The Steam Ship Lollipop has sailed

Actress and Ambassador Shirley Temple has died.

Shirley Temple was an American moving picture and television actress, singer, dancer, and one-time U.S. ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. She also served as Chief of Protocol of the United States from 1976–1977.

Momma has never been a big fan (she was influenced by Grandmomma who was forced to wear ringlets as a child - she could recite 'Twas the night before Christmas in the time it took to get her curls done) but we are still sad to hear of her passing.

You can't got to a doll show and not see dozens, if not hundreds, of Shirley Temple dolls, but imagine my surprise when ma chère amie Cécile said she actually liked some Shirley Temple movies.

R.I.P.

The Year of the Ear

As previously mentioned, Momma surprised us with a one day trip to Disneyland last week. Momma, my Big Sister, her two cousins and their Momma piled into the car on Thursday and off we went. (I was joined by McKenna, Kanani, and Cécile. We met Ivy at Disneyland.)

The first thing we ALL did after walking in was get our Mickey Mouse Ear Hats.

Mickey Mouse Ear Hats began in the 1950s when The Mickey Mouse Club aired on television. The Mousketeers wore them throughout each show, so the hats became something young children and adults dreamed about wearing.

The creator of these ears was Roy Williams, an adult Mousketeer. He was allegedly inspired by the 1929 short story The Karnival Kid, featuring a scene of Mickey tipping his ears to Minnie. Many years later, the first wearable Mickey Mouse Ears were born.

The Mickey Mouse Ear Hat is probably the most popular item purchased at Disney theme parks. They are usually a simple round cap with two round ears attached so they look like Mickey's ears.

Did you know that Disney has declared 2013 to be the Year of the Ear? So there are more ears than ever to choose from! 

Momma selected a limited edition Steampunk Ear Hat (of course!), my Big Sister got Perry, I got a MousekeEars Mini Ear Hat - Red and McKenna got blue MousekeEars. My cousins also got a Dumbo and Donald Duck each.

You're never too old to be a Mouseketeer!

Steal of the day

Wow! They're sold out already!

While Momma is busy doing her victory dance, let me tell you that today (while supplies last!) you can get Cécile, Marie-Grace or their Canopy Bed for $50 each plus $7.95 shipping!

How?

Use this link and enter JILLOFFER as the promotional code.

Don't panic. It will show in your cart as full price, but if you enter that code and the credit card it will show the discount price before you hit the final confirm.

Now get busy. The world needs more Cécile dolls!

It's nice to know so many of you listen to Me.

Walk like a pirate

Best Doll Boutique

T' me not-so-gentle readers,

I apologize for me absence lately, but since Momma be feelin' a bit better, I decided t' run away for awhile t' be a pirate. (After all, today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day!)

And while I (of course) cut a dashin' figure on t' high seas, ma chère amie Cécile be even more so in this outfit from Best Doll Boutique!

Steampunk styling incorporates the past and the future - an amazing amalgam of the Victorian era with elements of futuristic science fiction. Experience the best of both worlds in this uniquely styled doll's Steampunk Costume and blow off some steam on Halloween!

• Absolutely gorgeous vintage COLLAR is black super soft faux fur with brown satin ribbon ties. The back is lined in a black cotton. Decorated with checked fabric and two gears.This collar is perfect to add to the costume to glam it up!

• The Steampunk NECKLACE is black satin ribbon with black and red beads and velcro closure on the back.

• Uniquely designed black striped underbust CORSET features a front gold applique with gears, golden trim around and a retro gold rhinestone gun & skull head chain. Velcro closure on the back.

• Gorgeous ivory cotton BLOUSE features long puffed sleeves and trimmed with a vintage ivory lace. Closes with velcro on the back for easy opening.

• The three-layer ruffle SKIRT has an elasticized waist and black lace trim on the hem. The back of the skirt has a draped brown satin train decorated with black lace and gold trim that gives great volume. The train is attached to the skirt with two snaps.

• Burgundy faux leather steampunk BELT features the same material PURSE that opens to hold all your essentials.

• Steampunk CUFF with two gears and eyelets is made of beautifully soft burgundy faux leather. It fastens quickly and easily with velcro.

• The black net stretch TIGHTS are with the elastic waistband.

