Reading time at Tea with Miss Ashton

It is last afternoon, Becky & Felicity's favorite time with Miss Ashton. This is the time they sit near the cozy fireplace, on cold or chilly evenings, with Miss Ashton  and have tea & cakes, and read their favorite story. With the chilly evenings of spring, and since today it has been raining, they sit in the parlor nook and have tea. Miss Ashton has brought a book that she promised to read to the girls after tea & cakes.

Miss Ashton spoke. "Now girls, let's finish up your tea & cakes- we will begin our storytime if you are ready."

Becky was still not finished with her cake & cookies."Can I eat while you read Miss Ashton?"

"Haven't you finished dear?" Miss Ashton said surprised.

"Becky is a terrible pig! She took the last cupcake!" laughed Felicity. Miss Ashton was very grave suddenly in her demeanor. "Felicity, that is very rude to remark on someone's eating habits at table. Please apologize dear, I know you did not mean it except in jest." Felicity flushed quite red, and stuttered. "I was just joking! Becky always takes too many goodies at tea!" Miss Ashton suddenly was severe. "Felicity" was all she said.

"I'm sorry Becky." Felicity mumbled. Becky came to her friends rescue, feeling badly for Felicity- she was so right. "That's ok Lissie- I did take the last cupcake, and I didn't ask." Miss Ashton beamed. "That's my girls!"
"Now we are going to have our story. Is everyone ready for this one?" Miss Ashton asked

!

And so, Miss Ashton began to read the Tale of Peter Rabbit, while Becky & Felicity finished their tea & cookies quietly.

You may wonder why Miss Ashton was so stern with the girls at just a small threesome, and their manners. Tea & storytime was Miss Ashton's impromptu way of teaching manners and decorum to her pupils, along with manners which she found more and more important. And so, as they listened attentively to the tale of Peter Rabbit, Becky taking more cookies and Felicity smiling conspiratorily at her friend, the afternoon hour passed pleasantly as always on Pumpkin Hill.

~Lisa

Surprise lesson from Miss Ashton....

As Miss Ashton promised Becky, she had a surprise that wasn't eggs, in her basket. Miss Ashton's surprise lessons are so enjoyed by the girls, they squealed with delight when they saw tiny chicks in the basket.
Dottie was the first, and the most shyest of the girls, so she got to hold one of the chicks first. "Hold her gently dear, she won't hurt you. " Dottie was pleased and very gently held the little newly born chick while Felicity looked on.
"Girls, we are going to talk of spring traditions and a little bit of Easter traditions as well today.  So what are traditions or symbols of Easter or Spring that you think of first?" asked Miss Ashton

"

"EGGS!" said Gracie, "..that's how we got these cute little chicks!"

"Very good Grace. Are eggs also a symbol of Easter?" asked Miss Ashton.

Dottie spoke timidly. " Maybe eggs are what we think of at Easter because we gather them to decorate?? and chicks come from eggs??"
Miss Ashton was pleased, & quickly thought that her dearest Penelope was right in her advice in her letter. "Very good Dorothea!! You are correct on eggs are a symbol of Easter, and we do decorate them!"
Dottie was holding the chick, and so was Gracie. Becky & Felicity looked on fascinated. Becky asked" When will we decorate the eggs Miss Ashton?"

Miss Ashton had placed some items on the table. " Well girls, I thought today we would actually hold one of the symbols of Easter, and of spring, in our hands today. I have some easter dye kits so we can dye our eggs soon, maybe in art class after we learn how to gather the eggs, and boil them-- so that will beour spring art lesson. "
All the girls exclaimed- "Goody!"  Becky squealed- "I love decorating easter eggs!"  Miss Ashton smiled. " We have a few more things before the art lesson, but today I thought we would learn how chicks are hatched, "
"Miss Ashton, what are those books?" Felicity inquired.
"They are books on bunnies- another symbol of Easter. One is the tale of Peter Rabbit, and the others are about rabbits and mice as well. Rabbits or bunnies are another important symbol of Easter, so I thought we would have some nice stories about bunnies at reading time."
"We have a bunny, I have to feed him" Gracie said. and rolled her eyes
"No you don't, I feed him more," countered back Becky.
"Now, now girls, we all feed the buny." said Miss Ashton soothingly.

Miss Ashton bustled about the table, and prepared to open the storybook on Peter Rabbit."Now girls, you may hold the chicks while I read, but let's be quiet and we will have a short storytime before our art lesson"...and she began to read the tale of Peter Rabbit first.................................................

