Monday, January 23, 2012

Dashing Through The Snow!

Oh, What a Ride!

It all began MANY years ago, Dear Readers, when I came across this little Santa Sleigh Christmas Decoration (pictured below) and Could NOT resist purchasing it! It didn't come with a Santa or Elves or even a Reindeer...... but it looked like Just the right size for a Dollhouse family to use for Sleigh rides! At the time I wasn't even building any Dollhouses..... and I wouldn't admit I was Collecting bits and pieces for my Someday Dollhouse.....and I was even a little Embarrassed that I had bought such a Useless little trinket that wasn't even a good Christmas Decoration..... so I hid it away in the Cupboard... for Someday. And every now and then I would think about how much Fun it would be to find a way to use it!

It is really rather excessive in it's ornate impracticality......
but, Hey, this is the mini world.... so I held onto it and kept on Dreaming...!

Then, much more recently, I came across this little sleigh.... (Another Christmas ornament!...)
at the local store that specializes in Baskets of all kinds...... and I could NOT resist buying it! (You see it here already altered by the wooden harness block I lashed to the front runners....) It is only about four inches long and is Ever so Sweet! Perfect for little Children to be pulled around in.... um, Doll children that is...!

So Really, all we were missing was the Perfect Snow....

Because here in the North, Sleigh Riding is an old and necessary means of travel in the Winter. When I was little we had an insurance Company that gave Calendars with pictures of the engravings by Currier and Ives, those Artists of the Quintessential American Life of the mid-Nineteenth Century, and I always loved the ones with horses the best... such as this Winter scene... a VERY New England farmhouse and the horse-drawn sleigh.

And even Better these Sleighing Parties.......

Or the ones showing the Breakneck Racing Sleighs.......!
Just so you can see what my Daydreams were inspired by... all those years ago!

So is it any wonder that when we Finally got some snow...
not just Any snow, but some PERFECT Snow......
not too deep...... soft and fluffy........ no wind....
(AND on a Weekend!)
It was TIME to go for a Sleigh Ride!
Are You Ready?
Beatrice and Caroline have put on their NEW Matching Red Riding Hoods.........

Even Tommy is wearing his New Winter Cloak AND his Hat........

But ONLY because Papa is wearing his Stylish new Many-caped Driving Cloak.....!

The Hitches have been carefully checked for Security.....

And the Pony Prince has been Harnessed to the Little Sleigh......

While the Mare, Dancer, is being harnessed for the Christmas Sleigh......

She really is Such a Sweet Goer... she pulls like a Dream.....!

Prince is Eager to be going too, in his Lovely New black leather harness......

Clarence is overseeing the arrangements....
it takes an amazing amount of work to get Everyone Ready!

At LAST, they are all prepared....
just like in the Currier and Ives Print.......
Are YOU Ready?

Off we go!
Out into the SNOW!

In the Crisp Clear air.......

Oh WHAT FUN it Is....!

To Ride.....

In a one-horse open Sleigh...!

O'er the fields we go.....

Laughing All the way!

Okay,..... no bells or Bob-tails......

But, Oh the Spirits are BRIGHT!

Beatrice has never been Sleighing before.....

The afternoon is fading quickly......
as it does at this time of year........

Their shadows long upon the snow...
they head for home....

An afternoon they will Long Remember.......

Oh, WHAT a Ride!
Dashing Through The Snow!

30 comments:

  1. That was fun :)
    Isn't it strange how you buy something not knowing what you are going to do with it but have to buy it? I have a few of those stashed away too.

    Hugs,
    Victoria

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    1. Hi Victoria! I am Always amazed when a mystery item turns out to be EXACTLY what was needed! This little Sleigh has been calling to me for YEARS! It was SO MUCH FUN to take it out and go for a ride!

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  2. That is so fun! I am so glad you posted this.

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    1. Thank you, Teresa! Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you enjoyed it! :)

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  3. Replies
    1. Thank you, Browny! Aren't they irresistible? I Just LOVE them!

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  4. see they did come in handy, I think we all have bits that we buy for that someday to use, and this is your someday, great idea

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! This idea has been teasing me for a LONG time! I'm glad I finally put them to use!

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  5. That so fun !! Ans so gorgeous. Love it.

