Rowan's Ramblings

Waiting for Easter

2011-03-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers! Today is a lovely spring day! It put us all in mind of Easter coming soon. Eilonwy, Eira, and a new little hobbit who just joined our household...Goldberry...decided to decorate an Easter egg tree.

Eira dreamily thought of daffodils and Easter lilies and all the lovely spring flowers soon sprouting up.

Eilonwy thought of tiny Easter chicks and baby bunnies and wondered if the Easter bunny might bring her a rabbit of her very own.

Goldberry busied herself with some Easter pinwheels and thought of running through the grean grass enjoying them.

She found a new friend and decided to share her Easter wishes with him!

Lost in their thoughts of Easter and Spring and green grass with warm breezes...

The girls passed time on a lovely Spring day, hoping for many more to come.

New Introductions

2011-01-23T07:45:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Readers! We Hitty girls have been busy with babysitting this week! We have a new addition to our family...Baby Belinda. She has utterly charmed all of us and none of us mind taking a turn watching over her. Mehitabel accompanied our person and Belinda to the yarn shop to find yarn for warm winter clothes for Belinda and shawls for some of our ladies.
Blondinette's body arrived this week...for which she is very grateful. It is rather tedious passively viewing the world with only your head and no body to act on things. She borrowed some clothing from one of the girls until new, more suitable ones can be made.

Blondinette expressed a wish to journal, as did Seraphina, the genteel China head lady who joined us before Christmas. I agreed to let them use my journal to introduce themselves.

Bonjour! I am Blondinette. I am so happy to have the opportunity to write to my new friends! I am what is called a "reproduction" doll. That means I have the look, and spirit, of a doll of yesteryear although I have not lived long at all. I have just been in the world a few weeks really. In fact, I was only made a whole doll...complete with a body...yesterday. I am sorry I do not have much to share yet, but I do hope to share my discovery of the world around me with my new friends. I am named after an antique doll. I have been looking through a book today about the first Blondinette. I do favor the original Blondinette. She was made many, many years ago around 1860 or so in France. She seems to have been most cherished by her young mistress. Her little mistress even wrote and mailed Blondinette a letter while she was abroad! Blondinette also had a most spectacular wardrobe! I must admit, I have a bit of a weakness for fashion, but after all, I AM a French Fashion doll so what does one expect? One of the girls here kindly allowed me to borrow a modern dress. It is quite pretty, but I am afraid my strawberry hair rather clashes with the color. I anxiously watched as my person cut out my undergarments last night. As a proper French Fashion I am to have pantalets, embroideried silk stockings, a chemise, and a chimisette all trimeed with the most delicate of laces. My clothes will take some time to finish, but I am patient and good things come to those who wait (after all, my body arrived weeks after I did, but it did eventually come and was worth the wait). My clothes will be from patterns inspired from Blondinette's wardrobe. Although, the color choices and final style will be my own.

Even though I was commissioned to be made due to my person's fascination with Blondinette and I am honored to take after such a famous doll (and her wardrobe), I am my own Blondinette. I hope to be loved for who I am , not for whom I favor, and it seems I will be. My person seems to adore me already, although she has been afraid to touch me for fear of hurting me. I am fragile, but not that fragile. This morning, as she helped put the borrowed dress on me, she carefully hugged me and set me on a bench along with Seraphina, beside her rocking chair. I felt such contentment in being loved...even more than having a dainty wardrobe. I simply don't want to be packed up and forgotten some day, like the original Blondinette was. It would seem when her mistress grew up, she was sent for repair of her fragile gutta percha body. When she came back, she and her fancy wardrobe were packed into a trunk. No one knows what happened to her mistress. She was found over 100 years later, still packed in her trunk in the attic of the grand chateaux her mistress lived in. I hope to be cherished for a long time to come and I certainly do not wish to be packed up and sent to the attic. I cannot imagine laying in the darkness for 100 years like some poor Sleeping Beauty. Hitty Rowan tells me not to worry about it and my new friend Seraphina, who will introduce herself next, tells me life can take unexpected twists and turns, but all is well in the end. I suppose it ended well for Blondinette. she was eventually discovered and had a book written about her and her wardrobe. She was sold at auction, as were her pieces of clothing. I found that a bit sad that she was parted from things that her mistress collected especially for her. But then, I suppose things are not...everything. I am sure she will be most well cared for, and hopefully, loved again.

Now, I do love my fashions, but please do not think me too vain. I am also set upon improving my mind and we have many wise companions here from whom I can seek advice. Miss Merriweather has offered to teach me refined manners and needlework and Master Elrond and Master Allanon have lent me some books to begin my education. Mirabella lent me a pencil and slate on which to write my lessons. I am fortunate to belong to such a kind companion family! I do hope to write again since I have so much to discover as I learn about the world around me.

Blondinette

Greetings and best wishes to my new friends! My name is Seraphina. At least, that is what I am called in this day and age. I do not recall my other names. I was made long, long ago...or so I am told. I am said to be over 100 years old! If only I could clearly recall my long history! I do sometimes remember bits and pieces...as if they were from a dream. I remember a shop with others like me. I remember a lovely lady and a little girl gazing at me. The little girl longed for me so and the lovely lady simply smiled and said, "Perhaps for Christmas." I remember the lovely lady coming back for me. She carefully dressed me and placed me in a basket beneath a shining tree. I remember the joy on the little girl's face when she discovered me Christmas morning. I remember some small things throughout those years...tea parties, being smuggled to school in a lunch basket and smuggled to church beneath a cloak. I remember being kissed and held tight in small arms. I remember my first little girl growing up. I sadly recall being packed into a box...and then lost. I remember being found by not so gentle children. And then...then I still recall not so pleasant things. My dress being soiled and torn and never replaced. My lovely china limbs being broken with careless handling. And last, I still remember the terrible fall. After that last fall, I was placed in a box, declared broken but perhaps still too good for the garbage heap. I drifted into a fog and dreamt and slept for many years, I thought I would stay thus forever.

Then, one day, I felt kind, gentle hands inspecting me. They must have been the hands of a doll doctor. I was patched up and given a wonderful new wooden body. After that, I was taken out to see the world and to demonstrate the marvelous things that can be done to help the broken dolls of yesteryear. I considered it a most worthy mission. But, all good things come to an end, as I have found over my long life. However, I have also found that from sad endings often come new, happy beginings.

Just before Christmas of this year, I was sent to a new home.

I met many cherished companion dolls, including the Hitty girls. Just yesterday, my person made me a dress and tied a lovely necklace around my neck. I do like the ribbon on the necklace because it hides my repairs a bit. I am a slightly different color from my face to my neck, although that is a small thing and I am most grateful to be in one piece again. I am told that I may have opportunities to share new adventures here. A few weeks ago I sat beside my person in the car on a trip to see her mother. How I loved seeing the winter scenery through the windows! Perhaps spring will bring new adventures! After all, life is quite an adventure and I know from experience that even when things seem to be at their very worst, new and better days may be just around the corner. I believe I have once again found better days.

Your Friend,

Seraphina

A Winter Walk

2011-01-11T13:48:00.001-08:00

Dear Readers. I have decided to share my journal with some of my fellow companions who do not have journals of their own, but who would like to share their own adventures. Today, one of our new companions--Faye--decided to take a Winter Walk and share her thoughts. Faye is a student at Rivendell Academy. She likes to think of the journal as a diary.

January 12, 2011

Dear Diary;

Yesterday evening, a lovely snow began to drift around the academy. Everyone was so excited! While I enjoy frivolity at times, there is something about snow that causes me to long for quiet, solitary reflection. I sat by the window and watched the snow fall far into the evening.

When we woke this morning, there was snow coating the ground. Our classes were cancelled so that we could enjoy the snowfall. I decided to take a walk into the woods. As I walked, a poem I recently read came to mind. I love poetry and Robert Frost's words seemed so appropriate for today.

Whose woods are these, I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

The woods were indeed filled with snow. In a moment of whimsy, I stopped to build a snowman. Unfortunately, I could not find any pebbles small enough for a face.

I looked down the white washed path through the woods and the quiet forest seemed to beckon.

I debated on whether to take a winter stroll, however, because there were a few rather fierce gusts of wind. And I am but a little doll in a wide, cold wood.

I took shelter by a tree, and the wind gusts soon died down...a least for a little while.

I decided to attempt a short stroll to the lake.

It was frozen and covered with snow as far as the eye could see.

I walked around the lake....

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

Although, for me, it was nowhere near evening. Master Allanon gave us strict instructions to return to the academy well before evening, when the winds will blow bitter and cold.

But, I still had ample time to explore the frozen wood before darkness fell.

I thought about skating on the ice, but decided it looked too thin in places.

I walked further into the woods, and then paused for a bit of rest. It is slow going in the snow.

A little further along up the hill, I decided to simply sit a spell and enjoy the quiet of the winter woods.

Soon enough, I decided I best return to the academy.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Fortunately, I do not have miles to go before I sleep. I do, however, have promises to keep so back to the academy I go.

Until next time, dear diary!

Faye

An Unexpected Friend

2010-12-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Our snow is almost melted, but the weather remains cold. Despite the cold, Faye decided to take a walk today. She came across a tiny bird, shivering in the snow.
She knelt and carefully picked up the tiny creature.

The little bird was so cold, it did not even respond when Faye sat with it trying to warm it up.

She hoped the tiny creature was not ill, and decided to take her new little friend to our resident healer.

Master Elrond looked the little bird over and declared it was simply weak from cold and hunger and not ill. He advised Faye how to take care of her tiny new friend.

After carefully feeding the tiny creature and warming it by the academy fire, Faye found her new little friend willing to curl up in a corner with her and read a book. Since this is Faye's favorite activity, she was happy to have someone to keep her company.

I don't think our new little friend will be leaving us anytime soon!

Hitty Rowan

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

Well, the girls kept tabs on Santa's location throughout the day and into the night. In the meanwhile, Faye and Mehitabel and I completed our Nativity scene on Christmas Eve.

We arranged the Nativity quite nicely, even if we didn't have straw to put in it this year (our person borrowed all of it for a project, but we managed nicely without it).

Mehitabel and I wrapped up warmly to accompany our person to the Christmas Eve service...we were expecting snow and were quite excited! It has been several years since we actually had a white Christmas!

When we returned, Eira was anxious to set out cookies for Santa. She sat up far into the night to try to catch St. Nicholas, but fell asleep before he came.

Early the next morning, we woke to find lovely things under our tree!

There were cards from St. Nicholas with blessings and special messages for each companion, candy, and lots of treats! There were special gifts for our new companions to help them feel welcome.

For Eira, there was a doll of her own. Being an orphan, she had never had a doll of her very own and she was thrilled with her gift.

Faye found a different type of companion waiting by the tree....

She couldn't be happier with her new friend!

And, the promised snow came just in time for a White Christmas!

What a Merry Christmas we are having and we Wish You a Merry Christmas too!

Hitty Rowan

Santa Tracking

2010-12-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve! We are expecting snow tonight for a White Christmas! We Hitties were busily tracking the snow when some of the girls asked to borrow the computer. It seems they had other tracking ideas.
The girls were anxious to track St. Nicholas as he makes his journey of love and goodwill across the earth.

Eira and Faye wondered, "Do you think he will come with a blessing and greeting for our house tonight?"

Emilee Anne replied, "I don't see why not, we have all tried so hard to be good! Surely he will visit our house."

Winifred and Tirion said they were always visited in England and thought surely St. Nicholas could find them here as well.

We Hitties assured the girls that as good as they have been, St. Nicholas is sure to visit. And fortunately we have plenty of Gingerbread cookies to leave out for him to have a midnight snack (of course, we will NOT be serving St. Nicholas some of the more....creative....troll made cookies).

We can't wait for evening to set out our cookies and tea for St. Nicholas!

Hitty Rowan

Of Gingerbread Men and Trolls

2010-12-22T18:27:00.001-08:00

Today, being in the Christmas spirit, Mehitabel and I decided to bake some gingerbread cookies for our household. We had no sooner began the task when....
the Troll family showed up, all eager to.....err.....help......

They were so enthusiastic about helping we simply couldn't refuse. So, hoping for the best, Mehitabel and I read the directions to the family. We told them to put the mix in a bowl and add the butter and eggs.

We went to gather the rest of the ingrediants when we heard, "Okay children, throw in the eggs!" We rushed back to the bowl to try to stop the eggs from being thrown in!

The Troll family thought with all our frantic calls that we were simply cheering them on, and proceeded to throw the eggs and butter...wrapped...in the bowl.

They put the candy eyes for the gingerbread in next. We tried to explain the eggs have to be broken and eyes are added later. Gertie, the Troll mother, asked, "But when are you going to add the Newt eyes if you don't put them in now? It's the best time really."

We explained the eyes were candy. Gertie was even more excited. "Candied Newt eyes! Wonderful! You really must put them in now!" We finally explained that the eyes were not Newt eyes, but simply candy eyes to put on the gingerbread men once they were baked. Gertie thought it most odd, but relented on the eyes. We tried to explain the butter must be unwrapped and the eggs cracked.

"Oh, why didn't you say so, my dears? Of course we can do that...children...smash the eggs, please!"

The troll girls, Emerald and Amethyst, immediately started to stomp on the eggs.

Mehitabel and I both screeched at the same time...

We politely suggested perhaps we could do the hard work of mixing the ingrediants and our guests could help with the fun part of decorating. The Trolls readily agreed, and Mehitabel and I mixed the batter....without the eyes and butter wrappers.

Gertie commented on how lovely the dough was and how it was....the perfect shade of mud. We politely thanked her for the...compliment.

Next, the troll family cut out the cookies. They were quite good at it, jumping up and down on the cookie cutter to press it into the dough.

We put the first batch of cookies in the oven, and a few minutes later, out they came.

Many more batches followed....and finally, we were ready to decorate.

I demonstrated how to put the icing on the cookies.

The Troll family were thrilled to put the eyes on the cookies. They tried their hand at icing....

With very interesting results....

After all the cookies were finished, we stepped back to admire our handiwork.

It was the most unique batch of cookies we ever made...with the help of our dear Troll friends.

Now for the fun of sharing the fruits of our labor with our other friends...

