The Little Girl placed her toys in that wagon last Saturday evening, just before she left our home. The toy-filled container has remained in the same location all week. Such a sweet reminder of her visit.
I noticed Twiggy staring at the pile of plastic entertainment. I wondered if she was thinking about The Little Girl, too, and the activity level she can achieve with such a small amount of assorted playthings.
Then, my mind went to my own childhood---and the toys with which I used to play.
And I thought and I thought.
We didn't have many "store bought" toys. We spent lots of time playing with household objects and "repurposing" them. I clearly remember my mom's button box. I think I was about four. I recall loving to study the different shapes and colors of the buttons she saved. I would line them up in rows and make pretend gardens or just sort them by color and size. Sounds pretty boring, but to me, it was a great form of play and entertainment. I'm guessing, to my mom, it was a God send that I could be so easily entertained. I also recall, during that same time, she taught me to embroider. At that age!!! We didn't have a (YES, they HAD been invented!) TV and I know I didn't read then, so I kept busy by using my hands in lots of creative ways. Besides embroidery, she taught me to make tiny straight stitches with a needle and thread and hand sew little fabric squares together--for a quilt. She introduced me to the world of glue (we often made our own with flour and water) and GLITTER!! Of course, we colored and drew and even made seed mosaics on scrap pieces of wood. My mom nurtured creative ways to keeps me (us) busy. I personally, ate it up.
But back to Toys. I was six when I received a "walking doll". My sister and I both did that Christmas. We always received the same toy--just in different colors. Other toys I can remember receiving were Tinker Toys and games, like Monopoly and Dominoes and Old Maid. My siblings and I also spent many hours with Paint by Number pictures (now considered "vintage" and collectible by some!) and weaving looms, on which we created amazing potholders. I even recall going "door to door" selling my potholders for five cents each. :) I was the proud owner of an Easy Bake Oven, too. However, that did not inspire in me a love for cooking. I did enjoy eating the little cakes we baked in that thing. Oh, how I wished I still had that toy.
Unfortunately, I can count on one finger the toys I still have in my possession these many, many years later.
And here she is. My beloved Princess Doll.
My sister and I each found one under the Christmas tree from Santa that year---some time in the late 50s I'm guessing.
I was not the "doll person" --- my sister was. She had a Chatty Cathy or Betsy Wetsy, I don't remember which one, and later she graduated to Barbie. I loved the Pogo Stick and the Hula Hoop, and a few years later, thought I had died and gone to heaven when I received a "transitor radio"!! However, I do recall loving The Princess Doll I received that particular Christmas--even though I didn't ask for her.
She was glorious! Her PINK formal had silvery threads running throughout. She had Perfect makeup and Perfect hair. Her eyes opened and closed. She was a rubber doll---her elbows and knees were not jointed. She was perfect for placing on my pillow each morning after I made my bed. I positioned her skirt carefully, so it's beauty could be completely enjoyed.
She had pierced ears with sweet pearl teardrop earrings. Sadly, the teardrop part is missing on one. I wonder what on earth I did with it. I remember taking them out and putting them back in---over and over. I was amazed that the holes in her ears always remained the same size, no matter how many times I rammed the posts back into her head. And she didn't care!!
Her sweet feet were formed to allow the perfect plastic high heels with elastic straps to be placed upon them--just like a real Cinderella. I have no idea what happened to the shoes. One of my sister's Barbies probably took them! She was a shoe horse, as I recall! :)
Her lovely fingers came perfectly manicured and still are! I can't believe I didn't try to improve on the polish job, but I didn't. They're still as good as new.
THE STONE RABBIT was thrilled to meet The Princess Doll. He couldn't believe she had been wrapped in plastic and stored in (gasp!!!) The Basement for soooooooo many years.
The Princess Doll said it didn't bother her. She knew I must love her very much, because I had kept her for so many years, protected in plastic and tucked safely away.
Then The Princess Doll asked him if he had any old toys that he used to play with as a young Stone Bunny. That's when he disappeared!
He soon returned with Itty Bitty Bunny---a gift from Santa when HE was a tot!!
The Princess Doll was so touched by the precious treasure THE STONE RABBIT shared with her--a real memory of his bunny-babyhood.
Then, we discussed how great it is to have at least one toy from your past. Especially if it's one dressed in a beautiful PINK formal!
For more fun Pink shares, just visit our terrific hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND. She'll have a LONG list of bloggers with interesting Pinks on their posts!!!!
DANA
Dana, What a lovely Princess doll. Sad to say my one doll saved from that era is not in as great condition. I too had the same toys as you growing up. However I was not fortunate enough to get the Easy Bake Oven. Another item I longed for as a child was the Give-A-Show Projector. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Sandy | April 24, 2009 at 08:02 PM
What a lovely post, Dana...your doll is just beautiful and in such handsome shape...
