White Christmas

When dreaming of a white Christmas, 

people typically envision an outdoor landscape

covered in a deep blanket of glistening snow.

Looking around my holiday decor,

a white Christmas is celebrated indoors.

Let's begin with this fabric angel 

dressed in white eyelet and lace. 

The angel is paired with glittery snowflake candles

and a vintage postcard.

The postcard is the focal point of this display,

featuring a nativity scene with a trio of angels

watching over Baby Jesus.

A pair of Old World Santa figurines 

are also dressed in white.  

The framed image in the background is a modern greeting card mounted on a sheet of neutral scrapbook paper.

This Santa with the curly flowing beard and a golden robe 

has a place of honor on the dining room table.

The cover of a decorative storage box features

an image of a Santa dressed in neutral colors.

Whatever your personal holiday traditions,

enjoy the season and CELEBRATE!

Wishing you a Merry and WHITE Christmas!

Celebrating the holiday season with:

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Thanksgiving Blessings

A whimsical image that brought a smile to my face

is my lighthearted message wishing

Thanksgiving Blessings to you and your family.

The design on this antique postcard was drawn by

Frances Brundage, copyright 1910.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

In Honor of Veteran's Day 2013

Extending a "THANK YOU"

 to all of our veterans and those currently serving.

Until next time, live and love well.

Mysterious Companions

My last post showcased postcards of children

and their beloved dogs.  Read Puppy Dog Tails.

To give equal attention, the postcards in this post feature cats.

Specifically, BLACK CATS, because this week is Halloween.

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock

they demonstrated devout faith and were deeply suspicious

of anything deemed from the devil.

Black cats were considered companions of witches

and anyone caught with a black cat

would be severely punished or even killed.

Images of witches are often depicted

with a black cat as a companion.

This postcard is photographed with a prop

of a witch's handbook of spells.

Thanks to Chickabug blog

 for creating this enchanting Halloween book cover.

You can get a free download here.

Is a black cat your friend or foe?

Not certain who is more frightened -- 

the little boy or the black cat 

-- as they encounter each other in the darkness of bedtime.

These not-so-frightening kitties get in formation

to extend greetings of the season.

Happy Halloween!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in sharing Halloween greetings this week at:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Puppy Dog Tails

It has been quite a while since I shared some vintage postcards with you.  Today’s offering is a group of cards showcasing children and their beloved family dogs.

These cards were printed by varied publishers and

those that bear postmarks are dated 1911 or 1912.

The title of the post “Puppy Dog Tails” was inspired by the nursery rhyme “What Are Little Boys Made Of”.

As the related girls poem states,

little girls are made of sugar and spice.

The postcards are photographed against a backdrop

of some of the frilly doll dresses

that just arrived in my doll boutique.

I thought these dresses with ribbons and lace

represented the “sugar and spice” of little girls.

Did you know that these nursery rhyme verses 

are actually part of a much longer poem? 

The poem “What Folks Are Made of” is attributed to Robert Southey, 

an English poet and historian, who became poet laureate in 1813.  Although the entire rhyme cannot be absolutely verified

as being by Southey

 it is generally thought to be by him, circa 1820.

Although I don't understand the meaning behind all of the verses

 (why are nurses made of bushes and thorns and old cow horns?),

I thought you might enjoy reading the entire poem.

What Folks Are Made Of 

Attributed to Robert Southey, About 1820

Authorship cannot be absolutely verified 

                                                                                  

        What are little babies made of?

             Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;

          That's what little babies are made of.

                                                  

          What are little boys made of?

             Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;

          That's what little boys are made of.                                              

         

          What are little girls made of?

             Sugar and spice and everything nice;

          That's what little girls are made of.

         

          What are young men made of?

             Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;

          That's what young men are made of.

                                            

          What are young women made of?

             Rings and jings and other fine things;                                         

          That's what young women are made of.                                        

         

          What are our sailors made of?

             Pitch and tar, pig-tail and scar;

          That's what our sailors are made of.

         

          What are our soldiers made of?

             Pipeclay and drill, the foeman to kill;

          That's what our soldiers are made of.

         

          What are our nurses made of?