Hitty Rowan

The Dolly Tree

2010-12-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

Last week, we decorated the big Christmas tree in our house. Today, Eira and Faye decided to decorate the Dolly Tree. Faye carefully unwrapped the silver garland. She was quite covered in glitter afterward!
She carefully hung ornaments on the lowest branches....
While Eira hung ornaments on the taller branches. Both girls carefully adjusted every ornament and before long,
They stepped back to admire their handiwork. The dolly tree is decorated and the companions are ready to celebrate!
Hitty Rowan

A Snow Day

2010-12-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

My, my...could it really have been in the midst of summer when last I wrote? How time does fly! It is certainly not summer now! We have had our first snow, and today was a Snow Day! No school!

While some of us ventured out a bit, others, like myself and my sister, stayed inside where it is warm.

Bitty Hitty went to check on her pond, where she had spent many a lazy day drifiting on lily pads in the summer. Now, she must pursue other activities such as ice skating...

At least the fish were removed to a bowl indoors before the first frost!

We are expecting some new arrivals for Christmas! Two...and a half...new companions to be precise. One companion, Eira, arrived Friday just as the snow started. The...errrr....half companion arrived today. Her name is Blondinette. She is not so pleased at the moment...for one thing, her body is lagging behind the rest of her. For the other thing, she came from the warmth of South America and is not pleased with the change in environment. Perhaps she will feel a bit better about her situation when the rest of her arrives. It is difficult to have only one's head about one and little else.

At least Eira arrived all at the same time. She is a delightful girl! Helpful and sweet...we adore her already.

We decided to help our person decorate for Christmas today. Eira began helping the Christmas dolls out of their box....

She was soon joined by several more volunteers!

Mirabella, Tirion, and Winifred lent a hand to the Christmas dolls still remaining in the box.
Mirabella told Eira all about her own arrival story...on the eve of the historic Ice Storm two years ago. She arrived 5 minutes before the power went out for two weeks! Our person opened her box by candlelight and spent hours knitting warm clothes for Mirabella by the gas fire and candlelight at relatives' homes. Mirabella spent two weeks bundled up with the other companions under blankets in the cold, dark home since they could not be taken along to the crowded relatives' home. I think of all of us, Mirabella has the most memorable arrival story! Eira was glad she only came with a bit of snow instead of inches of snow and ice!
Poppy and the Troll family helped unpack ornaments for Eira to hang on the tree. The trolls recalled their home in a shop in Florida before they were adopted into our family just two months ago. This is the first time they have ever seen snow and they are quite enchanted with it!

Tirion and Winifred recalled snow days in their home country of England. While they miss their home sometimes, they are very glad to be a part of our family, especially at Christmas.

Primrose said little. It is her way to be happy and quiet. She hummed a little song as she hung ornaments on the higher branches of the tree.
And last but not least, Hollyhock tried to hide with her shiny ornament....somehow I doubt it will end up on the tree!

Now, I will try to update my friends more over Christmas...I do not want it to be summer again before my next update!

Hitty Rowan

Be Careful What You Wish For

2010-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

I do apologize for my hasty departure during my last journal entry. I heard quite a commotion going on in the house and went to investigate. I thought it might have something to do with Poppy the Pixie, Mirabella's new little...err..."friend." I was quite correct on that!

Poppy was hungry, so Mirabella took her to the kitchen to find her something to eat. No sooner had they entered the room than Poppy jumped from Mirabella's arms and went flying onto the kitchen table. Our person had left a snack of chocolate and Mountain Dew there and Poppy quickly helped herself to both.

Mirabella tried to intervene, realizing those were not the most nutricious of snacks for a little pixie, but Poppy simply wolfed down the last of the chocolate and zipped off to explore the kitchen.

Unfortunately, Poppy's idea of exploring was Mirabella's idea of mischief. She wrecked havoc with the computer...crawling all over the keyboard punching buttons....

She stacked up dishes to climb to the top of the dish rack....

And tried to help herself to more snacks before Mirabella finally caught up with her.

Mirabella gently caught the little pixie and tried to reason with her.

"Now, Poppy, wait! You can't just zip around the kitchen like that! You might hurt yourself!"

Poppy simply giggled at Mirabella's lecture and wiggled about even more. Suddenly, she stopped her endless somersaulting.

Poppy appeared to listen intently to something. "Hey Missy! I hear Hollyhock! What you going to do about Hollyhock? She be hungry too!"

Mirabella sighed. "Poppy, my name is Mirabella, not Missy. I don't hear anything and I don't know who Hollyhock is..."

"Hollyhock be friend! Find her same place you find me!" Poppy insisted.

"You, mean, under the bed?" Mirabella replied, becoming rather worried as to how many Underground friends her unintentional wish might bring.

Mirabella went into the nursery and cautiously peered under the bed. She did hear something. A tiny voice calling, "Bout time! You come get me too! Just like Poppy!"

Mirabella's worry grew. "You come out here...Poppy is out here." she gently called. "Are you Hollyhock?"

The little voice called out again, quite demanding. "Yes! I be Hollyhock! You come and get me!!"

Mirabella began to quietly panic, thoughts of goblins, and secret passages to the Underground world, and who knows what else that could lurk under beds running through her mind.

Her musings were broken by two insistent voices. A now high pitched, whining "Hey! Come here, Missy...come get me!" and a pleading, "Yes, you go rescue Hollyhock, Missy Mirabella!"

Mirabella briefly thought she might need to fetch Master Elrond or Master Allanon, but then reflected she didn't want to be a coward. Against her better judgement, she crept under the bed and saw....dustbunnies. Nothing more, just dustbunnies. No secret portals, no goblins, no Hollyhock. Mirabella breathed a sigh of relief at the absence of anything sinister. Just as she was reflecting on her luck, something tiny swept past her, taking her glasses with it.

Frightened, Mirabella jerked out from under the bed sending Poppy tumbling in the process. Poppy didn't seem to mind one bit. She giggled and flew off. Mirabella squinted a bit and tried to re-orient herself to the now slightly blurry room

She heard lots of giggling coming from the nursery bed and went to investigate. Sure enough, Poppy was there...along with a lovely, delicate, tiny creature who happened to have Mirabella's glasses in tow.
Mirabella looked closer. "You must be Hollyhock. I'm Mirabella. It is nice to meet you. Uhhhm....could I have my glasses back, please, Hollyhock? I do need them."

The little fairy, for that is what it appeared to be, paused for a minute before firmly replying, "NO! I find, I keep pretty, shiny toy. MINE!"

Mirabella sighed deeply and climbed into the nursery bed.

Reasoning, pleading, and trying to bargain got her nowhere. Poppy was little help, simply shrugging and saying, "Yep, that the goblin rule...you find it you keep it."

"But...Hollyhock didn't simply find my glasses...she took them right off of me! And even if she had found them...well, we have different rules here about things like that! You can't simply keep something that belongs to someone else."

Finally, Mirabella had no resort but to simply take her glasses back. Hollyhock let out a high pitched wail of "Mine!Mine!Mine!Mine.......!" and tried to snatch the glasses again.
Mirabella quickly put them back on...only to have a very clear vision of the little fairy in a full tantrum. Poppy looked up at Mirabella, rather disgruntled.

"Missy Mirabella! You make Hollyhock cry! What you do that for?"

Mirabella sat, rather at a loss for words, for a moment. "Well...I....I didn't mean to make her cry, Poppy. But....I really need my glasses. I can't see things right without them....

She gently picked up the two tiny creatures. Hollyhock stopped her tantrum long enough to peek out from behind her hand, still eyeing the glasses.

"Now, look...I am glad you are both here, and I want to be your friend. But...you have to understand things are different here. Friends don't take things that belong to someone else with permission."

Both Poppy and Hollyhock looked blank. "What be this permission?" questioned Poppy.

Mirabella sighed deeply once again, thinking there were many things she was going to have to try to teach her new little friends. Her dream was indeed to be a teacher when she was older, but this was more than she bargained for, and after all, she was still attending lessons herself.

She stopped and reflected that, at the moment, she just needed to try to get the little creatures to behave long enough to take them to the academy for advice from her Elven friends and Ms. Merriweather.

She tried a different approach with Hollyhock. "Hollyhock, I am so glad I have my glasses on. Without them, I couldn't see how very pretty you are. Now I can see what a beautiful, beautiful fairy you are!!"

That snapped Hollyhock right out of her tears and tantrums. The little fairy preened herself and twirled around for Mirabella.

"Yes! Hollyhock VERY PRETTY! You see me good now?" the little creature crowed in delight.

"Oh...yes...you are more lovely than I would ever even imagined a fairy to be. As long as I have my glasses on, I can see how pretty you are." Mirabella carefully replied.

"Good! You keep these...glasses...see pretty Hollyhock better!!!

Mirabella sighed in relief. At least one dilemma was over.

She carefully gathered up her new little friends and headed to the academy, silently reflecting, "I think I really have my hands full!"

I am quite sure we will be hearing more from our little trio of friends soon enough.

Hitty Rowan

Mirabella's Wish

2010-07-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers.

Today, thanks to Mirabella, we have a new member of our household....a rather unexpected member.

It all started with Mirabella finding a quiet spot in the nursery to read a new "Labyrinth" book. After seeing a movie about the fascinating Underworld of the Labyrinth, Mirabella wanted to find out more about it. Although, Master Allanon did warn her to be careful, since that particular world and its inhabitants can be quite a bit of mischief to deal with and it is risky to delve too much into its secrets

Mirabella promised to be careful, but couldn't help but delight in reading about new adventures in this strange world. She rather envied the heroine, Sarah, and her friendship with some of the fantastic creatures from that world. Mirabella put down her book with a sigh. She sat daydreaming a moment and then, without thinking, said, "I wish I had friends of my very own from the Labyrinth."

Suddenly, there was a noise like a small "pop" and Mirabella thought she heard a tiny voice say, "As you be wishing, Missy!" Startled, Mirabella looked around to find the source of the sound. It seemed to be coming from under the bed. She was almost afraid to look, since goblins and such creatures have been known to lurk under beds. As she was trying to decide what to do, a tiny creature stepped to the edge of the bed... still just under the shadows.

Mirabella, reasoning that it was daylight and sunny and goblins are usually found under beds in the dark of the night, swallowed her fright and invited, "Come closer...I can't see you if you hide under the bed."

"As you be wishing, Missy!" the tiny voice said once more. And, out into the light came a tiny creature. It didn't look like a goblin, but it didn't look exactly human either.

Before she could think on the matter of what it was any further, the tiny creature suddenly jumped right up onto the bench beside Mirabella.

Startled, she asked, "Uhhhmmm...who...or...what...are you?"

The little creature answered, in almost an indignant manner, "Your FRIEND Missy! You wished, yes?"

"Well, I suppose so...I mean, I didn't really think..." Mirabella tried to explain.

"What is said, is said...you wish for friends, you get friends! What more you want? What, you not like me?" The little creature replied, sounding a bit worried at the last part.

"Well...yes, I'm sure I will like you...I just...." Mirabella tried again to figure out exactly what was happening.

"Good! We be good friends. I escape...uhhmmm...I mean...take vacation...from goblin boarding school...to be friends. You, err...not have goblin schools, here, right?" The tiny creature ventured with a rather hopeful tone.

"No...we have a school...but it is Elven, certainly not goblin. You don't look like a goblin...why were you attending a goblin school?" Mirabella asked, becoming more puzzled.

"A GOBLIN!!! Of COURSE I not be a goblin! I'm a PIXIE!" The little creature seemed aghast at the very thought of being even remotely thought of as a goblin.

"Oh...I'm sorry...I didn't think so, but why...?" with that, the little pixie jumped into Mirabella's arms.

"Later, Missy...time for more questions, more answers later. I be Poppy...I be friend you wished for, enough to know for now. Now, you have anything to eat around here?"

"Well, yes...I'm sure we can find you something in the kitchen..."

As Mirabella carried her new little friend into the kitchen, she did not hear the tiny voice calling from under the bed....

"HEY! HEY Missy! What about me???? Hey...I be friend too!!! You come back here, Missy!!!

Well, dear readers, I fear I have to go for now as there seems to be some kind of commotion going on in the household, but it seems this account will be continued later...

Hitty Rowan

Summer musings

2010-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

Goodness...I can scarcely believe how negligant I have been in my journaling lately! Summer is upon us and I have not written since spring! Well....I will have to remedy that. Our person helped us do some "summer cleaning" yesterday (rather than spring cleaning...our person is behind on things too).

After all the hard work, I decided to take a break and write in my journal today. I must say, I could likely do a better job keeping up with my journaling if I had a computer of my very own...and my own size. While I am partial to feather quills and parchment generally, a computer does have its advantages. I will have to put in a request for modern technology to our person.

The duchess has also been meaning to work on her memoirs. However, during the hot summer weather, she generally simply dozes off in her chair.

Bitty Hitty Penny has her own way of coping with the hot weather....

She works up quite an appetite swimming in the pond.

Poor Ms. Hickory can barely keep up with the demands for summer treats! However, her kitchen has been rearranged and expanded and she is "as happy as a hen in her house"...as she puts it.

Hitty Prudence is taking advantage of the time off from school to practice her piano. She is one of the only young Hitties doing something productive over her summer break I am sorry to say....

The academy girls continue classes during the summer, although fewer classes than in the typical school year. I think that is a wonderful idea...although I am sure the academy girls disagree. Sometimes we send the Bitty Hittys to visit...and hopefully get a bit of summer learning in before Hitty Penny heads for the swimming pool.

Well, that is all for today....now, off to e-bay I go to see about that Hitty sized computer....

Hitty Rowan

Peppermint tea and a sick day

2010-04-20T11:31:00.001-07:00

Our person is unfortunately home ill today. I suggested she be sure to drink lots of nice tea for a sore throat and congestion. Arabella suggested peppermint tea, of which I quite approved, it being one of my favorites.

It just happened that our new tea set arrived just yesterday. We had not yet even had a chance to unpack it.

I carefully did the honor of unpacking the lovely rose tea cups and saucers for the first time.Although, I think I will need a smaller cup since my cup is almost half as big as I am. I am admittedly fond of it, but not even I need that much peppermint tea!

A small thing, but the least we could do to provide a bit of cheer to our person!

Hitty Rowan

Easter Preparations

2010-04-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

It is the day before Easter.

The morning started as a rainy, gloom day.
But, there was plenty to do inside...like dyeing "marble" Easter eggs.

