ONCE UPON A FAIRYLAND

Polly, Put the kettle on!

2012-02-29T06:56:00.002-08:00

I love you...if you are reading this...my message is I love you. I found out something yesterday, I may have lost someone I've called best friend since 1996 but I gained a whole world of best friends. Yesterday, I shut myself in the house for the better part of the day other than walking the dogs. With a huge challenge before me and a banker man looking towards me, I shut the door on both. I put on my Partridge Family album and invited David back into my life...
I got on that famous Pinterest and created a laughter station and invited JP Patches to join me, I pinned and drank tea half the day and it was alright with Mr. Patches and me!

I prayed over my home, my husbands job. He had his first day at the new location yesterday, it's a 50 mile trip. I admired the fact he called all the other stores and told them he would travel to any of them for hours. I wondered what life would bring us next? My home is big enough with some extra room, but I can live in a smaller home with very little room. I don't have to have a Pollyanna house but I would appreciate a stove so Polly and I could have tea (vs. living in a tent!)

I brushed the rats out of my hair and climbed into my jammies and drank more tea and decided, what will be, will be.

Feeling a bit plump like a few pins had been stuck in my rump, I climbed into bed with a thump. I tossed all night long and so did my dogs, so did my husband on the couch. He is really sick right now with a horrible cold and non stop cough which hit him like a ton of bricks one hour after he found out he had been transferred.

And then I come here, in the wee hours of the morning and I hear words and encouragement from Anita and Iris and April and Carol and each of you that lifts me up. All once strangers now my all time best friends. God bless you for loving me, even when I am a crank and scared.

What Next?

2012-02-27T07:19:00.002-08:00

If you were to come to my home, you would be greeted with love. Even in the really tough stuff in life, I can look in every corner and see love. Looking out the window, dear little Pinocchio has not told a lie in years. He does not want to move from this home, he has been very very good. What is next? Sadie Mae claims her spot in this home and she has been very very good too and does not deserve to loose her spot! Especially since she just found out daddy was transferred for not so justified reasons...he is calling the union today, Woof, woof!

Women before me have had to be strong in spirit, practicing good sense, forgiveness, hard work, and change...

However, I could use my Fairy Godmother right now or better yet, my own mother...

To believe that over the rainbow skies really are blue is the direction I am heading, thanks to all of you. I see no reason not to cry hard over spilit milk. To pretend all is well when life feels like a cannon is going to fire would be telling a lie so I'm just being real, because Pinocchio says so! No lies, life just got a bit harder but the rainbow awaits!

Regardless of my pothole in life right now, I wish you rainbows and bubbles and magical moments for the week ahead. Please send fairy dust this way, somewhere, over the rainbow!

Dag-Nab-it, for crying out LOUD!

2012-02-25T05:38:00.002-08:00

My character is once again put to the test. I want to get out my miniature violins and cry me a river but I will take the upper staircase, knowing my life is in God's hands. It always has been and always will. I hear my mother from heaven saying NEXT Jacqueline, NEXT! Come on honey, get happy, your NEXT is about to arrive! Her voice always reminds me, I love you honey. Up close and personal, I often ask myself, what would Jesus do and what would my mother do? I have been challenged recently but also found peace, in reading...I may have to go back to basics with no computer, one phone and scaling down to a miniature life. For fun, I have many paper dolls to play with and goodness knows my dolls are awaiting. I have a sewing machine and I love to write letters although our local post office processing center is closing, delaying mail. I am hand washing dishes, do to the dishwasher breaking, my camera broke, my printer broke and two candles cracked the other day while burning happily away. And my best friend exited out of my life with a very bad hurtful phone call.

My husband came home yesterday close to tears, he has been demoted from a manager position and transferred to a store far away. Our gas prices are up to $4.19 a gallon and beyond that, his hours have been cut to part time. This is the second time with this company this has happened to him and he has been with them for almost 20 years. They wanted someone else, a younger person, fresh out of college. Of course they never said that but that is the bottom line. We may need to move to smaller living, soon!

All in all, there is a room in my home where I can find peace and happiness, little friends are there to cheer us on!

Whatever happens, I pray my happy room comes with me, because many dreams are there, creativity lives there and peace lives there and there is a big door, I can shut the world out and dream on...

A blogger once said to me, I always keep my blog happy so I want to end this with this thought! Happiness is a state of mind and heart, so I want you to know, I still intend to sing, If you are happy and you know it, clap your hands and I'll do the hokey pokey and turn myself about...tomorrow.

A wedding in the making...

2012-02-22T06:40:00.002-08:00

Weddings are beautiful events. They are milestone moments in our lives. When I worked with seniors I had to do bio sketches of their lives and all of them counted weddings and babies as their most important events in life. Due to my daughters fiance' reading my blog, I can't show pictures of her dress but we can play pretend! We snatched up this idea, for veggies to nibble on between wedding and when the doors open to the reception!Fancy ways to do her hair, curly or straight, up or down, beautiful with her wedding gown.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest bride in all the land? Colors are soft canary yellow and deep royal blue.

Lights hidden under the table skirt, I wish oh wish, we can make this happen! I think it's stunning for an evening wedding. We bought up lots of white fairy lights...

The bride and groom will be married June 2nd. The venue is big but plain and it has lots and lots of potential. Here is our idea for the alter but working on ways to attach fabric to the ceiling above.

In the midst of all of this, I have a baby grandson coming...granny bought him some jeans yesterday! Oh what fun the coming months are going to be. Baby is due two weeks prior to the wedding (my son and wife, not the engaged couple...wink!)

Dolly Mama's Dreams Come True

2012-02-20T05:05:00.002-08:00

There is a very special doll in my life and her name is Dolly Mama. Occasionally on Monday's I share her life with you. It's called a Dolly Mama Monday! You see, she is special because I adopted her and when she came to life, her heart desired to adopted all the other dolls that have no home, that end up in a thrift pile. Today, she is choosing between two new homes...one with a woodlawn backyard... and one with built in beds for all of her children (about 92 at this point, her neighbor would be The Old Women who lived in a Shoe who had many children too!)

Baby Doll Maggie would love the second house, because she is scared to go outside and may get lost in the woodlawn backyard. Her request, a crib down in the nook by the fireplace.

House number one however is made of pink cotton candy and candy hearts. The chimney is rock candy and it smells sweetly of peppermint. Good for the senses! Dolly Mama thinks this is her favorite of all...but what would the dolls think?

Two summers ago Dolly Mama adopted a wee fairy child who made a wish and her tiny heart desired a beautiful twig bed, up in the loft over the library so she could read and imagine! Dolly Mama wants her dream to come true, do you?

Kenzie the doll from Oregon, left behind by an old hag, likes home number one the best. The middle child (Doll) is Christine and she was lost, but recently found in a mud puddle, she is not going anywhere without Kenzie. Dolly Boy Dan would like a ranch and this first home is way to sweet, he voted for home number two!

Dolly Mama finds herself in a pickle, which one should she choose?

The one on Benji street is way too far away and a bunch of kitties live there and Dolly Boy Dan was found in a tabby cats mouth seven years ago and an itch...Dolly Boy Dan has a fear of cats, so back to home number one...

Because in the end, it's safe for everyone!

The End,

With love on Monday

Dolly Mama and her doll family.

Storybook Friday

2012-02-17T05:16:00.000-08:00

I do declare, it is time for a storybook moment. Once upon a time two months ago, I finished baking banana bread and headed for an outing. I have been known to drive neighborhoods searching for storybook homes. Taking the long road home, I ended up at a thrift store and who should I find there? Holly Hobbie, baking an apple pie! When the itch hits, and it does often, I start dreaming in pink. My kitchen colors are currently warm and inviting but they are Tuscan colors (gnomes like them!) but I've been dreaming about pink, once again and getting frilly. Perhaps a pink Bavarian storybook home? I once lived in a little dollhouse on wheels (my fifth wheeler named affectionately The Happy Camper) and it was simple living at it's best.

The very famous Tazmo was caught dreaming too of his own Storybook Home!

All roads eventually lead to Storybook Homes, this one is tucked in the woods in The Enchanted Forest in British Columbia along with another 100 (plus) tucked deep in the woods. Look up The Enchanted Forest on the web, and you will see many fairytale storybook homes! Oh yes, I have been there and done that!

Thank you for playhouses that make life so sweet and let us play in Storybook form any old day of the week!

Cupid and his Fever

2012-02-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

My eyes fluttered open, I realized I was full to the brim with joy. Cupid struck yesterday and deposited so much love into my life and he left behind something else...SPRING FEVER!A deep yearning for daffodils, fresh dirt, a wheelbarrow filled with flowers and Easter eggs! Thoughts tumbled through my brain and my heart was aglow with SPRING FEVER...

In my mind, I can see all the colors of the rainbow and it is good and it is refreshing! Color my world happy with polka dots and pails of flowers and boots that march to the sound of SPRING FEVER!

My heart smiles, my mind wanders, could it be this type of FEVER is the best FEVER to have? Colors, whimsy, the imagination runs wild...all because of Cupid and his huge deposit of Spring FEVER!

Hoping you catch the FEVER too! Living life out loud!

Love is just plain cute!

2012-02-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

Love is, love is, love is...just plain cute! Celebrating love around the world today...the cutie pie moments that bloom and make love so grand! That sweetness of marriage...

The sweetness of new love and cute couples that are meant to be and getting ready to say...marry me!

Love between animals, love between hearts, love from wooden boys that you love from the very start!

Sugar and spice, loving little dolls that love you for life!

Short and sweet, love just can't be beat!

Happy Valentines Day from our hearts to your hearts!

Len and Jackie, The Famous Tazmo and his wife, Sadie Mae

A Pal, A Potluck and a Playhouse

2012-02-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

How goes the wedding Jackie? It is going good says Jackie as she smacks her lips. We out here in the west intend to do our guest the best. We are serving up a potluck of food and goodies. Thanks to a crew of wonderful friends who thought catering cost were to the sky, one long time friend suggested a potluck and a potluck it will be!Oh give me a home, where I can simply roam and play in my playhouse all day!

On my Simple Says Me quest I have invited a guest next Saturday for breakfast. My daughter brought this fact to my attention. We need more time with friends and what's wrong with getting cozy in our homes like our moms once did vs. going out to a restaurant? Good grief, one adventure to a coffee shop for latte' and a goodie can cost way too much! I have finally figured out how to make Swedish Pancakes. It's an art for sure, not easy to make, at least for me.

I am so happy to show off my happy little vintage coffee pot that is perk, perk, perking to it's full potential in every way! Coffee never tasted so good! (Since 1969) Another quest of my Simple Says Me.

While enjoying blog time yesterday morning I have come across a special person named Carolyn. I noticed she had this wonderful blog but not many comments or followers. She lives in Newcastle Upon Tyne NE England and her blog is a wonderful as it can be. Perhaps you will have time for a visit? Littlegreteldolls.blogspot.com (sorry, I have no idea how to link things and not much time to figure it out as of yet!) but there is her address. Her recent post is on Flower Fairies! Such playful delight!

Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday.

~~the girl with the curl~~

Simple Says Me

2012-02-10T05:01:00.002-08:00

When I was a little girl, I was often out in the Fairyland playing in the woods alone. It was there I breathed fresh air, where the sound of my mom's voice calling me in for lunch was music and comfort to my ears. I often found critters and friends in the woods and twice I had one of those magical moments when I found a salamander! My mom believed they were lucky and I was surely such a special little girl to find one. She told me they could change color in a moments notice and be who they wanted to be. Recently I have had a huge desire to live more simple. I actually have a phone just like this in storage only it is black and today I'm hooking it up! Just like that, SIMPLE SAYS ME! I have turned back time and started writing letters again to pen pals and friends. I've sent a few valentines out and stuffed cutie pie items in them, just like I once did, once upon a time. We have decided to scale down, live without and some of those choices may seem drastic but I anticipate more time at home to read and cook and bake and create, my heart desires that.

In a couple of weeks, we have decided to have a toy sale! We have many collectible toys and cute items that seem to be suffocating us. Some toys need to move on and it is good.

Simple Says Me and simple says he (my husband) is our mission and quest and we are turning it into a fun adventure. We have made the choice to go down to one car. Less insurance, less maintenance and so on and so forth. We literally work next door to each other. Our quest is to own our car instead of making big payments on our car. Beside we own bikes! Some days I have felt like a junk lady, which is easy to feel when you work in a huge thrift store and think you might need it all.

In the last two weeks I have accomplished much towards simple living~

I am hand washing my dishes and I love it, saving energy!

I am no longer buying bottled water saving landfills.

We are recycling everything, paper, plastic, glass, cardboard.

I bought a coffee pot and we are enjoying it so much. It's a percolator from Corning Ware 1960's.

Out with dryer sheets, a clothesline is going up for spring!

Selling one car will save much in the long run.

So be it, and be it good. Simple Says Me, is best for me.

Back in the day...

2012-02-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

How does ones life get so complicated? My heart has been yearning for more simple times. Cultivate peace Jacqueline, or you might just go over the edge one day! (A conversation between me and Kaye, a grandmother with good wisdom!) A visit to Kaye's home keeps me centered. She does not have a computer or a dishwasher (mine has recently broke and I am happily washing dishes). She makes the best coffee in the whole wide world in a peculator (I just bought myself one at a antique store, just like my mama's!) She has tea bag holders that are as cute as a wink and uses them (now I do too!) Back in the day, my roots were founded in a place called Once Upon a Fairyland. My mom never had an answering machine, she just answered the phone and if she could not talk, her friend politely understood and mom made sure to be accountable and call her friend back. No hit and run messages. Life was personal and relationships were kind or my mom didn't call you friend.

Back in the day, I took time and enjoyed my time walking my dogs. It was not about "run home for lunch, run around the block, give the dog a kiss and run back to work" my childhood dogs didn't even need to walk on a leash. No restrictions, just simple times. (gosh how I miss you little Misha)

Back in the day, woman were so feminine. Samantha set the stage and the Avon lady came knocking and she stayed and did my mom's nails and mine...even though I was only 6 she sure made me feel important. I'd love to have an Avon lady visit me and do my nails rather than going to the nail salon where nobody talks to me, because they don't speak English.

