More Correspondence from Miss Ashton....

 

Miss Ashton was once again writing to her dear Friend Penelope,who lives in England. Alot has happened lately at Pumpkin Hill , as well as the Academy has a new pupil, so let's peak over Miss Ashton's shoulder while she writes....

May 28, 2011
Dear Penelope-
Much has been happening -where to begin? My new pupil, whose name is Kit, has arrived, & what a handful! Thankfully, we haven't begun formal classes yet at the academy! She dislikes school but loves learning new things. She also loves to write, and I frequently find her writing in her journal book at my desk. I might have found the young lady who could report on our activities at the Academy, my dearest Penelope, and maybe influence Becky & Felicity to read more.
Spring has come and I have been baking again! Dearest Penelope, could you please send me your receipe for cherry cordial comfits? I used our fresh cherries from the orchard to bake several pies. We were thinking of having a bake sale to raise money for the Academy's school supplies that are still needed...So I have been busily baking for days now. The girls have been such a big help, especially my newest pupil Kit.
Must run now dear, and prepare the scones for tea! Sincerely , Ashton Browne

While Miss Ashton has been writing to Penelope, her new pupil, Kit, loves to come into the study and write in her journal. Kit is new and is more 'modern' than the other girls, and dislikes school intensely. But she adores reading and any sort of writing, and loves Miss Ashton's study- it is the one place she knows that the other girls will not read her stories or journal.

Other residents of Pumpkin Hill have been busy at their correspondence as well, such as Annabelle from the The One Sixth Scale Dollhouse . Annabelle is a 12 inch French Fashion reproduction doll.

Here is Annabelle with her letters, neatly tied with ribbon, ready for Marigold Finch to deliver them to the other dolls.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Lisa

Felicity feeds the chickens....

          

                                                          Random photo of the day: Gracie blogs in the tree!
                                                    Random Link of the day: Meet Marigold Finch!


As I stated before in a previous post, I will be doing a random photo and a random link from the blog, please let me know how you like it. I believe for those stumbling across the blog this will encourage you to explore the posts and see the history behind the Residents of Pumpkin Hill, the dolls and their lives here in the 'Patch.

Every morning, before beginning lessons at the Academy with Miss Ashton, all of the girls have their chores to do. Felicity's chore is feeding the chickens. This morning Felicity could only find one chick, which she thought was unusual. She had the feed pail with her full of chicken feed, but no chickens!
'Oh well, I will just feed this one, the others will flock here soon.' she thought, and began to scatter feed for the one lone chick. She didn't think anything of it , as the mother chick will sometimes hide in the wheat field.

Felicity finished feeding the chick who was quite greedy and gobbled up the feed she scattered, and then went to the kitchen. Miss Ashton was baking early in the morning, so lessons would begin when the girls had eaten their breakfast. Felicity hurried, as she was feeling quite hungry.

Felicity came in running...'Oh Miss Ashton, I couldn't find all of the chickens, so I just..........' she stopped at the smell of warm, apple pie on the table......'.....you baked PIE!' Becky was squealing beside Miss Ashton. This was indeed a treat, as it was breakfast, and Miss Ashton told them the pie must cool, but they could have a slice for a snack later.
~Lisa

The Dolls at Maymont Park...

Random Picture of the day: Miss Ashton bakes a Pie!

Random link of the day:Miss Ashton at her Correspondence

With the blog of the dolls and their activities, I have took a great idea from one of my all time favorite dolly links- Our Dolls the residents of Pleasantville, and am going to be posting a random picture, and also a random link if possible here at the beginning of each post. This will encourage everyone to go thru the blog posts and enjoy more of the lives of the dolls who live here at the 'Patch on Pumpkin Hill.

The bjd's attended a meetup at Maymont Park, here in Richmond, Va on Saturday. Lots of things were going on in the city that day- a Susan G. Komen walk for breast cancer, an Asian food festival, and more. Gracie, April Mae, Dixie, and Wren all attended and we met up with the other members of Den of Angels bjd forum where the meetup was planned in the Japanese gardens. Please enjoy the pics!

Some of the girls brought their bjd's and lots of food!

Gracie on a rock near the pond, where the carp were swimming about. Behind her was where the meetup group had its picnic.

                                                            

All too soon, we had to leave. It was quite a walk back up the hill.

This was the bottom of the fountain with steps on each side, up to the Italian gardens.

These are pictures of some of the fountains and the Italian gardens at Maymont Park. Maymont was once the estate of the Dooleys, who also owned Swannanoa in the mountains. Maymont was decorated with swans, as Mrs. Dooley used swans to decorate the home here in Richmond for the winter--even to having a Swan bed and vanity made! They also donated funds for St., Joseph's Villa. a home that exists for handicapped children, and orphans. I hope to visit Maymont again and take more pictures.