Later that evening......................

Miss Ashton wrote to her friend Penelope, in England....

April 5th, 2011

Dearest Penelope-
I hope this finds you and your family well, and in good health. I took your advice to heart, and just had to stop the day to day work and take a moment and thank you for your very sound advice. Dorothea (Dottie, as the girls call her) is beginning to come out of her shell and it such a joy to watch! You were so right to remind me of our schooldays and the teachings of Mademoiselle. Thank you again!
As to the school's progress...it is coming along. My order for the school supplies has arrived, so each young lady has an art supply kit, composition book for writing, writing tablet, and activity booklet as well. Two desks have arrived- they are used, but my school is on such a tight budget and it is so hard in this rural area finishing and refurbishing the schoolhouse which had been boarded up. I look forward to your next letter- Sincerely, Ashton Brown

Miss Ashton at her correspondence

Now that Miss Ashton is home, and settling back in, she decided after the first part of the surprise lesson to attend to her correspondence  since arriving from her trip to Paris & England, where she traveled with her dearest friend from her school finishing days, Penelope.  Penelope lives in England, so Finch Express was busily sorting the letters as that correspondence needed attending to quickly.

Miss Ashton's study is one of her favorite places at the Academy, and only occasionally does she invite anyone in- so after picking some pear blossom for her favorite vase from Egypt, she settled down toread Penelope's letter and write her own reply, as Marigold Finch of Finch Express was waiting to send it.

Here is Penelope's letter to Miss Ashton-

March 28, 2011

Dearest Ashton-

Your visit sparked so many memories of our good times as young girls at Mademoiselle's! Do yu remember the tea where you spilt tea on his Lordship of Bath, & he asked you to the ball??I applaud your efforts of introducing to your pupils to the finer literature with one overall lesson- Mademoiselle would be proud! Yes, my dear mother has been under the weather recently. She is a terrible trial sometimes, my dear Ashton, but Mother can be SO trying. I foresee dearest Mother living with William & I, though William does not object, I know it is trying his patience.I would love to visit but I do not know when a steamer will be leaving. William may have to travel to London for his business. I cannot leave Mother at this time with her illness. I am hoping my sister, Ellen can stay with her if I decide to travel to see you. As to your newest pupil Dorothea, dearest Ashton, do not rush. Better to let the other girls welcome her in and draw her into conversations. Remember that girl at Mademoiselle's? She let her settle in on her own- she was so shy- just like your Dorothea. I must end my letter, regretfully dearest Ashton. All my love & friendship-   Peneleop

Miss Ashton thought a moment before picking up her pen to reply. She noticed Marigold sitting on the letter tray. "Thank you Marigold for getting this letter to me so quickly, you do not know how much it means to me to hear from my dearest Penelope. "  Marigold squeaked " Of course I do dear. Take your time writing your reply- it will go via Carrier pigeon tomorrow at the central drop off point in Pumpkin Hill'. "Thank you Marigold!" said Miss Ashton, and she began to write.

Here is Miss Ashton's letter for Penelope in England-

April 4, 2011

Dearest Penelope-

I have arrived safely home and it was such a surprise for the girls! Becky, one of my pupils, was so happy to see me- it brought a tear to my eye! I had thought of myself as just their teacher, but I am so much more, and it makes my heart glad. I must tell you, dear Penelope that with April coming I have planned my spring plantings and also the lessons for the girls. How is your dear Mother? You had mentioned whilst we were in Paris that she had some health problems. Please let me knowif there is anythinbg I can do.  Thank you for sending my items from your home. I had left, I am such a goose for forgetting! My lessons are based this month & revolve around the Easter story & traditions, the coming of Spring, and all the lessons will encompass biology, history, grammar, arithmetic, and of course, the Easter Bible story as well. Thank you dearest Penny, for your very sound advice as to how to help my newest and dearest pupil, Dorothea, she is so very shy. I look forward to your reply! All my love & friendship- ~ Ashton Brown

After Miss Ashton had finished the letter, she was thoughtful. The rest off the surprise lesson would be with the rest of the ways, and she was thinking of how to draw Dorothea out ofher shell and to participate with the other girls in the lesson. Miss Ashton sighed- Penelope was right, Mademoiselle seemed to handle these little trials so much better than she herself did now.

Sighing regretfully, she stood up and blew out the candles on her desk. "Well, back to work. Thank you again, Marigold" and she left the room.