In the Fairyland, back in the day, play was rich, so what is stopping me now? The pressure of finances for a wedding, the loss of a best friend, the aches that have come too early in life as I work on very hard cement floors and have no get up and go in the evening because it got up and went.

My dishwasher broke, my printer broke, my camera is just about broke and sometimes folks can't comment or talk to me on my blog so the computer might break but sticks and stones will not break my bones and words will bounce right off me.

Peace is the mission, peace is the quest.

Dream the Possible Dream

2012-02-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

The very beautiful thing about Pinterest is that you get to dream out loud. You get to dream, the possible dream. You can imagine, you can create, it helps you and reminds you to dream the possible dreams in life...my garden wish... A wee tiny kitchen, simple and bright, to my hearts delight!!!

Look way up high, that's where dreams are made of!!!

And way down low, is where they reside...simple cottage, simple life, a simple dream come true...

Dreaming is full living COLOR coming true, for me and for you.

May today hold all that your heart desires. Friend me on Pinterest and come and see my board. I am currently pinning on Enchanted Places, My dream home, Doggie Delights, Simple Living, Party Plans, Craft corner, Wedding Ideas and Leaving on a Jet Plane. Come dream with me!

Two by Two

2012-02-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

Two by two, we join hands together and we may be mom and daughter but we are also best of friends...faithful to each other! Two by two, he said...I want to marry you! Faithful hearts joined two by two. My son and his bride. I love the heel of her foot on his head...she is as fun as can be!

Sometimes we have two by two by two by two...this is a photo of my good friend Iris bunch of bears! Bears never leave you and never go out of style! Faithful to the end very end!

Once upon a time, a beautiful heart came into my life...two by two we are joined at the heart. My beautiful friend Shelley! Everyone needs a Texas friend. They are as faithful as they come!

Best friends never let go...faithful to the end...

I have personally lost a friend recently due to her anger at me. Is honesty always the best policy? Do you ever think you really really know somebody and you invest yourself deeply in them and then one day by their choosing they are gone, poof, just like that? Are we ever allowed to make a mistake with a friend? Whatever happened to forgiveness? Eating humble pie today and thanking God for the time I did have with her. Two by two I still believe best friends never let go. Somehow in this big world, I want to trust in that. Your comments are welcome, as always....love you and thanks for walking hand in hand with me.

The Stamp of Approval

2012-01-29T05:23:00.000-08:00

She signed it, she sealed it and the mailman will deliver it! Writing letters has always been my pleasure. I'm very happy to report a very special stamp has been discovered in Gnomeland and it definitely has my approval.I am in the process of searching high and low for an arbor for my daughters wedding. Right smack in the middle of planning she changed the location to a more modern venue, but we need an arch, this one has my stamp of approval.

Once lost, but now found by me...a big stamp of approval. Dancing my way through the day with the Osmonds. Ha, don't laugh, I like David Cassidy too!

Tea for two, nestled for some quiet talk and rest, a lavender tea nook can't be beat and has my stamp of approval. this past week I went shopping for gift basket finds with my boss. We had a blast and stopped for lunch. We had fun making an old English Tea Basket, however...did I snap a picture? Ding-dong!

Items come and items go...yesterday we had a huge event at the thrift store. The radio station came and I was even on the radio. I found it easy, it's easy to talk about your hearts passion, helping people and working at a thrift shop is fulfilling to say the least. Donations came in, and we are now stacked to the ceiling with good thrifty finds. Thrift finds will always have my stamp of approval.

Heading out into the day but prior to that, I'm off to visit blogs. Thanks for your faithfulness in a world that is not always so faithful. Cheers and happiness to you for a great day ahead!

When the boat rocks...

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

A few times in life the boat has rocked, it has weather the storms of life and today it has set back a sail. A very peaceful day off, a gift from a friend in my kitchen window reminds me I need to pray each day, just to keep the boat still. When the dishwasher breaks you know what you are made of. Do you throw a fit, let them stack up or simply get out the plug, fill er' up and play in the bubbles?

Life sometimes requires us to be domestic and I figure I may as well look cute while I'm at it. I cleaned today, but mostly I just relaxed, wrote two friends long letters, groomed one of my dogs and watched a little t.v. and caught up on magazine reads...ah...bliss!

Sometimes when the boat rocks and we are tired or scared, we look out the window and know who is there...

A time for relection as I sit and look out my front window. I'm so thankful that we gained favor and were able to keep our front yard. The little frogs will be back in the spring, we were asked to plant some more little bushes but that is all, it's just more good places for gnomes to roam...

At the end of the day I sigh and say, God is near and all is well.

Fairy Godmother Saturday

2012-01-21T06:02:00.000-08:00

Bonk! 4am and the Fairy Godmother decides to wake me up to play! Shuffle to the staircase, step one to three, push the "make coffee" button and back up I climb to find a doll waiting to get started...There she sits waiting one the post at the end of my bed... Too early to get out my childhood phone and call a friend, too late to go back to sleep with the little pillow my mom made but it's early enough to sip coffee and have a mini cinnamon roll with my Barbie plate, all from my childhood. (the Barbie plate was unearthed by one of my chickens at the Fairyland...no kiddin! I always played Barbies in the Fairyland and must have left this one behind!)

BING! The Fairy Godmother suggest spending time playing with my Liddle Kiddle Paperdolls!

Having a Fairy Godmother in your life is wonderful, she is the Queen of my heart!

In two blinks of an eye, crayons appear! Paint brushes dance at the very sound of my Fairy Godmother's slipper prints! (The clown paintbrush holder was hand painted by my own mom and many of the paintbrushes are ones she painted with, I'm so blessed to still have them and I use them!)

In one twirl 3 Magic Kiddle Dolls appear. Whitman knows how to make toys right! Playtime with Skediddle Kiddles can't be beat!

One step into my Happy Room makes my heart burst with joy! To be surrounded with my childhood toys keeps me well balanced and never growing up. I highly recommend it!

I must go off to work this morning and leave my toys behind but perhaps on my day off, I can go find some more toys. I will let my Fairy Godmother be my guide!

Merrily, I must go along now...till we meet again, the challenge is on...I dare ya to go play...all day!

Enchanted Sunday

2012-01-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

The cold winds blew, the moon shone bright as I closed my eyes for one more night. Dreaming, the snowflakes started to fall. They fell in blankets of purple glow...cascading from heaven they turned the night aglow. When eyes are shut and dreams escape it's where we find ourselves in that very special place. Time is enchanted and in the Enchanted Forest time stands still.

Annual Clubhouse Meeting

2012-01-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Once a year all the gnomes who belong to me gather in the backyard in the Gnome Clubhouse and they have their annual meeting! It happened in the wee hours of this morning.A discussion broke out about humans! A question was raised, why do some of them get their hatchets out and try to shut down computers and why are humans sometimes bad? A very young gnome raised his hand and said...are they crazy?

One of the female gnomes raised her hand and said, perhaps we should just pray for them. (This cute little pup was found at the thrift store. I did not display him like this but a small customer did...smile!)

John-Jon the gnome stood up and banged the gavel down on the log stool beside him. It is high time they learned a thing or two! To think that those humans have nothing better to do than to be a spy. Do they really like being locked up in a cage and sitting on a computer trying to hurt another human??? Enough is enough! They sneak peeks and try to pretend they are shining lights when really their life must be very dim.

It's time to look at the NEW YEAR and look at it in perspective. Finnegan adjusted his glasses and said...By jolly, that is those jokers problem...they need to learn a lesson or two from us Gnomes..."What you want, Baby I got it and it's smack, right in the kisser and a boot that sends you down the shoot!!!

Missy Majesty the Gnome cleared her throat and said, no need for the gnomes to get violent, we must realize their lives are like a lamp with no shade. They are so mislead to think that if they steal someones computer or it's knowledge that life will no longer be happy...perhaps humans would be more happy if they went back to being free like the gnomes and me!

Yes said little Joe the Gnome, perhaps all those humans just need what we have...

Gruddy the Gnome shifted in his seat and looked at me and asked me a $40 question..."Jacqueline, you are one of those humans. You are not like that, all you want to do is play with toys! Why are some humans so empty that all they want to do is steal and hack away at others?"

"Perhaps it is the simple fact, those hackers never had any toys, they never had love"

The meeting was adjourned and all the gnomes and Jacqueline left the computer to go out and play.

(The little dog above was a very special find last week. I had her in my childhood and now she has come back to me. This is how I learned to sew. My mom would buy these little fabric animals and I would sit and try to sew and stuff them)

This post today is in tribute to the simple life and loving our enemies. If one day my computer goes down and all the good I've tried to bring to the world goes away know that I'm still just as happy because nobody can take your love away.

Happy when skies are gray...

2012-01-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

Today, the skies are going to be gray. The air is cold, snowflakes are thinking about falling down upon my corner of the world but in it all, I look out into my little front yard affectionately called Gnomeland and I know that love grows there. I awoke with a sweet song dancing through my head, bloggers, YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE! I took a trip around blog world this morning. Women who turn the gray skies into sunshine! Thank you blog friends for keeping my heart happy!

I have been puttering in my bedroom inspired to make it feel warm and even more cozy. My theme is The Three Bears and soon I'll have some pictures for show and tell. I found some thick fabric drapes for the windows and I have no desire to even open them. The bedroom is feeling like a safe hideaway nest...fit for winter birds or hibernating bears...

I will have a birthday soon and the older I get, the more I want to live my life just as I please. I started my blog three years ago this May and it has brought me so much joy. You have encouraged me to let my imagination run wild. To be the Once Upon a Fairyland girl that I was destined to be. As I dance my way through 2012 I intend to make changes even more towards the girl I've always wanted to be. I can see a mushroom and imagine life under it and that is the girl I've always imagined myself to be.

Come along with me, no matter if the skies are gray or blue, we have each other and in this big world, faithful friends who live their life and share their life will always be.

Loving you all, no matter how far the distance. We are all under the same sky.

Ding-a-Ling Wedding Bells Ring!

2012-01-10T06:51:00.000-08:00

Once in a lifetime! I just experienced sitting in the audience and watching a bridal fashion show! It was full of glitz, full of smiles, full of fun and full of romance. A bride and her groom dancing to their hearts content! Snapping pictures left and right to fill a wedding night with pretty tables, and chairs and banisters and bells. Ideas were popping into my head like flash mobs in motion. I began to panic...5 months and counting down. I began to feel like a hopeless ding-a-ling...which way should I go, right or left...eeek!

Standing by with a smile, my daughter and daughter-in-law made everything so right. Except when they started to toss their ideas my way...my mind is spinning...

So, I just smile awhile and take a breath but this smile looks tense! Mother of the bride, has much to do about a lot of things!

Mama must remember, it's all in the name of love, and fun! (Ha...do you see my Tazmo peeking and trying to get in the camera shot above?) Here is the bride to be and all her maids in a row. Goofy and darn right fun!

Lighten up mama...you only have two bridal showers ahead of you and a baby shower and a husbands birthday and a soon to be son in laws birthday and your first grandson to be born and three of your friends birthdays and a sons birthday and a daughter-in-laws birthday and a wedding...yep, lighten up mama, no need to be a ding-a-ling just because wedding bells will soon ring!

She was once one...

2012-01-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time last week, I was celebrating my daughter turning 24. She was once only one, and then two and then a teen and before I know it she will be a bride! Today I'm hanging out with Kara and her bridesmaids as we attend a bridal expo, complete with a bridal gown fashion show!The pathway to a wedding holds many memories as I look back at days gone by when she played house in the garden...

and who would have thought she would one day find her Prince Shaun? He is so charming!

The path continues as the words "I do" will soon be said...

Love...will take them there on a wing and a prayer, I said.

Looking Glass Moments 2011

2011-12-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

I've spent this week in reflection...looking back through the looking glass at moments I had in 2011. The day I came upon this thatched roof home was the day my dreams soared. I remember how I laughed and felt so much joy going to the movie theater and eating a huge bucket of popcorn as I visited Jellystone Park, once again. I have always loved Yogi and Boo Boo and Cindy Bear!

I cried buckets in Sept and Oct and Nov and part of December at the loss of my precious little Misha Mae. Oh, how she will be missed!

I've had an on-going battle to try and save our front yard from the big bad new home developer that came to town. He wants my yard GRASS! He wants me to uproot everything. The battle continues into 2012...

One day I took a little drive and I drove down the long driveway to Once Upon a Fairyland. We sold the land in 1996 but I am able to go back when I want. Memories are sweet and I intend to do it again in 2012. This is a little sign, still standing in Once Upon a Fairylands back woods...

Counting down to the New Year with great anticipation! Love to all and thank you for ALL of your visits this past year!

The Random Year 2011

2011-12-26T07:15:00.000-08:00

Right up until the new year hits and we step into 2012 I want to capture 2011 in photo's. It was a random year...number #11, it was weird. One of those years that held the good, the bad and the ugly...ha! Here Len and I are under a bridge in Seattle where the big ugly troll lives! Son's hanging out with Spiderman...that does not happen every year that's for sure!

It was a year to get happy, no matter what! To whistle while we all worked!

It was a year to hug your doll with all your might and let go of any fight! My mom always said, pick two fights a year. I'm done, I had two and that's it for the year. Wink!

It was a year of hugs, I can't count how many I got and how many I gave. The neat thing is that a hug is always free!

Stay tuned for my daily pic's right up to the new year as we all say goodbye to that random year!

Heaven Rejoices!

2011-09-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Can you hear the angels singing...Princess Misha Mae Chaplua Jaggerosa left this earth today...bound for heaven, she is free, she is healthy and she is whole. No sickness or disease follows her into the arms of Christ. In loving memory of our little girl.

Our hearts are breaking but we are also rejoicing to know her, was to love her. Until we meet again Misha, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Brave Girls Stick Together

2011-09-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

There were many idea's today that floated into my head...what does a girl with a few curls post on? Well, right now in my life, life is requiring a few girls to be very brave. Here I am with Misha a few months back on a very happy girly outing. Misha is very sick right now but she is hanging on and not letting go. She is being very brave. She has her best girlfriend beside her...Misha has been our family dog for 11 years since she was only 5 wks old. She has loved and protected Sadie Mae (pom) with all her might and lots of fight if some other dog didn't treat Sadie Mae right. Friendship sometimes requires us to be brave and protect each other.