Gracie really enjoyed meeting the other dolls, and is wanting to go back for more visits....

~Lisa

A Doll Filled Day at Pumpkin Hill............

*Note to Reader: Gracie will be moderating and writing the events on the blog today. Enjoy her advetures & story!*

Gracie is busily typing....(sound of keys on keyboard, rapidly typing...)

"Oh hi there! You started me. Yes, I'm up the tree. It's a beautiful day and I needed quiet. Dottie would not leave me alone in the schoolroom! And I have so much in the 'Patch to tell about today....I haven't recorded things as I should on the blog.'

Hops down from the tree,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Gracie motions..'C'mon, let's go into the house...you can help me carry my laptop up the steps.'

So sayng, we start walking towards the steps into the house....

 

Carefully Gracie climbs up the steps, placing her laptop nearby, and slinging her back with Mr. Socks in it over her shoulder, making the difficult ascent up the steps. "I'm sooooooo glad I wore sneakers today! Those Mary Janes would have hurt my feet!'she exclaims.

Carefully making sure Mr. Socks is in her lap, and Dottie is  pre occupied with homework Miss Ashton has given, Gracie begins to type and tell her story, settled at her schooldesk.............

(Types Gracie.......)

The day started out nice enough..........Becky was up early as usual, and found Miss Ashton in the kitchen in the early morning! making pie!
No, I don't get up that early.........but (sigh) Becky does..............

Becky squealed. 'Miss Ashton! You made my favorite- APPLE PIE!' Becky shouted, so glad. Miss Ashton simply smiled calmly at Becky's excitement. 'WHY are you baking so early????"

"Why, I had some time this morning while you sleepy heads were sleeping...and besides, this morning is Saturday. My dearest friend Penelope sent me a new recipe". Miss Ashton placed the pie on the table to cool...

Becky smelled the spicey apple goodness, the pie was still warm from the oven. "Miss Ashton, can I have a slice of that cake for Breakfast?' she asked shyly..Miss Ashton's smile faded. "You most certainly may NOT. Why Rebecca , you know cake is not good for you -- and it certainly is not breakfast food!" (darn Becky thought...well, she IS baking PIE in the morning..........)

(Gracie typing..continues the story....) Meanwhile, at Strawberry Hill Manor, home of the tinies......more residents have arrived........

Two new tiny bjd's had arrived just in time for Miss Lisa's birthday, which was on May 1st. Dixie, Maizie, and Minuette Mouse had made preparations for them both. Leekeworld Rainy, and Realpuki Soso (Wren, who was to be Marigold Finch's Assistant with Finch Express) had been settling in and getting used to the 'Patch. Today they got reacquainted in the dollhouse. One of the problems for the tinies is having enough places to sleep, Wren had a small bed in the spare room, until her home she would share with Marigold was finished. Minuette had a small bed in the other attic room, but there was nowhere for the new guest from Leekeworld to stay. So Miss Lisa decided she would stay in the big house- Maison de la Royale- the The One Sixth Scale Dollhouse . Sleeping arrangements settled, Dixie and Maizie asked the new inhabitants of the 'Patch how they liked it.
'it's quite wonderful' Wren garbled, and ' such a large nest in the upper bedroom!' Marigold glowed with pride , and her feathers ruffled a bit. 'You are quite welcome! That is my nest but it is quite large. You are welcome to share it!' Thank you!' Giggled Wren...
Dixie asked the other guest how she was fitting in. The poor doll looked a little bewildered.'It is so pleasant here, and Minuette has made me feel so welcome..' Minuette beamed.
'You are welcome, but we haven't properly introduced you, and I know flying in on fairy dust is so hard, especially in the spring. The pollen is quite polluting the air so fairy dust takes longer to materialize...." said Minuette, sagely shaking her head. 'Everyone, please meet April Mae'..
'Wonderful to meet you!' Dixie said ' It is so nice to have another tiny here. Miss Lisa has talked all about you!' said Maizie........

Minuette walked towards the parlor door. 'why don't we all go downstairs and have some refreshments?' and she led the way, with the others following.

And with that, they all retired to the dining room, with pets included, and had strawberries, tea, and lemonade. Marigold sat on the back of Wren's chair, and everyone beamed.

Gracie types faster now.......

Sorry folks, but here I end for the day...it is time for supper, and I am enjoying my perch in the tree...and I will tell more about my day tomorrow!

~Lisa