Posted by: bj | April 24, 2009 at 10:29 PM
What a beautiful doll and in perfect condition. There are sites on the internet where you could find shoes for your Princess. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Betty in Oklahoma (still have my Betsy Wetsy doll)
Posted by: Betty G. | April 24, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Dana a post after my own heart...dolls are my passion. Chatty cathy's number 1 but I love any doll and yours is a true beauty. Lovely post as always...I enjoyed stopping by. Happy Pink Day!
(ps...there is a easy bake oven in my son's old closet here...LOL)
Linda
Posted by: Linda Pepa | April 25, 2009 at 01:16 AM
Love your princess doll, I had too!!! However, mine was not as well preserved and is rather scary looking now. lol!! Your's is amazing.
Happy Pink Saturday
Teresa
Posted by: teresa | April 25, 2009 at 01:39 AM
dear dana,
another great story...every week gets better and better. i love your princess doll now, i wouldn't have as a girl....my sister still has her shrinking violet...but all my things got tossed.
have a great week-end
debbie
Posted by: debbie ragan | April 25, 2009 at 02:07 AM
She is precious. Love the toy memories. I have many of the same. Have a wonderul weekend.
Posted by: Ceekay | April 25, 2009 at 05:33 AM
what a beautiful doll. i don't think i've ever seen or heard of her before. love the baby bunny :)
Posted by: heather | April 25, 2009 at 05:42 AM
oh Dana....your doll is oh so sweet! I can't believe how pretty she still is...my first doll has the worst bad hair day in history!
have a great weekend.
chasity
Posted by: Chasity Heck | April 25, 2009 at 05:59 AM
dana-you always have the most wonderful stories. this one brings back so many memories of the toys i loved in childhood. the stone rabbit is so lucky too to have those memories!! happy pink week!
Posted by: suesue | April 25, 2009 at 06:05 AM
I wish I had one of my dolls from back when. Your post was wonderful, as always, and took me right back to my childhood. Happy Pink Saturday my friend. ♥
Posted by: Betty Jo | April 25, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Good morning Dana, I feel so sad. I do not have a single toy from my childhood. We had a beautiful doll to share with my older sisters and wonderful dollhouse made by our dad. All left behind in MI when we moved to FL.(in the attic among many other things) When we returned to get these things the attic was empty. sigh.
I love your doll Dana. What sweet memories you have. She is still just perfect. (minis a pearl drop) The stone rabbit obviously admires her too.
Have fun art 'looking' and antique shopping. I wish I was there too.
Hugs...Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne | April 25, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Dana,
What a wonderful story. I love that doll, and she still looks so lovely. I found a Revlon Doll that looked just like the one I had when I was about seven. I love looking at her and remembering all the wonderful memories.
Happy Pink Saturday.
Karen
Posted by: karen cox | April 25, 2009 at 06:22 AM
You've done an excellent job of keeping her clean and intact. Thanks for sharing. Happy Pink Saturday.
Posted by: Sally | April 25, 2009 at 06:31 AM
What a beautiful vintage doll. I don't have dolls left over from my childhood, but I do have my mother's and her mother's button tin. I have always loved, and have added to it through the years and it will eventually go to my daughter. Loved your story! Happy Pink Saturday!
Posted by: Dru Cabral | April 25, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Happy Pink Saturday. Your blog is just such a delight to visit each week. Of course, all of the pink goodies always warm my ♥. This week everyone seems to be out-doing themselves!
Wishing you, and all those close to your ♥, a purr-fect weekend filled with joy, peace and gracious living.
All I can saw is: Awwwww...
Posted by: Mimi | April 25, 2009 at 08:07 AM
I do love your princess doll, and she is just beautiful.
I have many of my dolls, and you have inspired me to show them one day.
Happy Pink Saturday, dear Dana.
Posted by: Beverly | April 25, 2009 at 09:23 AM
What a wonderful look back at your childhood pasttimes! I also loved my hula hoop and paint by numbers set. I was also a Barbie freak like your sister. My doll was a clothes horse and had to make outfits for her.
LOVE your Princess doll! Just gorgeous! You are so lucky to have her. My dad threw out my Barbie Dream House when I was a teen and I have never forgiven him!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Donna Collins | April 25, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Oh! She's beautiful! I'm glad you saved her. I don't have any toys from my childhood. I think that's why I collect so much "stuff" now!
Have a wonderful weekend Dana!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 25, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Hi Dana,
That doll brings back memories because I had one much like her. Mine had a beautiful pink gown on with a gold lurex top. Her name was Cinderella. Happy Pink Saturday!
