Birthday swap for Hook

Birthday swap for Robin

My big person recently signed up for a swap to celebrate the birthday of the yahoo group handmade dolls and friends. My...or rather, my big persons...swap partner was Ms. K. I was just happy to get to participate in the swap, as was my big person, I never expected a box of this size to arrive just for me.

Tillie and Hook came to help me get the box untaped and open. Inside was a wonderful selection of brightly colored material. What will I make with all this material?

Maybe a new dress? Or a pinafore? 

Underneath the material were so many wonderful goodies that I will never be able to catalog everything. My swap partner did say that these items are things we are to share here at the Pioneer Hitty home. Hook was happy to hear that he was going to get to use some of the furniture. He seems to think pirating is hard work and that he should have comfortable furniture to relax on when the day ends.

Hook climbed into the box for a closer look at the whale themed blankets. He seems to think they will go well with his pirate ship bed. I had to remind him that he already has bedding for his bed. To which he replied that pirates often get wet and cold and they can never have too many blankets.

Hook took his time looking inside the box then helped me to get everything out of the box.

He found the makings of a teepee inside the box and set off to see if he could set it up. With a bit of work, during which he kept reminding anyone in ear shot that he was a pirate and that teepee building must not be intended for pirates, he got the teepee built and crawled inside for what he said was a much deserved rest.

With Hook otherwise occupied Tillie came to help me try on my new clothes...

And set up house with all the wonderful household furnishing that came in my box. We even found felt that was just perfect for rugs inside the box.

Once we had the house all set up, I whispered to Tillie that we should try some of the tasty candy. I had to whisper for fear the boys would come and gobble it all up, boys do love candy, you know. Tillie agreed that that was a very good idea, neither one of us could remember the last time we had candy.

Tillie chose a piece of taffy.

I preferred the sucker. Our candies were very good and we savored every bite.

Once we finished eating, it seemed like a good time to do a bit of house cleaning. Some of the furnishings picked up some dust in the mail. I also couldn't wait to try out this wonderful cleaning apron.

Tillie helped me tie it in place and we set to work.

I did a bit of dusting. The dust I stirred up caused Tillie and I both to sneeze but we persevered.

I found this wonderful cleaning cloth in my apron. It was just right for wiping off the table.

Tillie opted for cleaning the floors.

I pitched in on the sweeping once I had dusted all the furniture.

Once we got the house in shape, Tillie left...

And I got ready for bed.

It was so nice to have an actual bed to crawl into.

The covers were so warm and snuggly and the bed very comfortable.

Good night.

Making Thanksgiving dinner

Tillie and I spent Thanksgiving morning preparing Thankgiving dinner for the Pioneer Hitty family. We had a hard time cooking the turkey so we opted to let him join us for dinner instead. We did insist that he be the centerpiece, though.

We had a good time getting the meal prepared and laid out on the table.

Then we sat back and enjoyed the chance to rest while we waited for the rest of our Pioneer Hitty family to join us for the meal.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Pioneer Hitty's

Birthday Swap Surprises

After going on an out of state trip, I arrived home to find a huge...for a Hitty...box waiting for me. It was addressed to my big person but I knew it was mine. It was from my swap partner for the birthday swap on handmade dolls and friends yahoo group. My big person and I signed up for the swap a couple of weeks ago.

With a little help from my big person I got the tape off and tore into the contents of the box...or tried too. It didn't take me long to discover that getting the contents out of the box was a bigger job than I imagined. My big person was a bit busy so I called for help.

Robin happily came to help me. Underneath the bubble wrap we found letters. I wanted to read them when we found them but I was too excited to see what else was in the box so I set them aside for later.

Robin and I climbed into the box and found a whole bunch of little packages tied with pretty ribbons.

Getting the packages out of the box was a big task but by turning the box on its side and working together, we were able to get the packages out so we could see them better.

With each package we took out, we thought we were getting closer to the bottom of the packages but we kept finding more.

The biggest package fell onto my head as we worked to get this package out. I had thought the big package was the last one but Robin excitedly pointed out another package hiding beneath the big one. I know that we signed up for the birthday swap but I'm not so sure this wasn't a birthday and Christmas swap all in one. What wonderful surpises to open.

One of the little packages had a paper doll set attached to the front of it. I had to take a break from unloading the box to look at the adorable little paper doll.

We had to call for help getting the big package out. Hook came to help us with the task of removing the big package.

After we got the big package out, we told Hook that we could get the last package out. He stayed close to make sure we could get it before heading back to his pirate ship.

I asked Robin if she wanted to help me open the packages but she declined. She said she would be getting a package of her own soon and she would let me open mine. She stayed close by to see what was inside the packages. In the first package I opened was a whole stack of beautiful handkerchiefs. They were for my big person but I think I might see if she will let me keep them. They are so very pretty.

Next was a nice warm quilt. I forget the name of the quilt pattern but it sure is pretty. It was warm too. That was very nice since the weather has decided to turn off cold.

I got a pretty pink and white checked apron. Robin suggested that I might want to wear it when I cook Thanksgiving dinner.

Um....Am I cooking Thanksgiving dinner?

I had to tell Robin that its too pretty to cook in.

And the next package...

Oh, the next package. it held...hid...a beautiful cloth doll. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. Now, I'll admit that my memory doesn't go back very far, but for as long as I can remember, which is forever for me, I've wanted a cloth doll.

This beautiful doll is snuggly and wearing my favorite color.

I love, love, love, my new doll.

I found it hard to put my new doll down so I kept her close while I opened the other packages. One of them contained some cloth baskets. A little note in with them said they were made to look like a big basket that belonged to the big person at Marie Claire's (the Hitty I swapped with) house.

There were also two wicker baskets. I have so many ideas of what I might use them for.

I saved the big package for last.

It had a note from Marie Claire in it. She voiced her doubt that I preferred pink to chickens.

And inside...inside was a lovely cloak, dress and two bonnets. I wasn't sure what to try on first.

I picked the hat and cloak to try on first since they were easy to try on with a pirate war going on close by.

Then I put on the pretty pink dress. Yes, Marie Clair, I really do love pink. And I sure do thank you for making me a pink dress instead of a chicken dress. Your big person was right, I do prefer pink to chickens. And it is a beautiful pink dress. And so comfy too. I just love it.

Oh, and I have a fondness for little roses too.

I couldn't resist trying the apron on with it. I think they go good together. I like checks and flowers together.

When the pirate war ended, Hook offered to tell us a story. I grabbed my warm quilt and my new doll and settled in to hear the story.


Thank you, Marie Claire for all my wonderful goodies. I love them all. You did a wonderful job on all of them.