Doll Houses

Last month Eleanor and I stumbled upon a little store in Edina, MN called Little Enchantments. A wonderful shop full of miniatures and doll houses. Needless to say we spent quite a bit of time in there. Eleanor fell in love with a Princess Anne style doll house which ended up being her Christmas gift.

The lady at Little Enchantments said they only sell kits from Real Good Toys because of the quality craftsmanship. As I was thumbing through the catalog and browsing their web site, I fell in love with the Beachside Bungalow which ended up being my Christmas gift! My mom saw that I pinned the doll house on Pinterest and (sneaky lady) bought it for me for Christmas.

Last weekend we got started on all the painting. Eleanor choose a light yellow for her Victorian style home. I choose a pretty beachy aqua color for mine. We need to get one coat of paint on the entire house, windows, railings and interior before we can glue it together. There is a lot to paint so that's what we'll be working on for the next couple weeks. Stay tuned for our progress. 

Eleanor's Princess Anne

Eleanor painting the exterior

Painted exterior

My Beachside Bungalow

This is going to be a really fun project for us to work on together. We've already spent a few hours together painting. We've also spent a few hours on Etsy and other sites looking for unique furniture and accessories. 

Since we are stuck inside in the Minnesota ice box I'm glad we have a fun project to work on!!

Have a great day!

Jennifer

Happy New Year

Wow did December go  by fast!! I was busy shopping, making gifts, baking cookies, meeting up with friends (old and new), went to the theater, attended holiday parties.... just to name a few things I had going on.

Hard to believe 2013 is already over. My 40th year was a great one!! I worked hard and as a result was able to play hard. The year was not without its challenges, but I've left those behind with 2013. All my good times and wonderful memories have come with me into the new year. Below are some highlights from 2013.

In January I turned 40! My sister threw me a fab party, complete with a PINK party bus. 

Eleanor turned 10.

Jayne, me, Harriette & Nikol

Me and the party bus

February was my first visit to Disney Land in CA. I was there for work but still got to enjoy the park and the warm weather.

Me and my 'friends' at Disney Land

March was my annual trip to Key West with some wonderful friends.

Part of the Key West crew

In April we added a new member to the family, our little pug, Joy! 

I had a wonderful weekend away with some of my favorite ladies; Nikol and Jayne, and we let my mom tag along with us too. The highlight of this girls trip is my wonderful pink tulle dress I picked up at a yard sale for $10.

Eleanor and Joy

In May Eleanor and I hit Clearwater Beach. Eleanor's first trip to the ocean. We spent half a day at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the dolphin. The rest of the trip was spent on the beach and jumping into waves in the ocean. 

I was also lucky enough to hop a plane with some friends to Milwaukee, WI to see my fave Ed Sheeran in concert. 

Eleanor on Clearwater Beach

'Selfie' of me and Eleanor on Clearwater Beach

Jayne, me and Stacey in WI

June was our last days of elementary school. Those five years went by in a flash!

I was able to get away for an extended weekend with my sister, mom and friend Nikol. We went up to Duluth, MN for the annual MN Quilters Guild show. We stayed at my favorite little cabin right on the shores of Lake Superior. 

Eleanor and I also got out for a camping trip down to Northfield, MN. 

 

view from the deck of our cabin

Eleanor stoking the fire

In July Eleanor and I hit the road and traveled 1,600 miles around Lake Superior. Just me, Eleanor and two of the dogs. I'm proud of that accomplishment, and we had a blast!

Eleanor walking the Michigan shoreline of Lake Superior

In August my family went to Walker, MN for our annual week long stay at Huddles Resort on Leech Lake. 

Eleanor started middle school! Oh my, that was harder than I thought it would be. 

I also got my sister and two nephews to go camping with us down at Taylors Falls. 

Me and Eleanor at Huddles

Me and Eleanor on the first day of school

October was the annual girls weekend up in Blackduck, MN at my dearest friends cabin. The cabin that has no running water and only a wood burning stove to keep us warm!

Three Jen's on girls weekend

November was a sad one as we said goodbye to our beloved, Gunnar, our 13 year old Norwegian Elkhound. Eleanor doesn't know life without that dog. We miss him terribly!

Gunnar - 9 months old

 
I'm looking forward to an amazing 2014. I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Jennifer