Sunday, May 19, 2013

Friday Night's Preakness Celebration

On Friday evening, after work, we met a friend at Chik-Fil-A and then rode to Howard County Fairgrounds, where we caught a shuttle (school) bus to Turf Valley for a Preakness Celebration.
Can you tell what kind of celebration it was?

Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival

Here's a bigger hint:

Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival

We saw a lot of hot air balloons, but the highlight of the evening is the "Balloon Glow."  It was really cool!

Balloon Glow at Preakness Balloon Festival

The MC would count "One-Two-Three" and then everyone there would shout "Glow Please!"  And the balloon operators would try to make their balloons glow all at the same time!

Balloon Glow at Preakness Balloon Festival

We were really glad we got to see it!  If you want to see more balloon photos, they are posted here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlp2000/sets/72157633522224371/with/8755872522/

Monday, May 6, 2013

Meet Violet Elisabeth

A lot of my doll-friends live with Schoenhut doll companions.  While I love wooden dolls, history and vintage/old dolls, I was able to resist the "bug" to get one for a long time.  But I was still curious, and would look occassionlly at listings for Schoenhuts.  Last month, I saw one that had a repainted face that just called out to me, so after given it some thought for a few days, I placed a bid and waited.  No one bid against me, so she was to be mine!
When she arrived, I discovered that her wig which "needed styling" would never survive anything beyond being displayed on a doll under a glass dome - not what I intended for my doll!  So, I ordered a new human hair wig in a style that I liked.
While waiting for her wig to arrive, I somehow knew her name was Violet.  Under the warm indoor lights, she had such cute, big brown eyes. That's what happens when the only dolly play you find time for is late at night!  When I finally had time to look at my doll in the sunshine, I discovered that her eyes are actually a very deep indigo violet!
I was able to get a photo of her on Saturday, before I glued down her wig.  It fits well, but the elastic made it want to pop up without the glue!

Meet Violet Elisabeth

Yesterday, we oiled her squeaky joints.  Today, I wiped down her body, glued down her wig and redressed her.  I am very glad to have her here.  Now I understand the Schoenhut love!

Melissa at Skyline Drive


Last month, we took a Saturday day trip to Virgnia.  In the morning, we visited Luray Caverns.  Our tour was very full, so it was hard to take photos.  After lunch at the Artisan's Gril (yummy hamburgers there), we went for a drive on Skyline Drive, which goes through the Shenandoah National Park.  We stopped at the overlooks and took a lot of photos.

Melissa on Skyline Drive

Melissa on Skyline Drive

Melissa on Skyline Drive

There are more photos of the trip,without Melissa, here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlp2000/sets/72157633425262410/with/8710098913/