* I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Miss Ashton a little better, and also her refelective nature. Stay tuned for more on the surprise lesson which Miss Ashton has gone to work on preparing, as well as attending to her garden- it is too pretty to be inside, so she says today. To keep you enjoying this storyline today- here are some more pictures of Miss Ashton's study & her desk*
~ Lisa

The top of Miss Ashton's desk and pictures. The portait of her grandmother hangs above her desk. Pictures of the Madonna & Baby Jesus, and the Apostles also hang over her desk. The candlessticks are brass candlesticks, which sit on the candlestands.  Marigold delivers the correspondence on her silver letter platter on top of her desk. The beloved vase she brought from her travels in Egypt is filled with pear blossom.

The interior of Miss Ashton's desk, and her letter to Penelope, just written today. A few more letters are put into the cubby holes, and extra stationary awaits more correspondence.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of Miss Ashton's study!

Miss Ashton- you're here!

Becky was surprised when she saw Miss Ashton in the kitchen.

"Miss Ashton- you're back! When did you get back?? The others don't know you're here!" Becky said excitedly.

Miss Ashton put down the colander and hugged Becky. "I'm so glad to see you as well! It's supposed to be a surprise that I'm back! Give me a hug!"
"Miss Ashton, we have missed you so much!" Becky hugged her teacher. "Me too, darling, me tool" Miss Ashton said, smiling.

"We thought you might not come back....but oh, I'm so glad you did! I have loads of stuff to tell you!" cried Becky
Miss Ashton was surprised at this.

"Now what is this nonsense...me not coming back!!? Who told you such a thing? " Becky looked a little guilty."Oh no one, but you were gone so long....and, and we know how much you love to travel so, and see your friends. We thought you might like being there more than here..." Becky had a trembling lip as she stuttered this.

Miss Ashton smiled, and choked back a tear herself. " NONSENSE!" she exclaimed. "Becky Bailey, you & the other young ladies are my family...and so is the academy. And you're my friends as well!  I had a nice little trip it is true, but I missed you all! And I understand one of the new girls is here as well...have you made her comfortable and welcome??"
"Why yes, Dottie is nice. But she won't go without that sock monkey ANYWHERE..." Becky rolled her eyes.
"Well, nevermind about that....aren't you going to ask me what's in my basket I brought in?"

Becky was all curious. " What is in it?? "  Miss Ashton smiled. " Guess." Becky thought a minute. "Cookies!" "No, not cookies"  Becky thought again....." Eggs??" Miss Ashton laughed, " No, ....but you are very very close!"

" Can I peep inside...before the other girls get here? " Becky asked.

"Of course dear....but don't tell! This will be our impromptu lesson ...a fun lesson.."said Miss Ashton

Stay tuned to see more of Miss Ashton's surprise in another episode of Pumpkin Hill. To learn more about Miss Ashton, be sure to click on our labels to the right of the blog page called Residents of Pumpkin Hill.

(Miss Ashton is a 23 inch 2001 My Twinn doll, that has had alot of TLC.Dress and pinafore were by Ebay seller Dollandbabytreasures . (highly recommend, this item was shipped quickly to make this post possible ahead of schedule)

~Lisa

Let's Eat!

So the dolls are slowly getting items collected for their kitchen in gear, it is just a matter now to set up the kitchen. So far we have Molly's table & chairs from americangirl.com out of packing, and little items I have collected from my travels to antique or thrift stores. The small bowl is from Williamsburg, the plates are $1 finds from Michaels, and the small white cream pitcher and little blue & white trinket box- I have always had them. The coffee pot was a great find, and the graham cracker box is from paperminis.com newsletter. Becky is so glad the kitchen is coming together after all this time-

This is the top of the fridge, vintage Wolverine, and some of the other doll sized finds. The peeler thingy is from World Market store, the frying pan on the wall is from Cracker Barrel, the mixer is a find from my favorite antique store- same place I picked up the coffeepot & the colander is from a bargain store.

The baskets came from Hobby Lobby, haven't found anything to put in them as of yet. It needs a little rug, and of course a stove, which hopefully will come in time.  Enjoy the pics!
* I am still working on the characters of Pumpkin Hill....more characters will be coming soon, and the storylines as well as soon as I have props in place and a place to take pics. *

*Pumpkin Hill Towne News-from Gracie, our Governess-  The dolls are taking a sabbatical until Easter, so Pumpkin Hill Academy is currently closed, while Lent & Easter are observed. *

~Lisa

The Residents of Pumpkin Hill...