    Greetz Ilonka

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    1. Thank you, Ilonka! Welcome to my blog! I LOVE to share the fun! Thank you for commenting!

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  6. That really made my day, thank you so much for sharing it :)

    Marisa

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    1. Hi Marisa! I'm SO Happy to share the Fun! Thank you for commenting!

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  7. I love your stories Betsy! I don’t think I would ever take my dolls outside to tell a wintry story! LOL! Fabulous! Love the sleights!

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    1. Thank you, Ewa! This was So Much FUN to do,... and I have been Dreaming of it for So LONG! I LOVE to share the fun!

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  8. It's a gorgeous post...... thank you!!!!!
    Luisa

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    1. Thank you, Luisa! I am so Happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting!

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  9. Your stories always brighten my day, Betsy!

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  10. Great Photos! I am jealous of your snow.

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    1. Thanks, Troy! IT was a RARE but Timely little snow! We have had so little this year... mostly ice or nothing! It was TOO PERFECT to ignore! I just HAD to go Sleighing!

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  11. You have a lot of imagination. Those are wonderful pictures with the perfect sleighs.
    xoxo
    Caroline

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    1. Thanks, Caroline! They really are the cutest little Sleighs! I had a Wonderful time making the pictures... it was SO MUCH FUN to play in the snow! Thank you for commenting!

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  12. First of all, B., that beautiful snow...Snow, I remember snow...ok, I'm back.
    I love the things I'm not sure i will ever have use for, because they always find a place somehow, or allow you to do things you think of suddenly, instead of having to go out and get. They make our whimsey immediate and real, right? So thankfully for the rest of us we get to see Currier and Ives come to life, in beautiful light, and think about winter, and lovely horses. They even get me remembering the scent of winter air. That's a wonderful gift to a transplanted Northerner...

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    1. Hi Amy! (You KNOW I was thinking about you while I did this!) It was a Beautiful little snowfall... and I argued with myself for about half the morning as to whether I could pull it off on such short notice.... making harnesses... attaching them to the sleighs.... getting costumes done... But the alternative was NOT trying and WHEN would the next perfect little snow happen??? I HAD to do it and I'm SO Glad I did! I LOVE those moments when it comes together... and Yes, having saved the inspiring pieces for so long made it possible!

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  13. I am so loving this new way of replying the comments. Do show me how this is done, Bets?

    About the sleighs, my heart went out immediately to the woven version but if I am to choose one for myself to sit in, its the grand one for sure.

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    1. Hi Sans! This new comment method is the genius of Blogger as far as I can tell! One evening last week my comment page JUMPED while I was in the middle of commenting.... and suddenly it ALL looked different... ! I was afraid I had done something terrible to my comment page until I figured out how it worked! I just wish they would allow for more elegant type... or better space between the lines... it looks Squished to me...! But it does make the comment threads so easy to follow! This Template is a blogger template... I don't know how it would work for you....!
      As for the Little Basket Sleigh..... I thought of you the moment I spotted it! (Knowing your love for baskets...) We have a store here that sells mostly baskets..... they used to have a better selection of tiny ones... many of the ones I have were bought there many years ago. This one is only supposed to be for Christmas... (But WE know better..!) And I know what you mean about the Fancy one... It is SO Queenly! I originally pictured Charlotte wrapped in a glorious Fur robe.... but the Children wanted to go first.... So maybe Someday.....!

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    2. Betsy, I had a hard time figuring out how to comment. And it looks here as tho I'm replying to someone. Oh well - hope it comes through. I LOVED this latest blog. What perfect snow, and I appreciated the harnesses and the new clothes. How hard you worked! Beautiful. I'm late because Charley's been here and we've been gadding about.
      Lots of love,
      Mom

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  14. Dearest Betsy~
    Firstly , I want to thank ((( you))) so much for coming to my blog and leaving me a wonderful support note. It meant the world to me!!!*grin*
    And... please let me tell you how sweet are your story and pictures... so very lovely!
    warm hugs on your way...
    smiles~

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    1. Thank you, Patricia! I'm glad you liked my story! I love your sculpting! Thanks for commenting!

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  15. Hi Mom,
    I think you clicked on the reply to another reply rather than the comment box at the bottom. No Matter... I can read it! Thank you! Glad you're having fun!

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