Probably the very best thing I can credit my mother with (and of course the list is long), is her ability to play. Age is no barrier. The titles grandmother, senior... they mean nothing. My mama is fun! I believe the ability to play is a gift. I love being drawn into the imaginations of others. I love it when they unabashedly lay down all pretense and just think like a child. As they cut the felt, dress the doll, set the table... kids are naturally drawn to these people. Their eyes light up as they stand by, quietly observing, knowing that with a glance they are going to be invited into these magical preparations. Other adults witnessing this are envious if they are not drawn in. They are amazed at the ease with which the sweetest, simplest fun can be had.
I want to thank Pom Pom (another guru of playful living) for inviting me into her fun. By my own admission, I enjoyed myself as much as the girls did with the package that arrived last month. Even though it was just for a brief visit, it created that special magic that I am talking about. The crazy (and embarrassing if you let this kind of thing embarrass you) thing, is that we actually took these temporary guests on several of our outings and then forgot the camera. Is it o.k. to enjoy the company of stuffed, literary friends if you can't call it a photo session for the blog? Is that just a bit over the top? I don't think so. Sometimes silly is just what is called for. Certainly life is more pleasant for thinking so.
Blessings, Debbie
Love the mailbox! Ratty and co have oobviously had lots of fun at your place
ReplyDeleteblessings x
The dog costumes are too fun! And you know I like silly:@)
ReplyDeleteDoll houses just cry out "play with me", don't they? (I recently outfitted one of the third story rooms for Christmas in one of mine. (Now need to "straighten" the other 7 rooms...) Our dollhouses are in the same room as the piano. A few of my students have trouble concentrating on their lesson :)
ReplyDeleteA colourful and vivd imagination is a wonderful playground and being blessed with the ability to loose oneself in play a lifelong asset.......it's something I indulge in on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have a flying doggie visit your house. x
That is so cute with the little doggies. Sometimes, we just need to take time out for a little play.
ReplyDeleteI love dollhouses. Have you ever seen photos of Tasha Tudor's dollhouse? They had a copy of it at a museum of folk art in Williamsburg and I got to see it in person! Grown up fun!
ReplyDeleteI love the costumes for the dogs...so cute!
I have not been as playful a Mom in the past as I could have been...I'll have to work on that!
Oh, smile, smile, smile! Love seeing the little guys! Thank you for playing along! Yesterday, we made popsicle stick puppets at school because we were learning about the different kinds of conflict found in fiction. The kids were a bit reluctant, but they were FUNNY and had a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteDressing the dogs made my heart happy! I have a beloved Pom doggie, too. Beans lives with Jenny now because she's belongs to her, but we love her and miss her. Your Pom fairy is beeeeyoooootiful!
Playing is so good and I'm going to purpose to play more often.
I love you! YOU are a treasure and I'm thankful for my connection to you!
Okay, those costumes and their canine models are the cutest things ever!!! They are just adorable! Debbie, it is truly a gift... to have that sense of fun and play. We were always so serious in our home growing up. I have always envied those with an easy sense of fun and play. How blessed you are to have grown up with such a gift. You are passing it on to those of us who were not so fortunate. thank you. blessings ~ Tanna
ReplyDeleteYour Poms are adorable - the girl is such a peacock!! What sweetness watching your girls create and put the costumes on the dogs.
ReplyDeleteI love the Willows crew and the photos you took of them too...
Play is not something I am good at - thank you so much for the reminder!!
How fun is that?! I wish Georgie would let us put a costume on him. We think with a set of antlers, he'd look just like a reindeer. Thanks for giving me a chuckle today!
ReplyDeleteFun and silliness are best expressed by those who have a love for life and don't take themselves too seriously. Maybe it would be a better world if more of us played along! Blessings, ~Lisa :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is nice that you have a Mama who played. That is always a blessing. I love the costumes on the dogs very nicely done. I am glad you had fun with Pom Pom. I think it is always important to keep that part of us alive.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Oh those dogs are hilarious! I think sometimes I forget how to have fun... need to work on that!
ReplyDeleteOhhh how fun! I love how your family has the art of play. [o= I am realizing I need to do some more of this. I guess that is what my crafts are for me. The post below the one that updated about Maria's daughter shows a bit of my play. And I hope to show a bit of what is in my knitting basket soon. After Saturday I get to hibernate and knit tons this winter. That is my goal! Ohh it snowed 2.5 inches last night.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
I so agree...I love to play also...when our family is gathered, you can find me with the little kids all the time..best place to be! Love the cute outfits for the dogs, just darling! :D
ReplyDeleteSilly is sometimes very good!
ReplyDeleteOh how cute!!! We just watched the new winnie the pooh movie. I was watching my grown girls laughing and crying and I was over the moon. xox Clarice
ReplyDeleteOh, those dogs! I wonder how Henry would look in that getup......... But I forget that he hardly lets us pet him without nipping! Maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Your dogs are so good to play along too. (My dog would put up with it for....no time, thinking about it. Play is good. For its own sake. I keep forgetting my camera, remembering two minutes down the road. Live the moment!
ReplyDeleteYep, it looks like everyone is having fun...even the pups!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely scene, pretty dogs, enjoying being pretty and fussed, I think taking these little WIW characters out invites fun, a reason to be a bit silly and why not! isn't that the best, spontaneous fun, with no reasoning or planning. Bettyx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun play day. When we get to old to play, we are just TOO old. Enjoyed your pictures and blog. Found you via Farm Girl. Drop by for a visit.
ReplyDeleteI love your little doggies! Imaginary play is so wonderful at any age.
ReplyDeleteOh it does look like a lot of fun, even the gorgeous doggies are smiling...
ReplyDeleteI love the quote
"We dont stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."
This is so true...
~smile~
ReplyDeleteHow utterly delightful : ) I love that you went on the outing with everybody & forgot the camera! Charming mailbox!!! So looking forward to The Willows making it all the way to New Zealand before there return "home" Much Love Catherine xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I did acting out story lines just should have done more.. you are making it so much fun - can I join..wink..Hugs
ReplyDeleteDarling dog costumes! What a sweet little mailbox & pillow...I love it! Is that a drawing that came with your package? Very detailed and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift your mom has given you!
xoxo...Gloria
Everything's lovely!!! My husband and I have long decided to never want to "grow up". Always glad to see other people out there with the same idea... :)
ReplyDeleteROBIN HOOOOOOD!!! Have you guys seen the BBC episodes?? If not... watch.them. They're so good. Erin and Audrey will love them. :) My dad and I are hooked. :) Haha, Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, this is fantastic!! I love the mailbox, the doggie costumes, and that the Willows characters went on trips with you without the accompaniment of your camera. VERY fun!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Deborah