• Burgundy faux leather steam punk SANDALS are handmade by me and decorated with brown satin bows, gears and eyelets. This is a truly unique designer piece.

• No steampunk outfit is complete without an EYEPATCH! This is the highest-quality eyepatch made from gorgeous burgundy faux leather, gears and matching yeylets. It can be worn on the left or on the right eye.

Arrr! 

Bluestocking? No. Blackstocking? Yes!

Inquiring minds have been asking about the status of my library in the sky.

So far I have mini copies of:

• Meet Kaya
• Meet Felicity
• Felicity's Surprise
• Very Funny, Elizabeth
• Meet Caroline
• Meet Josefina
• Josefina's Surprise
• Meet Kirsten
• Kirsten's Surprise
• Meet Marie-Grace
• Meet Cécile
• Meet Addy
• Addy's Surprise
• Meet Samantha
• Samantha's Surprise
• Nellie's Promise
• Meet Rebecca
• Meet Kit
• Really Truly Ruthie
• Meet Molly
• Molly's Surprise
• Brave Emily
• Meet Julie

I also have nice little copies of:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• A Christmas Carol
• Horton Hears a Who
• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Mother Goose in Hieroglyphics
• The Night Before Christmas
• Olivia Saves the Circus
• Peter Parley’s Book of Fables
• The Quest of the Missing Map
• Robin Hood
• The Tales of Peter Rabbit
• The Wizard of Oz
• Woodworth's Cabinet Library

Please let me know if you have any mini suggestions - or donations!

A day to remember

Joyeux anniversaire ma chère amie, Cécile!

While enjoying your holiday weekend (and Cécile's birthday) please remember those who have died for your freedom.

Memorial day has its origins in Decoration Day, which began during the Civil War among Freedmen (freed slaves) and other Black American families, as a celebration of both black and white Union soldiers who fought for liberation and justice. Together with teachers and missionaries, Blacks in Charleston organized a May Day ceremony on May 1, 1865, which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers.

During the war, Union soldiers who were prisoners of war had been held at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves.

The sheer number of dead soldiers, both Union and Confederate, who perished in the civil war meant that burial and memorialization would take on new cultural significance. Particularly under the leadership of women during the war, an increasingly formal practice of decorating graves had already taken shape. 

The freedmen had cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground, building an enclosure and an arch labeled, "Martyrs of the Race Course." Nearly 10,000 people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the dead. Involved were 3,000 schoolchildren newly enrolled in freedmen's schools, mutual aid societies, Union troops, and black ministers and white northern missionaries. Most brought flowers to lay on the burial field.

In 1865, the federal government began a program of creating national military cemeteries for the Union dead; Decoration Day was soon expanded (and de-politicized) from its origins in Black America to the broader Memorial Day tradition more well-known today.

Oops! I did it again

I discovered this morning that I forgot my friend Rebecca Rubin's birthday yesterday.

Oops.

It's a good thing I can time travel. She'll never know I forgot it!

!יום הולדת שמח

Rebecca's family would likely celebrate her birthday with a mixture of Russian, Jewish and American traditions.

In Russia, birthday parties would be celebrated on or after one's birthday, not before. And never give someone birthday wishes before their birthday!

If you're Russian, you may receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting cut into the crust instead of a cake!

Jewish boys become bar mitzvah on their 13th birthday. Jewish girls become bat mitzvah on their 12th birthday (or sometimes on their 13th birthday in Reform and Conservative Judaism). This marks the transition where they become obligated in commandments of which they were previously exempted and are counted as part of the community.

And finally, a listing of all my friends' birthdays (including mine!) so I don't forget again!

• Kaya ~ Summer, 1755
• Felicity ~ April 21, 1765
• Elizabeth ~ November 5, 1765
• Josefina ~ March 19, 1815
• Marie Grace ~ March 3, 1843
• Cécile ~ May 28, 1843
• Kirsten ~ June 8, 1845
• Addie ~ April 9, 1855
• Addy ~ April 9, 1855
• Samantha ~ May 26, 1895
• Nellie ~ October 15, 1895
• Rebecca ~ April 4, 1905
• Kit ~ May 19, 1923
• Ruthie ~ August 22, 1923
• Molly ~ April 22, 1934
• Emily ~ September 29, 1933
• Julie ~ May 1, 1966
• Ivy ~ February 28, 1966

Cast iron stomachs

Ma chère amie Cécile and I were enjoying some chicory coffee this morning while waiting for our beignets and we got to talking about the abundant use of cast iron in New Orleans.