Tirion placed each egg in a bag....Added dye to each bag....

And rolled the egg around in the dye.

The finished egg was placed in the holder to dry.

Soon, we had several nice colored eggs.

Then we all donned our Easter finery in preparation for tomorrow.Later in the day, the sun came out.We were able to have an Easter egg hunt. And tomorrow, we will hunt the CHOCOLATE eggs...the best kind of eggs in my opinion!

Hitty Rowan

And more snow....

2010-02-15T12:52:00.001-08:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

Today is yet another "snow day." A bit of snow and an occasional day off from work and school are certainly fun, but one can have too much of even a good thing.

We companions find ourselves wishing for Spring more than ever lately. Tirion (formerly know as "Christmas Girl"), gazed wistfully out the window.
Everything is blanketed in cold, wet snow.

Sighing, she occupied herself admiring a bouquet of flowers indoors.

But that only got her to dreamily wishing for flowers growing outdoors.

Tirion checked on the flower bulb she helped our person plant in a little pot near the window. No signs of any green yet, much like outdoors. Our person assured her the flowers in the window pot will grow eventually, just as the flowers outdoors will surely begin to show themselves before long.

Unfortunately, even though Spring is around the corner, it seems far off in the distance yet.

Tirion resigned herself to an activity suitable for such weather...curling up in the window seat with a friend and reading adventure books...waiting and dreaming of the Spring adventures yet to come.

Hitty Rowan

First Snowfall

2010-01-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Friends. Primrose got her wish and we had the first snowfall of the year. She went outside to look around at the snow. She noticed a poor rose bush and wondered if it might flower again in the spring.

Our person's little dog wondered what Primrose was up to....

Primrose tried to make a snow angel, but the dog again interfered by trying to lick her face. She wanted to sit on the garden bench, but it was too covered in snow.

Primrose decided that although snow is nice it is very cold, nothing is in bloom, and she rather looks forward to the life and warmth of spring.

She came in the house for some nice hot chocolate and decided to venture out again after the snow has melted.

Hitty Rowan

Rain and Snow

2010-01-06T17:33:00.001-08:00

Greetings Dear Friends! I just wished to make a brief update of our household activities.

This past weekend, Penny and I traveled to East Tennessee. It was a rainy day for the drive and we came well prepared.

We also have a new member of our companion household. This is Primrose, our new little hobbit girl. We are hoping to dress her in proper hobbit fashion soon. We are expecting our first snowfall of the year and Primrose could not stop thinking about it this evening. But then, she is a solemn, rather thoughtful sort. She has been hoping for snowmen and hot chocolate.
She is rather worried the snow might miss our location....

and has pensively kept a watch out the window.

However, since the snow is not expected to fall until after midnight, I am afraid for now she will simply have to have dreams of snow until morning.

We will hope tomorrow brings a nice snow to play in, although it is very cold outside so we will likely not play long!

Hitty Rowan

A Christmas Eve Surprise

2009-12-24T08:34:00.001-08:00

My, My, My....how time does fly! Here it is Christmas Eve and it seems like forever since I wrote to my friends! Christmas Eve it is indeed...a soggy, wet Christmas Eve. Rather dreary really. As I sat staring out the window, I thought I heard a gruff voice calling, "Hello? Hello? Is anyone home?" It seemed to be coming from the dolly door.

I went to investigate and to my surprise, I found a little bear....well, half of a bear....hanging out the door.

"Hello there! My name is Pooh. I seem to have lost my way. I saw your cozy little house and just wondered if you might happen to have a jar of honey about? And, if you did have a jar of honey about, I was wondering if you might be about to have some honey and tea? And if you were having honey and tea, I was wondering if you might be thinking it would be nice to share it with unexpected company?"

I was rather startled by this little bear and all his questions.

"Well, yes, we do have honey. And, we could have tea and some crumpets and honey. And, we never mind sharing. Do come in out of the rain!"

Pooh seemed to think a minute. "Well you see, that is the problem. I seem to be stuck in your doorway."

"Oh dear! We've never had anyone stuck in the door! Well, let me see if I can pull you out!"

It turned out, I couldn't. Poor Pooh was quite stuck. I told him to wait just one minute while I called for help.

Help arrived and together we all tried to pull Pooh from the door.....

And we all ended up in a heap on the floor....

I decided to call for even more help in the form of our resident Elven wizard. I went to fetch Master Allanon and explained the situation to him. For some odd reason, I had the distinct impression he was smothering a smile at our predicament, but surely our Elven wizard was above such frivolity.
It took Master Allanon no time at all to dislodge Pooh from our doorway.
We all gathered round to greet our Christmas Eve guest properly....and invited him home for tea and honey.
Our house has moved since I last wrote...into the living room during the "Great Re-arrangement" that recently happened in our person's home. The Christmas tree took up residence right beside the house. It is crowded, but rather nice to look out your door and admire the Christmas tree.
Master Allanon kindly gave us all a boost up so we could climb back to our home with our new resident.

Up....

Up we went....

All in a line for our Christmas tea....

And we wish you and your household a Merry Christmas as well!

Hitty Rowan

A September Update

2009-09-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, time for another update. Our magic door brought an unexpected resident to our humble home....a certain Lady Ginerva Gwendolyn La'Belle. It is really not supposed to go around picking up strangers and depositing them on our doorstep, but that door really does have a mind of its own sometimes. In this case, a good mind. Lady Ginerva was living with her little Mistress in France at the time of the revolution. Her family, including her little Mistress, were forced to flee their home from an angry mob one night. In the frenzy to escape, Lady Ginerva slipped from her little Mistress' hand. The angry mob burned the house and Lady Ginerva thought her end had come. As she lay there sobbing and calling hopelessly for help, our magic door must have somehow thought she was calilng it and popped in just in time to rescue her.
The poor dear was quite distraught, with losing her Mistress, her home, and even her own century. She has since taken over the upstairs room of the house, however.

She is slowly adjusting to our way of life and has taken to journaling all her adventures.

Speaking of adventures, our Mistress asked for volunteers to go on a mountain hike with her this weekend. I volunteered, along with tiny Hitty Penny.
I ended up being toted along in a little bag tied to my person's wrist (you can see my little bag in the picture). As we ascended up the mountain trail and people were few and far between, she tied my little bag to her walking stick and I could stick my head out and see the scenery. Too bad I don't have a picture of that...but my person's husband was laughing too hard to take one. I don't see why...travel dolls have to adjust to all sorts of situations and I thought it was quite a GOOD idea. Anyway, along the way, I looked for toadstools to sit on, as I have heard one can make a wish when sitting on a toadstool and it will come true. I decided it was worth a try. Many were too small for me to sit on.....

But I at last found one ample enough to accomodate me with no harm to myself or it.
I had quite a nice view of the mountain stream from this bridge...the ledge was quite large and safe enough to sit on.

We got closer to the water and my person's husband suggested a picture of me on a rock quite close to the river. Given the swift moving nature of the water, my person thankfully declined.

Along the way, we visited more lakes that were of a calmer nature.

As always, however, I was glad to return to my own little home at the end of the day.

Hitty Rowan

Unexpected Surprises

2009-08-05T12:23:00.001-07:00

We received a very kind and unexpected surprise this week from a fellow friend of companions! For the academy older girls, there was a new cauldron with a stand, potion bottles, and best of all...a cat sleeping in a box!
The younger girls enjoyed a treat of "Bott's Many Flavored" jelly beans....
and some delicious hamburgers and french fries (which is a real treat since those items are not included on the Elvish academy menu!)
For Bitty Hitty, there was a new bathing suit! She couldn't wait to try to get a sun tan...she decided to pretend she was a flower fairy and lay down in a bed of roses. Unfortunately, the rain (a common occurance lately) started up again and that was the end of sun tanning. Perhaps later she can play in some puddles since she is appropriately dressed for it.

We send many heartfelt thanks to our companion friend!

Hitty Rowan

First Trip Out

2009-07-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Our new arrival, who we still have no name for, took her first trip to the park today. It wasn't a long trip since it started raining. The park is quite overgrown and swampy due all the rain, but at least our new little one had her first outing.

Another new arrival

2009-07-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today we had yet another new arrival. We don't have a name yet for this one either. Since she is too young to select a name for herself, we older companions and our person will have to select one. It will require some thought, however, as naming is serious business. Here is our newest arrival enjoying herself in the yard:

The Magic Door

2009-07-20T17:18:00.001-07:00

Greeting Dear Readers! I have yet another update. I am "on a roll" with my journal as they say!

Well, there was even more excitement around here today involving the Academy.

Our day started quite ordinarily enough. The academy has just been re-arranged and the residents were enjoying the changes.

The younger girls' dorm has been re-wallpapered. It was also decided to simply create a "classroom corner" in the dorm for Professor Arthur to teach the younger girls. The furniture is just their size, they can take naps when needed, and they are not so distracted by hearing the middle girls at their lessons. Nim and Nissa also now have a little cozy cradle to sleep in which they like much better than their old iron bed.The middle girls have the original classroom to themselves now. Master Elrond and Celebrian have moved into the classroom to help out with our most active age group. Everyone is most pleased with this new arrangement.
Amberle's room has become the older girls' dorm. They all "hang out" there all the time anyway and Amberle got lonely having the room only to herself.
The older girls now also have a classroom of their very own with Master Allanon as their teacher. Master Elrond takes over when Master Allanon is out on "official Elven wizard business." A desk will be arriving for Master Allanon later this week so he will also have his official "space" in the academy. So, everyone has a spot in the academy and everyone was enjoying a quite peaceful day. Everyone except our person that is.
She was minding her own business hard at work...uhmm....well...fixing supper of some sort anyway.

All of the sudden there was a flash, a pop, and....a little door appeared on the kitchen counter.Our person shrieked in shock! Just as suddenly as it appeared, the little door disappeared. But, our person heard another "Pop!" nearby...and there it was again!

Again it disappeared, only to reapper somewhere else!

Quite puzzled and more than a little startled, our person did the most logical thing a person could do in such a situation. She came to me for advice."Uhmmm...Rowan," she began unusually unsure of herself. "Have you by any chance seen a door today?"Unsure of this rather unusual question, I answered as best I could. "Well, of course I have mistress. I have seen several doors today. They are rather common aren't they?"

"Yes....yes...they are. But...I mean have you seen a little door today?"

"Well mistress, errrr....there are several little dolls living here in little houses. We uhmmmm...have several little doors around here."

My poor mistress sighed in a rather frustrated manner.

"No Rowan...I mean an unusual little door...it has red trimming and it, well, it appears and then disappears. "

"Oh! You've met our magic door! Isn't it wonderful!!!!"

"I've met....wait a minute...there is a magic door here?"

"Well, yes, Mistress. Of course it is magic. You wouldn't expect a normal door to behave that way would you?"

"No...but...."

Before she could finish her sentence another "Pop" sounded and the door appeared in our house.

From upstairs I heard my sister Mehitabel say, "Oh, there you are at last! I called for you a good 10 minutes ago and I know you weren't busy with anyone else. Whatever were you doing? Loitering around again I suspect. I'll tell Master Allanon if you don't behave yourself!"

My person witnessed this exchange with a rather shocked expression.

"Mehitabel, what in the world are you doing talking to that door!"

"Oh...I was just on my way to Cranberry Isle in Maine to visit the home of my esteemed ancestor, Mistress. So sorry I can't stay and chat, but I can't keep the door all to myself for too long, can I? After all, someone else may need it. "

With that, Mehitabel whispered a mysterious word to the door...

And my sister and the door disappeared with a "pop" and a flash.

Our poor person was frantic...

"Where...where did Mehitabel go??????"

"Why, she told you Mistress. She went to Cranberry Island."

"But....but......"

Our poor person looked rather shaken. I suggested she go visit Master Allanon or Master Elrond for some type of calming potion.

Our person crossed the room to the academy and Master Allanon just in time to see the door appear in his classroom.

"That door! It's...it's everywhere....." stammered out our poor person.

"Oh, greeting dear Mistress!" Master Allanon called out. "You look rather pale....what is the matter? Oh my...I do hope our door hasn't startled you..."

"Your door?" Our person asked confused. "YES it startled me! I was in the kithcen and it just APPEARED and then DISAPPEARED! Of COURSE it startled me! One doesn't expect a little door to just APPEAR in one's kitchen!"

Master Allanon nodded wisely. "Yes. So many thing are unexpected aren't they? Why when one thinks about, everything that happens during the day is unexpected. We really have no idea what will happen to us in reality when we wake up and the whole day is quite an unexpected adventure isn't it?"

"Master Allanon....one absolutely DOES NOT expect little appearing and disappearing doors on ANY day! What is GOING ON?" Our poor person had quite reached her wits end by this time I am afraid.

"Oh, don't worry Mistress. I assure you the door won't bother you again. It is just young and a bit mischievous at times but I am working hard to train it properly. It means no harm. "

With that, Master Allanon turned to the door and gave it quite a scolding, "Naughty, naughty door! You know better than to go about popping in and out and frightening people! You only come when your called...you don't just wander off like that!" I must say, the door looked quite contrite.

"Now, you see Mistress, it won't bother you again." Master Allanon again assured our mistress.

"But I want to know WHAT it IS and WHY it is HERE!!!!!" our person finally stammered out, rather exasperated at this point.

"Well, I would be happy to discuss that with you a bit later. Right now, I am in the middle of a potions lesson and I can't leave the girls unsupervised with THAT kind of potion now can I? We wouldn't want THAT kind of mess if something went wrong, would we? I know...come back for tea in an hour and we'll have a nice little chat."

With that, our person returned to the kitchen to find an aspirin.

She returned later, tea cup in hand and much calmer after an aspirin and a nice door-free nap.

"Master Allanon, please, tell me about this door."

"Of course my dear Mistress. I made it and enchanted it just yesterday. Like I said, it is very young and just needs a bit of training. But, it is already quite useful. You see, any companion...well any adult companion--not the girls....can simply call the door when they want to go somewhere. Not all of us can apparate anywhere we want to go like I can, you know. So, the others can simply call the door, whisper the password in Elvish, tell the door where they want to go, and off they go. They can visit anywhere inside the house or outside the house."

"But you can already visit anywhere in the house by walking there and there is already a 'dolly door'....you know, the mail slot...leading outside." Our person observed, still confused.

