Playing with Dolls

 I play with dolls....now I've said it! Are you happy now?

Well, it makes me happy and life is too short to spend it all doing chores! I've been keeping my house tidy these past few months. I can't stand to stay inside so much and have clutter.

And I didn't want to do as much this year with holiday decorations. (I looked back at this post and this may seem like WAY too much clutter to some people! lol But everything is in place and that's what I need...pretty things all in place!)

So I decided to make a little holiday tea party on the doll's bed. I didn't even change everyone's clothes! 

I did put a cute little reindeer onesie on this little doll.

These are all dolls from around 1960 and dolls just like the ones I had at the time. I bought them from a sweet lady on Etsy. I don't know how she could sell her childhood dolls but I'm happy to have them.

And my girlfriend Pat has made wooden 'paper dolls' for me over the years.

So I got out Santa...

and Mrs. Claus!

And the dolls changed their outfits. (really they did)

Have you taken time to do something just for the fun of it this week? 

I'm thankful to have some toys to play with and good health and so many other things! My gratitude list is LONG!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Welcome! Come on IN!

Growing up in the South, when we visited a neighbor or friend, we always opened the door and said 'YOOHOO'! I don't ever remember knocking or ringing a door bell. If it was at a relatives' house, I just opened the door and said their name....with a question mark on the end! So open the door, say Diane, are you there? And come on in! Or a simple 'Yoohoo' will get you in!

We're coming in the front door but the first thing we'll do is go close the drapes in the back. We leave them open most of the time but they let in too much Florida sunshine for our photos. We've put some sheers up to help with glare but we pull them back most of the time too. We love our sunshine and this big window looks out into the courtyard where the bird feeders are and our beloved birds!

A couple of you wanted to see my 2 red sofas but I know most of you have seen them over the years.

You'll notice I put red throws on the back of this sofa to keep the sun from fading the fabric. 

So for those that have seen the living room many times before, you can go on into the lanai and have a glass of Iced Tea. I'll meet you there in a bit! 

(art by local Florida artists)

And we'll look back at what you'll see at the entrance.

Make yourself at home!

We have 2 big dark brown leather recliners for comfort and a big screen TV for movie watching.

And you know I'm a firm believer of surrounding yourself with things you love.

So there are a few dolls here and there and children's books.

OLD books that I cherish.

And large bookcases filled with favorite books and some pottery we've collected over the years.

(and beautiful hand made baskets on top of the bookcases)

I change the throw pillow covers out pretty often.

We designated a library area at one end of our living room and that's where our piano is (my husband and I both play) and a table that can be used to play games or cards....or to read a book! I try to keep it simple so that it can be used and not just for show.

Wendy said she's enjoyed having you stop by. It's been pretty quiet here this summer! 

I'm thankful for a nice place to live and favorite things to enjoy

....and for friends that stop by to visit!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Shalimar

It's been awhile since I took photos of Shalimar. 

She's a doll made by the doll maker Linda Rick and one of my favorites.

I have a doll room so most of my dolls are in that room but I've always had Shalimar in my bedroom.

Because of the leaky roof and plans for a new roof this week, I decided to move her into the library. The photo above shows my dresser with nothing on it! You'll never see it like this again! I HOPE!

I hate having so much stuff 'out of place' but I don't want a mishap when they work replacing the plywood where it leaked. They are replacing our skylight in the kitchen too with a better one. I don't even know HOW to prepare for that! lol (I hope I'm still laughing after it's over)

I received some pretty things from Aunt Helen this week that I wanted to share. She is always finding neat things and beautiful cards that she knows I'll like.

Thanks Aunt Helen for all the special things you do for us!

Shalimar

Have you had a week filled with things to be thankful for? I don't really look forward to the mess of getting a new roof but I'm very happy to be able to get one when we need it! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Entertaining ourselves

I've never had a problem 'entertaining' myself! I'm surrounded by lots of 'favorite things' and can amuse myself for hours on end 'playing' with my toys!

I finally made an inventory of my children's readers on my computer using Libre Office. It's great because I can sort them by title or date or subject. I like the Alice and Jerry readers best but I collect any that I can find at a good price. 

And I took a couple of them off the shelf to read later. 

The stories are so sweet in these old readers from the '50s and '60s.

And I made another bread recipe that is SO quick and easy that I wanted to share it! I call them breadsticks and made them all the time when my kids were growing up. But then I couldn't find the recipe. I think I was confused by the name.

Quick Twist Rolls ....or Breadsticks

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp soft shortening

1 beaten egg

1 Tbsp yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup warm milk

Measure all dry ingredients and shortening together and blend.

Add yeast to warm water and let stand a few minutes.

Warm milk and pour into bowl. When lukewarm, add egg, yeast mixture and half of the flour mixture. Beat until smooth.

Add the rest of the ingredients, mixing well. Make dough into a ball with some olive oil on your hands. Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.

Grease 2 cookie sheets.

Punch down dough, toss onto lightly floured board. Roll to a rectangle 8 by 18 inches.

Brush half the rectangle the long way with soft butter.

Fold unbuttered half over buttered, pressing gently to make a rectangle 4 by 18 inches. Cut dough in strips 1 inch wide.

Take strips by ends and twist several times. Place on greased cookie sheets.

Let rise for 15 minutes. Preheat oven, bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Cool on rack.

(I don't put an egg glaze on top of them because it always makes them fall.)

 They are crispy on the outside and tender inside. Pour some garlic infused butter over a few and you'll 'swoon'! lol

Have a good week! Let me know if you bake something good this week!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

'Playing' at home!

Staying at home? I'm pretty much a home body anyway so I don't mind being at home a little more (as long as I can get out on the trails and hike some too).

I spent a little time in my boxes of Spring decorations and added a few things here and there.

And redressed Noel in a pretty pink dress.

It's hard to feel lighthearted at this time but I'm staying busy and praying for everyone.

Hubby gave me the cutest card for our anniversary this month. I hope you can see it well enough to read it! (the card on the bottom in the center is the one I gave him)

I appreciate my fellow bloggers that are sharing 'stay at home' ideas. What are you doing to stay busy? My husband does volunteer work for our community from home so he has been super busy. Thanks to everyone who's helping to make a difference during this difficult time. Thanks hubby! 😘

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

"Happy Valentine's Day"

Isn't it nice to have a special day to tell someone you love them? Well, I say it every day and you probably do too but I like this sweet holiday anyway!

Doesn't it bring back memories of taking little Valentines to school and sharing them with friends. We took a shoe box to bring home our Valentines. And everyone took part. I always loved the pretty card the teacher gave us. And we had a Valentine cookie and a little cup of sugary fruit juice. 

It's fun to decorate just a little....

and enjoy this month!

I hope you are having a good week. The weather here in Florida is like summertime!

Hubby even grilled bacon and we made BLTs. We also have fresh Florida strawberries in season and I've been putting slices on my oatmeal and making hubby strawberry milkshakes...with love.

Have a beautiful day!

Will you be my Valentine?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.