Camping and other outings.....

Well, after all the bad weather, we thought we would go camping at our favorite place...... Pocohantas State Park. But it just would not stop raining and the thought of 3 dogs and 2 adults with a little doll in a 20' foot Airstream  was just too crowded. That didn't stop Miss Lunette from trying to go anyway.  Silly girl you can't travel that way. 

 So then she decided to try and climb in the trailer by herself.....just a little shove she said.

So since the camping trip was a wash, we decided it would be fun to go to a little lake in the area. Lunette begged to have her little buddy Remy go along. I know she just wanted a "partner in crime" but we said okay.

Checking out the area.....

 Look Lunette, I can see ducks.....let's go feed them.

 Getting a closer look.

 This is just nice.

Now, how did you two getup here......I know, cheeky little Lunette has learned how to climb really well and has taught Remy how to also.

Lunette had a lot of fun in Virginia even though she didn't get to do all the fun stuff that we had planned for her.   With lots of hugs and a new outfit she is now on her way to Gabi in Florida. She is very excited to  go to a new home.  Safe travels dear Lunette, I shall miss you. <3<3<3
Cathy

Earthquakes, Tornadoes, and Hurricanes...oh my!

Well, after quite  a while in a box  the adorable Miss Lunette arrived from the beautiful Province of Ontario, Canada to the state of Virginia.  She was wearing the cutest little outfit with a handknit sweater. That came flying off as she whined about how hot it was here. Then she proceeded to climb my mandevilla plant teasing me to come catch her. Did you learn that from you Fabs?

Then she decided that I had the coolest ponies around..... and even though I told her they were golden retriever dogs she decided she needed to ride one.  She choose Brodie, the most laid back dog of the bunch.

She found it a little tricky and she was so tired from her travels that it was time to settle in for a nap. What could be better than soft dog fur. :-)

She was a big hit with the doggies.

But then something happened that was so scary....." what  was that , why was the earth moving?" she yelled.  I  told her that  think we just had an earthquake.....goodness, I was surprised myself. We don't have earthquakes like this in Virginia. Then we got another little scare....they spotted tornadoes in my area. We do have lots of tornado warning in the summer here. I reassured her that we would all go into the little bathroom if it got close.....well, 3 dogs and a fluffy lady with a sweet little doll was going to be a bit crowded in the  tiny bathroom , so we were glad that we didn't have to seek shelter.

And then the scariest thing of all happened a few days later.  It was called Hurricane Irene and boy were the dogs and Lunette a little worried. We sat in the sunroom and watch the wind, rain and trees moving and were scared and fascinated at the same time. Brodie told Lunette not to worry he would take good care of her.

Lunette by this time was ready to get back in the box and go back to either Alaska or Canada. I told her just wait as soon as it stops raining we are going camping. "Yippee!" she yelled, I know all about camping. But does she get to go on the fun camping trip.....does the rain stop....tune in tomorrow to find out.
Hugs,
Cathy and Lunette

Her new clothes

We are sending Lunette to her new home wearing these. I finally had time to add the little straps to her overalls, and to weave the ends of her little cardigan. I am so happy to announce that I have named this little cardi after her! So here she is, without any more delay.

This little dollie is already saying good-bye to her sister, to us, and packing her lovely things to continue the third leg of her journey. We shall hear from the new host in a week or so!

Thanks for playing with us Lunette, we will miss you! But we are looking forward to seeing your adventures with other loving families. Hasta luego!!

Going away camping trip

We took Lunette and Kate camping together, as a "Going Away" party kind of thing. Even though there was a sad tint to the trip, we did manage to have a very good time.

We camped by a closer park, which allowed many friends to come and visit, and also, for our Grandparents to take us on boat rides.

Kate and Lunette had loads of fun climbing and exploring the bush, and checking out the bushes for blueberries, and raspberries. The blueberries are out, but the raspberries are taking their "sweet" time, hehehe.

During this trip I managed to sneak in a little bit of knitting for Lunette. I will be sending her to her new hosting family soon and wanted to provide an item of warmth with the colours of our ever beautiful lake.

Please stay tuned for more photos of her finished wardrobe tomorrow, and our Good Bye post to this sweet little doll, who has simply managed to steal our hearts, and who is gathering so much love as she goes along. She is indeed a very lucky one, and we feel even more lucky to be part of her wonderful adventure, joining the love and handwork of such an amazing group of dollmakers.

By the lake

I have written before about my complete infatuation (is there any other kind?) with the place where we live, due to the amazing lake we have right in front of us. And even though I dont want to rub it in Cathy, I would love to express it one more time over here.

Lunette is definitely a water baby. Being born on an island I presume she has much affinity with bodies of water, and she does seem to be happiest when close to the lake. We took her camping for four glorious days and the whole time she was one happy trooper.

 

The first morning she and I got up before everybody, and put some water to boil so Dad could brew us some coffee with his steam-punk contraption (I refuse to go near that thing!). While we left the thing warming up, we went to check out the beach. Our campsite was just next to it, which made for the loveliest lullaby at night. The rocking sound of the waves is the best sleep medicine and the best balm for troubled hearts I suppose.

The day was just starting to look like a glorious adventure. Lunette enjoyed the wetness of the sand, the quietness of the beach, the smell of the breeze on the fresh grass.

We returned back to camp to enjoy the many activities that happen when we go camping. As it was expected, the Sun beamed on us and so we had to change Lunette's wardrobe. Her current overalls do not have (yet) sleeves and I was dreading the sunburnt shoulders, so we changed her (again) into some of our doll clothes. She seemed happy and did say something about looking pretty in pink. I believe she looks pretty in everything!

We took a shot at the Visitors' centre. People reacted quite funny to a crazy lady taking photos of a cute little doll on all of the centre's displays, but we did not pay any notice. We are soooo used to it. I am some sort of an oddball, with my dollmaking ways and funny things I do to take photos of them. Good thing Lunette seems to be oblivious to all of it too. Good girl!

She became quite interested on the pelts on display and asked the names of everything. I had to giggle thinking about her soon-to-be-hostess, and her aversion to hurting any animals, while I was sitting Lunette on some pretty dead ones. I hope she forgives me!

We also took a little hike, on the Dune trail. The part she liked the best was the alvears, and requested I took photos of how little she was against the tall grasses. I told her that even though these trees are not as tall or as chunky as the ones on the west coast, but Holy, are they ever ancient!. The growing season is so small in the boreal forest that it takes really long for these trees to reach the heights they've achieved, making them a sought-after material as their wood is the best hardwood there is. She didnt care about any of it, but instead said they "all smell so pretty Fabs", and I had to agree. The woods here smell sweet. Sweet with the smell of Cedar, Birch, Pine and Poplar.

Knowing that her mother really loves mushrooms, she jumped and giggled when she saw the most beautiful collection of amanita muscaria (variation formosa)...sorry but had to write it all in. This variation of the sempiternal red cap mushrooms that Berrie so loves, are huge, and Lunette took great pride in sitting right next to it.

Overall we had great fun, we roasted the traditional marshmallows, we built sand castles and lean-tos, we play hide and seek and took turns sitting on the hammock, we played tunes and ate good food. We rested under a beautiful boreal canopy, sung to sleep by the motion of the waters of Lake Superior. We love going camping and I think Lunette is definitely hooked.