"Yes, there is. But we can't walk to visit each other just anytime...not when company is here or in front of anyone besides you, can we? This way, we can visit between households at anytime. And when I say we can visit outside, I mean anywhere outside. Why, just this morning Miss Merriweather went to England to attend the '100th English Companion Doll Proper Victorian Governess' Convention', Mehitabel went to Cranberry Isle, and Professor Arthur went to Camelot."

"Uhhmmm...Camelot doesn't exist anymore."

"It doesn't exist in your world anymore you mean. Lots of things exist in our world that don't exist in your world. Anyway, we can even visit other companions across the world and even from other times. So, you see why we needed such a door?"

"Well, yes, I suppose I do. I don't suppose those doors come in my size do they?"

Master Allanon smiled sadly, "No, I'm afraid they don't. But, you are welcome to hear about our adventures at anytime and of course to join us on what adventures we can have around the house. And, we are always willing to join you in your adventures."

"I suppose my outings will be quite boring for all of you now. I mean, I can't take you to such places. The park perhaps, and occasionally to another state...but not to another country or time."

Master Allanon simply smiled. "All the adventure in the world can't compare to a single outing with a person one cares about. I don't think there is any worry...we will enjoy our outings with you just every bit as much as we ever have. And, you can enjoy hearing about all the new adventures too. We will have many new stories to tell.

Our person smiled at that. "Well, then let the new adventures begin!"

And so they have!

Yours Truly,

Hitty Rowan

Another Rainy Day

2009-07-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

It is another rainy morning here at the academy. And again, some of the academy girls are in the basement. This trip, however was fully authorized and well supervised. The girls are in need of new clothes so they are getting to visit the sewing area in small groups to select fabric. Some of the girls still do not have a doll of their very own either, so our person planned to correct that woeful oversight immediately.
As the girls, under the careful oversight of Miss Merriweather, begin selecting materials,Master Allanon went to inspect the "Haunted House" that caused the girls so much trouble yesterday.

As Master Allanon began his own "ghostbusting" expedition, Claire...and Menolly...selected fabric for a new dress and tried to decide on a color for their dolls' eyes. Menolly was formerly known as "Marley." Unfortunately, there are a quite a few "Marley" dolls around and Menolly wanted to have a name of her very own.

Dolly thought hard about a name for her own...dolly....

Our new resident, Princess...who was supposed to be Princess Arwen but ended up being an unknown princess (it is a long story involving a slight mix up in who actually arrived at the academy) and only goes by the name "Princess" should have been thinking of a proper name for herself, but instead dreamily thought of pretty names and trims for a doll.

The girls were actually happy to be thinking of lovely things like fabrics and dolls instead of scary things like haunted houses and ghosts. In the meanwhile, Master Allanon spoke with one of the residents of the "Haunted House." Although he sensed no ghosts anywhere about the premises, a little squirrel who lived in the house insisted there WERE ghosts in the basement.

She rather fearfully told Master Allanon that yesterday, she and the shy mouse family living in the house heard fearful whisperings and even some gigglings. Then, the doors of the house mysteriously opened. The little residents went into hiding and heard even more whisperings. The little squirrel tried to just peek out from behind a chair to see what was about when suddenly a bright light flashed and then everything went dark!!! With that, the residents fled to the attic and hid there in terror. They only came out when they heard Master Allanon calling to them just now. They were most happy to see the famous Elven Wizard and hoped he could do something about the ghost.

"My dear Ms. Squirrel," Allanon gently replied, "I assure you the 'ghosts' will never trouble you again. In fact, let me introduce you to your 'ghosts'. Oh Claire, Menolly...would you come here for a minute?" Claire and Menolly had no real desire to see the house again so soon, but decided they had best listen to Master Allanon. He magically transported them to the doors of the house.

"Girls, meet your 'ghost', and Ms. Squirrel, meet your 'ghosts'." Allanon said to the confusion of all. After he explained, the girls apologized for frightening the house residents so. Ms. Squirrel was actually quite enchanted with the young girls and told Allanon sometimes the house residents were a bit lonely in the quiet basement. She asked if the academy girls might visit on occasion. Master Allanon agreed they could...with permission and supervision.

So ends our "ghostbusting" caper (for now....who knows when the girls will get such an idea again). But for now, all is well that ends well.

Hitty Rowan

A Rainy Day at the Academy

2009-07-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

It was a dark and stormy day at Rivendell Academy. The students in the academy were hard at work with their lessons. Well, some of them were anyway. Lady Celebrian was giving the middle grade girls a lesson in Elvish history.

Professor Arthur was attempting to teach the little girls a reading lesson. I am afraid our resident pixie and fairy were rather distracted with whispering to each other during the lesson.

The should have known better than to behave in such a manner with Miss Merriweather so close by. When the girls heard an "ahem" right behind them, they decided it was best to save their conversation until later. However, it was terribly hard to concentrate with the gloom of the rain dampening everyone's spirits.

Master Allanon was teaching the older girls a lesson in basic elements. The girls were given an assignment to collect and write a report on a mineral they found outside. The going outside after the rain and finding a mineral they were rather excited about. The writing the rather lengthy report required they were rather dismayed about. The were all silently thinking about exactly how long they could put off the writing part and knew they would compare procrastination strategies later.

Finally, lessons were over for the day. The younger girls, and sweet, obedient little Betsy went back to their dorm to play.The older girls and...err...not always so obedient Merilwen...went upstairs to Amberle's room. Since the rain prevented them from beginning to find and collect minerals, they discussed alterate entertainment ideas.

Merilwen was the first to propose an idea.

"I know...we can go find the haunted Hitty house!!!"

"Hanted Hitty House!!!" The other girls exclaimed in unison.

"Yes....the Hittys all used to live in a big, pink mansion. But then, there was no room for it upstairs and it was moved into the basement. The Hittys moved into the smaller cabinet they live in now, since nobody wanted to live in the basement. The house has been down there empty for quite sometime. But....I heard Hitty Rown saying that a cricket who came upstairs from the basement told her that there were often strange noises coming from the house. Like rustlings. I bet a ghost has moved in there and now the house is haunted! Maybe we could be like that movie we saw with our person on television a few weeks ago...you know...Ghostbusters!"

"Well, I don't know Merilwen," Claire hesitantly replied. "If there is a ghost, we should tell Master Allanon what we suspect. I mean, how would we get rid of it anyway?"

"Well," Amberle thoughtfully replied. "I have a potion that might get rid of a ghost. It makes a bright light, anyway. I originally made it for the fourth of July, but didn't get a chance to use it. Shouldn't a bright light scare away a ghost?"

"Uhmmm..Amberle...does Master Allanon know about that potion?" Marley tentatively asked.

"Nooooo....not exactly...but he doesn't have to know everything does he?" Amberle replied.

"Well, I think he pretty much knows everything anyway...or finds out what he doesn't know eventually. You know he will catch you sooner or later." Claire warned.

"Oh...he won't catch us. Come on, let's have an adventure for once!" Amberle exclaimed excitedly.

Soon enough, somehow or another, the girls found themselves staring down the rather shadowy basement steps.

"Uhmmm...you know, we are forbidden to go in the basement. Master Allanon and Miss Merriweather said the stairs are dangerous, the dangerous dogs are often down there in their beds, and it is no place for young ladies to be wandering alone." Claire said as they sat at the top of the steps trying to gather their nerve.

"Well," replied Merilwen, "The dangerous dogs aren't that dangerous anymore since they have gotten older. They just ignore us now and never chase us. And, if we go slowly and carefully, we can handle the stairs. Don't be such a worry wart, Claire. "

Before they knew it, the girls actually stood in the forbidden basement. The first thing they saw was....

The cords to the video games.

"Ohhh....I know what these are!!!!" exclaimed Merilwen. "Mr. H used to have this upstairs!!! It's VIDEO GAMES! Oh, I've always wanted to try them! They looked like such fun!! Miss Merriweather forbid it...she said there are more productive uses of a young ladies' time than playing a 'Rocky' boxing game and it was an uncivilized game anyway. But, it looked like fun to me, uncivilized or not!"

It didn't take the girls long to figure the games out....in the manner of pre-teenage youngsters everywhere, video games seemed to come naturally to them. They were happily playing the games when all of the sudden, the power flickered and the games went out.

"Oh look!" Amberle suddenly rather shakily whispered, "Is that...is that the haunted Hitty house?"

"Oh....yes...yes it is." replied Merilwen, rather unsure of herself about the whole Ghostbusting mission now that they were standing on its threshold.

However, not wanting to look like cowards, the girls decided to proceed with their mission.

With great effort....and much pulling.... And pushing...all of them were standing at the doors of the house before they knew it.
They hesitantly opened the door to find.....
Nothing...nothing but an old mansion with a few scattered pieces of furniture. They rather quickly forgot about ghosts and enjoyed exploring the old house.
That is, until the lights flashed again and they heard a rustling sound coming from behind a chair. In a panic, the girls began to flee. Remembering her potion, Amberle raised the bottle and threw it at the rustling chair.
There was a brilliant flash.....
Then darkness! The girls shrieked as they were caught in darkness just as Marley was crossing the gap between the house and the couch. It was quite a long way down and suddenly she felt herself slip from Claire's helping hands....

The girls screamed in horror as their dear friend fell.....

Suddenly the lights came on and they almost sobbed with relief to see Marley had been saved from terrible bruises or worse by an unexpected source. Just as quickly as their relief came, it vanished as they realized fully just who had come to their rescue.

I am afraid the trip back to the academy was not near as much fun as the adventuring forth from the academy.

The arrival back at the academy was an adventure of a different sort, although not one the girls would have wished for. After they told their story, Master Allanon assured the girls there was no ghosts living in the old Hitty House and that the power flickering was quite common in the basement area. There were however, a family of mice living in the old house quite contentedly that the girls had likely disturbed.

After the girls made their way back to Amberle's room, the rain had stopped and the day ended much like it started, with the girls contemplating what minerals they might find in the hour they would be allowed outside...under strict supervision. They would need to gather their minerals as quickly as possible. After all, they would have to work extra hard now to finish their paper on minerals....and their newly assigned...very, very long paper.... on ghosts and how to get rid of them. Somehow, ghostbusting really didn't seem to be such an interesting subject anymore.

As they sat contemplating their fate, Merilwen again was the first to speak.

"How long exactly do you think 'grounded indefinitely' means?"

The other girls replied in unison,

"Oh, be QUIET Merilwen!"

And so ended the saga of the Rainy Day at Rivendell Academy.

Hitty Rowan

A Trip to Gatlinburg

2009-07-15T17:49:00.001-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers! It has again been quite awhile since I wrote. I have been in the mountains of Gatlinburg and back again since my last post.

Myself and some of my dear companion friends accompanied our people to a cozy little cabin far up in the mountains.

We doll companions got a nice comfortable place all our own with a lovely mountain view. Most of us stayed there in our safe little cabin. Of course, as designated Travel Doll, I did not. I rode in a "fanny pack" on my person's side through many adventures. I even went horseback riding through a mountain trail, although I don't have pictures of that since cameras were not allowed.

I was able, however, to document other adventures. Some of which, I would rather have not tagged along for. This was one of them. We rode up the mountain in a little seat swinging high above the ground. I refused to peek out of my pouch for most of this trip.

The view from the top was quite spectacular, but I would have enjoyed it more if not for the worry of the trip down again in the little swinging seat. My person was not much comfort since she spent most of the trip clinging to the little seat herself for dear life with her eyes shut. It was her husband's idea to have this little outing. I was glad he didn't get anymore such ideas the rest of the trip.

We DROVE up into the mountains the next day. A MUCH preferable means of travel. We stopped and waded in a mountain stream.
I enjoyed some rock climbing....

And hanging about the water.

It was quite an adventure, but I was glad to return to our little home afterwards. After all, no matter where one may wander, there is no place like home.

Hitty Rowan

New Arrivals, New Hair, and New Dresses

2009-05-22T17:45:00.001-07:00

Greetings Dear Readers. I am afraid I have no exciting adventures to report. However, I do have little things that are rather notable in the life of a doll to share.

We have (another) new arrival. This is Dolly. Unlike most of the companions here, Dolly came to us the conventional way...through the mail. Although her arrival was not particularly adventurous, she is a dear, sweet little thing and we are quite fond of her already. Dolly is a real...uhh....doll!

Ellswyth finally received a new dress and a new hair style...and color. We think it suits her quite well!

Sarah also received a new, very fancy dress for the most formal of occasions. At the moment, I can't think of any such occasions happening here, but for a young Victorian lady it doesn't hurt to be prepared for any circumstance. At least, that is what Miss Merriweather tells us. One never knows I suppose, although our person is busy making Sarah some play dresses, more likely to suit the happenings around here. But, we did think she looked positively lovely in her dress and our person rather likes to play "dress up" with us at times so Sarah will at least get to wear the dress some. Unlike some of our more...active....young ones here, Sarah does not mind playing dress up and tea parties. Miss Merriweather could not be more pleased!
Well, next week we really shall set out on an adventure and I will have more to write. But still, the little stuff of life is worth sharing sometimes too.

Hitty Rowan

April Updates

2009-04-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well dear readers, time has flown by once again since my last update. So, let me waste not a moment more in telling you about the recent happenings in our world.

A few weekends ago we were "On the road again" to visit our person's father in Tennessee.

We happened to be near the Tennessee Aquarium and were fortunate enough to make a visit.

We saw all manner of interesting creatures!

Master H. even got up the nerve to feed some of the creatures in the uhhhh....aquatic petting zoo. He was braver than the rest of us!Unknown to us until we arrived home and started to unpack our luggage, a couple of stowaways hitched a ride home with us.

We tried to convince our little penguin friends to return to the aquarium and an environment more suitable to them, but they seemed to like our environment just fine. Oh well, the more the merrier. We also found Melody, a little pink bear, along the way on our journey. She was actually invited home with us....unlike our other new residents.