I am going to be adding and editing this post- as this will be the main archival post of the inhabitants of Pumpkin Hill.  Each of the dolls will have her/his bio here, or the central and main characters will, at any rate.  I hope you enjoy the storylines.

Felicity Anne Merriman

Felicity hails from the town of Williamsburg, and lives in Pumpkin Hill now with her best friend Becky.  She is 11 years old and quite the proper Colonial young lady- however, she loves to ride horses and most of all- bake cookies ! Felicity is a helpful girl and feels badly when her friends are sad, or hurt- a peacemaker of sorts.  She is still new to Pumpkin Hill and its other residents, so is somewhat shy.  She is excited to be able to attend the prestigous Pumpkin Hill Academy, a finishing school for young ladies.

~More about Felicity later~

Rebecca Lou Bailey

Rebecca Lou Bailey, also known as Becky to her friends, recently arrived at Pumpkin Hill, like her friend Felicity, to attend Pumpkin Hill Academy.  She was accepted and is eager to go to the school, but apprehensive at meeting the new girls as well. Becky  is a little headstrong, for an 11 year old and has her own ideas, but is quite decisive when she forges ahead with one of her projects. Becky's favorite food is apples, whether in pie, cake, ice cream, candy, or just plain apples off the apple tree. She loves helping in the kitchen, but especially loves to sing and is quite musical.

~More about Becky later~

"Gracie" Lisa's blogging doll assistant

Gracie's birthday is December 9, 2010...we celebrate her birthday on that day because that is the day she arrived all the way from Korea via Denver Doll Emporium.  Unlike Becky & Felicity, who are American Girl dolls, Gracie is an asian ball jointed doll, created by Souldoll.  Gracie is our main 'go to' doll here at Pumpkin Hill, and works with one of the Brownies who also assists her by letting her know what goes on in the tiny domains of Pumpkin Hill- also known as the miniature dollhouses & their inhabitants- but more on her assistant Dixie later.  Gracie is about 12 years old, and loves to browse the internet and give Lisa pointers on her blogging.  Very bossy,  sometimes impatient, but is also quite reflective.  She also helps Marigold Finch with the correspondence at her elaborate desk, and also likes to dress up, with different wigs and clothes. There is much , much more to tell about Gracie- she also loves to travel and often goes out for the day with Lisa just to see the sights.  Gracie is a star pupil at Pumpkin Hill Academy and mentors the 'new' girls or dolls when they arrive for registration.

Dixie, AKA Gracie's tiny assistant

Meet Dixie, a Felix Brownie asian ball jointed doll. Dixie is quite tiny, only four inches high, and keeps Gracie & Lisa informed of all the goings on in the dollhouse section of  Pumpkin Hill. She is a major blogger, and with her tiny laptop and assisted by Mr. Teddie, she keeps the flow of the incoming tiny dolls somewhat sane.Dixie is Gracie's very tiny assistant.  Brownies are a type of fairy that is helpful, and Dixie  is a big help in a very small way at the 'Patch here on the hill. She too is bossy (I think this comes with the miniature laptop computers these dolls have) and loves the color PINK.  She is an investor in Minuette Mouse's candy & sweet shop and frequently visits there so Marigold Finch of Finch Express can get the tiny correspondence to her quickly.  She is also impulsive, curious and very smart.

More on Dixie later.

Minuette Mouse

Minuette Mouse is also a doll, but is an asian ball jointed 'anthro' doll. She stands almost five inches high.  Minuette came to Pumpkin Hill to start her own candy shop, also selling sweets and ice cream, with the financial backing of her cousin, who lives in Florida, who prefers to remain unnamed.  Since the shop is a family affair, Minuette lives with Maizie and Dixie in the dollhouse known as Strawberry Hill Manor, and runs the sweet shop across the way.  She is highly successful and the Finch Express does constant pickups and drop offs of packages that leave the shop and are delivered. Minuette simply loves to cook, and nothing suits her better than developing a new candy or a new pastry in the kitchen.  Extremely successful, her waitresses are dressed like mice and work shifts.

~More on Minuette later~

Maizie-


Maizie is also a Felix Brownie asian ball jointed doll, just like Dixie and arrived with her. She too, is just barely four inches high and full of spunk. Though somewhat shy, and something of a follower of Dixie, Maizie loves to ride her bike to Minuette's sweet shop and gorge on ice cream. She also 'helps' Minuette when a new cookie or cake is being created as well.  Maizie loves to play, and takes care of the numerous dogs and cats in Strawberry Hill Manor, but has absolutely no interest in helping Dixie with the blogging. She also dislikes school intensely and finds school and books boring...

