Racing against the clock

Momma and Aunt Heidi* and I took a whirlwind field trip today to the AG store in Scottsdale to see GOTY Blaire Wilson for ourselves. We arrived only to discover they were closing in 15 minutes.

*sigh*

We quickly checked out Blaire's Family Farm Restaurant, which is fabulous and we could see lots of play value in it. However, we were disappointed by all the plastic - especially for $300.

Blaire's Party Décor ($85) did nothing for us. It was pretty, but it was pink and plastic. 

We had to check out Blaire's farm animals so we raced over to see them. Blaire's Silkie chicken, Dandelion, is adorable but you have to buy Blaire's Garden for $50 to get it. Not this trip. 

Aunt Heidi was a wee bit disappointed because she really wanted Dandy, so she comforted herself with Blaire's Piglet instead for $20. That is some pig. 

Momma and I really liked Blaire's Lamb ($25). It's soft and huggable, which is an improvement on Felicity's Posie. We never liked that heavy, hard body of Posie's. The neck ribbon is sewn into the back seam. 

Blaire herself is cute, but Momma always loves dolls with the Josefina face mold. Blaire's clothes were cute and we agreed we liked the color palette of lavender, mauve, and green. 

Overall? Blaire's collection was such a letdown after last year's Luciana and her emphasis on S.T.E.M. We also agreed, who lets a 10-year-old plan a wedding?!

Employees were politely standing around so we headed to the registers, but got sidetracked by the new $100 American Girl® Swimming Pool. It is really cute, but flat and one dimensional. However, I could practice walking on water. 

Finally, we saw the new AG Scottsdale T-shirt which was pretty, but you now have to buy it as a set with a child's matching T-shirt. 

Bummer.

Momma, Aunt Heidi, and I agreed that we prefer the historic dolls. We especially liked the quality and attention to detail in the original Pleasant Company dolls. 

Come on American Girl and Mattel! Why should we pay top dollar for plastic? We can pay much less for plastic toys and accessories at Target and Walmart. 

Our Generation and My Life As are rapidly introducing better face molds and better items for 18" Vinyl Americans such as me. 

They're stepping up. American Girl? Will you?

*fromauntheidi on instagram

Salad Days

As previously mentioned, the Holidays are rapidly approaching. When Momma and I were assembling My Thanksgiving Dinner, we realized My Salad had been destroyed in the house-fire!

According to Wikipedia: The word "salad" comes from the French salade of the same meaning, from the Latin salata (salty), from sal (salt). In English, the word first appears as "salad" or "sallet" in the 14th century. Salt is associated with salad because vegetables were seasoned with brine or salty oil-and-vinegar dressings during Roman times. The phrase "salad days," meaning a "time of youthful inexperience" (based on the notion of "green"), is first recorded by Shakespeare in 1606, while the use of salad bar, referring to a buffet-style serving of salad ingredients, first appeared in American English in 1976.

Thankfully, it's easy for Momma to make — which means it's literally a pain-free craft!

The essential item is Buffalo Snow. Made by Buffalo Batt & Felt, the company was founded more than 90 years ago as a cotton felts manufacturer. It now manufactures felts, fiberfill, batting, and seasonal items. 

Buffalo Snow, when mixed with a little paint in the colors of your choice and dried, can be used as salads, shredded vegetables, and more!

If enough people are interested, maybe Momma and my Big Sister can make a video showing how it's made. 

Let the feasting begin!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

My most humble apologies, dear reader, apparently I have completely lost track of time!

I have been galavanting around, defying space and time, while Momma continues to struggle with her health. 

However, the Holidays are upon us so it is Time for me to start posting regularly again. 

So let me tell you about Aunt Heidi. 

Momma was selling Molly’s yellow bed a few weeks ago and was contacted by a Local Woman who was interested in buying it. As a reference (Safety first!) she texted that she was @fromauntheidi on Instagram. 

Momma replied that I had an inactive (ahem!) account on Instagram as @steampunkaddie. The next thing Momma got was this text:

!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD A PIC OF STEAMPUNK ADDY (sic) SAVED IN MY "INSPIRATION" FOLDER FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS! 

And it's YOU! Omgomgomg!

(Modest blush)

Of course Aunt Heidi had to meet Me when she came over to get the bed. 

Thus was the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship. 

In celebration of that Friendship, I want to share Aunt Heidi’s latest giveaway on Instagram. 

In my family a very important part of Thanksgiving was watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and having dinner of toast, popcorn, pretzels, and jelly beans. Year after year this tradition kicks off the holiday season. So, of course, I had to make a doll-sized version!

Not familiar with “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”?

Turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie…and the Peanuts gang to share them with. This is going to be the greatest Thanksgiving ever!

The fun begins when Peppermint Patty invites herself and her pals to Charlie Brown’s house for a REALLY big turkey party. Good grief! All our hero can cook is cold cereal and maybe toast. Is Charlie Brown doomed? Not when Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock chip in to save the (Thanksgiving) Day. With such good friends, Charlie Brown – and all of us – has so many reasons to be thankful.

One winner will receive a yellow knit Charlie Brown T-shirt, a tiny DVD, and a plate of classic Charlie Brown Thanksgiving dinner: toast, pretzels, popcorn, and jelly beans. 

In order to win you must 1) follow Aunt Heidi’s Instagram account, 2) leave a comment telling her your favorite Thanksgiving (or holiday) tradition, 3) be age 18 or have parent/guardian permission, and 4) have a U.S. mailing address (sorry Canada, et al). Contest will close on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 at midnight (Pacific time). Aunt Heidi will select and notify a winner on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018. 

Good luck!