Hot Buns

I'm not religious, at all, so Easter holds no significance for me apart from the fact that it's time to make hot buns. I'm afraid I can't remember where I first found the recipe, it's been in my book for years - for some reason I think it was a recipe I picked up in Waitrose while we were living in London. I must check out that mag, Waitrose Food Illustrated, I used to really like it but haven't bought it in years - since we moved back here.

Doll News

I mentioned some news, it's small fry but something I'm excited about. A customer, the same one whose lovely feeback I posted, well she recommended my dolls to a lovely product/parenting site that they should review my dolls... and they are! I think it's going to be tomorrow London time so I'll be sure to post the link this Tuesday afternoon. As a result this weekend has meant sewing time in this house so the shop is updated before it comes out - in case people go nuts! I've posted in b&w - mean I know - but I want you to check out the shop when the girls are there and be surprised at all the colour!

More Afternoon Fun

We usually get into the silly stuff late in the afternoon, when I'm vulnerable. I couldn't possibly show you the photo of the painting Ella did on me - far too close up, too many crinkles are obvious.

Work day so brief posting. I have exciting news to share about my dolls but will do so over the weekend when I have more time.

When one spoon isn't enough

Not a pretty picture I know, but it pretty much sums up my day.

Leila now wants to use cutlery, in fact after the first few mouthfuls she won't open up for food unless it's on a spoon she's in charge of. One spoon is not enough - she wants one in each hand and invariably one falls on the floor, hence the spare third. The mess, yuck. I know that it's to be expected, the learning encouraged, but arrrrgh! Ella was so neat and as I'm realising more and more, so compliant. It's terrible that it's a characteristic that's enviable, but gosh, I never realised until now how terribly well behaved she was/is. That's not to say that Leila is naughty, she's just full on, all the time. I think the only moments when Leila stops are when she's asleep - otherwise she's looking for mischief.

She's also a climber, as I've mentioned before, but now it's everything. She's discovered the kitchen table and is constantly climbing and standing in the middle of it. Ella's constantly calling "Mum, lala's doing the wrong thing" which is code for standing on high piece of furniture. It's also the outside table - she hasn't fallen, yet, but it's a long way down. I've had to stack the chairs, out of the way, so she can't get them, which is a pain when the only adult at home during the day wants to sit down.

At 5 it felt like the only thing keeping me going was being able to have a glass of red - I got the glass out ready and the bottle had been finished - completely forgot, in fact have no recollection of drinking it. That's not because I was in a drunken haze, must have been Geoff. So, I held on until 6 feeling guilty about opening a "good bottle" on a Tuesday night, but then the need overcame me. I used a good glass though, which made me laugh. I shared a similar story another time with my dearest friend Kate and she had a similar occurence herself about the same time during a long drawn out house renovation. The only difference in out situations was that Kate also couldn't find a wine glass and had to drink a good bottle out of a coffee mug!

Girls Everywhere

I have a little production line going at the moment and am feeling inspired. I sold a doll to a lovely woman in California recently and she said the loveliest thing after receiving the doll "I just wanted to share with you the impact your doll has had on my daughter. She's close to being one year old and obviously to young for a doll, but I set the doll on her bookcase for her to look at everyday. She smiles at it and calls it "baby." Baby is one of her first words next to bye bye. We say good night to it every night and she'll call for it everytime she wakes up from slumber. So precious!!I hope you sell more of your exquisite dolls. I've told my friends about your workmanship and kindness, so don't be surprised if you get more sales!"

I'm not sharing her comments with you to brag, but to share with you how wonderful it made me feel. She included a photograph of the doll in her new home and honestly, I couldn't have been prouder. As much as the little bit of pocket money is nice, it's the thrill of someone appreciating the dolls that I find so inspiring. This same lady went on to order another doll for herself and an extra outfit for the original one. Not only that but the next day two more dolls sold to another person who turned out to be her best friend. Those girls are now also on their way to the US and I hope they're received as warmly.

To those who don't know me well I come across as extremely confident and in many ways I guess I am, dealings with others, communication in general and such. In terms of self belief though, I'm quite fragile and don't tend to believe my own good press. I don't know why, at almost 40 years of age I still struggle to understand myself - how crazy is that.

So, dolls, they're on the table, in the kitchen, my bedroom - all over in various states of creation. I hope they find happy homes the world over.

Blondey Blonde

was 14 months old yesterday and what a monkey she is. Latest favourite game is chasey as she now has legs that run and a game that really makes her chuckle but me fret, the dizzy game spinning around in circle until you fall down hitting whatever you're standing next to. Favourite instrument - xylophone, favourite book - Look and Learn Animal.

So so sorry...

A dear family from our kinder community are suffering the greatest of losses. The loveliest of couples with three lovely boys lost their fourth child, a 4 month old baby daughter, to a terminal illness yesterday. I can't imagine how one would survive such a loss, but all our love and thoughts are with them as they face the first few days without her.