They have shared many treats together...notice how they are both being brave as they reach together for a taste of the divine. (yes, I do believe some rules should be broken and my dogs love a little ice cream once in awhile!)

Sleeping together, dreaming together, playing together and being brave to the end...together!

My Sadie knows, Misha is not well. Last night while I was laying by Misha and listening to her little heart, Sadie joined us and kissed, and kissed and kissed me...us three brave girls, sticking together.

Over the Railroad Tracks

2011-07-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Just sit down, put your seat belt on and shut up! Ha! Have you ever seen that bumper sticker? I admit, I'm wigged out and a big worry wart when it comes to being a passenger but I've learned to let the MaN of the HoUsE drive and look to the right, out the window. I see amazing things when I don't try to drive from the passenger seat! Turn up music and come along for a ride...just don't look straight ahead! He hit the breaks, got out and the MaN of the HoUsE said...take my picture, I love this truck! Just think Jackie of the places we could go and what we could haul home! Oh geez! The bumper sticker above was on the back of this WAGON! I said no, he said yes...and we kept driving!

This is the result of my eye balls looking right...another little Storybook Home from Mrs. Martins yard...a western town. Very similar to the Western town in Once Upon a Fairyland. I wonder if Mr. Martin really did know my dad...I think so!

The train is coming! I can hear it...yeah, well, don't worry about it Jackie we are turning right to go to the Milkbarn Antique Mall. So...I visited the chickens and forgot about our near crunch experience with a train on the tracks...Mr. Peacock understands my need to look right or is that left and not straight ahead!

We leave the farm and back down the road we go, past the old cow and the hay fields with Len sneezing the whole way from allergies...another train..more tracks...we wait and wait for the train to pass...I look right and say...GO BACK!!! With the force of my words, Len knew he had to turn around or else and LOOK what Jackie found in the trees!!!

I've decided it's not so bad on a summer afternoon looking right instead of straight ahead...being a passenger has it's rewards. Thanks Len for allowing me the pleasure to look right and not straight ahead! Cheers to marital bliss!

And the two barked, "I DO"

2010-11-06T07:44:00.001-07:00

The wedding photo's are coming in...as you may know, The Famous Tazmo took Sadie Mae for his bride on Halloween night. As the two barked, "I DO" all guest barked and clapped for the bride and groom! Here is Sadie after it was all said and done. The two love birds (dogs) getting ready to change and leave on their honeymoon to Dogland USA. We have not heard a bark from them since the wedding!

Dearest Jack came to the wedding even though his heart was broken. He had dated Sadie Mae on and off and hoped she would allow him to marry her but her puppy love was all for Tazmo. Once Tazmo's girl, always Tazmo's girl.

This sweet little bridesmaid (puppy of Iris from Boo-Bahs Little Sunshine's) is available...her little pink outfit matches the maid of honors Misha. She would prefer a boxer for a husband or a black lab, real strength is what this puppy girl wants.

Even the little ones were exhausted from all the wedding bliss and they promptly ate their Milkbone snack and went to sleep.

Pictures from Tazmo and Sadie's honeymoon will be coming our way soon! I don't expect the newlyweds back for at least two weeks.

Tazmo + Sadie Mae = True Love

2010-11-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Halloween confetti was tossed in the air, homemade dog treats for everyone! The music is playing (volume up)...May I present: Mr. & Mrs. Tazmo. Officially married last night on Halloween night. In all her happiness, the bride beams...Her paw promised to her Tazmo...please congratulate our bride...SADIE MAE TAZMO. Radiating his joy and faithfulness, our groom: The Famous Tazmo! Does he not look smashing girls?

Pure delight spread quickly as the two barked, I DO!

Beautiful bride Sadie Mae, blushing in all her splendor. Thank you Kara for doing the brides make-up.

Getting ready to kiss their guest goodnight and head to their marriage condo, and a honeymoon to Dogland USA. (pictures when they return...promise!)

Sadie Mae's bouquet, thank you to our florist Pearlene.

The very pink and pretty maid of honor, Miss Misha Chalupa Jaggerosa. Sadie Mae's best friend for life. (she is available!)

Over 50 guest in attendance...some laughed, some wept.

Please meet King Jasper, Tazmo's Best Dog (Man). He is regal and dashing and did an excellent job of keeping Tazmo in order.

More pictures this month of the guest list, the food, and the honeymoon to come. All for the love of DOGS! Woof!

Wedding, Birthday, Halloween Day

2010-10-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline stood at the cross road and looked up at the sign...one arrow said....GUEST FOR WEDDING this way... The Groom Tazmo is getting groomed...THIS WAY...

Halloween is about to happen...THIS WAY...

Trick or Treaters...go THIS WAY....

If you are my son, born on Halloween you were the best treat of all....Happy Trick or Treat Birthday to Darrin...THIS WAY!

BRIDE WAITING IN PUMPKIN PATCH....THIS WAY!

Maid of HONOR....WAKE UP!...THIS WAY!

It's all happening tonight at our house, a Birthday, A Wedding and Halloween...all in one! Wedding photo's coming this week.

I have seven folks following me on my November Give Away "Goodies Paper Parade" soon to start. If you have not left a comment and said YES to the give away please feel free to do so! Envelopes will fly through the air...as promised.

A Fairyland Childhood Comes True

2010-10-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my childhood...As time rolls on, the Fairyland opened every season with much anticipation. Dad was always trying to add something new. Mary Had a Little Lamb, a gift shop, a ceramic shop for mom to teach ceramics. Tom, Tom the Pipers Son, The Cat and The Fiddle, Little Jack Horners Corner...

I started working at a young age and I started playing at a young age...My Betsy McCall paper dolls were a real treat! This is a page saved from Betsy McCall goes to fairy-tale land. The article on the page starts out...What would you say if I told you I had chocolate milk with Cinderella?

Mother Goose and her nursery rhymes were all around me. To this day, I can hardly resist a Mother Goose book.

Betsy meets Rumpelstiltskin. Look close and you can see a very cute Betsy doll 1962. This picture is from "The wonderful world of the brothers Grimm" where you could write McCalls Fashion Department and buy a dress just like Betsy had!

My childhood was filled with gnomes and elves and brownies in Santa's castle. Today, I am a collector of gnomes...that should not be that surprising to anyone. Yes, people have laughed at me but many are charmed.Dad and Mom on their 25th wedding anniversary. I put the party on with some help from an aunt. We went out for dinner (a rare occasion) and then I hosted at age 11 at party for them in the ceramic shop!

This was the Fairy Princess Cottage. Her neighbors were The Three Little Kittens and Jack be Nimble.

Life in Once Upon a Fairyland wore a little girl out. Here I am at age 5 taking my nap on the school room floor. My first teacher was a round sweet grandmother. I loved her so.

An article from our local newspaper. Mom and dad believed in supporting local business so all advertising was done in our local paper. Mom was good buddies with the advertising department. In the early years when she was a secretary and dad was building the Fairyland, the newspaper was right new door. Mom would bake banana bread, bran muffins and bread pudding for the staff. In later years, it mattered who her friends were. Much of the advertising was complimentary.

Thanks for reading, I love your comments and read every one!

Scene by Scene

2010-10-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

I wish I had more photo's of all the Fairyland scenes. (volume up) But I will take you on the journey with me and you can imagine along with me. But first, me, goofing off on my horse Lady! She was named after my moms real horse when she was a little girl! Now...You can hopefully understand why I am the way I am...this is my mother on her donkey Twiggy! Look at her laugh! And my childhood dog...Danny Boy (named after the song...my mother loved both dog and song!) Please meet co-creator of Once Upon a Fairyland.

A cart, a horse, a dog and a father...please meet the creator of Once Upon a Fairyland! These pictures make me cry because I was so loved and so fortunate to live in this world with two of the best parents a girl with a curl could ever have.

Here I am at age 17. You can see the snack bar, train station and mini golf behind us. Mom and dad and the two hunks are hockey players from Finland that stayed with us for a year. My dad loved the tall one like a son.

The snack bar in the winter deep in snow. We usually got 2-4 ft at a time. The Fairyland was open from May 1- Sept 30th each year. I loved the Fairyland forest.

As you came across the draw bridge to the entrance of Once Upon a Fairyland you came to Elf village. A castle, elf homes, a trading post, a hotel, a train station, a tree house, a church for the elves and a windmill...here is my favorite Fairyland home. I played Barbies on the roof..it was their balcony! Note sweet elf my mom made.

All Fairyland scenes were behind fences so they would not be hurt or broken. This little path leads to a gnomes home. Elves, Gnomes and Fairytale friends lived in the Fairyland besides animals...both alive and make believe. I painted the sign...Lady Bird Haven.

A sweet little rabbit that reminds you to stay on the path. You can see the church behind him from Elf Village.

A parking lot view...a typical day. In Fairyland days school bus trips would come for a special day of fun. Especially at the end of the school year. You could play in the Fairyland, take train rides, have a picnic, and play mini golf and buy candy and goodies at the snack bar. If you were really good, you could tour moms ceramic shop and learn how to paint or pour ceramics.

At the very end of Elf Village there were two little houses. My dad made up his own Fairytales...You had a choice...you could go to the Tea Cup House or the Coffee Pot House...Note little elf coming down steps with coffee cups in hand.

Past Elf Village we go down a hill close to the Western Town. You can see the train chugging down the tracks. In this section I have no pictures but you would see:

Chip the Squirrels House

Old McDonald's Farm

Three pigs house...yes, one from straw, brick and wood.

The Three Bears House...open house with real miniatures.

The Witches Hat...now a bridge and around the corner....until tomorrow.

A girl with a train...

2010-10-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

The phone rings in our kitchen...Cliff! I have 4 trains I would like to sell to you. You can make a years worth of payments. Once Upon a Fairyland needs trains! And so the story goes...but first, an original sign from the Fairyland. I find life so interesting. Did you know that I am a co-writer on a blog called Nowhere now in the year 2010? I'll post about Gretta from Gothere going to Nowhere someday soon! Dad bought two gas powered miniature trains, one electric train and one little coal burning...oh, so cute! Here I am as my dad finished building the train station. You could buy a ticket at the window and there were seats inside to wait for your train ride. Note the cute jigsaw cutouts on the Maple Creek Stage Depot. Behind this, not yet built would be a life size Western Town. The train wound through the woods back to the Western Town.

One step closer...a fence is built. That is my mom driving a little tractor pulling wood.

Electric train was only for display and our Little Betty was on display but she really worked! Fire up the coal and down the track she went! Orange engine was the main train for Once Upon a Fairyland. I even learned how to drive it but I was always nervous about it...and I'll tell you why in a moment.

My dad and his train...he built every mile of track by himself. He received free track and railroad ties and spikes from Burlington Northern Railway...(thank you!)

I have two wagon wheels from The Western Town and a sign from our garden way back when. The wagon wheels came from Saskatchewan from my grandpa. A gift to my dad.

A picture I drew long ago...now you can see why I was scared to drive the train. This actually happened! Dad was building the track and was so anxious to get the train going. He stopped too late and the engine went over. I was the only one in the train car behind him and I stayed on the track!

My love and affection for my dad...

I love this picture...it seems like yesterday. You can see me on the left walking, dad and his train, the parking lot and snack bar. By this time, the Fairyland is in full swing, the snack bar and mini golf are going and The Western Town. Dad built a picnic area and outhouses. If you look close you can see the bridge to the picnic area. It was way back in the woods by the creek.

My dads drawing of his very favorite train...Little Betty.

Next time you pass by a miniature train ride, I encourage you to get on board! No matter what your age!

Castle in the Woods

2010-10-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Elf Village, today a visit to the castle. As I am blogging and telling my story I realize more and more that living at Once Upon a Fairyland was very normal for me. I knew none of my friends had homes like this but beyond the world of the Fairyland my whole world was work and play with fairytale friends. Mom made games of everything. If I was helping her clean the house I was Cinderella. I helped painted all the frogs and deer and squirrels and they all had names. When I had a tea party it was always a Three Bears theme and my hair was long...so I was Rapunzel. Here is a clipping from our local paper about my dad building the railroad through the Western Town. (more on that next week) If you would like to turn up the volume you will hear what I heard everyday for 14 years. Dad wired the tree's to play music as people visited the Fairyland. Before we go inside the castle, please see the original drawing for our snack bar! Inside it we grilled burgers, shakes and sold candy and treats. On one side of the snack bar was the admission window for the 18 hole mini golf course. I started running the snack bar at about age 8 helping my dad while mom was up in the castle. Behind the snack bar was the train tracks back to the Western Town and my donkey Twiggy!

Now walk into the castle with me. It is only one room. There's old beams across the ceiling and it feels very Bavarian. There's mom to greet you and take admission. Free popcorn (we always figured if it dropped in the woods, it would feed the animals) and there's the old record player that is playing The Wizard of Oz and the walls are lined with shelves where you can buy a Fairyland ceramic to take home. Our best seller was the gnomes and The Three Little Kittens. There was a guest book you can sign before you head out the back door to start your journey to Once Upon a Fairyland.

Fairy Princess Jacqueline is in the corner to greet you. There is also a smaller version out in the woods at the Fairy Princess house. My dad used my walking doll to make the small Princess and he made a cement skirt for her. Each year my mom would paint her face. I loved her.

A photo from about 1965. See the flag pole? My dad was so respectful of the flag. He taught me how to take it down, fold it and salute it. We did this everyday, rain or shine. Eventually dad would give me the responsibility and I would hear at 9pm on a summer evening...Jacqueline, time to close down the snack bar and take the flag down! If the flag was worn, it was replaced. To this day, I get upset when I see a flag torn and not replaced. This is so ironic because all along, I was a Canadian!

Because of my blogging adventure I'm dreaming of my parents and of course missing them. Tomorrow, I would like to share something that happened to me in the last few weeks regarding my mom. (Mother Goose)

Visiting Elf Village

2010-10-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

ELF VILLAGE...the day has come again to go back in time to Once Upon a Fairyland...The pictures will sometimes make you squint...but if you look close...you may find Father Time or a few elves. The first picture is when the Castle was being built. The windows are not in yet and the fountain is not built in front of the castle yet. My dad (Father Time) is on the far left and I am the girl with the curl in the pink top by the letter "A". I am standing where the parking lot will soon be. Eventually there will be train tracks also... We have gone through the castle and over the moat, and we are just entering the Fairyland. Welcome to Elf Village. My dad cut every letter from a jigsaw for those signs. We ask that you please stay on the path...it will take you on a mile walk through the woods/

The very first scene is a little miniature castle. I played Barbies all through the Fairyland for years and this was my favorite little castle...to me, Cinderella lived there. You may remember this castle if you joined my give away last Jan. for Queens in Training. It was 3 feet tall complete with a draw bridge and rock lined road leading to it and around it.

