Lil' Pumpkin Baby Shower

I believe today is the day the world will welcome a new baby into Jake's family. We're so excited to see you, baby!

Just 2 weeks ago we had a baby shower for your mom with a cute little pumpkin theme.

Uncle Jake made the food and I baked lil' pumpkin cookies to give away as favors.

Everyone got to take home two yummy pumpkin cookies as well as a mini pumpkin.

Your daddy's Auntie S even made a cute Pumpkin Bear cake!

Ultra Violet Mt. Dew

I like the color purple just as much as I like a good sale, so when I spotted Mt. Dew's new Ultra Violet on sale I decided to try it. The pop is really pretty - a light lavender color in the bottle. But when I poured it into my glass all the fizz and bubbles turned a sky blue color. Disturbing.

The taste? Not so great - much too sweet and syrupy for my liking. I couldn't drink the whole bottle.

Dear Mt. Dew,

Please bring Mt. Dew Throwback back.

Love,

Me.

Jake and Jenny

I saw these a long time ago and figured I HAD to own them. To my knowledge there are only two books - On the Farm and On the Town. - Perfect for us. For Jake is a city mouse, and thus I the country mouse. Or doggies, in this case.

Aren't we cute all snuggled in bed after a long day on the farm?

Christmas is coming...

... the geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat.

Christmas songs will start soon enough without my prodding - so nevermind that.
But - with Christmas approaching - it DOES mean that some stores are already carrying their Christmas ornaments and decorations. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? - more German ornaments for my collection (and $2 cheaper than the past few years!). So I had to indulge.My newest Steinbach friends:
Russian Santa
Bavarian Boy

Honey Bee


Halloween Devil

What a doll...

I had a doll growing up - one of those bald-headed babies that blinks and cries when you flip her over. The doll suited me well, I think. I had doll clothes for her, and I think my brother even liked her when he was a baby (or maybe he just enjoyed having a friend that didn't mind when he'd bite her fingers and slobber on her face.)

Well, I'm all grown up now - or I should be. When I think of dolls I'm reminded of my grandma's display cases, full of dolls she's collected from all over the world, and even a few she made and hand-painted!

Hm... Thinking back, Barbies were cool too. I had 15 - that's a lot of fake body proportions. I wonder if my Barbies were smart. I really can't remember the conversations I made them have, or if they even spoke. I only remember changing their clothes and brushing their hair. Maybe my fantasy Barbie world lacked sound.

Anyway... Why all this talk of dolls? I found a new doll I really like. Or rather many new dolls I like. It started with finding the Pullip doll.

These are fashion dolls that are made by a Korean company and sold by a Japanese company. They were first released in '03 and continue to be released monthly with occasional special edition dolls.

Not only are these dolls adorable (ok, some are just downright sexy), but they are fully posable and have really great outfits/costumes. They would make great dolls to pose for pictures. They also have a really "unique eye mechanism that allows the eyes to move back and forth, and wink, using levers on the back of the head." Fun.

[Image from Pullip Style]

While researching Pullips I found all kinds of interesting dolls...

Momoko Dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Toffee dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Taeyang dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Zombuki dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Too bad they're all so expensive.