Blessings,
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi | April 25, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Dana... I was about to log off for the weekend when I saw your blog post "preview" listed on my "favorite blogs" sidebar list... I knew I could drop by and receive a smile and a blessing reading something wonderful from you and the stone rabbit... and I did.
blessings. Dixie
Posted by: Dixie | April 25, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Dana,
Wonderful memory story, love your princess doll....
I had a Chatty Kathy, boy been along time since I thought of her....and like Sandy wanted I received the projector for Christmas and was crushed the plastic teeth parts broke on the first attempt to play the movie so it never work did work. Yes plastic way back then.
Posted by: Carrie | April 25, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Happy P.S. God bless you, Sarah:)
Posted by: Sarah | April 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I had her!!! A gorgeous tall fashion doll and the most gorgeous satin and organdy clothes complete with picture hats. I think they sold them at the grocery store. Hi Dana, I couldn't let the day pass by without clicking over to see what the Stone Rabbit was up to today. HPS :) Lynn
Posted by: Lynn@thevintagenest | April 25, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Dana,
That is such a sweet tale and such a gorgeous doll. The fact that she didn't melt or fuse with the plastic is amazing. My grandmother saved my cousin's doll that was made out of rubber and it stuck together...I guess it was kept in a place that was too hot.
How sweet that you still have her.
Happy Pink Saturday.
Kris
Posted by: Kris | April 25, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Hi Dana!
What a Lovely doll! I always enjoy your posts! I to can remember all of my toys from my childhood. I didn't have nearly as many as my children have. The funny thing is that I am trying to save just about everyone of them in the attic! lol
Happy Pink Saturday!
Angela
Posted by: Angela | April 25, 2009 at 07:18 PM
What a sweet post and a beautiful doll! I love SR's little rabbit too! He's so lucky to have you for a mom!! I don't have any toys from my childhood. I gave all my dolls away when my BIL was in Vietnam for an orphanage there. I wished I would have kept at least one!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | April 25, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Hi Dana, It was a fun blast from the past sharing your beautiful doll and the Stone Rabbit's toy bunny, too. Happy Pink Saturday! ~ Robyn
Posted by: Robyn | April 25, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Your doll is beautiful! I wish I had some of my old dolls - it is amazing she is such good condition - I'm glad the Stone Rabbit and she get along! Happy Pink Saturday!
Posted by: Claudia | April 26, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Your stories are always so sweet, sadly I remember the walking doll and wish I still had her today, Happy Pink Saturday, Char
Posted by: Char | April 26, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Neat Pink Post, Dana!
I remember making glue with flour and water. When I was around 12, I made "movie star" scrapbooks, from photoplay magazines. I wish I still had those scrapbooks. I can still smell the flour and water glue.
I played in the button box too.
Posted by: Pat@Back Porch Musings | April 26, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Dana ~ I commented on your PS post early, early Saturday morning but I guess it didn't come thru. You post reminded me of alot of toys I had as a little girl but had since forgotten about.
I love your doll -I have a Madame Alexander doll that used to sit on my bed as a kid - she has a DINGEY pink dress -much, too much love!
Posted by: caren | April 26, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Fun post. I always remember my favorite thing as a child was huge boxes when my parents got a new washer and dryer. I pretended they were my house for days. Happy belated pink Saturday.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | April 26, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Great read Dana! Love your dolly.c herry
Posted by: cherry | April 27, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Dana... my fellow Texan at the Bunny Bungalow is having a giveaway... a bunny giveaway... and I thought you might like to check it out... here's the link.
http://thebunnybungalow.com/2009/04/giveaway.html#comment-form
Blessings. Dixie
Posted by: Dixie | April 28, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Dana,
Thanks for visiting my blog, 'cause it gave me a chance to visit your blog. I love all the antics of Stone Bunny and his friends. And I must have been under a cabbage somewhere, because I had never heard of "Peeps" until I read one of your wonderful postings today. I'll hop over to "Stone Bunny" often for visits.
Annie
Posted by: Annie | April 28, 2009 at 07:48 AM
What a beautiful doll! I still have my favorite baby doll. I, too, loved to play with buttons when I was a kid. I don't remember having a whole bunch of toys either. I do remember coloring a great deal!
Have a wonderful day!!!
Kim
Posted by: Kim V | April 28, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Dana, I loved your toy memories...and your doll is lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jillian | April 28, 2009 at 07:12 PM
I still have my doll I called "Ann." She was one of those dolls you place on your bed but I took off her beautiful dress and made my own clothes for her. You brought back many memories for me today...thanks friend!
~Jean
Posted by: Jean | April 28, 2009 at 07:46 PM