Next scene is some Elf Village homes. You can see the Elf train station to the far right and the hotel is to the left.

Here is the train depot and the Elf Village Train. I loved Elf Village and played daily in it. Before the Fairyland was open for business and afterwards. We were open 7 days a week. Cost to go into the Fairyland was 75 cents for adults and 35 cents for children. Can you find the elves. Ladder leads to the Elf Tree House. Do you see the cute gabled elf house by the base of the ladder? It was adorable!

I loved this little house. It was the Elf Hotel. Barbie often stayed there too! Can you find the elves?

Look real close and the oldest elf in the Fairyland is in the picture. His name is Alfred J. Winfree (I am currently writing a book about him)

A poster that was printed many times for locals and tourist to come visit Once Upon a Fairyland!

Tomorrow, we will go inside the castle...and more.

Hope you are enjoying Fairyland Friends...I am enjoying your comments and love poured out to me. Thank you!

Honey Huts & Castles

2010-10-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

SCENIC ROUTE 88~A day with no boundaries...a day that you could toss your troubles in the weeds and hop in the car and GO! Up early, we went on what I affectionately called Scenic Route 88. My friend always says how she loves how I make life into a story. I just want you to know they are true stories. Scenic Route 88 is simply what I called a day off to roam. Yesterday I mentioned a picnic in a park, playing in a crooked house (what would you expect from a girl who grew up in a Fairyland?) and taking the board walk in life to a castle...

Down a long country road...around a bend. Did I ever tell you that my dog Tazmo knows how to push both buttons in the back seat to roll down the windows? He searches for cows and horses and gives one bark if he sees them. That's what happened when we found the Honey Hut and bought some fresh Pure Raw Blackberry Honey.

There she stood in all her cute glory. The Honey Hut is on the honor system. Much of Washington back road farms are like this. Drop your money in the tin box and take what you need. I could hardly wait to open the door and inside was a little store as cute as can be. I picked out my jar of honey for my tea and toast back home. My husband watched from the car and told me to "look up" because over the honey house was a swarm of bee's flying in a circle almost like a halo over the hut. These moments in life are my wink from God moments.

Next time you see a sign, I encourage you to stop! If it were not for Tazmo and his barking alert we may have missed The Honey Hut. He had a little bitty reward...a taste of honey.

Now go this way and that and come to a corner out in the middle of Nowhere. You'll find a short old water tower. Look twice and you'll see it is now someones home. A garden in the back, a decorate wagon and car and boat to match...an artist lives here...

Nobody was peering out of any windows so I got out of the car to snap a picture of the castle door. I am sure, many have done this before me. The castle was quiet and at peace. I can't help but wonder who lives inside...how do they live without windows and do they have electricity? Of course my humorous husband (remember Mr. Cappy?) asked, I wonder if they have water in the castle water tower?

Oh...look at the wishing well! Of course I threw coins inside. I see the Castle has a name...St. James Castle.

Whomever lives inside, I know my parents would like them. Thinking outside of the crayon box...we continued down to the Canadian/US border crossing. More on that on another day. Tomorrow, I'll take you to my own castle and elf village.

Working at the Fairyland

2010-10-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

Work! (volume up) Now I know my childhood sounds like all play but it was a whole lot of work! By the way, in my banner photo that is me in the brown and white shirt and my mom greeting our first visitors. My mom made all the ceramics and painted everything in sight with some help from Aunt Del. My dad built the castle and all 242 miniature houses and all the fences with some help from Uncle Dan and Uncle Frank. My grandparents arrived every summer and took care of filling the freezer and doing all the yard work and brush cutting and tree falling...I painted all the rock paths in every Fairyland scene. I also painted the furniture in The Three Bears House and some chipmunks and easy ceramic pieces where all I had to do was glaze the chipmunk. Mom did the eyes. Here is a photo inside the castle gift shop. See the little mushrooms on the shelf behind me? I painted those! There's my playhouse and dad built this little cart for transporting people from the parking lot and around the Fairyland outskirts. All the wood for Once Upon a Fairyland was donated. It was rejected wood from a company that was throwing it all away. As long as dad went and picked it up, he could have it all. Even the castle, Western town...all the Fairyland scenes, my playhouse and even the outhouses were made of that wood. If you can look close you will see the wood is round. It was used to house telephone wire on telephone poles in the 60's. It's hard to see, but you can see the jigsaw cutout on the back of the cart. My dads garden tractor pulled it.

Here I am with plastic chickens, an adopted set of loved ones I called Grandpa and Grandma Larson (they helped at the Fairyland too for about 2 yrs) and the little windmill dad made. He later made several. I loved the largest one that was eventually built for our 18 hole mini golf course.

Here is a little cart my dad made that eventually sat by the castle and kids would climb in it. The gnome my mom made. You can see the fence in the background (round wood). That lined the path of the Fairyland over 12 acres. Dad and mom built that rock wall also.

Here I am with Humpty that I spoke about yesterday. I'm the tall girl with the curls on the right. See my shoes on Humpty? He was made of chicken wire, papermache and then cement. His legs are mannequin legs thanks to Uncle Harold who donated them. Mom and I painted him and had so much fun. I remember that day well.

In the coming days I will post on the first Fairyland scenes. We will go through the castle and over the bridge (mote underneath) and under the welcome sign to Elf Village.

Dreaming of Fairyland

2010-10-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

I remember! Sitting in our living room looking at my children's picture books spread out on the floor. Dad was standing at the dining room table with jigsaw patterns spread out of chipmunks, Mary had a little lamb. I can remember my mom sitting up until 1 am painting gnomes. I would go to bed on a Sunday night after watching The Wonderful World of Disney, mom would tuck me in and I would see a gnome sitting on the counter...a piece of waxed paper and brushes and paints galore. The next morning...another gnome or elf was about to live at Once Upon a Fairyland.My dad was very inspired by Walt Disney and Storybook Land. His life long dream was to meet Walt but Walt passed on...

Mom loved the magical world of the Mad Hatter tea party and through that looking glass she dreamed of her own Fairyland.

One by one, Fairyland scenes were built and created on paper and then in "real life". My playhouse was built and I was busy at play. It was pink and white with two flower boxes! I loved the little shutters and flower boxes especially!

I have a special fondness for Humpty Dumpty because you will see soon that Humpty Dumpty eventually wore my shoes! Silly as can be, but we had very little money to build the Fairyland. Dad and Mom lived in the days of bartering and helping your neighbor. Free wood? Dad was there to pick it up in his old red Studebaker truck.

To me, "Normal" was growing up in Once Upon a Fairyland. Mom and Dad and I watched Wizard of Oz year after year and eventually dad put speakers in the tree's and The Wizard of Oz was the theme music to the Fairyland. I especially loved Easter time when he would play "Here comes Peter Cottontail" and we would have a huge Easter egg hunt!!! I knew we were not in Kansas, I was in the Fairyland!

Here is the first drawing of my playhouse and my dream came true. Eventually the playhouse was moved up on a hill behind our home and later, became a chicken house.

Mom would sit in bed with me and read stories to me of...

Mother Goose was my friend. Soon, little did I know, my mom would be known as Mother Goose. To this day, I love Mother Goose and the art of Mary Engelbreit.

Soon, as dad was back home building the Fairyland, I would enter school. My friends simply called me "the Fairyland girl". Eventually in middle school I was teased because I was the Fairyland girl, sometimes it hurt my feelings.

I looked around at my school chums life, and they didn't seem to have a house like mine or a life like mine. Sometimes I was popular and all wanted to be my friend and other times I was teased especially by the boys who didn't want to be my friend. It soon turned to here comes "little Jacqueline Fairyland". You can imagine how I felt bullied at times.

Arriving at Once Upon a Fairyland

2010-10-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

In tribute to "Once Upon a Fairyland" my childhood home. This is how I arrived there. Some pictures you will remember and some will be new. My age old question and the reason I started blogging was a matter of soul searching. Why was Jacqueline born into a Fairyland? Would anyone want to know my story? Perhaps it was therapy, perhaps it still is re-living my childhood memories. October give away is call Fairyland Friendship. I would like to post on some intimate special details of my childhood. Today, is a tribute to my arrival and yours. I was only three. Dad and mom bought 12 wooded acres and I stood at the edge of the land and looked way up. All I could see was very tall tree's and I can still hear my mom saying...Jacqueline, this will be your new home. I was afraid, because all I could see was forest. (turn up volume if you wish...photo of dad, Jacqueline and kitten. Can you spot the pink flamingo?) Here I am, before the big move. My mom was a music teacher. She had a big band in Canada. Me and my first accordion.

Original drawing of what would soon become my home. It was a single-wide trailer that dad added a front addition. Note my playhouse to the right. Everything is exactly how it began.

You can always count on a frog to give you good directions to get around a parking lot.

You see, when we came from Canada dad was going to sell trailers but he became very ill and because disabled. Mom was the bread winner all of a sudden with an only child and a very sick husband. The first building my dad made was my playhouse...he would continue to make 242 more. Mom went to work as a secretary and taught music at night...dad started to build the Fairyland for me...it all began with that playhouse.

My mom...loved to play accordion. She eventually became the Principal of the music school when we lived in Canada.

Photo of the accordion college. I can still hear her play...and play and play. Often times, we had several friends over to play accordion music and I danced and twirled...no wonder I'm just a girl with a curl loving the Bavarian world.

Bottom row on the right...second beautiful women from the right to the left is my mom, when she met my dad. He thought he was falling in love with my moms sister until he saw my mom pitch! They were married 3 months later and stayed married for their life time.

The day I arrived at Once Upon a Fairyland, I was holding my mom's hand and dad pointed up. My grandparents who were wheat farmers from Saskatchewan came every summer for three months to help my parents. Here they are...oh, how I loved my grandma and I was scared of my grandpa. He was strong as an ox and a man of little words. He worked, and cleared the driveway and parking lot....450 ft. back into the woods. He dug a well for water with my dad...and I can still see my mom witching for water....

Honey Bear Hideout

2010-06-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

I do believe I can taste the honey. While sorting through life in the closet the other day I came across some Yogi and Boo Boo paper dolls. I must snap a few pictures and show you what is happening in Jelly Stone Park but for now...were on the Cupcake Walk to Honey Bear Hideout....open the door and plop down on the braided rug...we all need to slow down and read a story...How about Teddy Ruxpin...Lullabies are the best medicine! When the world gets tough and sticky I read children's books. They help me keep life in perspective. A view on the shelf tells us a story...a handmade clay bear on the left rescued from Goodwill and brought to the Honey Bear Hideout. The 3 Bears Honey is my honey jar from childhood. This was my all time favorite honey but I also love a whipped creamed cinnamon honey in a plastic tub. Mom bought it in Canada along with Nabob Strawberry Jam...the ultimate treat! The little red bear is called Jared. My friend Victoria handmade him for me when my son Jared was in middle school. He had the longest legs ever and grew to be 6 ft 7 inches....we affectionately call him Jare-Bear to this day.

You know life is good when you can be tucked away for a day in Honey Bear Hideout. The door is SHUT because we don't really want to share our cupcakes do we?

Bears have a way of capturing our heart. Ducks, Turtles, Frogs and Chickens go out of style...same with Geese and Birds but in my opinion, a bear never goes out of style. In my opinion we all need at least one in our home somewhere. In my home they live in two places....

You'll find them in my log cabin bedroom sitting on chairs, guarding my bed (they have been known to make my bed and crawl in it too) and in my Happy Room...they are in shadow boxes, in boxes, on shelves...some are under my desk by my feet and some sit on my desk and inspire me...some are "in the works" to be crafted and some dance across my desk in the form of greeting cards...all is well with a Honey Bear by your side. Happy blogging from me and the bears!

Daddy's Girl with the Curl

2010-03-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

My dad loved me. He waited a long time (13 years) to have me. My dad was a gentle soul, so handsome to me. He was a very positive role model in my life as a man. He had a few cute names for me so I thought I'd share them. Here I am as his Chookie Chook...I have no idea why he called me that. He loved my turned up nose and would tweak it and say "you cute Little Chookie Chook. Here I am in Once Upon a Fairyland days with dad and my first kitten. I'm 5 years old.

At age 2 my dad called me Chocolate because when we first came from Canada we lived in a trailer park and they had an ice cream stand...my love of chocolate ice cream was born.

At age 5 I became his Girl with the Curl. I had very thick hair and curls. My mom used to lay me on the counter by the kitchen sink to wash my hair and then tons of cream rinse went in to get the snarls out. Cream rinse came from the Avon lady who I loved!

Here is Jacqueline at age 4 and I was called Little Miss Sunbeam. My mom was a grocery checker when Sunbeam Bread was the white bread rage!