I was telling her that while many love the new Courtyard Furniture, others are complaining about its green-painted surface.

She was astonished and told me a couple of facts.

Due to French and Spanish influence in New Orleans, wrought iron had long been used. With the industrial revolution though, Victorians started using decorative cast iron instead.

According to this PDF from Louisiana's State Historic Preservation Office, cast iron was historically painted either a soft green or bronze since cast iron is more brittle and more likely to rust than wrought iron.

Cast Iron

• High carbon content, brittle
• Heated to a molten, fluid form and poured into molds
• Good for complex or repetitive patterns
• More prone to rust
• Mechanically fastened together, by bolts for example

Wrought Iron

• Malleable, lower carbon content
• Hand shaped by heat and force
• Best for geometric or curvilinear designs
• Less likely to rust, was sometimes waxed for protection
• Fastened with rivets or by fusing

And if anyone had ever seen the three cornstalk fences in New Orleans (made by Wood & Perot of Philadelphia!), they'd know they're intricately painted.

Let the good times roll

Have you eaten your pancakes tonight? Ma chère amie Cécile and I have! 

pancakes by Pippaloo

Mardi Gras (also known as Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, and Fat Tuesday) is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Since Mardi Gras is linked to Easter, its date changes yearly.

In most traditions the day is known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of sugar, fat, flour and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

Mardi Gras was first celebrated in Louisiana on March 3, 1699 by early French settlers.

In New Orleans it is a season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties. It has traditionally been part of the winter social season; at one time "coming out" parties for young women at débutante balls were timed for this season.

Mardi Gras has expanded to the point that it became strongly associated with New Orleans in popular perception, and Mardi Gras celebrations are part of the basis of the slogan, Laissez les bons temps rouler, (Let the good times roll) and the nickname "The Big Easy."

When life gives you lemons

Ma chère amie Cécile and her friend Marie-Grace finally got some lovely new items for the summer ... and pink is not the predominate color! Woo hoo!

Marie-Grace's Summer Outfit
Marie-Grace chooses this lovely outfit for summertime in New Orleans:

• A pink-and-green checked taffeta dress inspired by real fashions of the 1850s, with a triple-tiered skirt and satin ribbon accents
• A wide-brimmed hat, trimmed with a matching taffeta ribbon
• Pink-and-white boots with button details for the finishing touch

Cécile's Summer Outfit
Cécile's fancy ensemble is perfect for summers in New Orleans! It features:

• A true-to-era lemon taffeta dress, with a pretty striped yoke, a gathered bodice, and bell sleeves with organza trim
• Cécile can shade her eyes with a faux-straw bonnet that ties under her chin—ribbon and daisies add a touch of elegance
• Two-tone boots with button details complete the look 

Lacy Parasol

This fashionable parasol is made of cream-colored lace—in the 1850s, that's how young ladies shaded their faces from the sun. It opens and closes easily, and has a sculpted golden handle her doll can really hold.

Courtyard Furniture
This pretty metal table is made to look like cast iron, a style that was popular in the 1850s. The set also includes two matching chairs with elaborate scrollwork details.

Glassware & Treats
Delicious desserts for dolls, inspired by New Orleans! This set includes pretend treats for two:

• A trio of beignets, faux pastries dusted with powdered sugar
• A ceramic plate decorated with an authentic design from the 1850s
• A footed glass bowl filled with pieces of faux fruit: peach and apple, pear and lemon, a pineapple, and a bunch of bananas
• A delicate glass pitcher with a genuine flower motif, along with two matching drink glasses

Items available for a limited time only, while supplies last.

Love me (Vert) Tendre

used with permission of M.H.D. Designs

Ma chère amie Cécile is one lucky girl! Check out this gorgeous creation by seamstress artisté, Magalie Houle Dawson of M.H.D. Designs:

• 1850's inspired Dress in a cotton linen blend jacquard and embroidered loose weave organza. The lined bodice has rows of small organza ruffles at the sleeves, peplum, princess line seam, and neck opening. It is decorated with free motion embroidered "greens" and beads on the sleeve tops and bodice. It is also decorated with an organza bow with a beaded center at the waist. Closes in back with a row of fancy buttons and loops.

