the dolls tea

The day was announced with the faerie windchimes in the trees ringing out their deep ::dong::dooong::dong::dimmm:: and the dolls awoke in an instant rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Sitting up in bed they each realized the day they await for each spring was here!
Today was extra special.
Today they would be seen by not just human children as they really are, but by anyone that believes in the power of real will on this day, see dolls as children see them.
And in celebration there was a faerie's invitation sent out across the world to join the dolls together with hearts of children everywhere.

Charity could hear the children of the household in the kitchen already and quickly reached for her apron. Yes, there it was sitting where she could find ... where her child had placed it. As she put it on, William threw open the curtains to see the day and gasped.
It was snowing! April snow? This could not be ... No.
"Not today" ::sighed:: William.

Charity came over to the window to see what was the matter. When William said, "snow" she too gasped and immediately opened the window sash. Snow today would change all of the plans! She reached her tiny hand outside to feel the snow, but something wasn't right. The air was warm. There was a slight breeze and something was floating down from the sky onto her hand. Startled by it's touch she pulled her hand inside and felt one of the flakes that had landed there. It was soft and velvety. Not cold at all and did not melt. By this time several of the others in the nursery had gathered at the window and were giggling.

Charity, tilting her head to the side listened carefully and heard William laughing. He leaned over to her and taking her hand, placed more of the snowflakes there. Charity closed her fingers around them and then she too began to laugh. Bringing her fist to her nose, she opened her palm and breathed in deeply and smiled. Appleblossoms! The wind was carrying the petals in the air like snowflakes. She could now feel them under her toes where the wind was tossing them through the open window onto the nursery floor. Today was indeed meant to be magical.

And that is how Tuesday began.

**The characters in this story are from a series called, A Dolls Letters Home. It was a series of short stories (letters) I began to write quite a number of years ago when a doll was left on my doorstep in need of repair. Wanting to thank the person without embarassing her by letting her know I knew who she was, but at the same time let her know how much her thoughfulness meant to me ... The doll began to write her letters telling her of her new life in an enchanted cottage where she was left at the door. A regular following of readers at the gift givers place of work began (where the letters written in script like those of days gone by, seemed to anonymously arrive on her desk) and consequently were watched for with anticipation by growing numbers. Someone once made copies of the letters for their daughter to read and then someone else did too ... eventually arriving in the hands of many children in the community. And the rest as they say is ... Well, lets just say one little dolls life became a faery-tale. I hope to someday publish the letters together bound in a small book.

An introduction of some of the characters:

Charity is blind. A 1937 Mme Alexander Princess Elizabeth doll, her tin eyes having turned cloudy many years ago ... Sweet William is a 1930s Knickerbocker teddybear with curly woolen hair and a heart big enough to cover the earth. His best friend is, Sir Loved-a-Lot a 1950 Steiff bear with golden hair like sunshine and who wears his heart on his sleeve. Faith and Hope live in Charity's pockets and go everywhere with her. The twins belonged to my mother and sleep in a real heartshaped basket in which they arrived in 1925 to a then 5 year old birthday girl that passed along the belief to her daughter--this author, that all dolls become real ... if you believe they can.

And Jennabelle? Did you by chance to meet? Jennabelle is the mistress of a little cottage where tattered toys go to stay while they await for the love of a child to make them whole again. All are welcome. None are turned away. Even a family of mice that sleep on pillows in the window have made the cottage home. And considering that the mistress is a tabby cat ... this itself is enchanting.

I believe in the power of a child's imagination being bigger than us all.

The website for, A Doll's Letters Home is in the process of being built. I hope when it is finished, you will each and every one come to visit. Have a cup of tea with us in a chair by the window and meet all of the occupants of the enchanted cottage. Consider yourself invited.

=^..^= love, zU

Comments

[christine rose elle]

LOve your dolls zUzU!
I finally got mine up!
crazy day!
Thanks for telling me about this fun challenge!
xoxo
Dollybelle

[vivian]

great story! love those dolls!!
vivian

[stephanie]

Beautifully enchanting post! Thanks so much for sharing!