             Bushes and thorns and old cow's horns;

          That's what our nurses are made of.

         

          What are our fathers made of?

             Pipes and smoke and collars choke;

          That's what our fathers are made of.

         

          What are our mothers made of?

             Ribbons and laces and sweet pretty faces;

          That's what our mothers are made of.

         

          What are old men made of?

             Slippers that flop and a bald-headed top;

          That's what old men are made of.

         

          What are old women made of?

             Reels, and jeels, and old spinning wheels;

          That's what old women are made of.

         

          What are all folks made of?

             Fighting a spot and loving a lot,

          That's what all folks are made of.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in meeting some great people this week at these events:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Shades of Pink

Pink Saturday is a perfect opportunity to share the flowers blooming at my home in varied shades of pink.

The Rose of Sharon bush is loaded with buds.

This variety is named Rose Satin Althea and it started its display of dramatic flowers this week.  Lots more buds still to open. 

With it's ruffled petals curling toward the center,

this flower looks like a five-pointed star.

This is the first year that I have planted New Guinea Impatiens.  They seem happy with the shady location near the front porch.  This variety has large flowers and is named Super Sonic Pink.

Although my Zinnia plants have a multitude of colors,

today I will showcase the pink flowers

with their cheery yellow centers.

The bees are certainly attracted to the sweet nectar of the Zinnias.

Stop over and share your PINK with
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

My Uncle's Name is Sam

Taking a look around my home and the decor displayed to celebrate Independence Day, a common feature is the image of the American symbol Uncle Sam. 

But what do we know about the origins of this famous icon?

By an act of the 87th Congress of the United States, the following resolution was adopted on Sept. 15, 1961: "Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring) that the Congress salutes `Uncle Sam' Wilson of Troy, N.Y., as the progenitor of America's national symbol of "Uncle Sam."

Samuel Wilson and his brother Ebenezer established a meat packing business in the town of Troy, New York. Their firm won a contract to supply meat to U.S. soldiers after the declaration of war against England in 1812. At the time, meat was packed in barrels and the barrels were stamped U.S. to designate the United States as the customer.




Because Samuel was so well liked by the people of Troy, he was known locally as "Uncle" Sam, and Troy residents associated the “U.S.” stamp on the sides of the barrels with “Uncle Sam” who they knew was supplying meat for the soldiers.

The actual image of Uncle Sam evolved over time.

Prior to the Civil War another character was more commonly used as a symbol of our country – Brother Jonathan. Brother Jonathan was depicted with striped pants, a coat with tails and a tall top hat.  But, the Civil War brought a major transition to the symbol of our country.

People began to associate the image of our country with the face of Abraham Lincoln and it was during this period that our icon aged and acquired a beard.

Brother Jonathan was slowly phased out, being replaced by Uncle Sam. The updated image of Uncle Sam was popularized by Thomas Nast through his political cartoons.

The antique postcards photographed for this post are postmarked or copyrighted during the period 1907-1909.  I hope you enjoyed this bit of American history.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Meet some fabulous new people at:
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Mother Nature's Fireworks

We are all looking forward to enjoying some fireworks

in celebration of the upcoming holiday.

Just in time for the festivities, 

Mother Nature has sent up her own plumes of color.  

The tag when I purchased this plant last year indicated

this was "Peach Blossom" Astilbe.

The image on the tag shows a plant with coral coloration.

But the plants in my garden have pale pink blooms.  

The color is not what I expected

but the astilbe plants look lovely just the same

paired with this piece of garden art.

You may enjoy reading my June 2012

post titled Faux Tablescape.

One more bit of pink to share this week...
 The impatiens seem quite happy hanging

 in the corner of the decorative garden fence.

Showing my pink with Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Happy Birthday Old Glory

“Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

June 14, 1777

 Act of Congress to adopt the Stars and Stripes

as the flag of the United States

"We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separate it by white in stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her..."

Quote attributed to George Washington, 

but questionable if true

Although over the years individual states

recognized the birthday of the United States flag,

it was not until 1949 when President Harry Truman

signed an Act of Congress designating the 

14th day of June every year as

National Flag Day.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining in the festivities at
Ivy and Elephant's What's It Wednesday 

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!