• The lined Skirt is made of eight alternating panels. Four have three rows of loose weave embroidered organza ruffles, and four with free motion embroidered greenery decorated with hundreds of seed beads. Closes in back with a button and loop.

• The lined Bonnet is sewn with the same cotton linen blend jacquard and loose weave embroidered organza. It has rows of organza ruffles on the outside and is decorated with free motion embroidery and bead work. The inside has three rows of pleated jacquard ruffles. closes with a bow on the side. 

• Matching Hair Ties

used with permission of M.H.D. Designs

However, what I am drooling over are the Unmentionables: 

• The lined Corset is made with the same cotton linen blend jacquard and has some pleated ruffles at the center front top and along the hem. It is decorated with free motion embroidery and beaded all over. Closes in back with laces and loops.

• The Under Dress is made to represent the Chemise and the Petticoat. Sewn in embroidered cotton and decorated with yards of Venice Lace. Closes in back with a row of Mother Of Pearl buttons and loops.

• The Pantaloons are in embroidered cotton. They have five growth tucks and are decorated with Venice Lace at the ruffled cuffs. 

 I wonder how much Unmentionables cost?

 Black, of course.

Merry Christmas!

My little friends and I were having a pleasant chat and it occurred to me to ask them how they would wish you a Merry Christmas in their native languages.

Felicity might say "Happy Christmas!" since that would be proper in England and probably the Colonies. (Molly's friend Emily would, too.)

Josefina would say in Spanish, "¡Feliz Navidad!" 

Kirsten would say in Swedish, "God Jul!" 

Ma chère amie Cécile might say in French, "Joyeux Noël!" 

Rebecca would wish her Christian friends in Russian, "С Рождеством Христовым!"

Kanani says in Hawai'ian, "Mele Kalikimaka!"

And Merry Christmas from all the rest of us! 

How do you say "Merry Christmas!"?

Truth is stranger than fiction

"Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't."

Mark Twain

Please don't think negatively of me, but it's really hard not to laugh sometimes when you read things like this:

AP - Sixteen actors dressed as zombies were injured Tuesday when they fell from a platform during filming of a new movie in the "Resident Evil" series, officials said, and rescue workers at first were startled at the seemingly catastrophic scene.

"I could see the look on the first paramedic, saying 'Oh my God,"' Toronto emergency medical services Commander David Ralph said with a laugh.

None of the injuries was life-threatening, but the victims' gory zombie costumes made it difficult for crews to assess the actors' injuries.

"It did kind of catch us off guard when we walked in," Toronto Police Sgt. Andrew Gibson said.

Twelve victims (not ma chère amie Cécile) were taken to a hospital. (I hope none of the hospital's residents was evil.) One actor had a cracked rib, another broke a leg and one had a possible back injury, the film's producers said, but seven of the zombies have already returned to the set.

So much for the disclaimer at the end of Resident Evil 5:

"No zombies were harmed in the making of this movie."

Moon over Bourbon Street

It seems appropriate now that I discovered ma chère amie Cécile's Deep Dark Secret on October 1.

As you might recall, I've written of my loathing of Cécile's bed before. I've also commented on mini Cécile's resemblance to a zombie.

But now I know the truth.

As you know, I attended the American Girl Fashion Show AZ on Saturday. (As a spectator NOT as a model - sniff.)

And what should meet my wondering eyes while examining the raffle prizes but Cécile. Sound asleep in a cardboard coffin ... next to her bed!

Nothing I could say or do would rouse her, but the sun was still shining.

Which leads me to one conclusion and one conclusion only.

Ma chère amie Cécile is a vampire.

A vampire who wears a hairnet while "sleeping."

Snigger.

See, the truth is out there.

She walks everyday through the streets of New Orleans
She's innocent and young from a family of means
I have stood many times outside her window at night
To struggle with my instinct in the pale moon light
How could I be this way when I pray to God above
I must love what I destroy and destroy the thing I love
Oh you'll never see my shade or hear the sound of my feet
While there's a moon over Bourbon Street

Sting

I do my little turn on the catwalk

Today was the Big Day for the American Girl Fashion Show AZ and I am exhausted.