Stephanie
Angelic Accents

[Lori]

zUzU, what a charming and beautiful tale full of magic...so sweet that it brought tears to my eyes...thank you so much for playing with me today and sharing your darling cast of characters...i would love to hear more of their adventures and will look for that website in the future:)

[Linda]

What a wonderful post. Your story telling is just magical. Thank you for sharing with us.
Cheers Linda

[Mica]

charming indeed!! I loved this post and the little dolly's are delightful, mica

[Mo'a]

Your dollies are so sweet and indeed well loved.
I love your story and the idea that we can in the near future read the letters.
That gives me an idea...when my Son was 5 years old he started corresponding with a mouse...oh!!!the lovely adventures they talked about. Perhaps now is the time to share this correspondence...time is all I need, more time please :)

[Miss Sandy]

Enchanting tale and precious dollies! Have you checked out Lulu? You can self publish through them at very reasonable fees. Have you thought of self publishing by using a thermal binder and really doing it yourself? They have hard and soft covers and you can customize your book. These tales would be wonderful in print! Wishing you published success!

[karen]

I love a good story, and this one is enchanting. I love how it begins, and your dolls are lovely too. I agree with the comment above about self-publishing. And there is a new one I just used called Blurb.com and they allow you to download their booksmart software for nothing. It was easy to use too. Karen

[betzie]

This was a magical read and I can't wait to see your new website. I just loved the characters you talked about. I have quite a few very loved teddies too sitting around. :)
Thanks for sharing this story Zuzu. Loved it!

[Karen Young]

Zu, what a delightful tale. Your writing style is very visual for me and I could imagine all the characters. Your precious dolls are lovely and little Charity has the sweetest face. I also love the little white bulldog. I hope you get these amazing stories into a book

Thank you
Karen

[Rachael]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, brought tears to my eyes.Have bookmarked your website:) Rachael

[Lori Garbarino]

Wow! I love the Charming story! and what wonderful dollies! I am glad I came for a visit and promise to be back!

Lori

[Du Buh Du Designs]

So glad I came back to see that you posted after all! I love Charity~she's an unusual and beautiful girl with a history behind her. i love the idea of your letters turning into a story!! Thanks for sharing all of your dolls and their stories!

~Christine :)

[Stefanie]

That is a wonderful post. What a enchanting tale and your pictures are so lovely too.
Your dolls are sweet.
Thanks for sharing !
Stefanie

[Nicky]

Such sweet little dolls all with a story to tell!

[monica magness]

Ahhh... the doll bug bit you GOOD! :)

yes, publish those letters.

Exquisite collection of beauties. I'm sew glad I stopped by for a visit. Round of applause for Lori and this inspiring group of collectors/dolls!
I'm definitely feeling it is a very good day today... ~Monica :)

[Carrie West]

Oh how I'm swooning in pure blissful delight of your story! Enchanting tales! I love your dolls, they are magical..
I am awaiting for the arrival of your website! Take care darling!!!~

[Patti Koosed]

Thanks for stopping by my blog on Doll Show day and for the comments made regarding my dolls the stories behind them and my music.

I have always loved dolls and try to post something at least once a month about dolls from different era's. I really enjoyed your dolls also and your blog. If you don't mind I would like to put your link on my blog.

It was a pleasure to have you visit and I hope you come back soon. Nice meeting you.
Patti

[Lori]

Thank you for sharing the wonderful stiry and photos, they were a delight! Lori

[Laurie]

Enchanting little dolls and blog! :)

[Tracy]

A wonderful story...and lovely dolls, too!! Looking forward to the new website...

[Julie Bergmann]

What a lovely story! Your dolls are so beautiful! I will have to come back to hear more enchanting tales!

Julie

[stephanie]

Yes Yes! More tales!

[cathy]

You simply must publish those letters!! This one is wonderful.
Blessings to you ~
Cathy