In other news, we have an older companion who our person FINALLY after 12 YEARS decided to take travelling in the future and to give a permanent place in our home to call her own. This is Sarah Crewe. Poor Sarah has bounced between our companion households for 12 years. She really always wanted to be a travel companion to our person, but our person thought her too fine and fragile to do so (even though she was actually MADE as a travel doll). We finally nudged our person to at least sit and visit with Sarah awhile and the two became quite fast friends. We only regret it took our person this long. Sarah, patient dear that she is, is just happy to finally be "discovered." Now Sarah is our permanent "desk" companion. She enjoys being with our person so much of the time as she catches up with friends on-line and even gets changed into her nightgown (which, we must add, our person never so much as even put on her until now) every night. Sarah will be accompanying us on outings in the future and finally allowed to become the travel doll she was actually made to be.

Now, as to other happenings. It has been raining quite a bit lately. Today the sun came out for a little while, but it was still too wet to go outside. Myself and a few other companions decided to at least look outside, even if we couldn't go outside.
We were sadly looking out at the place the old, old snowball bush used to stand. Master H. had to cut it down yesterday after it was killed in the ice storm a couple of months ago. Our person actually wept and could not watch as the bush was cut away. The bush was very old and quite large and full. It was also home to a family of mocking birds that have nested there for generations, according to the houses' previous owners (who lived here almost 70 years). Our person looked forward to seeing the Mocking birds and watching their babies grow up each summer. But, nothing could be done for the poor tree.

The strange thing was, we thought we heard other weeping just outside the back door as the bush was cut down. But, when we looked yesterday, we saw no-one outside the door. Another strange thing was that we washed some of our clothes yesterday and hung them out in the brief sunshine to dry. When I went to fetch them in, one of Birdie's spring outfits was missing. We thought perhaps the wind had blown it away.

Today as we sat looking outside, we again thought we heard soft weeping. This time, when Mirabella opened the door, she saw a delicate little elf, dressed in Birdie's missing clothes, sitting and weeping on the porch steps! We all immediately invited her in.

She shyly and hesitently crept inside our house, looking around as if she had never been inside a home before. We were all quite astonished!

Eilonwy softly spoke to the dear little creature and she quickly ran to Eilonwy and took her hand, sensing a kindred spirit.

With some gentle questioning, our new guest told her story. Her name is Ellswyth. She is a little wood elf who lived inside the old snowball bush. This winter, as she huddled inside the trunk of the old bush for warmth, she could feel her old bush friend and home dying as the ice enclosed it. She knew not what to do. She had hoped to live there in the empty shell of the bush at least as long as she could, but when Master H. (not knowing the bush was home to an elf, of course), took down the bush, she was left without a home. Her clothes were badly damaged from the cruel winter and she was quite destitute, homeless, friendless, and left in rags. She had often peered in our window secretly and knew their were other elves and pixies living within. But, she was too shy to knock on our door and ask for help. She saw our clothes hanging out to dry yesterday and thought to only borrow one outfit until she could somehow find the means to make new clothes for herself. Today, after it rained and she huddled under the porch step for shelter, she could not help but weep in despair. She could not find another suitable bush to live in within our fence and did not want to leave our yard since she had lived here for so long.
I must admit, we were all near to tears when she finished her story. We immediately invited her to share our home. She smiled shyly and admitted it would be nice to have company of the human, elven, pixie, and fairy kind. We told our person of the poor dear's plight and her need for clothes. Birdie's clothes really don't fit the poor dear well, although Birdie didn't mind at all sharing her wardrobe with Ellswyth.

Our person let Ellswyth pick out some fabric for a new dress and is working on it as we speak.

We think the dress will suit our new friend quite nicely, and she is more than happy to have new friends, a new home, and new clothes!

So, that is what is happening in our world! Hardly a dull moment at all!

Hitty Rowan

A Not So Boring Day

2009-02-08T11:30:00.001-08:00

Greeting Dear Readers. Today was a peaceful day. We were recovered from the ice storm and the weather was actually quite nice today. Mirabella was settling into our household very well. Master Allanon was having no luck so far in finding Mirabella's shire, but Mirabella didn't seem unhappy at all about that. Quite the opposite. We think the poor dear was getting more attention here than she did being an orphan in a great hall and was quite enjoying her new home.

Tottie and I were catching up on our travel journal.

Ms. Hickory and Lucy were baking cookies and bread.

Rosina Fayette was entertaining Lottie upstairs. Rosina Fayette enjoyed someone listening to her talk about herself nonstop and Lottie just enjoyed hearing someone talk constantly, no matter what the subject.

In the academy, the younger girls were doing art projects and enjoying a midday snack. All were happy and content.

Well, almost all. The older girls were neither happy nor content. They were.....BORED...the bane of pre-teen and teenage girls everywhere. They were hoping to go outside since the weather was so nice for a game of hopscotch or jumping rope or jacks. However, they were told they could not venture out due to the terrible mud left behind by the melting snow and ice. So, they gathered in Amberle's room to discuss their plight. They decided to send representatives to Miss Merriweather and Master Allanon to gather suggestions for entertainment, then vote on the most popular idea.
Merilwen asked Miss Merriweather for ideas. She didn't think "Do your homework or work on your samplers or read something educational" would be popular suggestions with the other girls. They certainly weren't popular ideas to her.
Amberle fared a little better with Master Allanon. He suggested the girls go visit Mirabella to help her feel more welcome in her new home. Mirabella was sitting in the window seat helping our person sew.

That sounded like a good idea, so off the older girls went, inviting Lily to join them on the way. Our person was doing laundry, not sewing at the moment, so the girls chatted with Mirabella about life in the Shire and about being a Hobbit. Then they discussed the not so exciting day. Mirabella had been hoping to go outside too.

She looked out the window to check the state of the yard for herself, only to report it was indeed very muddy.

The girls heard our person coming upstairs and decided to use the "We're bored, can we help you with anything (fun)?" routine. It worked. How could our person resist all their little smiling, hopeful faces?Our person just happened to have a "fudge kit" on hand and wondered if the girls would like to help make some fudge. That is exactly the kind of activity the girls had in mind.

Amberle opened the box as Marley and Claire read the directions.

Everyone was given a job to do.

Lucy would add the milk after our person cut up some cold butter and put in the bowl.Mirabella would add the chocolate chips.

The older girls would stir.

Merilwen and Betsy would add the walnuts.

And everyone would help eat the finished product!

Lucy went first.

The girls waited a minute while our person microwaved the butter and cream.

Mirabella poured in the chocolate chips.
Marley and Claire took turns stirring.

Amberle ended up adding the vanilla. Merilwen and Betsy poured in the walnuts.
And our person poured the fudge into the box. There would be enough for everyone in the house! The girls were a bit disappointed to find out the fudge had to chill two hours in the refrigerator before it would be ready to eat.
But then, our person reminded them of the most fun part ofmaking fudge....licking the bowl!!!
So, it was a not so boring day for the girls after all!

Hitty Rowan

An Unexpected Arrival

2009-02-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Readers.

My story today begins with a dark and stormy night. Dark because all electricity had went out around our town and stormy due to a "historic" ice storm. Not all history is good.

Both persons and companions of our household looked outside as the snow and ice built up.

The ice coated trees and sent them crashing to the ground with terrible groans.

Our poor tall, proud holly tree was driven to the ground under the weight of the snow and eventually snapped in two. We were quite fond of the tree and very sad to see what became of it as the storm worsened.

In the midst of all this chaos, I heard a small knock on the door. My goodness, WHO could be out in this bitter cold. I opened the door and in came a shivering......child, although there was something strikingly different about her that made me wonder if she were completely human.

Around here we have fairies, pixies, Elves, humans and all sorts of creatures that make their way to our home so finding a not quite human child at our door was not surprising. What was suprising is that this child was out in the cold with no shoes and dressed in a summer party dress. I quickly drew her inside just as Master Allanon came to the door to see who had entered our home.

He studied her a minute in the candlelight before asking, "Why, what is a hobbit child doing wandering about on a night like this?"

Through her shivering, the poor child stammered out, "Mirabella Brandybuck at your service my Lord and Lady."

"Well, Mirabella Brandybuck, however did you end up at our door? There are no hobbits in this part of the world. However did you get here?" Allanon gently asked.

With that, poor Mirabella began to cry. Between sobs she told us her story. She lived somewhere in a small hobbit shire...she wasn't sure precisely where. Mirabella was an orphan who lived in a great hall (underground as most hobbit homes are) with several families. She said no one paid her much mind generally and she tended to wander about in search of adventure. It was summer festival in her world and everyone was celebrating. Mirabella felt rather left out and wandered off. She wandered further than intended and became lost in the forest. Night fell and she saw a pecular shining light. She approached it and suddenly found herself whisked through a portal...and lost in a snow storm. She saw the candlelights in our windows and our little companion faces peeking out. She thought our cottage looked rather nice and cozy and decided to knock on our door. At the end of her story she began to cry even more.

Our person had been searching for more candles by flashlight in the basement with her husband. She finally emerged and caught sight of the hobbit child. We could tell that she was immediately entranced with the child. Master Allanon explained the situation and said he would try to find out where Mirabella lived, but it could be very difficult since hobbit shires are extremely well hidden and difficult even for him to find. In the meanwhile, he suggested Mirabella stay with us. Our person was delighted, as was Mirabella. She immediately whisked Mirabella away.

Unfortunately, our people had to leave the next morning to seek warmth at relatives' house who had a fireplace. She tucked Mirabella into her bed and we companions kept the child company until our person returned.

With nothing to do but sit by a fire for several days, our person was able to make Mirabella some warmer clothes. Hobbits generally don't wear shoes, although out person has sent away for some to see if she likes them.

So, another new member to our household. Around here you just never know who will show up next.

Hitty Rowan

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Today I don't have much to report. All is well at the academy. Our person made a New Year's resolution concerning us companions....she has resolved to make 100 items for us this year. We companions cannot thank the person who gave our person this idea enough. However, we shall see if the resolution holds, or goes the way of most other New Year's resolutions our person makes (that would be...not far). However, I helped her look through our yarn stash and she managed so far to make an outfit for Lucy. She is also making a new sweater for Claire, a "Marley" who lives here, but that is not finished yet. Our weather is supposed to turn very cold this week.

When I looked for my winter dresses, I learned most of them had been "lent out" to my relatives and friends. I don't mind, but it may get cold travelling with my person. Seeing the dilemma, my person also made me a nice, warm flannel dress. Here are the two finished projects so far...or three, if we allow our person to count Lucy's sweater and skirt as two items...or four if you count my dress and new flannel pantaloons. Since we companions are noted for generosity, perhaps we shall allow our person to count 4 projects completed. I shall keep you posted on our person's progress....

Hitty Rowan

A Christmas Saga

2008-12-19T15:32:00.001-08:00

Well dear readers, since last I wrote, Amberle is settling in quite nicely. She has become good friends with all the other girls...especially with Merilwen. We all thought things were going quite well. And they got even better with some exciting news today...as if it being Christmas Eve isn't exciting enough!

Early this morning, a little bird arrived with a message for Master Elrond.
It was from Master Allanon, Elrond's cousin and soon to be Amberle's tutor. It would seem Master Allanon had finished his mission in the Lonely Mountains to gather herbs and other magical sorts of things found only in those wilds. He was planning to return to the Academy today....Christmas Eve. And, it on his way down from the mountains, he met Father Christmas. Father Christmas had quite a lot of gifts to deliver to good girls and boys and was a bit burdened with them all. To be kind, Master Allanon agreed to help him out by delivering our household's gifts himself.

Master Elrond called the household together for a special assembly and announced the good news. The girls were overjoyed!

Well, most of the girls were overjoyed. Amberle didn't look joyous at all...not even with the news Master Allanon was bringing gifts.
While the other girls ran off to tell everyone the good news, Amberle quietly slipped back to her room.

Merilwen and Betsy ran to spread the news to the other little girls of the household.

Tottie, a member of my household and a fellow travel companion, had been visiting the academy and quickly brought the news to our household.

I spread the news to Eilonwy and our larger companion friends....

and to Penny, who was doing double duty as a companion and a Christmas decoration.

I took a moment to climb the Christmas tree to look out the window, hoping perhaps Master Allanon was bringing snow as well as gifts from Father Christmas.
I was disappointed to see only rain, but even a dreary rain can't stop the joy of Christmas.
Once the news was spread, the girls returned to the academy.

Merilwen went to look for her new friend to share the Christmas Eve celebrations. However, she quickly noticed Amberle was not part of the celebrations going on at the academy. Merilwen went to Amberle's room, only to find her friend staring into the fire, with a rather annoyed look.

"Amberle...is something wrong?" Merilwen ventured.

Amberle sighed deeply. "Yes...something...or rather SOMEONE is VERY wrong. ALLANON!"

Merilwen looked confused. "But...have you ever met him...he is quite nice really...if a bit scary at first. He is so tall and so wise and ancient that we girls were afraid of him when we met him. But, after we got to know him a little, we all really liked him so far. Maybe you will get to like him too. He is going to be your tutor after all...it would be easier if you could like him...wouldn't it?"

"I don't WANT to like him!" Amberly abruptly replied. "I have only met him once and I was too little to really remember it. He is actually my Uncle you know."

"He is? So he's family. Won't it make you feel better to have a family member as a tutor...even family you don't really know yet...since you are away from home?"

Amberle looked even more agitated. "NO! HE is the REASON I am away from home!"

"Master Allanon sent you here? But...I don't understand...I thought your parents sent you here to learn more about using your magic...." Merilwen tentatively asked.

Amberle sighed. "Well...you are my friend, aren't you Merilwen?"

"OF COURSE I'm your friend!!" Merilwen quickly replied.

"Then, I can trust you with the truth. You see...I have more magic than most Elves my age. I can't help it...I've been that way since I was born. "

"Isn't that a good thing?" Merilwen ventured, rather confused. "I mean, I only have a little magic, being only half-elven...I wish I had more...."

"Well...be careful what you wish for. I suppose more magic would be good if it didn't...uhhmmm...get out of control sometimes. You see, if I really wish for something to happen, or sometimes when I sing and get carried away with what I am singing about, things...happen. Or, if I am trying to make a potion or use a charm, sometimes my magic is too strong and they...don't turn out right."

"What do you mean Amberle...I mean...what kind of things happen?" Merilwen asked, a bit worridly, despite her fondness for her new friend.

"Well...like, last summer it was a very hot day. I was sitting under a tree thinking how hot it was. Then, I got to thinking about winter, and how nice it would be to have some snow to cool things down. I was just THINKING about how I wished it would snow...and it did! Then, I couldn't stop it. That happens sometimes even when I try to wish something HADN'T happened. Our whole valley was covered in snow until one of the more powerful Elven wizards got there the next day to stop it.