Me with my accordion. My mom was a music teacher and played accordion, piano, organ and had a big band when we lived in Canada. Here I am just as Jacqueline. My parents never called me Jackie. I was named after Jacqueline Kennedy.

~~~ See you back tomorrow I hope for DOLLYOPOLY. Get a good nights rest and rest up...time for PLAYTIME!

TOURING the DOLL MUSEUM

2010-03-02T06:51:00.001-08:00

It was time for our monthly mom & daughter day and we headed to Bellevue Washington (just across the bridge from Seattle). We were off to the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. I'll be posting pictures for a long time here and there, I must have taken 200 photo's! Please excuse glare, and shadows, everything was behind or under glass. First up, a miniature tribute to our teddy bear friends.
Dolls dating back to the 1700's were there. Rosalie started the museum when she was in her late teens. Over 700 rare dolls from Barbie to French Bisque, miniatures, German China Dolls, wooden and ivory and paper dolls and doll houses.

This was my favorite shadow box. You can see me taking a peek. I will have close up of these tomorrow.

This next doll house was a tribute to England. You can see the Beatrix Potter miniatures on the hutch on right. Note the itty bitty size of the teddy bears at the table. Bottom left.

Snapped this picture for all my fairy friends...(Sherry and Heidi...wink!). Made from a velvet box. Took the bottom out and molded a fairy to fit. I love her butterfly wings!

Thought for the day...There is something to be said of a day living in the land of doll make-believe. For you can make-believe the land is real. ~unknown~

HONEYBEAR HIDEOUT...onward

2010-02-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

Breakfast was scrumptious! Marie gave Polly Bear a kiss and snuggled deep in her fur. Pandy Bear wiped her paws on her apron. It was the cutest apron ever...it had little bee's with yellow bonnets on! She reached in her pocket and brought out a little pink case full of make-up. Sissy giggled as Pandy Bear put raspberry blush on her cheeks. One cheek was more rosy than the other. Now, playmates, it's time to do arts and crafts.

Sandy was over to the drawing table in a wink. What fun to draw bears. She picked up the pencil and it seemed to float across the page and in 5 minutes (maybe less) a bear appeared on her paper. Carol pulled up a wooden chair and soon she was drawing bears walking on a little draw bridge.

Christel took Patty Bears paw and went over to the painting station. Old mason jars stood proud with all the colors of the rainbow and more...Patty Bears stuck her paw in the jar of red paint and out came red paint and polka dots! Patty Bear stuck her other paw in the blue jar and out came blue paint and stripes! Christel smiled BIG...and sat down to paint!

Don't forget to return for more fun tomorrow...Pandy Bear will show us to the Sew N' Sew Room.

MRS. Matter-of-Fact and friends

2010-02-06T05:44:00.001-08:00

Mischief the Pixie gave a holler to all the playmates...LINE UP TWO BY TWO...there's 22 of YOU and The Enchanted Playhouse Gate is now closed. All of a sudden there was a huge gate covered in red roses and a few big thorns and a padlock the side of a suitcase snapped shut. Marie and Sissy blinked at each other and a big lady rabbit appeared dressed in a cute green apron, berries and flowers stuck out of her hat and she had magical carrots in a tin bucket!
Welcome girls, my name is MRS. Matter-of-Fact. You can count on me when playing outside. I'm always in the Children's Garden. It's a matter of fact that I'm MRS. Matter-of-Fact. Everyone knows me because I have a never ending supply of good food for you. Magical carrots and berries. Ask anytime for one. Little girls get tired with all this playtime!

Now look down and each pair of TWO playmates, pick up your picnic baskets at your feet. Run through the field over to the berry patch and I'll introduce you to my assistant. Christel and Carol were on their way in two shakes of a rabbits tail.

Standing straight as a post stood a little pixie girl. She smiled sweetly and popped a blueberry into her mouth. MRS. Matter-of Fact arrived from NOWHERE and introduced Lon-Lon the keeper of Pixieland. Lon-Lon and I keep order and happiness in the Children's Garden, Pixieland and all outdoor adventures at THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE.

The playmates all sat down, opened their picnic baskets and donuts covered in hearts were found with orange and white checked napkins and a little dish of mixed berries. Sherry was so famished she popped 4 raspberries all at once!

As the playmates were visiting with Lon-Lon, Sares cleared her throat and asked....Lon-Lon, where is THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE? Lon-Lon turned and pointed to the BIG house with the slanted chimneys and funny roof. It's right there Sares! What, said Sares? That BIG house is THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE? Well yes, said Lon-Lon. What did you expect? Some tiny playhouse? Lets take a walk ordered MRS. Matter-of-Fact....

All 22 playmates got up, the picnic baskets vanished and Anita and Sandy and all the playmates followed TWO by TWO behind MRS. Matter-of-Fact and Lon-Lon who were holding hands too. As Penny passed by a fence a fawn came up to her surprise and gave her a good-bye kiss. Her hat flew off and Iris grabbed her hand as the TWO friends followed into the house...

****See you tomorrow, as we enter THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE and head for the Rabbit Nursery.

THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE-GIVE AWAY!

2010-02-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

I hear the school bells ringing...February has arrived! Up to the rooftop the hummingbird flew. Everyone was awake at the Enchanted Playhouse! Jacqueline was counting to 10 and back again..It's time for THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE GIVE-AWAY. Please respond and comment quick as a wink and let me know if you are entering. You can toss your name in the wishing well before Wednesday pretty please! Jacqueline got in her wagon and told Sadie Mae to hurry up and pull the wagon and get her to down to the village...she needs to go shopping for the playhouse! First stop was the Five plus a Dime store...picking up a playmate hanky for all!

We need a sign at the gate "DRIVE SLOW~CHILDREN AT PLAY"..what a buy...found in the free pile outside the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The dolls ran out of powder for the baby dolls...This is a must...The Enchanted Playhouse must never run out!

Oh yes, I hear the ocean calling. We need buckets and shovels for all. New cups, one for each playmate...Jacqueline picked the gnome cup and there were all kinds of cups, of all colors and shapes.....The Give-Away begins THIS WEDNESDAY...Please tell your blogging friends to come on over and play. We will be picking our playhouse on Wed. and begin to "Play House".

This Give-Away is an interactive Give-Away which means you need to "PLAY" with all of us, and ENTER THE ENCHANTED PLAYHOUSE. We will visit the playhouse quite a few times this month...never every day but most days....Wink! Drawing on Sunday Feb. 28th.

QUEENS IN STORY TIME

2010-01-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Friday lesson. Your crowns are beautiful and we have the sun smiling down on us. Today's lesson is intense...By the end of the day you will be able to be the Best Queen Story Teller because you will have graduated from Story Time. Every Queen in Training must pass this test. You simply must be able to tell a story at the drop of a wand.
Thank you to our dear Three Kittens for serving Tonic and cream to us as we begin. Since LOVE is in the air (along with some JOY and FAITH) you will need to tell a love story. Here is your picture...Looks like a handsome Prince just may stop to visit a cute Queen. Can you find cupid? Assignment: find a blue bird and tell your story... Photo #2...who could live in this cottage? The blue bird has another sweet cottage, is it her cottage or is she visiting someone? Please find a Queen in Training partner and tell her two stories...Be back in your seat by 10 am...Mother Goose will arrive with wands for all.

In photo number 3 there's a gnome. He has a name and his name is...........where is he going....or where has he been? Please tell your story to a child....be back by 1 pm for lunch served by Little Miss Muffet and her fairytale neighbors.

It's 2 o'clock sharp and 6 playing cards are on your seat. You must pick three cards and tell one of the animals in the Friendly Forest a story. Your choices are: Funny Bunny, The Brown Mouse, The Gay Dog, Pretty Kitty, The Wooly Lamb (talk about sweetness...she radiates it!) or the Wise Owl...allow time if you tell a story of the Wise Owl, he may tell you a story in return and you'll be late for the next assignment...please scroll down, down, down..

Oh look...there's goes The Polar Express down the tracks...all the Queens in Training smiled and waved back to Sir Tobias!

Lesson #4 QUEEN OF THE SHOP

2010-01-22T05:32:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to see that you are all on time. The carriages are awaiting and the horses are anxious to escort you downtown. Please turn up the music to get you in the mood. Now everyone rattle your purse, gold and silver coins are your best friend today. We do not intend to return with any remaining coins...SPEND THEM is your goal! You will need to return home with a few important items. Pick your slippers. You may choose crystal, glass, ceramic, porcelain or felt, those will be your only options. I see that Queen in Training Shelley has a 50% off coupon at "Three French Hens off Broadway". Excellent Shelley. You are a very wise and thrifty Queen in Training.

You must return to your castle with at least 7 bars of soap. You may choose your very favorite scent. I would suggest stopping at Lily of the Valleys store on the corner of Turret and Cottage Lane. She has lavender, peppermint, and rose on sale.

The 3rd challenge of your day is to bring home something under glass. I have an example of my song bird under glass that I brought home long ago, when I was a Queen in Training. You may want to consider going down the shady lane to Cinderellas boutique. She has everything from pumpkins to miniature glass strawberries under glass and so much more...

The talk of the town is that the Beast bought Beauty a beautiful store full of everything a Queens heart could desire. Please be wise, and don't pass this store up.

We will meet tonight at 4pm promptly for slipper fittings and pedicures. Tomorrow lesson is important. You will get your key to your castle.

THE UFF DA SHOPPE

2010-01-20T05:48:00.000-08:00

Many thanks from me to you for all the love poured out to me for my birthday. I felt so loved and special! Today we are continuing our tour of the Stanwood Uff Da Shoppe. For me, it was a dream come true. Yesterday I showed you my plate I picked out but later in the day when my husband took me to a casino to play the Fairy Fortune machine and The Lucky Leprechaun machine and oh yes...Sherwood Forest machine we pulled up and he opened the trunk to get my sweater out and I heard him say..."Oh man, you scared me!" Look who was in the trunk! Len laughed and played a game with me and told me he had NO IDEA how the gnome got in our trunk! He is actually riding a turtle so Len could not explain this gnome moving swiftly into our trunk...My husbands way of surprising me...His gift to me...plus I won $235 at the casino! What a day!

We also brought home lefse (like a potato crepe) and I promptly got out the butter, cinnamon and sugar. My kind of birthday cake!!! Oooooo...I love it! Gotta go back for more!

You can see the gnomes love to eat too...gnome on right is eating Lefse..cute as the dickens and full of dickens too!

Web site is listed for you to take a peek. It's worth the trip and then some.

Tomorrow....I have 19 Queens in training and we will move on to our day #4 and lesson #3...Thrones to sit Upon...meet you there with hands folded in lap.

Lesson #2 Castle Choices

2010-01-16T06:31:00.000-08:00

Queens in Training, please be seated, hands folded in lap please. Today we have Lesson #2 on how to make a real estate choice. After all, you will need to find a castle. Today's lesson is about what to look for and what not to do! We will be having crumpets with various jams as we stop in Castle #1 and the new Lady Grey tea will be served in English tea cups. Here you will find the castle in Once Upon a Fairyland. Built in 1965, it now sits on 12 acres of wooded forest. Gnome and elves reside in the woods including an ancient elf called Alfred J. Winfree. He serves the girl with the curl first. Her name is Jacqueline so I warn you, his dedication will be to her first.
This castle offers a decent size mote, 5 turrets, many cupboards and shelves and a glass showcase. You'll find fairytale decor including a Fairy Princess. Birds nest in all of your windows, you must love them, because they will not go away. The price is excellent for the square footage. Snow White and The Three Kittens are your neighbors. Please be aware the Big Bad Wolf lives near by also. (yes, this is a drawing of the REAL castle my dad built...see side bar)

Onward to castle #2 located in British Columbia in the Enchanted Forest. This castle is very large and features many rooms. The walls are made of stone so you will have a large heating bill. Their are crocodiles in the motor to protect you if needed. This castle sits on 20 acres with the Enchanted Forest behind it. Fairies and trolls live in the forest and some fairytale friends such as Mother Goose and Jack in the Bean Stock. The fir trees are old and sometimes whisper at night. There is a huge dungeon in the basement, with some old witches and hunch men serving time. We will have lessons on skeleton keys at 2pm, turret #4. Please do not be late.

Castle #3 is located on the high hill of Elf Village. This delightful castle has many secret rooms. It is small but elegant is every corner. There is a ballroom, powder room, crystal bath spa. Plenty of maiden mice to serve you. Cinderella once lived here but put it on the market last month as she and the Prince found a new castle down Carriage Lane. They will be your neighbors however. I warn you the elves are a bit too friendly. We will experience a chocolate taste testing at 330 out by the Koi pond.

Our last stop will be castle #4 in Mary Engelbreit land. The inside of the castle is all pink with blue and purple accents. Many nursery rhyme friends live around the castle and some have permanent homes inside the castle. This castle is huge and has over 40 bedrooms. You will be living with rock-a-bye baby who rarely cries, Puss and Boots, and Little Jack Horner lives in the back corner. The gardens are well maintained by Mr. MacGregor and Peter Rabbit who became friends long ago. You can't go wrong but the price, is out of this world. We will have dinner with the Alice from Alice in Wonderland and her Queen. The Cheshire cat will be our speaker.

PUPPY LOVE DOG PARTY

2010-01-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

This blog is all for the love of dogs...turn up the music and you'll hear their favorite song...."Puppy Love". Our family loves dogs as you will see. At Christmas we had 7 humans and 6 dogs and it was one big love celebration. Here is 4 of them, bottoms up! Peek and see my Sadie Mae under my sons coffee table watching the event!There is a Princess in the house! Princess Misha Mae Chalupa Jaggerosa sits on a lap. The smallest of all the dog family, not one dog bothers her. She growls once and they are done with her.

Kara and Sadie Mae share a hug.

Kara and her dog Lakoda (Hawaiian) share another hug.

My newest dog Tazmo and Gretta from Gothere the content hedgehog.

Misha's cousin all dressed up for the party!

Friends Pepper and Salty waiting for burger bone puppy treats.

Here is the girl with the curl (that would be me) and my Misha just last week.

And the absolute "Puppy Love" of my life, my Sadie Mae Elder.

AUNTIE JACQUELINES

2009-12-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hello people...
I have had something brewing in my soul for the last few weeks. It's coming from the inside out. It's all about this other side of me. Some folks have said I'm an old soul. Perhaps you are right on the button! I relate well to the life of a ancient old aunt. Her name is Auntie Jacqueline. She's a bit naughty...she believes that some rules are to be broken. She's really an old maid in disguise who down deep in the heart of her always wanted to be an auntie. She is very imperfect, she loves to wear bright colored clothes, she is always too loud. She loves to tell stories and you are never sure if she is telling the truth or making up some make believe. She has some fire in her soul and some weakness in her knees. She relates better to animals than to humans at times. She is also missing a tooth.
