connections

Someone once said, Bonnie's dolls look so real they seem to breathe. Being the designer of hundreds of dolls - some much better than others - I can tell you they do have heart. They love back without asking.

Here we are at year-end and I am joyful. It is not whether I made a profit or not but that this doll-making career of mine welcomes crooks in the road or open windows when the paths are not on the straight and narrow. And I adjust.  Right now I am pleased as punch that this business has no debt. Interest free now too.

Many signs lead me to the idea of the Fall Fashion Show and Boutique.  On a Wednesday this summer Zinny and Eva measured all the dolls and made careful pencil lists of their sizes.  More and more customers are asking for outfit switches on their look alike doll. A couple of moms suggested their little Bundle moms wanted to change outfits and dress their girl at bedtime. Then there is that absolute love I have working with children and dolls.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. There is nothing like being in Chester, Vermont in the fall for its celebrated Festival on the Green, especially when you live here and were in the first Green Sale 37 years ago!  Rotary gave me my regular prime corner spot in front of the Fullerton. The dark clouds were as numerous as the umbrellas, but there were lots of smiles, hugs, and sales. Yes, it is all about connection.

Words. Important phrases. Directions. Friendly helpers. Teasers. Identification. Clues. All these uses for words put together or standing alone.  In yards. Of stained glass. In fabrics.  On highways. Caution. Wait. Stop. Suddenly here in Chester signs are very, very important.

The icons or the motifs? Let's figure it out together.

Being around my family last week made me think about the legacy of what I create with love to be guaranteed for life.

That Thursday night we arrived at the family homestead in mid-Vermont to do four things.  First, we reinforced that Dad was the perfect candidate to be Assistant Pastor at their church, and that he had to write papers, read in quiet, counsel and all that was a good and wonderful thing. Mom got to go on a date that evening with her favorite guy after dance class. And that often means food shopping. We went over our notes on Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, our home school lesson for the next day. But the most delightful experience was the doll hospital.

With my dear husband of nearly 43 years, we visited Arizona, both up north and

down south. The best two things we did were to embrace two of our treasured daughters - many times.  We bonded with Gigi and Charlie, definitely leaners, a girl cat belonging to Kelly and a girl yellow lab trained and loved by Kate. We camped at the Ranch, in the prairie grasses and in the blue minivan in Utah parks; we hiked to the Vermillion Cliffs and viewed the pottery chards and the California condors; we made an early morning visit to Bosque del Apache and met a handsome hawk; we experienced a spa in Truth or Consequences, NM; we reconnected with the national park friends; we had hot chocolate on the south rim of the Grand Canyon at sunset; we found new duds at thrift stores; we ate homemade pie in Pie Town and ate African at a Tucson restaurant.

That's a good thing. We know they return for many reasons.  Quality. Originality. Ageless appeal.  An addition to the family. Color and variety. Yes, some must come back to use their 10% Customer Appreciation Award.  They purchase and get another certificate. Pretty good. Thankfully Bonnie's Bundles are not American Girl dolls, but are made in Vermont, not China. We can make a lookalike but he or she will be soft and lovable and even washable and guaranteed for a lifetime. The truth is my team and I make incredible dolls!