As previously mentioned, I was NOT selected as an "official" model, but Momma and I had our hands full anyway with my Big Sister and her two cousins, as well as Felicity, Kirsten and Nellie.

But first I must say that Big Sister's godsister did a fantastic job modeling the Everyday Play Outfit for Girls. Well done!

During the intermission I hopped up on the catwalk to show the others how to properly model.

Felicity developed stage fright and kept swooning, requiring a helping hand.

Kirsten did well but kept standing too close to Felicity who had a bad habit of collapsing into her arms - and taking them both down in the process.

Nellie had a real knack for it as well as a definite sense of style, but I shall have to talk firmly to her since I have discovered she was not wearing her unmentionables! 

(Hey, wait a minute. I just realized All Three Dolls have been archived! I read Banned Books and hang out with Archived Dolls. What does that say about me?) 

I'll have more in a day or two but I need to help Momma with the chores before bed. Let's just say I discovered ma chère amie Cécile's Deep Dark Secret ... and have photos to prove it!

I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk

Right Said Fred

I spy with my occhiolino*

 I. Am. So. Excited.

I found out last week the pastor of my church makes beautiful working telescopes and microscopes out of spare parts. When he saw my excitement he offered me my very own microscope!

It is amazing!

It's made of a Canadian drill press, parts from a brass bed, a ladies mirror, and miscellaneous other things. (He showed me a telescope he made using a roll bar, soup can, and a drive shaft!)

Examining the yellow fever virus.

Inspired by ma chère amie Cécile, I immediately set out to find a cure for yellow fever.

(As you might recall, the New Orleans epidemic of 1853, featured in the Cécile Rey American Girl book series, killed 9,000 people.)

Carlos Finlay, a Cuban doctor and scientist, first proposed in 1881 that yellow fever might be transmitted by mosquitoes rather than direct human contact.

U.S. Army physician Major Walter Reed, M.D., led the team that proved Finlay's hypothesis in 1900.

I thought I might try to nudge both men along with their discoveries.

Or maybe I'll do it myself.

Can't you just see me winning the Nobel Prize?

I can't believe it! My very own steampunk microscope!

Now if I can just get a giant telescope....

*Galileo called his compound microscope the "occhiolino" or "little eye."

Orange you thrilled I'm not a zombie

Two days later and I'm still sniggering.

I ask you, does she, or does she not, look like a zombie?

I didn't know ma chère amie Cécile had it in her.

Now, where can I get a red and black jacket like the other zombie?

I already have the matching boots!

This blood's for you

I now know where they get the synthetic blood for the True Blood vampires.

Vinyl mini-dolls, of course! Isn't she deliciously scary looking?

I must have her! My very own zombie doll....

By the way, do you know what vegetarian zombies crave?

GRAINS!

Ample make this bed

Ample make this bed.
Make this bed with awe;
In it wait till judgment break
Excellent and fair.

Be its mattress straight,
Be its pillow round;
Let no sunrise' yellow noise
Interrupt this ground. 

Emily Dickinson
1864

Yeah right.

Please don't get me wrong because I love the poem. But I guess the poet was inspired by visions of death when viewing this bed.

I know I did. Let's hear it for sepia!

Fairest and best adorned is she whose clothing is humility

Five American Girl Fashion Shows have been scheduled in Phoenix on Oct. 1 and 2 benefiting Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre ... and they don't want Me, Steampunk Addie, for any of them!

However, My Big Sister's Godsister (does that make her my step-Godsister?) was chosen to be a "Contemporary Girls" model! Congratulations, oh favored one!

About 60 girls were chosen to model 21 historical (especially ma chère amie Cécile and her friend Marie-Grace) and 25 contemporary outfits from the American Girl clothing line. Four girls were chosen to be show commentators.

The models were picked based on their resemblance to the dolls and whether or not they are between the sizes 6X and 10, which typically fits girls between the ages of 6 to 9. 

(But not Me! And I've even been to a fashion show!)

The American Girl Fashion Shows benefiting Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre are scheduled for Oct. 1 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and Oct. 2 at 1 and 4 p.m. at The Castle at Ashley Manor. Two-hundred tickets will be available for each show. I hope to see you there!

And congratulations to all who were chosen as models!

(See, I can be gracious when I have to be.)