This ancient auntie desires to be heard so....she got out her old Underwood typing machine and opened her own blog. Can you imagine? If you want to be her friend go to auntiejacquelines.blogspot.com. She just wrote her first post called "OCCUPATION-Mother". Be prepared for imperfect but possible. It's meant to make us think, help us think and to experience a few miracles in aunties life time, that need to be shared. Pass it on, the old gal could always use a few new friends.
*By the way, Once Upon a Fairyland blog is not going anywhere! -The girl with the curl says...-

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

2009-12-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

The approach of January sets my heart aglow. It is my favorite time of the year. I was born awhile ago, in a old hospital in Vancouver Canada. My mom was in a hospital bed, giving birth while her best friend was in the bed beside her giving birth. They talked of dreams for their baby girls. Perhaps that is where I learned to follow my dreams... My fairy from my daughter, in the garden. She sleeps protected by gnomes in Gnomeland. Cosmos petals fell beside her. One thing I love about the world of fairy friends is they fly and they soar and they follow their dreams...

A fairy nap sometimes does the trick. Slip off your high heels or tennis shoes or flip flops or boots and allow yourself to dream...(sorry for blur...a fairy was flying by when she snapped this photo, in flight!)

I've always known that wishes do come true. From the wishing well in Snow White to the wishing wells in the Fairyland, I always throw a coin in and listen to hear the ker-plunk!

This is my Pixie Patrick who guards a well on my bookcase.

He and the well, are from the 1950's. Go ahead, make a wish!

One day I was dreaming and following my dreams and I cut, and pasted and designed this card. She reminds me daily to always FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS JACQUELINE!

Pondering 2010, I buy a new planner, a new pen and a new calender and I write. I set goals, fun goals, I make a wishing well list and a dream list...Here is the start of my list...

Invest in friendship, call, blog, visit and write!

Entertain, give more parties all in the name of PLAY!

#1 WISH...A small wooden windmill for Gnomeland

Travel to Texas and Montana, Spokane, Seattle, California here I come!

Give-MORE LOVE to all!

TWAS THE NIGHT OF QUESTION

2009-12-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas evening will soon arrive as we are tucked in bed with Santa's arrival on rooftops around the world. We ask ourselves a few questions as shut eye comes...
Was I naughty or nice? Did I obey the teacher and show respect to all? Did I wash and floss and scrub real good?

Did I leave a carrots for the reindeer and milk and sugar cookies for Santa? Did I clean out my chimney so he could slide down?

Do I really believe in elves and gnomes and pixies? I do believe, I do believe, I do believe....

Did I leave the lights on in Gnomeland so the gnomes could play at midnight?

Did I remember to add snow on the cottage and did I tuck Santa and Miss Snow Maiden in?

Have a I counted all my Christmas eve's with wonder and amazement?

Did all the children remember to say their prayers? Did I say my prayers thanking Jesus for coming to this earth?

Did I take my Joyland vitamin?

At 50 years old, am I still dreaming of visions of sugarplums?

Should I go back and buy that doggie in the window?

Ready or not my friends, here comes Santa!

Ready or not, Jesus will come...

Tis the season, with very good reason, to celebrate it all!

MAKE FRIENDS WITH AN ELF!

2009-12-22T06:39:00.001-08:00

Life is good when you hang around elves. They work so hard to please you and keep you happy! When they are not busy with Santa, they can come in very handy indeed! They deserve a little tribute with all this talk of Frosty, Sleds, toys, tree's and parties going on... These two little friends arrived as a surprise from blogger Penny from "Pellie and Genghis" with piglet too!

If your elf needs his own stocking (good idea!) they can be found in the old Pioneer House.

Handmade by a child, this elf comes to life!

A mystery indeed...a wee book about "The Elf's Hat" written by insects...ah yes...

Handmade and sitting proud on my tree...meet Bo Jingles...

A well read story about those famous Elf Boots...those boots are made for walkin'!

Mary Engelbreit charms our elf socks off with music under the mushroom house.

Blurrrr..the photo is old. Santa's Work Shop from the days of "Once Upon a Fairyland" (my childhood home). Can you find Santa and the elves?

Debut buttons from that famous movie "ELF"...gotta see it!

Now...suggested presents for your elf....

Ping Pong balls...they love to throw em'
Gumdrops...they love to chew on them

Polka dot mushrooms...they love to play leap frog

Raisens...they love to feed them to the reindeer

Oranges...to make sweet tea before bed..night night!

THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to show you pictures from The Lights of Christmas. This is held each year in a small town near to us at a Christian church camp. Over one millions lights in the forest. Cabins light the back ground with our Mt. Baker behind...

Gingerbread people Darrin and Melinda...lookin' cute!

Time for a cocoa break...son Darrin and wife Melinda (of 5 whole months!)

This was amazing...a waterfall in lights!

Snow people Jared (son) and girlfriend Julie waving to you!

The amazing lights of Mt. Baker Washington, moon sittin' pretty!

The Outpost Store...welcome all mice and men and rabbits too!

This is a miniature seen believe it or not, in a mailbox! My favorite of all!

The girl with the curl (that would be me!) falling deeply in love with Frosty. ~ A night of Christmas dreams coming true~

FROM THE EYES OF SANTA

2009-12-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Years go by and Santa keeps giving. Have you ever thought of all the toys that Santa has been responsible for? From the eyes of Santa, he has seen toys evolve over time from corn husk dolls, to plastic, back again to fabric, in again is tin, here comes glass, rubber, paper, wood, cast iron, plush and back again to china. He's given everything from tea sets to composition dolls. He's brought books, skates, puppets, and games of Monopoly, Barbie, Raggedy Ann and so much more. His eyes have seen it all...in that bundle on his back, full of toys. Some of us remember Rupert the Bear and his friends. I have three of these books...that makes a collection!

Cardboard Storybook homes from Germany...

Everyone needs a donkey to make you laugh. My stocking stuffer from long ago...

Can you even imagine playing with cast iron? I can hear a long ago mother says...be careful William, don't drop it on your toe!

Today, we are celebrating Christmas at son Darrin's house. Last night our adventure to The Light of Christmas was awesome...photo's coming tomorrow!

*Don't forget to kiss...under the mistletoe!

SANTA CLAUS LANE

2009-12-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

It's all about Santa on this Saturday morn...as we march like soldiers down Santa Claus Lane on the count down to Christmas morn! Santa makes me happy, how about you? Santa needs all the help he can get! Raggedy friends help out!

The naughty or nice box, request are known...

Handmade Santa ornament made by a wee child...

Santa comes in all sizes...this one is a tad over one inch...

This little Santa Storybook house was given to me by my mom...I was about 5 yrs old. Don't mind the fact I poked out the window to peek in...-grin-

Mary Engelbreit knows how to make Santa come alive, if you only believe...

A sign that hangs on the path to Gnomeland...

Tonight we are traveling to another town to see a very special event called "The Lights of Christmas". All of our family and loved ones will come including dogs...That will be 8 of us and 6 dogs! See you on Sunday for a visit with the elves!

SNOW PEOPLE

2009-12-18T06:40:00.001-08:00

The subject today is SNOW! Let it snow, lets count the snowflakes, there's no business like SNOW business. Here is a peek-a-boo of some of the snow people that live with me. On the porch of this storybook home sits a wee Santa from blogger friend Shelley. Sindy the snow maid loves her Santa.

Patchwork plaid is in...at least in Snowland.

Snow Angels...guard my office door...when was the last time you rolled in the snow or made a snow angel?

Talk about jolly, who could resist my snow friend under my tree? In his snow cottage he sells snow cones, colored snow balls and carrots, black top hats, mittens all for your snowman making contest...

Fluffy but not stuffy, this snow bear worries there will be no snow in Arizona this year, or Hawaii, or Florida.

A miniature box I made back in the 80's...just for me!

Lookie...a Storybook home to welcome Snow People!

A very old snowman candy container. A rare snow people find.
GOOD IDEAS FOR SNOW DAYS...
*take a picture of your home in the snow

*add a little food color to the snow

*how about making a snow castle?

*have a snow ball fight with the one you love!

DECK THE HALLS WITH DOLLS

2009-12-17T07:07:00.001-08:00

Deck the halls with dolls of holly, by golly, Molly! Memories of opening Christmas presents with dolly finds inside. One year from the next a Barbie, a Midge, a Kiddle, a baby doll, a Raggedy Ann, Kewpie and Dawn, Flatsy and Skipper and Mrs. Beasley...oh what fun, the magical play dolls brought. First up, Willy the gnome shows off his doll Suzie Q. Yes, gnomes are allowed to play with dolls...

From the doll shelf in Montana...friend Nico's Kewpie corner.

My very favorite doll case of all time...second runner up, a Barbie Doll case.

Liddle Kiddles skate into my heart...from my childhood story book.

These are Skedidler Kiddles...push them from the back and they walk...so fun!
Did you ask Santa for a doll this year? I did. I'm hoping for a Noddy Doll from England...hard to find in the good ol' USA.

I get by with a little help from my friends...

2009-12-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

Blogging, sharing our hearts, our minds, our joys and pains, our family, our pets our talents, our homes, our finds...the list goes on but when it comes right down to it the song rings true in my ear "I get by with a little help from my friends...". I want to stop the merry go round, and say...Thank you! The support and love each day I receive is so positive and encouraging...I've come to rely on it...it's the BEST addiction I've ever had...my new and old friends...This post is to US...women who love total strangers, we reach out, because we want and because we need..our friends. Over the years I've exchanged handmade greeting cards with one of my pen pals, now best friend...Nico. When I visited her in October, she showed me an album of all the cards I'd ever sent her. The one above is one I did for her, early in our friendship.

This one she made for me, In loving return...

When I was a teen, my friend would sit and embroidery with me, pillowcases. I still love to do this, and one of my goals is to start a girly embroidery circle.

Friendship is like sewing...stitching it all together, year after year.

While roaming through old photos in an antique shop I came across this picture of two friends and neighbors called "Fluffy and Pearl". Where are they now? I have lived with this picture on my creative board in my craft room for years now...reminding me, "I can only get by, with a little help from my friends".

oooo....BABY! IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

2009-12-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

As the gnomes huddled around the old radio in the clubhouse a plan was in order...how to rescue the gnomes who didn't want to leave Gnomeland? Ooooo...BABY! It's cold outside exclaimed Mr. Tibbins the gnome uncle (to many!). Look at the bay...white caps and wind, it's too chilly to be left out in the snow! There's Sadie Mae (Mrs. Tazmo) and her husband Tazmo out looking for the missing gnomes.

Gnomeland has the sign up...welcoming winter greetings.

Oh...there they are! Lucinda still forgot to wear her coat. You would think she would have learned after the last wind storm that blew her over in one big gust! Santa's waving at us to show us the way back to the clubhouse!

Look at these two! Will they ever learn? One is smiling and the other is blowing out his breath and seeing steam! Plus, these two both have nose injuries that need to be mended. Back to the clubhouse you little mischievous gnomes!

GINGERBREAD LANE

2009-12-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

The snow is falling in my home town and it's been a perfect day to stroll down Gingerbread Lane. In a very old part of my town in an area called Fairhaven this very special event happens...Today, I invite you to take a look at some of my very favorite Storybook Homes. Lolly the gnome stands in his doorway, inviting you in with a lollipop...(that's L O double L I, P O P spells Lollipop!) in hand to share with you.

Standing in amazement as reindeer fly over the roof top of this Storybook home...please note Oreo cookie entrance!

The magic world of a Storybook Castle...It reminds me so much of my castle at Once Upon a Fairyland. Pink turrets stand proud, so many fairies live within...

My very very favorite Storybook Cottage...could I please move in? My husband actually placed a bid on this one to bring home for $80, but the girl with the curl did not win...Mary Poppins won it for a high price of $125.00. Lucky Mary, she has all the luck packed in her carpet bag.

A Storybook Victorian home sits high on a pedestal in the North Pole...who would ever believe a "Painted Lady" straight out of the hills of San Francisco would end up at the North Pole?

All in a days fun...let the merryment continue under the winter sun. Wishing you a all, a very merry Monday. -Jackie-

THE GLOBAL GNOME TROTTER

2009-12-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before last night when a magical event happened. While the gnomes and I went walking and talking we spotted the famous "Global Gnome Trotter". His name is "Husband" and we all love him so. He was spotted going into the General Christmas Store on Rudolf Way at 8:03pm. As we peeked in the window, we caught a glimmer of the Nutcracker convention taking place. In years past, they have always invited the "Husband Gnome" to this huge event!

Lookie...there he is going up the steps! He loves to trot all over Washington visiting thousands of gnome events.

You can always spot "Husband Gnome" by that tall pointed hat! It's forest green and white with deer on it. Here he travels back in time, 1877 to be exact...to "The Parker House".

The tree lights up and is happy to see him...

That was an extra special Gnomeland event tonight. Shhh...please be so quiet...the candles burn in the Gnomeland Clubhouse...perhaps the "Husband Gnome" is inside?

A HEAPIN' DOSE OF SUGAR!

2009-12-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Glory be, when there is a blue night under the moon...(I've had a few recently) I just put on my apron and grab the wooden spoon and head for the sugar bowl...as Mary Poppins always claimed..."Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down..." Lookie...laughter is good...the girl with the curl lost her head! An old troll from the Hills of Bills, knocked on the door and who should appear....Santa?

Nope...Oh...look what Santa brought to cure the winter blues...a daughter ready to take her mama shopping...although, I think if the shoe and the coat fit, she'll wear it!

How about a son and his new bride and a daughter all wrapped in one Christmas box?

Kara reads my blog daily so I asked her to smile for the camera! Christmas dreams really do come true! She has a few nicknames just like her mama...Kara Bear and Keetah...that's a story in itself! Happy Christmas time from our family to yours...(another son and the hubby and dogs have gone missing...likely in the clubhouse with the gnomes!)

THE DAY TAZMO FELL IN LOVE

2009-12-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

