easter and frosted them with pastel colors. She made cupcakes and that made them easier to handle than cut cake squares. We still call them Blarney Stones.

Chopped walnuts and coconut ready to go.

These are so yummy and pretty, but they are messy to make. I frost the top and sides and then put it in the coconut bowl. I finish frosting the sides and bottom and roll it the coconut. I've done these many years and I will tell you, it takes some practice to get it right.

The coconut ones are the favorite in my family, but they like some nut ones too!

Don't they look like spring? These are full size cupcakes, but I have made them smaller for showers or teas. I like to make white ones with coconut for Christmas or winter...they look like snowballs.

I let them sit overnight with a layer of plastic wrap loosely over the pan. They need to dry a bit before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. The look great in the new cake tin.

My friend Michi Ball made this rabbit. She is an artist and sells wonderful things every month. I just love him.

My Jimmy was so ready for a nice Easter dinner. We couldn't share our meal with anyone, but we have each other. I had fun planning the menu....ham, balsamic vinegar asparagus, pea salad and fresh fresh fruit salad. I'm not supposed to eat ham due to my low sodium diet, but I did have a bit today!

Jimmy loved the pea and bacon salad...something new for us.

I didn't get out my Easter dishes this year so I used my Johnson Brother's Old English Countryside set.

Angie had Otto and her step daughter over night this weekend so she drove over to see us and drop off a few things. We can't have the kids over now but we got to see them as they stayed in the car.
Otto was SO SAD that he had to stay in the car. In the first photo, you can only see his hand. He wouldn't even look at us for awhile. It just made me so sad. We haven't seen him in person for a month!I tried not to cry, but the tears just came. Jim got sad too. Brave Angie just keep saying it was alright. This is the hardest part of this separation stuff for me.

Well, here it is bedtime. It was a full and busy day. We both found a lot of JOY, even with the sadness. Stay home and stay safe. 

Good Friday

Monday Made

I needed to escape for awhile from the stress and concerns of this virus. I'm not running away from the reality of this situation, I just needed a wee little break. I decided to make a few small felt items to give as little gifts as I can't go out shopping. I think it's ok to just send a little something this year.
I can go shopping in my craft cottage for my supplies and yep, I had everything I needed.

I've had these patterns for years and I really enjoyed making these little ornaments. I wish I had time to make more, but I have to get these in the mail.

I also wanted to make some cards for my dolls to send out to their doll friends. I have a little group that does a dolly card exchange. I love making these tiny cards.

I made the envelopes and little cards to go inside first. It takes time but it's not hard and I enjoy making them.

I added fun little stickers on the cards. It was fun finding supplies that matched so well.

I have some very fine pens that work pretty well for addressing the tiny envelopes. Here's the finished cards. I add them to the notes and cards I am sending off to my friends.

I have also been cooking at home. It's been good to make more frugal meals and nothing goes to waste. I had some cinnamon bread that needed to be used. I found my old recipe for bread pudding! I haven't made this for years. I am watching my carbs, but I did have a piece of this. I added dried cranberries instead of raisins. Of course, Jimmy thought it was great. We share the cooking since he retired. It works for us.

This is how it came out of the oven.

Jimmy has to have his with whipped cream. He hasn't been eating desserts so he was in heaven.
Have you been making things from your past? I'd love to hear about it. 

Holy Week

Good morning blogger friends. For those of us who are Christians, this is a special week...Holy Week. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday. This is the week we remember that Christ died for us to give us eternal life. It's quite different with this virus. Everyone is still sheltering in at home. Churches are closed and online church and programs have become a way of life right now. It is good to remember that Easter is NOT canceled...just the services and gatherings. It's hard but again, all of this is making us appreciate so many things we just took for granted or really didn't even try to participate in. Time to think and renew.

So I wanted to post a few things that happened over the weekend. Life goes on, but in such a different way!

My daughter Angie works in the office for a Portland OR school district. She has had to go into work as the district and teachers are trying to figure out what to do about teaching students as the schools are still closed. It's very difficult. I have sisters and a niece who are teachers. They are not trained in online teaching. All the districts are handing out Chrome Books today to students who do not have computers at home. Angie's district is handing out 700 today.

My other daughter Gina is moving forward after a break up with her boyfriend. This has been a trying time for relationships. She teaches at Clackamas Community College and has only one online class this next term. She is currently editing a book for a new author. Her part time little job at her friend's hair salon went out the window when Kelsie had to shut down her business. Gina has her sweet little dog Rico to help her get through this.

