Cosmopolitan Ginger

We were in Des Moines this weekend for The ArtFest Midwest. We arrived in town early on Friday so we were able to pay a visit to The Brass Armadillo, a wonderful antique mall. I saw lots of dishes I would like to have purchased. But, as usual, it was a doll I came away with. I was trying to decide between a number of interesting dolls which were in my price range. This is the one I decided on, not knowing at the time exactly who she was. At first glance I had thought she was a Ginny but she wasn't marked and Ginny's always were. It didn't take me long this morning to discover, through computer research, that she's a Cosmopolitan Ginger. The Ginger doll was unmarked and came in a big, medium, and small eyed version. Some had painted lashes and some had molded lashes. Some were walkers, which mine is. But, they all share a distinctive arm hook, which mine has. Ginger is actually one of the 1950's walkers that I had watched on ebay over the last year or so. But the starting bid was almost always too much for me. Ginger's clothes are usually tagged but the cute taffeta-like outfit of my doll isn't marked. It's possible she was one of the dolls made with a Cosmopolitan Ginger mold but sold by another company. This morning I saw a Ginger in the same outfit on ebay and the original owner listed her as a Ginger and didn't mention tagged clothing.
So, I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find that the little doll that appealed to me is one I had on my wish list and was, indeed, a good buy.

JT's Iowa Birthday and Father's Day/Snake Alley

It was a wonderful weekend. Photos are better than many words and I will load more on the slideshow. I've had a lot of pain in my left hand and arm. Between that and the busy work of getting the party ready--finishing up the Thomas cake, doing two batches of ice cream custard, picking the peas....I hope I gave JT enough fun..

New Dolls

My Mother is waiting expectantly for me to start selling my dolls. :-) She mentions it often.
Sigh. I don't know why I like them. Two things come to mind. Four cousins from 16-18 years old playing with some little dolls we bought at a gas station during a stressful time. One of those girls is gone now and how I wish I could share a laugh with her about it. Well, I think our uncle bought them for us, smiling fondly at our silliness. I think mine had a yellow raincoat. And I remember how fascinated I was with the elaborate shoe box doll house an older cousin had made.
I got a great deal on both dolls on ebay. Scarlett looked dingy in the photo online. Her dress washed beautifully. The elastic is stretched in her sleeves and pantaloons. And her hair bows have faded a bit. Otherwise I think $6 was a great deal!
The bookcase I got at an auction is "full of dolls" as my mom told me. I told her that someday Elizabeth can fill it with law books. :-)

Weyer's Grove Gardens

It's just such a beautiful place to be. My flowers are wonderful this year and John's garden is about the best it's ever been. Can't resist sharing some photos.

Happy Anniversary to Us

I spent part of the early morning in the south flower beds photographing the hummingbirds. John and I had lunch in town. In the evening he worked in his veggie gardens while I mowed with my present, a John Deere riding mower, taking the clippings to him to spread on his garden.