Friday evening, I took Larkspur and Beatrix to a dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker. Their friend, Istra, was a mouse in the performance and we were excited to see her. We ended up arriving about an hour and a half earlier than necessary, but thankfully I had supplies to start a new knitting project with me. I cast on a little red cardigan. December is oftentimes a season of doll clothes knitting for me, though I hadn’t anticipated it this year.
Last month, my dear friend, Grace, mentioned that for the first time in many years she was making a handful of dolls to sell, and could I possibly help get the word out? I’ve long hoped for one of Grace’s handmade dolls for my girls and was sad that it likely wouldn’t happen, so when she told me this news I had to work hard to play it cool. Yes, I want one! Yes, I’ll help! Of course, of course!
Then, about a week ago, she sent over a photo of the doll I named Bridget. My girls and I crowded around my phone squealing with excitement. And I knew that it was time to start knitting doll clothes because this was really happening! Grace put Bridget in the mail and told us that she was scheduled to arrive on Monday.
Sunday afternoon, a few innocent snowflakes started to fall. We were all charmed, December snow not being a common occurrence in our part of Virginia. The forecast said an inch or two, but we weren’t counting on it. It probably wasn’t going to stick anyway. We thought back to the snow predicted the previous week that never materialized. But these innocent flakes started building up momentum, and it appeared that the forecast might be wrong again, but in the opposite direction. Sure enough, the weather site now said we could expect 3-6 inches. We ended up with close to six. You can imagine that the children were overjoyed. The house descended into further chaos as snow pants and gloves were dug out of basement bins and the endless trips in and out of the cold by a houseful of children began. My current laundry situation is staggering.
But more worrisome than the laundry was the absence of mail on Monday. Where was Bridget?
Tuesday morning, while I was out taking care of goats and chickens in the snow, the mail carrier pulled down the driveway uncharacteristically early. Our mail usually arrives in the evening. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw my children carrying packages into the house. But then the report came, “There wasn’t a package from Grace! The mail lady says she will be back later if there is more mail for us, but her truck was too full to fit anything else this trip.”
I pulled up the tracking number, and according to the post office website, “action was required.” I needed to drive to our main branch and pick up the doll myself. I texted Grace and told her I was heading to pick Bridget up, and I would let her know as soon as I got her. I arrived at the post office in time to listen to a woman ahead of me give the poor guy at the counter a really hard time because she hadn’t gotten mail on Monday and she was convinced that it was only her and that they were holding her mail hostage, or something along those lines. That last part is a bit of an exaggeration, but I did feel really bad for the guy who was trying to explain that things just got held up because of the snow. I eventually piped up that we didn’t get mail either, that it wasn’t only her. “My doll didn’t arrive!” I told her. No, just kidding, I didn’t say that. I try not to come across as crazy in public. She went on her way, and I eagerly handed the man my tracking number, telling him that I was there to pick up a package. He indicated that I likely couldn’t pick it up, that he would never be able to find it, “back there,” but he would go look. What??? I texted Grace again, telling her that I was practically shaking with nerves. Where was Bridget? The man returned to tell me there was no way he could find the package, that there was just too much mail, but that my mail carrier was there and she would be bringing us more mail later that day. I nodded in resigned understanding, sighed, and headed home. The situation couldn’t be helped, there was no one to blame, and nothing to do but wait.
So, there we sat on Tuesday night, well after dark, reading library books about Christmas on the couch when I saw headlights coming down the driveway. The mail!!! Amongst a few other things, there was a priority mail box from Grace. And inside was Bridget, and she’s perfect. And her sweater fits. Now she just has to wait patiently on a shelf in my closet for Christmas, when we will surprise Mabel with the doll I didn’t think she’d have, the doll that she’s honestly not quite old enough for, but I had to take the opportunity while I could! We may never have another chance at such a treasure of a doll!
**Grace made seven dolls to offer in her shop, and she is offering a few other things such as beautiful beeswax nativities. She asked me to share a coupon code with all of you. You can receive 10% off your order with the code GINNY10 through January 1st. There is still time to receive your order in time for Christmas if you are in the U.S.**
p.s. Here’s a link to the doll cardigan pattern.
dorinalouise says
What a beautiful doll! She was definitely worth the wait, and your photos of the snow are so lovely (as is the kitty and the sweater pic too!)
Tara says
Ginny – You should try making Waldorf dolls with your older girls! I bought a kit years ago and really enjoyed making dolls for my nieces. I bet you’d love it. 😉
Ruth says
Your pictures of the snow have struck a chord today and taken me back to how I felt as a child – so many memories of the excitement as the flakes began to fall, the urge to be outside, the soggy mittens, clothes steaming by the fire. I love your photos, Ginny. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing.
Bee says
Loved reading this so much! And aw, that doll is just adorable. Good for you for snagging one :)! Have a wonderful weekend, Ginny!
Emily says
Lovely story, Ginny 🙂
Gracie says
I love that your girls have a friend named Istra. Her parents read the best books!
Marion says
Oh, what a lovely doll Bridget is. Mabel is going to love her. I like the sweater you made for Bridget. Our mail can be problematic at times. The mail lately has taken along time to come. We seem to get the out of town mail quicker that the local. I guess this time of the year there is more mail to deliver.
Marion
Joan says
Bridget is such a lovely doll. The cardigan you did is beautiful. WOW! Six inches of snow. The children must of had a good time. We have had cold weather but no snow yet.
Joan
Marilyn says
We have trouble with our mail at times. in October I never received a magazine. I received a notice from the company saying the magazine was returned to them. They eventually settled the problem and I received the magazine. I love the red capes the girls are wearing. Bridget is adorable.
Marilyn
Bridgette Pennington says
As a Bridgette myself, I think your Bridget is lovely!
I had a recent mail experience but as the sender. I spent weeks knitting two shawls and a hat to send off to my dearest friend and her parents in Tennessee. I scheduled for the box to be picked up at my house and after two days of a no-show on the part of the mail carrier, I ended up taking it it to the post office after being dismissed from jury duty. Then I discovered that it couldn’t be delivered to my friend because I had forgotten she had moved and put her previous address on the box! The box eventually made it to her new address but it felt like quite the ordeal at the time.
Kate says
“I try not to come across as crazy in public.” LOL. I can picture kids advising their mom before leaving the house “O.K., mom. You’ll be in public. Try not to act like you do at home.”
Grace says
My kids actually say this to me. ???
Elizabeth says
so so beautiful!!! and at suspense at waiting for this beautiful doll!!! So so nice!!! I blogged about this also to get the word out, she has almost sold every doll already! Not that we are surprised!!! Such treasures!!!
Elizabeth says
opps, my name did not link to my comment, so here it is again:
so so beautiful!!! and at suspense at waiting for this beautiful doll!!! So so nice!!! I blogged about this also to get the word out, she has almost sold every doll already! Not that we are surprised!!! Such treasures!!!
Elizabeth says
*oops I spelled OOPS wrong, ha ha… 🙂
Dawn Harris says
I love the old-fashioned names of the dolls. Perfect for a girl named Mabel. 🙂 The dolls remind me so much of one my Norwegian great-aunt made me – a farmer boy holding a wooden water cup. I have to admit I was too stingy to let my boys play with him. Hope Grace has much luck with her business. She is very talented!
Nicole Spring says
Oh this made my heart skip a beat! Grace makes the most beautiful dolls, doean’t she?!?! I love the friendship you ladies share. xoxo
Grace says
♥️
Nicole Spring says
Love you Grace!!