Gobble Tov!

Happy Thanksgivukkah! 

Thanksgivukkah is a holiday name given to the convergence of the American holiday of Thanksgiving and the first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013.

Pippaloo

It is a result of a rare coincidence between the Hebrew calendar and the Gregorian calendar. Because the calendars are not calculated the same way, Chanukah appears at a different time each year on the Gregorian calendar.

Thanksgiving Day has fallen during Hanukkah at least twice between 1863 (when Thanksgiving was proclaimed a U.S. federal holiday by President Abraham Lincoln) and 2013.

In 1888 Thanksgiving was the first day of Hanukkah, and in 1899 it was the fourth day. Thanksgiving occurred later in 1888 and 1899 than is possible under current U.S. law: as a result of changes between 1939 and 1941, Thanksgiving is always held on the fourth Thursday in November.

The last time Hanukkah overlapped with the fourth Thursday of November was in 1861, before Thanksgiving existed. As a result of this confusion, some media reports have mistakenly claimed that Thanksgivukkah had never occurred prior to 2013.

The next Thanksgivukkah? The year 77,094.

A friend through life's ups and downs

Ella photo courtesy of Dolls for Downs

I have been watching the development of some very special dolls for months now, and I am quite pleased to say they are now available!

Connie Feda of Robinson Township, Pa.,was inspired in 2010 when her daughter Hannah was 9-years-old. Hannah was flipping through an American Girl catalog when she looked up and said, "There are no dolls like me in here. No dolls had surgery. They are all not like me."

The rest is history. Originally called Dolls for Downs, they now seem to be called Extra Special Dolls. So far there are 16 girl dolls and 10 boys dolls in all skin tones!

Our world renowned sculptor, Karen Scott, referenced hundreds of pictures of individuals with Down Syndrome before incorporating such beloved traits as the simian palmar crease, the sandal gap toes, the tiny curved pinky finger, and the correctly proportioned arms and legs. But, we didn't stop there. Our special, deep joints and all vinyl body make our doll ideal in therapeutic settings. Our doll's limbs can be moved in all directions and can be easily disinfected for hospital visits and therapy sessions.

Our exquisite doll faces reflect the lovely features found in individuals with Down Syndrome.

From the sparkling, almond shaped eyes, gently curved noses and down turned lips to the smaller, lower set ears and generally flattened forehead, we believe that we have captured the essence and playful personality of a child up for anything!

Momma and I adore the slogan, "My friend through life's ups and downs."

Everyone needs a friend, don't you agree?

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

News flash!

The steampunk outfits and extras are now available for order at Carpetina!

And what is more, I was told to tell my Faithful Followers - next year they will have steampunk for American Girl, too!

Carpe Carpatina!