Then, there was the time my friend wished her hair was red like mine. She had lovely silver hair and I didn't know why she wanted to change it, but she did. I tried to make a potion to change her hair color...I even followed directions exactly for the potion. And...it did change her hair. Bright orange hair grew all over her! It was awful! Fortunately, one of the older Elves changed her hair back to normal. But, she wouldn't be my friend anymore after that.

Then, one time a couple of rather snobbish and not very nice girls were teasing a friend of mine in the apple orchard. I happened to be walking there and saw them. A rather mean thought popped into my head...that I would like to throw an apple at them to make them stop. They were making her cry! I would have NEVER really done such an awful thing...but after I thought it..the trees started throwing apples at them! They quickly ran to tell their parents, and I was in trouble again. And those are only a few example of my magic...accidents."

Amberle hesitated and sighed deeply.

"Well," Merilwen began, a bit unsure of what to say. "But, you didn't really mean to do any of those things. Didn't people understand that?""My parents and friends did...the ones who stayed friends with me, but other people didn't. Some of them started to be afraid of me. Other people just eyed me like some type of curiosity. My parents tried to help, they hired tutors to try to help me control my magic. None of them lasted very long though....most of them got "fed up" with me and my accidents and left after a couple of years at the most. One of them I got "fed up" with because he was mean. So, I put frogs in his desk, honey in his bed, charmed all his books not to open when it was class time, made the clock run fast so my lessons were over earlier...nothing really bad mind you...but enough little things so that he got "fed up" and quit. He told my parents he "despaired that I would never grow up into a respectful Elven citizen." My parents were running out of tutors. Except for the mean one, I really did try to work hard for my tutors, but I just kept getting into trouble in spite of myself."

"So..your parents decided to send you here for school? I mean...how did Allanon make you have to leave home...it seems your parents were just trying to do what is best for you if they ran out of tutors?" Merilwen asked curiously.

"Well, my father wrote to his MUCH older brother, Uncle Allanon, for help. Uncle Allanon suggested a fresh start for me until I got my magic under control and the Elves at home perhaps begin to forget about my...accidents. Maybe living with my grandparents on my mother's side for awhile would give me my fresh start, he suggested. Grandfather Elrond also happens to be a distant cousin of my father and Uncle Allanon so they all know each other quite well and are friends as well as family.

Uncle Allanon is considered one of the, if not the, greatest Elven wizards and wise people of all time. My father and Grandfather Elrond hold Uncle Allanon in the "highest esteem" in their words, so they will listen to about anything he has to say. So, although they didn't want me to leave home, my parents thought the idea of a fresh start and a chance to learn to control my magic was a good one. And then...to add insult to injury (that's a human expression I just learned)...Grandfather Elrond asked Uncle Allanon if HE would be my tutor and he actually AGREED.

My parents and grandparents told me I am most fortunate to have such a highly esteemed and powerful Elven wizard as my tutor and I must take full advantage of this opportunity. They asked me to promise to try my very best to be a good student for him and to work hard at my lessons. Above all, I am NOT to try to get rid of him. I really didn't want to promise, but I love my parents and grandparents and I couldn't refuse to promise to try my best." Amberle sighed, looking rather downcast again.

"Well, Amberle, Maybe it won't be as bad as you expect. I kind of think Master Allanon would be a good teacher. He seemed rather nice and he tells such wonderful stories and does neat magic tricks, and he knows SO much. Perhaps you will like him after all. Maybe he will be like Professor Dumbledore in those Harry Potter stories we like so much."

Amberle looked rather doubtful, thinking Allanon would be more like Professor Snape, but managed to give her new friend a small smile.

"Perhaps things will be alright. Anyway, at least I have more friends here than at home. I just hope I don't have any mishaps."

"Maybe you won't. And, we'll still be your friends even if you do." Merilwen promised. "Oh...speaking of mishaps...about the box of potions you sent. Do you think it is wise to keep them...never mind use them. You know, with Master Allanon joining us there are as many adults as students here. It is getting harder and harder to get by with any type of mischief, no matter how small. It was hard enough when there was just Ms. Merriweather. But with Professor Arthur, Master Elrond, Lady Celebrian, Master Allanon, AND Ms. Merriweather it is almost impossible."

Amberle thought for a moment. "Well, I hate to get rid of them. I did work hard on these and I tested them myself, so I know they work. They can be very useful...especially the one to turn you invisible. I used that one sometimes at home if I didn't want to be found. And, the new hair color changing one works. So does that one that speeds you up...very useful for doing homework or finishing chores. I mean...maybe I won't use them, but I don't want to get rid of them just yet."
Merilwen looked concerned at that. "Well, just make sure you don't use them. If you do and Miss Merriweather finds out I helped you smuggle them in here, I'll be peeling potatos in the kitchen, sweeping all the floors, dusting and doing all sorts of extra chores and assignments until she thinks I've learned my lesson. And, if you get caught, somehow I don't think Master Allanon would object to you having to do extra chores to keep you busy and out of trouble. I really prefer to have fun during my free time, so I do mostly try to keep out of mischief....although I don't always succeed in that."

"Oh Merilwen, if I get caught, I would never tell on you for helping me! You have nothing to worry about!" Amberle exclaimed.

"I know you wouldn't tell, but Miss Merriweather would find out anyway. She always does. She says she can't use magic, but the way she finds out about mischief is just like magic. I'm surprised she hasn't found the box yet and I'm worried it is only a matter of time before somebody does find it. I think you should get rid of it, or at least don't use any of the potions."

Merilwen hoped her friend would come to her senses about ridding herself of the temptation to get into mischief and silently vowed to keep an eye out for her.

In the meanwhile, downstairs, Ms. Merriweather heard a rather large "POP!" and Master Allanon suddently appeared in the classroom...right out of thin air!

"Oh Good Heavens! You DID startle me, Master Allanon!" Miss Merriweather exclaimed.
Allanon bowed deeply. "My sincere apologies, my dear Miss Merriweater. I should have given you warning I was coming before just dropping in. I'll be more careful next time."

Miss Merriweather blushed a bit (something we have noticed happens quite frequently around Master Allanon). "Oh, no matter, no matter at all. My, my....are those the gifts for the girls?"

"Yes indeed...in fact, there are gifts for everyone," Allanon smiled.

Before long, Master Allanon was seated in Elrond's study with his bag of gifts. The girls eagerly gathered round. Well, except for Amberle, who refused to leave her room. Even her grandmother could not coax her into joining the festivities.
With a sigh, Lady Celebrian returned to the study and the festivities began. Master Allanon read a Christmas Story to the girls....
And then began presenting the gifts. A wonderful, large doll for the academy girls. Miss Merriweather said she was a sewing model, for the girls to learn to sew and create clothes. The girls paid no mind to that part...to them, she was not a doll at all, but a new companion. They eagerly began trying to think of names for her (without reaching much agreement).

A lovely new necklace for Marley, Miss Merriweather's helper. A pet mouse for Paddington (much to Miss Meriweather's dismay)....A lovely necklace for Miss Merriweather, much to her surprise and delight... (and she really DID blush when Master Allanon handed it to her )...

A necklace for Celebrian and new maps for Elrond.

After he finished handing out the academy gifts, Master Allanon made the rounds of the rest of the household until every companion, except one, had a gift.

Amberle was still sulking in her room. She heard a quiet knock. Thinking it was Merilwen, she told her to come in. When the visitor entered the room, Amberle cried out in dismay and buried her face in her pillow.

"Amberle, my dear niece....it has been quite awhile since I've seen you. You were only a tiny little girl then and now you are a lovely young woman. And quite talented I understand."

Amberle started up in shock. "Talented????" she thought....nobody had ever called her powers a talent.

That is the last thing she expected to hear. She slowly looked at her uncle.

He didn't look as...cross...as she thought he might given his knowledge of her recent exploits. In fact, he looked rather kind. Elspeth, Amberle's dog, even jumped into Allanon's lap. Hmm..that was strange. Elspeth had a good sense for people and she obviously liked her Uncle.

But still, the fact remained it was her Uncle Allanon's fault she was here and not at home. Although, she did really like it at the Academy.

As if he read her mind, Allanon began to speak. "Amberle, I know you are angry at me, and rather afraid of me."

Amberle quickly tried to protest the last part of the statement, although it was true, but Allanon continued over her protest.

"I know you don't want to hear it, but your parents, your grandparents, and....myself...are only acting in your best interest. Tell me truthfully Amberle, don't you want to learn to control your magic?"

Amberle hesitated before whispering, "Yes."

"I thought so. It is not fair that you are shunned by others due to something that you were born with. It is not your fault you were born powerful, child. But, with power comes responsibility. Your responsibility is to learn to control your power and to use it wisely. I am here to help you do that, and I will help you in every way I can."

Amberle sighed. Her uncle really DID sound rather like Professor Dumbledore.

"And," he continued, "You are not losing your home. You will be visiting your parents every week. I will take you. In fact, we will visit tomorrow if you wish."

Amberle suddenly brightened, "You will??? They want to see me????"

"Of course they do...they love you dearly. We all do. Amberle, being at the academy is not a punishment and...

neither is having me as a tutor," Allanon added with a smile.

"Your parents did not send you here out of anger, but out of love. It is simply what is best for you. They are quite eager to see you."

Amberle looked happier than she had in quite awhile.

"So...will you allow me to be your tutor so you can learn to control your magic and return home permanently?"

Amberle shyly nodded.

"Good! I am looking forward to having such a talented pupil. And now, perhaps you would like your Christmas gifts? You will need at least one of them for out trip home tomorrow. It is snowing there and quite cold."

Amberle again nodded shyly.

With that, Allanon pulled a lovely velvet Elven cloak from his bag...

Amberle gasped in surprise. "Oh...it is Beautiful!!! My favorite color! Oh thank you Uncle!"

"Don't thank me," chuckled Allanon, "You can thank Father Christmas for that gift."

"But...I do have some gifts for you myself. First of all, a magic textbook...we will be needing that as soon as the holidays are over and we begin our lessons."

"And, some new potions bottles. I made these especially for you."

Amberle's eyes widened. These were the prettiest potions bottles she had ever seen. All made of colored glass with golden stoppers.

Her Uncle continued.

"But, for these, I would like to propose a trade."

Amberle looked at her Uncle, rather puzzled.

"You give me the potions you have hidden behind your bed...."

Amberle was shocked at that statement, and more than frightened. How could her Uncle have known about those?????

"Because I just ALWAYS know about things like that..." he continued.

Amberle was even more startled and silently vowed to never try to slip anything past her Uncle again.

"That would be most wise..." Allanon continued.

Amberle grew even more astounded and quickly scrambled to relinquish her unauthorized stash of potions.

"Thank you, my dear." Allanon said with a smile. "Now, we'll work on making some more, shall we say...productive potions soon..and only as part of our supervised lessons."

Amberle quickly nodded her agreement. My goodness! Merilwen was right! There would be no mischief at the academy anymore!

Her Uncle Allanon simply smiled at her, nodding his head, "Correct you are, my dear."

"You know Amberle, it is really not very late. How would you like to go visit your parents tonight?"

Amberle happily agreed, and off they went for a Christmas Eve visit.

In their dorm, the other girls played with their new doll....although still not agreeing on a name. Everyone was having a Merry Christmas indeed.
Much later that evening, the girls were all tucked into bed, with visions of Sugar Plums dancing in their heads....
And the Academy staff settled down for some tea and a nice silent night.

And with that, I bid you all a Most Merry and Peaceful Christmas!

Hitty Rowan

Amberle Arrives

2008-12-06T08:36:00.001-08:00

Greetings Friends. Well, Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas preparations are underway. Three days ago we received our very first "Christmas Gift." Master Elrond received word his grandaughter, Amberle, was to arrive today. Elrond and Celebrian were beside themselves with joy. The rest of us were a mixture of excited and apprehensive. Poor Amberle's reputation proceeded her and we had heard she could be quite mischievous..."a handful"...I think were the exact terms we had heard. But, we were fully prepared to welcome her into her new home and a new start.

We anxiously waited by the dolly door for quite some time. Finally, we heard a tiny, tentative knock on the door. We opened it, to find a rather frail, lost looking girl on the other side. It was Amberle...arrived at last!
Elrond and Celebrian lost no time in greeting their long awaited grandaughter. The rest of us added our introductions and greetings to the mix. Amberle quietly, and rather shyly, returned them. Quite puzzling really...she didn't seem like a mischeivous, "hand full" at all. Quite the opposite, really. We proceeded to Elrond's study to share tea and to begin introducing Amberle to the other girls of the household. She had already been corresponding with our other Elven (well, half-elven) student...Merilwen (who is definitely a mischievous hand full, though well loved). They were quite glad to meet each other in person.

After all the introductions, Miss Merriweather took Amberle on a tour of the academy. She explained to Amberle that she was always welcome to do her homework in the classroom. Amberle shyly asked, "Won't I be taking lessons with the other girls?"

"No dear," Ms. Merriweather replied. I am afraid my knowledge doesn't quite extend to Elven magic, herbs, potions, and lore. Your grandfather's cousin, Master Allanon, will be your tutor. He is already here, but left for a short errand to the mountains for herbs and supplies. He will be back soon and you'll start your lessons. But, in the meanwhile, you are certainly welcome to come to class with the other girls."

Amberle looked rather disappointed that she wouldn't always be in the classroom with the other girls, and distinctly unhappy with the mention of Master Allanon.

"Now, now, dear...all will be well. You'll have plenty of time in the evenings to spend with the other girls and I'm sure you will like Master Allanon very much."

Amberle looked rather unconvinced. Miss Merriweather finished the tour. Celebrian then showed the tired girl to her new room.

After seeing Amberle settled in, complete with a new dog, a new doll and a box of chocolate to snack on, Celebrian left her grandaughter to rest.

All alone, Amberle suddenly looked quite downcast.