A good dose of laughter is needed! I had a sad day yesterday, a 10 hr work day and I was pretty much "spent" when I walked in the house at 730pm. However, it was the day, that my new doggie Tazmo (see puppies on side bar!) fell in love with Sadie Mae. I came home to the house in chaos and two little doggies waggin those cute pom tails and the smile of a pom...can't be beat! We told Sadie she had a brother in Tazmo, perhaps not...they seemed to have fallen in love. We now called Sadie affectionately....Mrs. Tazmo. The gingerbread man looked on in amazement..."I can't believe this is happening!"

The gnomes celebrated from the clubhouse with such glee and spunk. Here we see old Juniper swinging through the air with the greatest of ease.

Raggedy Ann took a spill off the picture frame as Tazmo raced through the house, love sweet love!

I found Sir Simple the gnome hanging on the door knob as Sadie winked as she ran by...

The old brown teddy found himself hanging on the shower rod as he told me stories of Tazmo draggin' him from the wooded chair to the bathroom. A bear knows how to climb when needed!

*Hearts to you that gave me your kind words yesterday as I was crying over my mama. I intend to respond to each one of you. Today, in the midst of the storm, I choose laughter.

MOTHER GOOSE MEMORIES

2009-12-09T07:35:00.001-08:00

Please excuse me today, I think this post is more for me than maybe you but then again, none of us really know how thoughts of one mom can speak to others. I've even posted a couple of these pictures prior. I'm missing my mom today. When tough times come, I look to God and the wise wisdom of my mom, now passed from Alzheimer's disease. This picture is from my childhood home, Once Upon a Fairyland and that is my mom on the right...better known to our town as Mother Goose.

My first born son Jared at Christmas with gnomes painted by my mom and note the mushroom tree lamp in the background.

My little family as a child. Mom, Dad and Jacqueline (the girl with the curl). Mom always walked in the woods in her house coat, gardened in her bare feet and pulled weeds in a nylon nightgown. What else would you expect Mother Goose to do?

Mom painted ceramics and here is a Santa given to me. We are in the castle gift shop of Once Upon a Fairyland. Later, my dear dad (Father Time) tripped and broke this Santa and had to glue it back together! Daughter Kara now has this Santa.

This is the last picture taken of my mom. It's a sad story so grab a hankie. Mom was in a secured Alzheimer unit but she got out! We had the police and everyone at the nursing home looking for her. I was the one that found her. I had a clue from a tea shop owner that said my mom had been in and asked "where is the local old folks home". They didn't know she had Alzheimer's and just pointed her down the street. Mom ended up in the mall instead...I found her on Santa's knee! She thought I was her sister. Note the ring on her finger, it was actually a hair tie. Mom passed into Gods hands at age 67 only 3 months later. The best Mother Goose, I've ever known.

Thanks for listening and reading.

PASSIONATE SANTAS

2009-12-08T06:32:00.001-08:00

Up at the North Pole the barn lights are burning. The elves are busy, the reindeer are eating sugar coated carrots to prepare them for their world journey and in the middle of it all, Santa sits...passionately waiting to visit the whole wide world. He's so round and jolly and fun by golly! Here's a little Santa pull toy rescued from The Dollar Tree, just waitin' for me!

Last Friday night, I met Mrs. Santa in a log cabin up North. She was mending and crafting and talking all at the same time. Note, her pretty blouse all ready for Christmas Eve night.

Santa's suit has been washed and hangin' to dry. She still needs to darn his socks and mend the reindeer's blankets.

This Santa was made by one of the seniors at the retirement home I work at. He was on sale in our Country Store for only $2.00. Not one soul bought him last year and I knew he needed to come home to Gnomeland. Unique and wonderful Santa.

Santa is vintage, in all his jolly glory we celebrate the fun he brings to the world! Wink...
*If you turn up the music, you'll have a merry Santa tune!

OLDIE DOLLY, BUT GOODIE!

2009-12-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite post is "Dolly Mama Mondays". Dolls have always been a part of my life. By the way, some blog friends have asked where I get all my photos? They are all photos I have taken. I have never used the Internet...This is my life, believe it or not on camera! Big smile! A baby doll and her mint cottage. She has to crawl through the door miniature door.

A view from beddy bye time last Friday night. My husband and I went to the Old Fashioned Pioneer Christmas in a near by town. The theme was "The night before Christmas" and here, the children are upstairs in a 1889 log cabin, tucked in and cozy.

This dolly is an "oldie but goodie" for sure. She has favor with Santa. She sits waiting by the tree.

Check out the Penney's catalog this Christmas and you will find plaid is in! It was "in" years and years ago too! Photo taken in the attic of "Jenny's House" at the Pioneer Christmas.

These two girlfriends are ready to say their prayers. Dolly Mama would love to adopt them and their 1920's quilt too!

CHRISTMAS COMFORT

2009-12-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

The weather outside is frightful, but inside is delightful. This morning Jack Frost has visited my home town, the wind chill is chilly willie and it's time to hunker down by the home fires. Christmas holds a toast of comfort if you relax, spread some snowflakes and love around, sit at the organ and play a Christmas time tune. Ring the church bells, it's time for all big and little children to write their "Dear Santa," letters. Off to the North Pole...hurry up!

A mitten made with love from my blogging friend Marie from Spun by me. I wish I had a pair of big girl ones, to wear for make believe. And a matching set of ear muffs!

I'm in love with Uncle Ben! He makes the BEST rice pudding! One of the home comforts my husband and I treat ourselves to...more often than not.

Our Christmas tree has a story. We will peek closer on another day. There's gnomes, and cuckoo clocks and elf lanterns and sleighs and snow children and pixies, tucked on every branch, and of course story books and storybook homes. Wrapped in love and memories dear, these are the comforts of Christmas.

BABES in the WOODS

2009-12-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

Hand and hand, please walk with me through the woods. You never know the stories the woods will tell. The tree's are alive you know, don't fool yourself, all creatures, great and small live there. I lived in 12 acres of Fairyland woods. Many hours were spent there. In the Fairyland music played through the woods. I talked to squirrels and birds and I saw the deer drinking by the creek in the woods. Rock-a-bye baby was safely tucked in the Fairyland woods, her cradle never fell. Babes lived everywhere in the woods. Hansel and Gretel were found in the back 40 woods.

Pixie playmates played with me in the woods down by the Huckleberry Glen.

Wee mousse folk scittered and scattered, those precious babes in the woods...

Winter in the woods brought all the babes in the woods to fireside.

Little girls and boys hugged tree's in the woods, for they were their friends.

To find out about more true woods stories...click on "My home, Once Upon a Fairyland" on the side bar. An invite to all, but especially my new blogging friends.

Have a Fairytale Friday and take a walk in the woods...

Rootin' in the TOY BOX

2009-12-03T06:59:00.001-08:00

My mama taught me some good lessons and one of them was, toy boxes need to be cleaned out and re-gifted. Spread the love around type of thingy. Early every December mom asked me to give away 5 toys to a child in need. Sometimes this was tough love stuff for me and I would pout. I always got to pick but I had a time of it, making these important decisions. I'm so glad however, my mom did this because one of the best efforts in my life is giving treasures to someone in want or need. Every child needs an elf in my book...how could you ever live without one, especially a wooden jointed one.

The story of Dumbo has delighted our hearts. Who could ever resist his smile? Off to the angel tree with some popcorn and peanuts and other Disney books.

I have a girl in my life I call Cindy bear...I bet she would like a song from Smokey the Bear! I know she would, she collect him!

Life is a teeter-totter sometimes and I've had my share of use of this toy this past year. Passing my little friends on.

The Old Maid and I decided on this one together. She has so many adopted children from Handy Sandy to Dapper Dave. The women is tired. A good gift to pass on to The Crooked Old Man who has walked too many crooked miles.

Smiling from my home to yours. May "JOY" be in your heart.

-Jacqueline...alias Chocolate.

DOGGIE APPLICATION DESK

2009-12-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

The Old Maid approached the doggie application desk with her pink highlighter and a sharp pencil in hand. She tilted her hat to the left, adjusted her jeweled spectacles and began the interview process. You see, the girl with the curl is now a working girl and three baby dogs sit waiting for her smile. This broke the girl with the curls heart so she paid The Old Maid a visit...what to do? Advice from The Old Maid was...find the best doggie sitter in the whole wide world! Sadie Mae and Misha Mae sat at The Old Maids feet, nodding yes or no as the applicants poured in. Tazmo was busy chewing a old sock he found. He trusted Sadie and Misha to make the right choice!

You see, in early 2009 Sadie Mae had a major surgery and the girl with the curl needed a doggie sitter then, and now.

A requirement of The Old Maid was the perfect doggie sitter would need to be very comfortable climbing in the dog house if need be.

She must be willing to say "NO" when Sadie Mae thinks nobody is watching and decides to beg. This candidate must be strong...but also willing to break some rules!

And beyond it all, the perfect candidate would have to live by the motto that...No home is complete, without the pitter patter of doggies feet!

OLD MAID ADVICE-Good gifting grace

2009-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Last night I shared sleepy time tea with The Old Maid. You must remember her from her famous card game? She is still an Old Maid and she decided she would like an "Advice Column" on my blog. We agreed that may be a very helpful service from the wisdom of this Old Maid. Today's subject is: Re-Gifting! The Old Maid calls it "Good Gifting Grace." For example, if you follow some simple rules you may be the one that gives these tiny fairy slippers and hat to a very special fairy friend. They once belonged to a tiny fairy called Melinda who decided she was done with them and decided to fly in sandals instead.

If you are done with your teapot, would Cindy Sue or Belinda Babe enjoy a spot of tea?

Would cousin "It" or cousin "Sam from Hamm" enjoyed the used Smurf Puzzle from 1982? Wrap it up in blue paper and string and his heart may sing!

Fancy Nancy says goodbye to her fancy hat! Best friend Cindy Mindy always loved this hat, good gifting grace says...Cindy Mindy gets the hat!

Old Maid says...please don't break these rules!

1.Never re-gift food from who knows where!

2.Never re-gift an item you have no clue who gave it to you in the first place!

3.Never re-gift an item if it had sweet sentiments written to you inside...exception a bible passed on, or history passed on.

4.Never re-gift an item just to be rid of it.

5.Only re-gift when you really know the recipient will love it or truly needs it!

ON A WING & A PRAYER

2009-11-30T07:46:00.000-08:00

Fairy friends have always been spectacular friends. As we say good bye to November 2009, may we end it on a Wing & a Prayer. That is what a fairy does every night...did you know? Their little iridescent wings flutter by daylight, and flutter to sleep at midnight. Their tired wings rest and every night before they close their eyes prayers are said, and a very long one on the last day of every month. My friend Nico found this box of "Fairyland Powder" and bought me the whole gift set last birthday. It makes a fairy time bath heavenly.

Story time in Fairyland includes many fairy stories from around the world and back again.

A Fairyland greeting card wishing me the best from friend Stacy.

My friend Brenda painted this fairy picture for me. She is "Solt" and I am "Peppa". We call ourselves the "Solt and Peppa Sistas". She has a menagerie of sisters but I don't so this has been a friendship treat for me.

This is my fairy table in my "Happy Room". She has been with me for many many years, a gift long ago from my husband.

Sending you a dump truck full of pixie dust, for energy for the Christmas season ahead.

MEETING MY NICKNAME

2009-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:00

My name is Jacqueline, but I also have some other names...we call them in America...nicknames...what is your nickname is the question of the day? The fun things about nicknames is that they are a gift (hopefully) from someone else to you. I decided to post today on my nicknames. At birth I was named after Jacqueline Kennedy, however, my dad nicknamed me Chookie-Chook. He loved my turned up nose and he would either kiss it or give it a sweet touch and call me his little Chookie-Chook. I have no idea to this day why and where the nickname came from.

My husband calls me Missy or Wacky Jackie. Missy is affectionate for his "Betty Crocker" wife and the Wacky Jackie part is the girl that decoupages her suitcase, wears funky aprons from the 60's and talks to gnomes. High school friends just call me Jack.

Some Canadian friends nicknamed me Chocolate because I love chocolate ice cream. Here comes 'Lil' Chocolate", that went on from age 3-11, and then my Aunts and Uncles joined in.

My mom long ago was a checker in a grocery store when Sunbeam bread was the rage. The other grocery checkers nicknamed me "Little Miss Sunbeam" because I looked like her when I was wee little. On the tender side, kids called me Cracker Jack and Jack-0-lantern...and the Fairyland girl...those names were not so affectionate at the time. Now they make me smile.

The puppies just call me mama, my kids call me mama and the gnomes call me "The girl with the curl". Feel free to share your nickname? I'd love to know!

NOVEMBER GNOME CONVENTION

2009-11-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

Today is the day! The annual November Gnome Convention is now in progress, although this year, it's in the high tower of the Gnome Clubhouse. Christmas plans are brewing for all of us, including the gnomes. What will this year be like? The mission is to spread love and magical memories for all children big ones and small ones, don't forget the pets, the forest friends, the fairy and dwarfs and pixie and trolls friends to name a few...A meeting of the minds. Three gnomes and one pixie gather during a break of figs and cinnamon cider. The light is on in Alfred J. Winfree's cottage...the oldest elf, ever to be known, and ever to live, forever...

The Swiss cuckoo clock strikes noon and all gnome friends gather. This years agenda will soon be read and the meeting will begin with a toast to 2009!

Bingo promptly turned the sign on the gate to the gnome clubhouse to "KEEP OUT". The doors are now closed. If you are a late gnome, you'll need to go sit under a mushroom and think about being on time next year. Your vote is important!

The convention has begun, Christmas plans are underway and soon to unfold. The agenda reads as follows...(respectfully).

*will we have the Gnome bowling party?

*shall we dance till 4am or 5am at the Christmas Ball?

*shall we make Figgy Puddin' with Mrs. Santa on Dec 3rd?

*will the Christmas Gnome Parade have a fairy float?

*how much wood do we need to cut to keep the fires burning in the club house and who will lead this task?

*Repair committee needed for the roof.

*Painting committee needed to help the elves paint ornaments.

*Letter to be read from Donder asking for help bailing hay for the reindeer.

Meeting will be adjourned...whenever...

THE CHRISTMAS BUZZ

2009-11-27T05:56:00.001-08:00

Everyone is in a buzz this morning. Everyone is talking about it. My neighbor Mrs. Nosebody was on her party line #14 this morning starting the buzz...Christmas is coming. Get ready, get set...GO! As the shoppers hit the stores and cause a big stir, folks back home are staying put. However, the buzz is out and everyone is talking...Christmas time, oh Christmas time! One light was set to blaze in the wee hours of the morning in Gnomeland. Bingo the head gnome headed back from the clubhouse to Gnomeland to light up the first Christmas light of the season in Gnomeland. If you squint, you will see him by the mushroom in the upper left corner of photo.