~More on Maizie later~

Marigold Finch,  of 'Finch Express'  - Postal & delivery carrier of Pumpkin Hill

Meet Marigold, our resident Finch mail carrier of Finch Express. Marigold assists in delivering the correspondence, and small packages to the doll residents of Pumpkin Hill.  Gracie &  Dixie, our resident bloggers, also help her as well. This is the main 'drop' box, for Marigold, outside of Minuette's sweet shop, and her favorite place to hang out and hear all the gossip. She reaides in her next in one of the rooms of the dollhouse Strawberry Hill Manor, and her fairy assistant, Wren, will be arriving soon to help her by covering teh letters with fairy dust so she can fly quicker.  Marigold likes to sing songs, and also likes to assist Gracie with 'tweets' on Twitter.  Marigold is a custom artisan bird made by miniature artisan Patricia Cabrerea of Woolytales Miniatures. She measures about 2 inches high.

Miss Ashton Brown~ Schoolteacher & Headmistress of Pumpkin Hill Academy

Meet Miss Ashton Brown, schoolteacher & temporary headmistress of Pumpkin Hill Academy, the prestigious school she started on a plantation farm. Miss Ashton had an unusual and sophisticated education, but alas, never married. Her parents,however believed in culture and the arts and as a result, Miss Ashton did the Grand Tour with her family, was received into society and had her debut. She excelled in school, and went on to study languages and the arts in England, France & Italy. Miss Ashton was highly influenced by a chance meeting with Florence Nightingale and even considered becoming a nurse because of her meeting with that notable lady- but decided that young girls, especially those who were less fortunate, might benefit more from education. Her ideas were scoffed at and so she raised funds and started a school with funds from her savings, having a building built that would house her school as well as a small apartment for herself so she could monitor the young ladies closely. Miss Ashton inspires the girls to always keep learning, which they do.
Age:29
favorite instrument- piano
favorite pastime- writing letters to her friends




*I will be adding more doll bios later, but this is mainly to give you a synopsis of the characters and their individual personalities as they participate in the various photo stores coming along. * enjoy!~Lisa

Coming soon- in the upcoming months-

Pumpkin Hill Academy

NewThings happening in the Pumpkin Patch...on the Hill

New things will be happening inthe Pumpkin Patch, here on Pumpkin Hill. For one, my main girls decided to band together. On American Girl Playthings forum many of the participants write about their dolls, their dolls' personality, characters, and more with in depth story lines. Well, my crew wanted to get in on the act. So I will be creating a Doll Dossier  with the story behind the dolls who live here, and the main storyline.

It has long been my intention to explain a little more of the Pumpkin Patch, or Pumpkin Hill. Each of the dolls has her own personality, whether developed totally by me or as in the case of the American Girl dolls, their characters are based on a historical character. For the AG playthings forum however, only these dolls will be featured- Becky Bailey (originally Rebecca Rubin, American Girl)Gracie (Soulkid Katie A. bjd), Dottie (Goodereau Wizard of Oz bjd) and Felicity Merriman (American Girl) Eventually, they will be attending Pumpkin Hill Academy, a finishing school for young ladies. The dolls were excited about this and decided to have cookies to get to know each other.

Do you like Cookies Dottie? my name is Felicity Merriman. "Why yes I do. That cupcake looks yummy." "What is your sock monkey's name? " Toto, I don't have a REAL Toto, so I never go anywhere without sock monkey Toto.."

"My name is Gracie, what is yours? "Uh, Becky Bailey is what the human has decided....she says I'm supposed to go to school with you & the others????"  Gracie laughs. " Don't be worried, you'll like it here in the Pumpkin Patch? "Pumpkin Patch????what kind of ladies school is that-- are we going to grow pumpkins????" Becky is worried. "No, of course not. Pumpkin Hill Academy will be our school's name, simply because it is here in Pumpkin Hill. Miss Lisa (the human) calls it the 'Patch for short, as a joke."  Becky frowns, and says"Oh, ok. I guess that will make sense later?" Gracie smiles. "Don't worry- Miss Lisa is always worried we wouldn't get along, since all of us are so different."

The dolls seem to be getting along, and enjoyed their cookies, and were looking forward to more about their doll dossier. Stay tuned for more!

~Lisa