Apologies for no listings over the past two weeks as I'm still struggling to write my Christmas cards and wrap and post out my presents. Had hoped that at midnight tonight I might have nearly finished but you know what thought did? Not sure what has happened to my heading photo of Fritz seems to have gone smaller when I'm using the Internet Explorer but is ok on the Google Chrome.

I'm afraid that I'll have to take a break from blogging whilst I design, photograph, order and then write my cards, continue with the present shopping, then wrapping and be-ribboning of them before posting out. Leaving the putting up of the tree and decorations to the Christmas week.

A wonderful surprise gift arrives.

I had absolutely NO idea of what this parcel was OR who had sent it to me until it arrived and I had opened it. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this superb portrait in pastels of Fritz from and drawn by Christine Taylor.


What had I done to be worthy of this unique portrait I asked myself? ... although this was soon to be revealed from the notelet inside. It seems that Chris has so enjoyed my blog that she wanted to say 'Thank you.'



As you can see it really captures Fritz's devilish looks and 'so full of fun' nature and his eyes are almost perfect copies.
I had to have several goes at taking these photos as the light from the conservatory (my make-shift studio) windows and their frames kept catching and reflecting in the picture's glass, so eventually the next day (as it was then getting too dark outside) I set them up in the garden in the hope of preventing this not happening. (Much better although you can just see the trees captured in the corner.)



A million thanks Chris for such a kind, thoughtful and wonderfully unique gift. As you can imagine Fritz thinks that he is, as we tend to say in the UK, 'The cat's pyjamas.'
As always...my usual much appreciated thanks go to Sarah for her excellent job of downloading my photos.

I have bought this book to give to my two year old Great Nephew for Christmas.

...But when my Sashas spotted it lying there waiting to be wrapped they decided to have a sneaky preview.
The book, That's not my Santa is by Usborne and is one of their 'touchy-feely' series.
The front cover reads 'That's not my Santa.... his hat is too soft.' Here we see my early 1970s Trendon baby Sasha re-rooted by Lisa Hartley Nightdress feeling Santa's red hat.


That's not my Santa.... his sleigh is too sparkly.
The baby is wearing her favourite Winter outfit of a red fleece by Sashawardrobe, tights by the Doll Works and the Santa hat that I bought back the other week when shopping in Selfridges.



That's not my Santa....his sack is too rough.



That's not my Santa....his gloves are too fuzzy.



That's not my Santa....his boots are too squashy.



That's my Santa....his beard is so fluffy.



Firstly as an elder sister to my three brothers and sister, then as a parent and finally a primary teacher I know just how much young children enjoy repetative sayings/readings and love to join in saying them along with you... so I'm sure that Alexander, for whom this book is intended, will want do so too.
My thanks to Sarah for her brilliant listings yet again for me.

Oops sorry, the third part seems to have decided to situate itself BELOW the second part so please scroll down to view it. NOW, if I'd wanted that to happen, as I have in the past, I guess that I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Amongst the Christmas Decoration displays was a corner devoted to Britain's War Advert 'Dig for Victory.' I am going to publish this WITHOUT the wording as something has changed and is not letting me add the necessary descriptions. Seeking help ONCE again!

Have now successfully added in the descriptions thanks again to Sarah William's invaluable help.

We were all encouraged during the War years to dig up our lawns and flower beds and plant vegetables. Here is Luke, a 1969 Gregor, inspecting the raised cabbage plot for any caterpillars (who wouldn't be frightened off by the nearby scarcrow) that might be feasting themselves on the leaves before they were ready us to eat.





My customised by Shelly mid 70s Trendon baby Nightdress in her Cuddlyluggs knitted outfit taking refuge on the watering can as she doesn't like creepy, crawly caterpillars.



Due to the petrol rationing push bikes like this one were a standard form of transport when wanting to get from A to B or delivering food produce. Showing my age here, but I had one very similar a few years (1951) after the War had ended. It was much too large for me (no choice of sizes then, you just had to buy what was available!) even with wooden blocks on the pedals I couldn't get on or off it by myself so I learnt to prop it up against the fence, clamber on, push myself off from the fence and away I'd go.... BUT the problem was that when I needed to get off again I hadn't the skills to slow down and slide up to the fence again so had to fall off it onto the unmade-up rough Ashfelt road that was full of jagged stones, grit and dirt. (As you can imagine that first year I continually had blooded, grazed sore knees as girl's trousers or tights etc weren't made.)



My 1966 Frido brunette Gingham Sasha helping out with the gardening.



We were also encouraged to keep poultry, especially hens, in our back gardens, eggs being in short supply unless bought in a dried form.




1967 bobbed haired Blue Cord NP encouraging one of the hens to produce another egg needed for the cake baking.



My thanks again to Sarah's continuing help.

Second Part to the Winter Wonderland Visit.

My 1960s pale skinned, slate eyed Gotz girl enjoying a ride on one of the Three Wise Men's camels. (I'm wondering if her ride was smoother than mine a few years ago in Cyprus.... though I'm sure that it will have been as she is neatly perched in the soft neck crevice whilst I was seated on top of the hump!)


My Trendon early re-rooted baby sitting on a little red and white spotted toadstool.



Be careful that you don't fall off as the top is quite smooth and rounded so nothing to grip onto!



A huge Christmas Tree decorated with large Teddies.(Do you remember that they were displayed on a children's slide last year?)Can you spot the Sasha baby?



Baby Sasha enjoying a bear hug.



1969 Frido boy Luke (a risk purchase off eBay!) on another of these Reindeers made from inter-twinned twigs that seem to be all the rage this season.



Luke is wearing a Dollydoodle navy/white stripped hoodie, white T shirt, navy joggers, beanie hat and commercially made converses.



From spikey twigs to soft fur. This Reindeer was featured last year pulling Sasnta's sleigh but is here now in a delightfu Winter Scene.



My 1967 Frido NP demands her turn to sit on him. (Remember dear that your stringing is a little on the lose side so be very careful NOT to fall off.) She is dressed in Dollydoodle wear, Pinestreetstudio Polo-shirt plus JJ boots.



My eternal thanks to Sarah yet again for the superb sized photo listings.