She hugged her new doll, Phoebe, close and begin speaking to her little dog. "Well, I suppose you and I need to get aquainted. I'm glad you're here....this is all so new to me. I...I miss home. Perhaps though...perhaps I'll get used to it here....maybe I'll even like living with my grandparents. I do love them dearly. But...I thought...I thought I would be with the other girls in the classroom. I like Miss Missweather very much! Merilwen wrote me all about her and I thought she would be MY governess too. I don't want a tutor....especially not that one! Oh, I do hope I don't have any magic..uhhmmmm...mishaps here. I don't know if everyone will understand. They didn't back home. Perhaps....perhaps it will be different here...or I will be different and trouble won't seem to find me as easily as it did back home. Oh, I hope so." Amberle sighed deeply, close to tears and feeling quite lost and lonely.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Amberle hesitently asked. When nobody answered, she slowly opened the door...only to find it pushed wide open and her room quickly invaded....

with new friends. The other girls all remembered being the "new girl" in a new home. It can be quite frightening. They thought Amberle might need some company. The new girl quickly begin to cheer up with all the energetic companionship.

The girls shared stories...and chocolates well into the night.

Miss Merriweather allowed the girls plenty of time to get aquainted. Finally, Amberle was so tired she began drifting off to sleep, much happier in her new home.

The other girls returned to their room, quite anxious to see more of their new friend the next day. The rest of us are anxious to see more of Amberle too....she is quite a mystery and we would rather like to see what could have caused her mischievous reputation back home (or perhaps we don't want to know after all....).

Hitty Rowan

Halloween

2008-11-02T15:50:00.001-08:00

Halloween has came and went. We did have a marvelous time, but I am afraid only one of us actually had a costume to wear. Here is one of our tiniest companions, Phoebe:

Happy Belated Halloween!

Hitty Rowan

Fall Pumpkins

2008-10-25T15:01:00.001-07:00

Greetings again on another lovely fall day! I had no outings or adventures planned today, so I settled in for a nice spell of catching up on my journaling.
I had no sooner put pen to paper than I heard my downstairs neighbor, Eilonwy, calling my name. I peered over the edge of the house to speak with Eilonwy.

"Hello Eilonwy. Did you call?"

"Yes, indeed. Could you come downstairs a minute?"

Never one to refuse a friend, downstairs I went.

"Hitty Rowan, the girls have been speaking of pumpkins all morning. They believe some pumpkins may even be outside the house as we speak, just waiting to be carved. Have you heard any news on that?"

"Oh, yes...yes. I was with our person last week and we did indeed select the Halloween pumpkins. But, they are not carved yet. I think our people will do that tomorrow."

As soon as I finished saying the pumpkins were here, the girls began chattering with excitement. "Oh, could we see them? Can we go outside....can the academy girls go with us?"

"Well," replied Eilonwy, "I don't mind if you go see them, but you will have to ask Ms. Merriweather's permission to take the academy girls along."
Lily immediately set off to beg Ms. Merriweather's permission. Since it was Saturday, the academy girls had no lessons and were free to play, do homework, read or visit.

The staff were likewise free to visit among themselves over tea...and to have some peace and quiet. Lily hesitantly knocked on Master Elrond's office door and was immediately invited in.

It was rather intimidating for the child to be the lone little girl among all the academy staff, but Ms. Merriweather greeted her kindly and Lily made her request. Permission was granted, as long as Lily, as the eldest girl, kept her eye on the others.

Lily quickly went to the girls' dorm. She was rather suprised and disappointed to find most of the students engaged in projects they didn't want to leave at the moment. They had actually already been promised a field trip to see the pumpkins and were content with that. Lily noticed that two students, Merilwen and Miffy, were missing.

"Oh, Merilwen left an hour or so ago," sweet little Betsy informed Lily. "Miffy left right after Merilwen. I don't know where either one of them went....not to do something they shouldn't, I hope." Even the other students were well aware of Merilwen's penchant for finding mischief.Lily checked the classroom, but it was empty. She wandered through the corriders until she passed by Elrond's grandaughter, Amberle's, room that had been set up in anticipation of her arrival in December. She thought she heard voices inside and cautiously opened the door.

"I'm telling!" came a tiny little bear voice.

"NO YOU ARE NOT!" came a louder voice.

"Yes I am. I'm telling." said the tiny reply.

It seemed to be an ongoing discussion. Lily entered the room to see Merilwen seated on the bed, with a strange case in front of her...and what looked like small potion bottles spread everywhere.

Merilwen quickly gathered up the contents of the case and slammed the lid shut.

"Merilwen...why are you in this room? And...what were you doing with that? Were those potions? Are you allowed to have them? I thought you only got to work with potions when an adult was with you?" Lily inquired.

"She ISN'T allowed to have them!" Miffy chimed in. "I followed her yesterday. She got a box from the dolly door. She snuck it in here. Amberle sent it to her! NOBODY believed me, but I saw her! She has hair growing potions, and hair color changing potions, and potions to make you pretend you are sick so you can get out of class, and potions that make you move really fast to get your homework done really fast, and potions to make you invisible a little while so you can sneak out, and..."

"Oh, BE QUIET, Miffy!" Merilwen interrupted.

The dolly door, otherwise known by humans as the mail slot, is where we dolls enter and exit the main house, as well as receive our own mail and packages. The mail slot in the front door is really not even used for human mail, so we view it as our very own.

""Uhhmmm, Merilwen...you really, really, shouldn't have those things, and Amberle shouldn't either...she shouldn't have sent them to you...if Ms. Merriweather finds out...." Lily began.

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, these are harmless." Merilwen replied.

Merilwen hid the box behind the bed.

Lily didn't like the situation at all, but didn't want her friend to get in trouble, so she decided to let the matter drop. She asked Merilwen if she wanted to go see the pumpkins. Merilwen eagerly accepted the offer. Miffy quickly chimed in, "Me too, Me too!!!"

Merilwen told Miffy she couldn't go along on the adventure if she told about the case of potions, which silenced the little bear, at least temporarily. Lily asked, "Why can't you two just get along? I don't argue with my sisters like that."

"Miffy and I are NOT sisters, and Miffy is a tattletale." Merilwen answered.

That led to a steady stream of "Am not's" and "Are too's" all the way to the porch.

Fortunately, the girls were so excited by the sight of the pumpkins and gourds on the porch, they forgot their argument temporarily.
And, our person happened to be spinning on the porch enjoying the fall day. The girls eagerly joined her, helping by pushing the pedal of the wheel up and down.

It took a group effort, but at least that kept all arguments at bay...and tired the girls so much they took a nap when they returned home.

And all the rest of us enjoyed a bit of quiet....at least for a little awhile! The adventure is sure to continue, however!

Hitty Rowan

Hitty and Penny

2008-10-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

Greetings Again Dear Readers!

I have been most fortunate as far as outings lately! Today I was privileged to accompany my people into the fall forest once again! This time, however, a new friend tagged along. Her name is Penny. Penny is new to our household and this is her first outing ever. Quite exciting!

Penny is one of our furry friends. Unfortunately, Penny was not the only furry creature on the outing. I wouldn't call the other furry creature friendly, however, since she likes to EAT bears and dolls.

Penny and I managed to stay far away from the Dangerous Dog. We climbed a post to have a better view of the pond.

We were hoping for an outing on the lake, but there was not enough time to take the boat out this trip.

But, we still found plenty to do. Searching for the last of the little flowers before the first frost takes them away until spring......

Simply sitting and enjoying the fall day....

And, climbing to new heights before our trip was over!

The best part is, weather permitting, our people plan to bring a tent to camp out overnight here in the forest in two weeks time...and we get to come along for our very first camping trip!

Hitty Rowan

Rivendell Academy Becomes More Complete

2008-10-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

Greetings Friends! It has been a busy couple of days! We finally found suitable wallpaper for Rivendell Academy and set to work putting it up. There is still work to be done, but I must say, we were all pleased with the results so far! Master Elrond's office is at long last becoming fit for an Elven Lord!

Ms. Merriweather finally has the "proper schoolroom" she has longed for quite awhile!

There is a corkboard to showcase, as Ms. Merriweather puts it, "Exemplary Student Achievements".....the students are working hard right now to be the first to have their work displayed.

Professor Arthur the Bear is in charge of the younger students, including his neice Miffy and his nephew Paddington. He tries hard to keep Nissa and Nim "in-line" as Ms. Merriweather would say, but it is rather hard making a fairy and a pixie sit still for lessons all day.

Mrs. Merriweather is in charge of the older student and keeps a sharp eye on them to make sure their is no "window gazing." It is rather tempting to peek out at the happenings in the valley outside!

After their lessons, the girls can retire to their new dormitory...I think it is quite a pleasant place for the girls to play or rest after a hard day's work.

Elrond and Celebrian have been busy preparing a room for the impending arrival of their grandaughter. Ms. Merriweather thinks the room is "a bit much" for a student's dormitory.
I don't know what could have possibly given her that idea...what, with chocolates, a velvet dress, and perfume awaiting....a "magic" phone to call home (the elves don't really use phones like we mortals do, but Celebrian and Elrond read that human teenagers are quite fond of the phone, so they decided their grandaughter should have something similiar)...
A lapdog.....
A doll companion with a dresser full of clothes....hmmmm....Ms. Merriweather might be correct...it is not your typical student dormitory! Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian might have gotten just a bit carried away. But, I think it is a room our soon to arrive Elven teenager will indeed enjoy.

Hopefully, she won't enjoy it so much it interferes with her studies!

Well, I will keep you updated on all the happenings of our household as they unfold, but that is all for today,

Yours Truly,

Hitty Rowan

Fall in the Mountains

2008-10-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Friends! When last I wrote, it was summer. How quickly pass the days! Fall is in the air and my people, Mr. and Mrs. H., decided to take a trip into the mountains to catch a glimpse of the fall foliage.

On our way up to the mountains of the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, we stopped to look at a local dam. Fortunately, the usual torrent of water was turned off and we were able to venture closer than usual on this day.

But, I must admit, I was still a bit nervous when we climbed down the stairs that led to the water's edge.

It gave me a bit of a shudder to think of being swept away with the awesome force of the currents if the dam was turned on! Mrs. H. re-assured me that the sirens would sound if for some reason the dam was turned on. However, it was not scheduled to be on today.

Still, I was a bit relieved when we resumed our journey to the mountain park. We stopped at the site of the 1996 summer Olympics white water rafting center. Further on down the river, where the current was swift and the water deeper, we saw several rafters out enjoying the fall day. My people discussed returning to the park to try a bit of rafting themselves next summer. I do hope they provide me with a waterproof pouch during that event!

We hiked a bit on the mountain trails. I found a fetching new fall fashion along the way!

The hike was quite long and we all stopped to rest a bit. I found the perfect place to sit for a spell!

There were signs all around warning people to beware of black bears. However, the most fearsome thing we encountered were some rather large centipedes. I thought they were rather frightening enough, actually...especially when you are a small doll.

On the way down the mountain, we stopped by a lovely lake.

I didn't mind being close to the still waters of the lake! Much more relaxing than sitting at the edge of the waters below the dam. I did have one brief scare when Master H. wondered how far I would float, being made of wood. I was quite relieved when Mrs. H. informed him that if I were to set sail, he would be going in after me so he had best leave me right were I was. Master H. can be quite the joker sometimes...at least, I hope he was joking...

Later, we visited Mrs. H's. father. He works at a rock crusher far up in the hills were he grew up years ago. He took us to the top of the hill they are working on now.

The view was quite spectacular, although one had to be sure not to get to close to the edge of the ravine in order to avoid starting a rock slide.

We wandered about the hills....finding some lovely flowers along the way.
The best part, however, was stopping by a pond far up the hillside....undisturbed except for the rare visitor. The beavers had been quite busy in the pond! We could see the little homes they had dug for themselves. After surveying their handiwork, I could quite see where the expression, "Busy as a beaver" comes from.
Overall, a lovely fall adventure!

Until Next Time,

Hitty Rowan

Rivendell Academy

2008-08-31T16:51:00.001-07:00

My, my, my....I just CAN'T keep up with all the changes around here today! No sooner had we helped Elrond and Celebrian settle in their new home then another difficulty arose. In the form of a mischievous half-Elven little girl...Merilwen to be exact.

I was catching up on my journaling when Merilwen came into my study. She was not at all her usual rather boisterous self. In fact, she was practically dragging. I have never seen her so long in the face.

"Why, Merilwen, whatever is the matter?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing Hitty Rowan. I was just watching Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian move into their new home."

"Yes...it is rather exciting isn't it?" I remarked...hoping to see some of Merilwen's usual enthusiasm.

"I guess. I suppose....I suppose Elrond's grandaughter will be really happy there. " Merilwen hesitatingly replied.

"Yes, I am sure she will be happy. And, you can go visit all you like and you will be happy too." I did hope this would cheer Merilwen up.

"It isn't the same, though...." she began. At that moment, I was unfortunately distracted by Miss Hickory yelling about something in the kitchen she needed help with.

"Oh, Merilwen dear, I would love to talk later...perhaps for the moment you could go practice your piano lessons, or take a nap if you are tired."

"I guess so." Merilwen rather drearily replied. I really hated to leave her, but one doesn't ignore Miss Hickory when she yells about the kitchen.

I ran to tend to that matter, and Merilwen sulked off to practice piano.

She didn't practice very long, but soon made her way upstairs with her beloved doll Annabelle.

Merilwen sat on the bed sighing, then confided in her closest companion, "Annabelle, nothing here is really ours. It isn't really our home...this isn't my room...these aren't even my pillows. I know Hitty Rowan says it is our home just as much as hers, but...it's just...it's just...I miss how it used to be. You remember, when this was Miss Merriweather's academy. What good times we used to have! Me and Betsy, Nim and Nissa. I know Nim and Nissa live here too...but it isn't an academy. Sometimes I just hate all the changes. I know we companions just don't have as much room as we used to, but I miss the academy. There isn't an academy anywhere here anymore. I know Betsy comes to visit, but I wish she lived here. I know...I know Annabelle...there isn't room. I just can't helping wishing.....oh, never mind. There is no use in wishing."

Merilwen slunk downstairs again, where I found her in my office, staring at Elrond's new home.

"Oh, there you are Merilwen. I am so sorry about the interruption earlier. I was hoping you would be cheered up by now...but it looks like I was wrong. What is bothering you so much, my dear?"

Merilwen looked close to tears, and stammered out the feelings she had confided to Annabelle. I must admit, I felt my heart sink. All this time, with all the recent changes, poor Merilwen and Betsy, Nim and Nissa...all had been quite lost and overlooked. Yes, they had a home of sorts...but not the kind of home they needed. How could we have not realized the girls might even miss....school.