My grandson Otto, who is 6 now, is missing school and seeing us. He has been home with his mama and I think he's just bored. Maybe the sunshine will help this week.  He needs to get out and run some energy off! His birthday is in July and he's worried that his birthday will be canceled with the virus. Poor little monkey. He does well with the structure that school gives him and he has a great teacher this year. Grandma Linda and Papa Jimmy are missing Otto. We do FaceTime but he wasn't even interested in that the other day.

My dad's birthday is on April 8th. He is living in an assisted living home and is in total lockdown. He survived a heart attack the end of January, We almost lost him and he was in the hospital and then rehab for over a month. I didn't think he would see this 91st birthday, but here he is! We are trying to figure out how to celebrate or remember his day. My sister is calling Russellville today to ask if we could do a drive by...like a parade. They might have an idea or two. Who knows.

My niece Anna had emergency surgery yesterday. She has had trouble and surgery before for an ulcer. It went well, but she will be in the hospital until Friday. NO VISITORS! I feel so bad for her all alone. He hubby can't be with her. Just thankful there was room in a hospital for her. The virus numbers are low here in Oregon. I pray they stay that way.

Jimmy and I are doing fine. We are used to retired life and being together a lot. He has been getting projects done in the garage and around the house. He's getting more done than I am and that's ok. I am looking forward to sunshine this week to continue doing yard work. It was a very wet week so the grass in the beds has just taken off. We don't like to use chemicals, so that means work work work! Oh well, it's good for the old folks. I am doing a lot of wash as we are trying to use cloth towels and such in the house instead of paper products. I'm enjoying cooking and trying old favorites. As I have said, I'm a home body. I like to be home.

Yesterday, my nephew's girlfriend Jessica, set up a video meeting for any of the family that wanted to join. She scheduled it for 5 pm. It was kind of awkward and kind of fun. I have to tell you, I was surprised that everyone looked so stressed. We haven't seen each other for weeks. This virus and the unknown has taken a toll on us all. But, we are thankful for the internet and we are thankful that the virus has been held in check in Oregon and SW Washington. I am praying that that will continue. My heart just goes out to the city of New York and that state. Unreal and difficult to see the numbers climb along with the death toll.

Well, enough. I want to have a record of this so I am trying to keep going on my blog. I am going to do another post later today on a few fun things I have been doing. Take care...stay home and stay safe.

Maybe Time Really Does Fly!!!!

Our family had made plans to attend a Russian Tea on Easter Sunday afternoon for weeks at a hotel downtown in Portland. Just a week before the big day, the hotel told us they had cancelled the event! We were all disappointed and plans went out the window. I had searched Ebay and Etsy and shopped at the Russian stores in our area. I wanted to make the Easter baskets different and was happy with what I was able to find. So, I still gave the baskets but somehow, it just didn't have the same meaning. You can see the fun things I gathered in these photos.

I dug out my little Russian nesting dolls that I have had since I was a child. I have always loved them.

I was able to find these pretty broaches at the antique show. There's a booth that sells Russian items.

My friend Ann gifted me with this little felt doll family for Christmas. Her friend make them.

Another gifted friend, Heather is an artist. She offered these cards for the Easter season and how perfect!

I was able to track down these egg films that are so easy to use and they just make the eggs look so beautiful!

Jim and I went over to the Wirth family for an egg hunt and the annual confetti egg bash!

This part is always done outside. Papa Jimmy is the target every year! This is the mess when it's all over!

Chris was able to get us reservations for the Easter brunch downtown at the Urban Farmer. It is on the 8th floor of the old Meier and Frank building. It was a lovely brunch and set up so well. The food was fantastic.

I think Jimmy went back for fresh oysters about 3 times.

The Wirth family enjoying their brunch.

You can see the rooms of the hotel around the outside of the center restaurant.

My favorite room....the dessert table! YUMMY.

This is a giant ice rabbit for the day...so fantatic!

Miss Ava enjoying a wrap around retro desk and table. Yes, she is growing up.

We were enjoying a walk around the building during a break in the rain. Isn't she pretty. I loved her outfit.

And there's my little monkey man....our Otto! He was so happy and just totally loves life.
Such a lovely afternoon and such a blessing.

Time just seems to slip by me anymore....maybe time really does fly!!!