Warm winter wear.

Miles is really pleased he finally has a warm sweater to wear...he was at first a bit dubious about the colours, but then decided warmth was better than worrying about what colour his new sweater was.

Brittany is also now snug with her new blue cardigan and like Miles is pleased to be warm at last!

She thinks the blue goes nicely with her eyes.

They went out into the yard to play...and are ever hopeful they can use their sleds this year.

Brittany tries hers out for size and declares it 'just perfect'.

Hitty Madge is also prepared for the colder weather with her new shawl and hat with combined scarf that keeps her head, ears and neck nice and warm.

Hitty Fan Swap - Sent & Received plus a Japanese Table.

Miss Happiness (aka Hitty Joyful) was delighted to receive a package today in which was a lovely fan made by Rochelle with real gilt handle!

She said it was perfect for sitting in the sun to cool her down when it got a little hot.

Of course we are not sure it is at all hot at the moment!

This is the fan and little extra gift - a silk cushion - that we sent to Rochelle and her Hitty family.

I have made us a little Japanese Table which is part of the craft challenge for week six of the Book Discussion: Miss Happiness & Miss Flower

I am setting it into place.

It has our little Japanese flower arrangement on it as well as our copy of the book.

Meanwhile...

Upstairs, Brittany, Miles and Lucy are enjoying some time together.

Lucy's Velvet Cushion

As promised Hitty Ethel has made Lucy a velvet cushion...

Miles tells Lucy that it has been made especially for her and that he hopes she likes it.  

Lucy is delighted, she thinks she is really going to like living in Rose Cottage.

The Reading of Attic Days.

The family have all been very excited about the arrival of Lucy the other day.  

Today Hitty Annabelle sat down with Lucy's book 'Attic Days: A Patchwork Tale' by Natalie Jo.  She was soon joined by Hitty Ethel, Miles and Brittany.

They all sit down and listen quietly as she begins;

"There was once a little bit of a doll named Lucy who was very lonely indeed"

Hey, she can't be lonely she has all of us now,  pipes up Miles.

Well of course not.  Hitty Annabelle reassures him.  But this is how the story begins and how she came to live with us.  Now please listen quietly to her tale...

"Her days were spent in the dim and drafty attic....

.....patchwork of memories that comforted her from the inside out."

Oh what a sad but wonderful story! Sighs Brittany.

Hang on a minute!  Exclaims Miles...How can her days of taking journeys be long past?  He asks.  It that were the case, then how did she get here?

Oh yes and where is her velvet cushion? Brittany asks

Perhaps it got lost on her journey here.  Hitty Ethel says.  Shall I make her a new one?

Oh yes please do!  Brittany and Miles reply together.

Right then, we will have a search through my fabric stash and see what we can find for Lucy.  Would you both like to help me?  Hitty Ethel asks.

Yes!  They both chorus in excitement.

So she can't be lonely any more can she?  Miles is heard to be asking as they wander off towards the sewing room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Italics in blue are direct quotes from the book 'Attic Days'  by Natalie Jo

Spring is in the air

That's right, spring is in the air and we have all changed into some spring/summer dresses....although actually it feels a little cooler today than it did yesterday.

Anka and Hitty Joy are going to take the dog Rufus for a walk.

Hitty Moana and myself are discussing the next book group.

Granny Hitty Estelle and Becassine Terese are trying to decide what to have for dinner and Hitty Ethel and her cousin Hitty Annabelle are having a cup of tea and a chat together.

The children Miles and Brittany have just cleaned out the rabbit

Hitty Carol Faith and Hitty Cherry Jude are enjoy a spot of time in the sunshine trying to soak up some Vitamin D

Everyone is getting in on the act.

Well it is a hive of activity here in Rose Cottage today.  I (Hitty Patience) am busy writing Christmas letters, and the rest of the family are busy decorating.

Some more tinsel has been added to the tree by Hitty Joy, Hitty Moana and Hitty Ethel.  

Careful up there Hitty Carol Faith!  Hitty Madge steadies the chair while Hitty Carol Faith hangs a string of tinsel across the room.

Hitty Annabelle has just put on some music.

Little Brittany and Miles have just up the nativity scene and are sitting down listening to the Christmas music Hitty Annabelle has put on the gramophone.

They children have been discussing what they hope to get for Christmas.

Looks like Hitty Granny Estelle has taken a brief respite from all the Christmas baking to have a quiet cup of tea.

Catching up and some house keeping.

Hello, Hitty Patience here.  Yes, yes I know we Hittys have been very quiet  at Rose Cottage over the last few months, with just the odd appearance here and there.  As our person is getting more and more household things sorted she is hoping she will now have more time for us to feature a bit more.  Of course we can quietly go along doing our own thing, but it is nice to let you all know what we are up to.

Rose Cottage has had a good clean, dust and polish today and we have done some reorganising of our home.

Here I am busy typing up my diary so I can keep you all informed.  Quietly listening to the phonograph is Brittany (who arrived in June).  She has been adopted into our family due to being orphaned.  Brittany enjoys cuddling her little teddy.

Downstairs we have had a bit of a change around and Hitty Ethel has moved her sewing machine table to the other side of the room.  She is currently chatting to her cousin Hitty Annabel and they are discussing the need to catch up on all of Hitty Robinson's adventures.

Hitty Granny Estelle is getting a casserole pot out of the cupboard in preparation for dinner...the last few days have been quite chilly and she feels the need for some warmer sustenance after the salads of the summer.  Hitty Joy and Hitty Carol Faith are involved in their favourite pastime...partaking of tea!

Miles is tidying up the garden having just fed his rabbit.  Looks like his pup has brought the paper to him to take inside.

Anka Polish is putting the deck chairs away until next summer.

Missing are Hitty Moana and Hitty Madge who are overseeing the creation of a new Hitty.

A new arrival at Rose Cottage

We have a new guest, or rather a new member of our family here at Rose Cottage.

Hitty Patience was the lucky one to first meet her and welcome her to our home.

Brittany has travelled from Tulip Square in Brookfield, WI, USA to come to live with us and had a very smooth stress free journey, which we are all relieved about.

Hitty Joy, loves to welcome new people and always greats them with  a lovely smile.  

Oh dear, thinks Hitty Patience....look at all the dust on the floor, where our new home is now seems to attract the dust like nobodies business....hopefully Brittany won't notice.

Later on Hitty Moana and Hitty Annabelle show Brittany one of their favourite Hitty books, by Hitty Robinson and Co.

Hitty Patience returns to the kitchen to help Hitty Granny Estelle prepare a welcome home meal.  She also mentions the dust problem and suggests that they organise a cleaning bee as soon as they can.

Brittany is delighted to find some pretty flowers in the garden that match her dress!

Brittany is a Paulette Morrissey doll and is simply delightful indeed.  We feel very lucky to welcome her into our home as Paulette is no longer going to be making any.