From the branches of the Gnome Clubhouse JimBob starting hanging lights, and sweet treats.

Even the rabbits crawled out of their pots to take a peek and hustle back to their burrows to make candy carrot sticks.

In the land of Fairytales, there are houses to decorate and lights to be strung. With a soft conversation between wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, it was agreed, Christmas would be peaceful.

Here we see Little Red talking to her little forest friend about the surprises coming this season. A safe secret between the two friends. For now, they are returning to grandmothers cottage to start plans for Christmas cookies and squirrel treats. Let the merry making begin! Cheers to the season where God started it all!

THANKFUL WORDS

2009-11-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

Words, spoken are in all languages around the world. They give encouragement, kindness, hope, feed dreams. I'm thankful for those kind souls in my life that have spoken goodness into my life. This past week, I was on the receiving end of cards, phone calls, gifts, and had eye to eye contact with people that spoke kindness. This sampler I received from my friend Shelley, from Shelley's Vintage Variety.

Through prayer, God hears us and I fully believe prayer is the glue that helps a family through joys and sorrows.

Reading the word of God, has given me direction, help in times of need, strength to go on, it has uplifted me, comforted me and I've trusted Gods word and it has never failed me.

Art work from Mary Engelbreit has spoke truth into my life. Home really is where my heart is.

This wooden heart has no words wrote anywhere on it, but it speaks volumes for where the heart is, there is love, there is God and there, is Thanksgiving.

From my home to yours, may your Thanksgiving be blessed and loved filled.

Over the river and through the woods...

2009-11-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

Over the river and through the woods, to grandmothers house we go...Can you sing it with me? I have been captivated by this charming song and the words all my life. The thought of a grandmothers house in the woods and the horse knowing the way to carry the sleigh is a delightful comforting thought. I've saved a couple of pictures that made me ask, what would that grandmother be like and her house? Would it be an old wood and brick cottage that I would have to reach high, high up to the knocker? Would she be round with soft hands and rosy cheeks and would she swoop me up and kiss my ears off? Or, would she be thin as a broom with proper hair and specs and a bright red nose from too much brandy? Would that grandmother live in a crooked house?

Or perhaps grandmothers house would be functional, a working house where her hands labored over the barn yard friends and she fed them all sweet yams with their grain. Would she be poor, or rich, needy or blessed? Wise or whimsical, carefree or stern?

My grandmother Mary was Scottish and she loved brandy, hidden in her clothes closet down by her slippers. She loved tiny dogs and pretty floral dresses and she had mints and caramels in her pocket. She didn't have much wealth, just 6 big boys to feed and her dogs and her tiny husband Charlie. She reminds me of Old Mother Hubbard. Her dogs always had the bones.

Regardless of what grandmothers house might be, and if she was wealthy, wise, weird or wonderful, lets celebrate that women, who lived, Over the River and through the Woods. The horses must of loved her, they knew the way!

TAZMO! Signed, sealed and rescued!

2009-11-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

We have a new family member! It all started when my daughter called me and said, "Mom, there is a pom dog out at the animal shelter." I was out the door in a wag of a tail. Misha Mae (chihuahua) and Sadie Mae (pom) came too and we all went for a meet and greet. We named our new found friend Tazmo. He is a little 2 yr old boy with energy and a whole lot of love. He was a stray and in the pound for two weeks with nobody wanting him. Here is Tazmo his first day home with us.

He had been crying, and we are working on his little eyes getting those awful stains cleared. Tazmo came to us well loved, completely groomed and trained.

Many restful naps, he loves socks, but does not chew them up, just hauls them around the house. Fast asleep after a sock escapade.

Here he is, signed, sealed and rescued! We love him so much! Every day he has kisses for Sadie Mae. She told me he is her brother, not her boyfriend. Misha growls and plays with him at the same time!

RING, RING...HELLO DOLLY!

2009-11-23T08:16:00.001-08:00

Ring, ring went the telephone...Hello? Dolly Mama here! It's time to take a peek at some of the most special dolls in the whole wide world! (in my opinion!) If you can put your thinking caps on and remember back to previous posts...Dolly Mama adopts stray doll children. Here is her latest adoption line up... This is Kara...all dolled up. She is Jacqueline's daughter but Dolly Mama adopted her long ago. Jacqueline had to share Kara in order for Dolly Mama to be happy with a REAL DOLL.

Here is little wooden Lucy. She was adopted from an antique show case at a doll show in 2005.

Dolly Mama loves Miss Maddy so much. She has the sweetest face and loves plaid and hats of various kinds. Lost to the shelf of a thrift store, stuffed in a plastic bag...RESCUED 2009.

Mrs. Beasley, well known, well loved, from Family Affair. Sitting high on a shelf in the Old Town Antique Mall. Dolly Mama is still filling out her adoption papers.

Barbie and Midge doll case found, but the dolls are still lost. Dolly Mama hunting for them, ready to adopt when found.

Lonely doll case for three dolls found in Portland Oregon at the Palmer Wirf Antique Show. Dolls have still not been found. If anyone finds the dolls, please notify Dolly Mama at party line #26 in Washington. Thank you. Have a dolly of a day, my friends!

PAPER DOLL FASHION SHOW

2009-11-22T08:20:00.000-08:00

Sitting in our little painted chairs, Shelley and Jacqueline, Anita and Holly and Heidi and Nico sat down for the "Paper Doll Fashion Show." In each of our pockets were lemon drops, given to us by Mother Goose. Turn up the music for a "Spoonful of Sugar." First down the run way are the Kewpie pals. Look at that pink outfit...perfect for a birthday party...uh oh...and look at the birthday suit! Nico was overwhelmed with joy!

Ann Estelle from the world creations of Mary Engelbreit arrives to show us a spring fairy dresses with silk roses and a gold star wand to accessorize. Holly loves pink!

Dolly Dingle looks playful coming down the isle with her latest school fashions and her fur kitten with bow. Shelley loves the party dress, especially the rag doll friend.

Anita and Jacqueline clap and clap for Karen and Cubby, our favorite Mouseketeers! Jacqueline has this very same set of paper dolls at home. She played for hours and hours with them. What style they had!

The new fashion line of the Liddle Kiddles were just amazing. Heidi decided on the spot, her mother needed several of the outfits for 2010. Jacqueline fainted on the spot and all her friends made her suck on their lemon drops, for good health, good merriment and good play at the Paper Doll Fashion Show. -The End-

PRIME LOCATION SOLD $14.50!

2009-11-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

I love everything about living in a house. To me a home is where our heart belongs. I find cottages, tents, bungalows, mansions, cabins, 5th wheelers, tree houses, painted lady homes, Victorian home, ranches all holding a heart that belongs home. On a recent trip to the flea market on a high shelf was a doll house, price $14.50. That house was bought in two nods of a gnomes head! On the bottom floor Mr. & Mrs. Santa wave holiday greetings. A certain husband surprised me with batteries and the lights came on. Not only that, but this house is musical and Santa and his dear wife play ring a round the rosie around the Christmas tree.

Up in the attic I found the play room and the children dancing and a certain hedgehog called Gretta from Gothere (see my other shared blog called Nowhere) singing "Up on the House Top."

Up near the house top is a little cuckoo clock, tucked under the gables.

As you close the door, the music stops, the dancing stops and the lights go out and everyone goes to bed. Thank you for sharing in my storybook home, this Saturday morning. As we kick off the holiday season, may we turn back time, get back to basics and share the love of the season with all.

THE VIEW FROM THE CLUBHOUSE

2009-11-20T06:43:00.001-08:00

It's a glorious day indeed! The gnomes from Gnomeland have found their winter clubhouse! If you remember yesterdays journey, it took a good knock knock from Bingo on that old closed gate that asked him to "Please Knock". Today when the 25 gnomes returned to search further a "Welcome" sign hung on the gate. Jacqueline (the girl with the curl) was summoned to take up the rear and have a peek. When we looked past the tire swing, and up into the high heavens of the tree to the bee hive, we found a tree house and it was unanimously decided THIS would be THE GNOME CLUBHOUSE indeed! The girl with the curl climbed the steps to the clubhouse for a gnomes eye view!

As she past the third step a sign hung under the clubhouse, breathing a sigh of relief, the gnomes would be safe for winter.

See what we mean...today the gate said "WELCOME"! A sure sign that indeed, this was the place!

So many signs all gave the gnomes direction but this one was the very best for it said "Gnome Sweet Gnome". (by the way, this sign has been repainted many times from the days it lived in Once Upon a Fairyland).

The famous tree house has now become The Gnome Clubhouse!

Thanks for hearing my short story of the Clubhouse, Believe it or not, it's true! Stay tuned for more post over the years (especially in winters) from the Clubhouse.

THE KNOCK, KNOCK STORM

2009-11-19T06:08:00.001-08:00

Day 3 unfolds, we are almost there! A clubhouse for the gnomes may have been found! It seems along the path from Gnomeland there were a few hard knocks. This just confirms that finding a place to reside for all the gnomes is a very good idea as winter slips in. A gate has been found, that required a "please knock". So, Bingo the head gnome kicked the bottom of the gate and it made a "knock, knock" sound. The gate opened wide and the sun peeked in. All 25 of the gnome population marched through the gate and were delighted to see a tire swing! But where was the clubhouse?

A sight for sore eyes, one of the gnomes shows his injury from the bad storm last Friday night...which is still storming!

The gnomes took turn on the tire swing and all of a sudden bees were everywhere. That was a sure sign to the gnomes, this may be the spot they would find the club house. Looking way up...they spotted the bees house. Bees are a friend to the gnomes. They would have good neighbors!

This is the photo of Lolinda that we have been talking about all week and Bingo behind her. She is made of concrete, that should tell you the strong storm that hit Gnomeland and why they are looking for a club house. By the way, Lolinda is okay but she now wears a coat and a gnome hard hat.

ASK, and YOU SHALL RECEIVE

2009-11-18T06:25:00.001-08:00

Day #2 in Gnomeland brings all the gnomes to a common meeting ground. In order to find a clubhouse for the winter, it takes careful thought and planning. It was decided at the gnome convention that the gnomes would seek some guidance in the matter to help chose their clubhouse. Here we see our two love birds talking about the sleeping situation in the clubhouse...Bunk beds, nut shells for the wee little gnomes, does twig furniture need to be built? Do we need hay for bedding or flannel blankets?

On assignment Jonathan the gnome consults the barn yard animals on the best clubhouse they recommend. They concluded...perhaps the hay loft in the old Jenkins barn?

An intimate peek at the conversation and wand waving of Pappy and Mappy Gnome and the fairy of Good Housekeeping. Perhaps her wand will lead the way...

Cruton ask the blond maiden for her advice but she is so shocked to see Cruton she is speechless.

Did you know that kittens under 1 month are valuable source of knowledge when needed? Mittens gives Ginger the Gnome some wise advice..."Just ask Ginger, and you shall receive."

Side note-Lolinda was mortified at what happened to her in the wind and snow storm. There is no good reason for the winter season according to Lolinda. She has given me permission to show you what happened to her tomorrow...not today.

IN SEARCH OF "GNOME CLUBHOUSE"

2009-11-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

Gnomeland is in a whirlwind! Last Friday when the snow blew in and thunder roared the gnomes had a small convention on the bridge and decided that this winter was not worth it. The head gnome Bingo, has declared it is time to look for a clubhouse! All the gnomes voted YES...in the following days, we will join the gnomes, in search of their winter hideaway. Too many winters have been spent building fires in the snow. The Harvest Moon Garden Shed, is now abandoned. If the gnomes built some ladders and boarded up the windows, it may be a safe haven for all.

Or, maybe the attic over at the Fairytale Cafe? The oldest gnomes however may find it hard to climb the stairs. This is a BIG consideration of the gnome elders.

Chancy climbed a tree, he's on his way up to the tree house! Perhaps if they used the gnome crib and found some rope, they could hoist gnomes up and down, as needed.

A first hand view of the gnome convention held last Saturday.

Lolinda was caught in the storm. With snow in her eye and no coat, she cried all day and tomorrow you'll see what else happened to her. THIS was the turning point for all. Stay tuned, the hunt continues...

"THE BROOKS" A story in itself...

2009-11-15T08:19:00.001-08:00

I have been waiting and waiting to show you these pictures from the beautiful Victorian home in Montana called "The Brooks". The lady that owns it also owns the local Hallmark and she has a male decorator that is so gifted! I was like a little girl in the Christmas candy shop with so many magical corners and hideouts...my head was twirling with fairy lights, candles, decorated trees straight out of a story book land. Nestled in the branches...the Santa Snow Fairy...Silver and Tinsel and a heart of gold.

This tree had these beautiful woodland owls on it. It reminded me of the story of the Snow Queen or the forest walk in the Lion and the Witch and the Wardrobe.

A fireplace to warm your heart. I was thrilled to see the old vintage wall paper...sooooo pretty!

And on the steps...stands one of the best friends I have ever had in my whole life...Nico!

I have not skipped Thanksgiving...I just could wait to show you a peek of my Christmas Land adventure!

A CANDYLAND-FAIRY LAND

2009-11-14T06:25:00.001-08:00

For many years I would see Mark Roberts fairy friends in magazines and I would dream... and then one day in October I walked into a Victorian home in Montana called "The Brooks" and I saw a magical tree loaded with elves...they were Mark's brand new elf line. I have never revealed this but I'm transforming my home into a Bavarian home, filled with gnomes and elves (and dogs) and I knew I must reach deep into my purse and purchase one of my very own. This is my elf, that now lives in my living room, high above the window, he watches over all the happenings in "Reflection" which is the name of my home.

This is the kitchen fairy...he stayed in Montana because he had so much holiday baking to do, he simply could not get away.

Go up the big staircase and turn left into the "Candyland Room". That was another BIG temptation for me...Look who was hanging from the ladder teasing me to take him home too!

He had many other elf friends begging to live in Washington however, I have my share, sitting in my happy room so I left him there too. I'll be sharing more happenings from "The Brooks" tomorrow. I met the most beautiful owl you have ever seen! Stay tuned, don't you dare turn the channel! SMILE, God loves us all!

A WEDDING TO REMEMBER

2009-11-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Wedding pictures are in. I know you don't know my son, but I know that women love a good romantic story. My son Darrin married this past summer. I wanted to share the good times with you. Love is in the air! Their cloud 9 experience. Jumping for JOY! Darrin and Melinda, a wedding at Meadowbrook Farm.

Nothing like playing in the corn maze!

And the two became one...

This is mama Jackie and Darrin. The day mama let go.