"Merilwen, have you told Miss Merriweather and Elrond how you feel?"

"No," the child choked out. "What can they do?"

"I...I don't know...but there might be a solution yet. Let's go speak with Ms. Merriweather. My heart almost broke as Merilwen spoke.

"Oh Miss Merriweather. I don't want to cause trouble...I really don't. I love Hitty Rowan and it is nice here...but I miss how it used to be so, so much! You know, when you and me and Master Elrond and Betsy and Nissa and Nim got to go places together and lived in the academy..we, we...were a family."

"Oh, my darling Merilwen," cried Ms. Merriweather. "We still ARE a family! We may not live in the same house anymore, or have an academy, but we see each other every day. And, you have lessons everyday with Betsy...."

"But, it's...just...not the same," Merilwen whispered in a small, dejected voice.

Ms. Merriweather sighed. "Oh Merilwen. My dear, dear Merilwen. I am afraid your Miss Merriweather doesn't have a solution for this dilemma."

"Do you think, maybe Master Elrond can help?" Merilwen whispered.

"I don't know, Merilwen." Ms. Merriweather sadly replied.

"Can I ask?" Merilwen said, a bit hopefully.

"Well, it never hurts to ask."

With that, Merilwen set off to Elrond's house.

Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian listened intently to the little girl.

They exchanged a long look.

"Merilwen," Master Elrond said gently, all the while looking at Celebrian, "I think we might be able to help."

Merilwen's face lit with joy, "You can????"

"I think we can," Celebrian smiled. "Why don't you go sit with Ms. Merriweather for a bit and let us discuss some things?"

Merilwen trotted off with a lighter heart. Elrond and Celebrian looked at each other for a long moment.

"Elrond," Celebrian began. "There is indeed much space here."

"Yes, there is, my dear. It is not exactly what we intended, though, is it?"

"No. But, you have to admit, it will be quite the adventure." Celebrian chuckled.

"Knowing Merilwen and our grandaughter...it will be indeed," Elrond replied, hiding a smile.

"Well, let the adventure begin," Celebrian laughed.

And indeed the adventure did begin. We all helped Miss Merriweather, Merilwen, Betsy, Nim, and Nissa move into their new home.

And The Rivendell Academy began....what an adventure it will be!

Especially if it is anything like the past academy adventures:

http://merilwensmusings.blogspot.com/

Hitty Rowan

A New Home...re-established

2008-08-31T11:19:00.001-07:00

It seems just yesterday my household was helping our Elven neighbors establish their household. Wait a moment....it was just yesterday...and our neighbors have already moved their household! The small cabinet was rather cramped for companions the size of our neighbors. They could get by, but it was rather crowded for them, especially with a teenager to arrive soon.

So, I went about scouting out potential spaces with more room for our neighbors. I was extremely lucky to find something available right in my own neighborhood! Our neighbors were in the rather remote wilds of the Dining Room, far removed from other companion households.

Now, they are in the more civilized Bedroom Neighborhood. In fact, we can see them from our house, which is most exciting! Of course, our person had to move some of her things out of the house to accomodate our neighbors, but we all must do what is best for everyone concerned. And, us companions voted this was best. There being only one of our person, and many of us, she unfortunately loses on most issues we vote on.
Besides, her and Husband have the use of the top of the new home, which is enough space for them. Our neighbors are only taking up residence in the basement of the armoire. Our people only used the armoire basement to store items not used much anyway, so they shouldn't really be too inconvenienced.

Now the Elves have three nice size rooms. The fourth potential room is not big enough for the Elves to stand up in, so we allowed our person to store her books in there for now. Although, some of us shorter companions might eventually like to move in that space so we warned our person to perhaps be looking for other spaces for her books.

For now, we simply moved most of the Elves' furniture into what will be Master Elrond's office. We are looking for new furniture for his office on E-bay as we speak. We will soon be putting suitable wallpaper in the office too.

This will be Elrond's grandaughter's room. We will also need to paper and furnish it appropriately. We already found her a desk on e-bay (we companions DO love e-bay). We have our eye on a bed, closet, and new couch.
The last room will be the Hall of Fire. We envision a large fireplace surrounded with chairs and cushions where all us companions in the neighborhood can gather and visit. Of course that will also require new furniture and such. We know our person won't mind accommodating us with more e-bay shopping. After all, everyone in the household must be comfortable.

So, we are indeed busy around here!

Hitty Rowan

A New Household is Established

2008-08-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Today my friends and I plan to begin helping our neighors establish a new household. We are forever rearranging spaces around here it seems. Our neighbors are a bit unusual. Not in a bad way, mind you...they are Elves and quite wonderfully unusual. Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian have been shifted from one house to another as guests for quite awhile. Now, they will have their own household in the small cabinet in the dining room. It will have three levels. We really do have our work cut out for us. For now, we simply moved Master Elrond's desk and Lady Celebrian's sofa into Master Elrond's office. He used to have more furniture, but our person temporarily packed it away when households were being rearranged. Unfortunately, she does not remember WHERE she stowed it. At least our resident Elves each have a place to sit until the rest of their belongings can be found

Our next steps are to help Master Elrond work on the walls. The Elves would like a castle type setting, so we will have to do some stonework. Lady Celebrian will be working on embroidering tapestrys for the walls. Most of us are rather inclined to assist Lady Celebrian. I will have to keep all of you updated on our progress. We must finish the house by December. That is when Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian's great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandaughter will arrive. With Elves being immortal, they tend to have great...great...great, etc. relatives. She is a teenager, and a bit headstrong from what we understand. We just hope she does not turn the new household upside down!

Hitty Rowan

Back Home at Last

2008-08-24T18:33:00.001-07:00

Greetings Dear Friends!

My, my....I feel like it has been forever since I last wrote! I suppose because there have been so many changes since then. So much has happened with the wedding excitement and Fiance (now my person's husband) joining our household! I won't bore you with the details, else I would be up all night telling about it all. Let us just say the wedding was a wonderous day and then we danced the night away!

The next day, we headed to the beach!!! I fear I am not in any pictures. For some reason, my person was quite distracted and didn't pay me much mind during the honeymoon. No matter. At least I got to tag along and quite enjoyed seeing the ocean from my place in my person's beach bag, even if I did not get out much.

The ocean was quite turbulant, due to a passing storm. In fact, my people only got to actually swim in it the first day of our vacation. The beach was closed to swimming the rest of our stay.

My people at least enjoyed wading in the surf, even if they couldn't swim in the ocean. Well, until a jelly fish washed around my person's ankles. Now, I have heard my person let out quite a shriek at the sight of a spider. But, even I must admit I have heard nothing like the terrified shrieking strains of , "JELLYFISH!!! JELLYFISH!!!" as my person made a mad dash out of the water. A bit embarrasing, actually, but I don't suppose I would want to be stung by one either. Although, being made of wood, I suppose it wouldn't affect me much.

The jellyfish were everywhere, even on the sand. So, I likely wouldn't have got many photo opportunities even had my person been so inclined, since after seeing them all over the beach she seldom moved off the beach blanket again.

No matter. We found other things to do...like visiting the nearby Naval museum.

We saw all sorts of interesting things there....

And I even brought back my own plane...Not to mention my own boat along with my own piece of the beach...

And best of all, good memories to share with friends!
Hitty Rowan

The Countdown is Here

2008-07-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends!

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote. I am afraid wedding frenzy has quite consumed us here...between helping my person work and plan and sew and make bows I fear there has been no time left for writing. However, with only three days to go before the wedding on Saturday, my person stole a few moments to change me into my wedding attire. Relatives begin arriving tommorrow and there will be precious little time to change little dolls into their wedding finery. So, here I am, ready to provide support at my person's wedding. She found a quaint little basket (labeled as a "makeup case") that accomodates my dress and flower basket so I can be with her as much as possible during the next few days. Although, I fear she will have to make the walk down the aisle without me....but, I will be safely in the congregation with a friend so I might peek out and watch the procedings. Well, back to last minute bow making!

A Month to Go

2008-06-21T05:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings Dear Friends!

Well, it has been a bit since I last wrote. During that time, our household has been quite consumed with wedding planning. With only a month to go, we are trying to help our person make sure all is in order before the "Big Day." This morning, we companions helped our person "take inventory." We actually look to be in good shape. Our hope is to do all that can be done in advance of the wedding week so that our person can enjoy visiting with family as they arrive that week. We hope to host an ongoing "open house" for whoever might want to drop by the last two days before the wedding (all hands will be needed for cooking pies, cheeseballs, and such that week). The girls are quite excited about all the pending festivities. I plan to take up my survellience post in the living room to observe and report on all activities the "big" week.

The next two weeks or so will be hectic in trying to pull last minute details together, but I think we are almost ready. I recruited the little girls of the household, and Rosina Fayette, to take inventory this morning.

I went with my person and Fiance's sister (secretly of course) to the fabric shop yesterday. We selected fabrics for table toppers, pew bows, and tulle bows for the reception. We will be quite busy bow making and sewing the next two weeks. Fortunately, Fiance's sisters and mother all sew and "bow make" and have offered their assistance, so we won't lack for help.
Rosina Fayette was particularly attracted to the wedding set with the feather pen in it. She would now like a fancy feather pen of her own. Perhaps later we can find an appropriate feather for her to make a quill of her own. Lily loved the idea of the "Unity Candle." Our person's mother and Fiance's mother will light the small candles right before the wedding ceremonies begin. Later, Fiance and our person will light the big candle together to symbolize their new unity along with the unity with their families. Being a bridesmaid myself, I helped our person shop for gifts for the other bridesmaids. We found lovely silver jewelry boxes embossed with silver roses and engraved with the bridesmaid's name for each person. I do hope they like them! Unfortunately, they did not come in my size. We found hankerchief's for each mother involved in the wedding.
I double checked my own wedding day trousseau to make sure all was in order.

Lottie loved the little silver ring decorations that will be scattered on the reception tables. There are even enough packages for her to have a few to keep and play with.

We found rose petals to scatter on the tables along with the silver rings.

Ms. Merriweather convinced our person to wear proper gloves, since it is a rather Victorian wedding.

We even have the something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue arranged.

My person will carry a new Bible, wrapped in a ribbon of pink and white silk flowers for the something "new." For the something "old," she will carry a "grandmother" hankerchief she gave to her grandmother years ago and a much older little prayer book her grandmother gave her before passing away tucked into the Bible. Her grandmother was given the prayer book in 1936, so it is quite old! I believe that although our person's grandmother cannot be there in person, she will certainly be there in spirit!

Our person borrowed a small card from Fiance to carry as well. As for the something blue, there is a small blue rose on our person's garter (although Ms. Merriweather is rather scandalized about me mentioning that). Now, after a bit of sewing, I think we will be ready for the "Big Day" only a month away!

Hopefully, I will get a chance to update you before then.

Your Friend,

Hitty Rowan

Fishing

2008-05-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

Today I had a new adventure with my people (at the moment to be referred to as my person and Fiance...it is getting rather confusing trying to keep up with more than one human companion). We went fishing. I have never even dreamed of fishing at my size. After all, most fish are quite bigger than me and I don't fancy being dragged into the murky depths by a bluegill or catfish or such. However, I was set up with my own fishing rod quite near the bank. I could see minnows right near where I was sitting and tried my best to catch one. Catching a minnow might not seem like a worthy endeavor to you, but at my size, a minnow would be quite a nice catch.

I didn't succeed in catching anything. But, at least I fared better than my person. After a valiant struggle, she managed to wrestle to shore.....a cup filled with mud.
At least Fiance fared better than the both of us.
I know when I am in over my head. Actually, I decided to quit before I was in over my head...literally. I gave up fishing in favor of a nice walk through the woods. There were some lovely flowers in bloom.

And, I met the most delightful toad. You might be surprised that toads can be delightful. But they really are gentle creatures full of tales about the woods they inhabit. I could have listened to my new friend quite a long time, but my people decided to take the canoe out to try to catch fish that way.
I was rather nervous boarding the canoe. It wasn't very sturdy for one thing. It was already manned by a crew of spiders for another thing. Not that I am that frightened of spiders. But, my person is quite terrified of them. I, on the other hand, was terrified she might tip the boat with the fuss she was likely to make if one crawled on her in the middle of the pond. Fiance did his best to clear them out.
And, off we went. I enjoyed sitting on the side of the boat....carefully held in place by my person (and fervently hoping a spider wouldn't choose to hop on her at that moment).
We rowed out to the middle of the pond....

And cast our lines into the hazy water. I decided to keep an eye on my person's fishing line, since she was too busy keeping an eye out for stray spiders.
It really was a lovely day to float through the water. We didn't catch any fish on the lake, but the time was still well spent.
And, after such an adventure, I was more than ready to curl up on my person's quilt for a good night's sleep!

Your Friend,

Hitty Rowan

A Day at the Races

2008-05-03T05:39:00.001-07:00

Greetings Dear Friends.

Yesterday Rosina Fayette and I had quite an adventure. We accompanied our person...well, since fiance came along I suppose we accompanied our people....to a day at the races. Horse races that is. We mounted our trusty steed (in this case Allanon the alpaca, but it is the best we could do) and off to Churchill Downs we went.
Churchill Downs is the site of the Kentucky Derby. We will not get to attend the Derby, but we attended the Kentucky Oaks race. The Kentucky Oaks occurs the afternoon before the Derby. While not the actually Derby, there is still plenty of adventure to be had and plenty of sights (and hats) to see.

Our day started early as we toured the "backtrack" where the horses and their attendants were busy preparing for the day.

Everyone was waking up....

Eating breakfast...
And freshening up for the big day.

The horses were out quite early and on the track to exercise before the races later in the day.

The people were also getting ready for the day....beginning with selecting their uhhmmmmm....obligatory headgear.

At least our people didn't quite go so far in their attempts to be creative with their hats.

It actually ended up raining for much of the races, so we all stayed inside Churchill Downs and watched the races on the big screens there....sipping Mint Juleps and watching the hats pass by.

At last it was time to say farewell to the Twin Spires. We shall never forget our Day at the Races, however!

The Princess' New Clothes

2008-04-20T04:28:00.000-07:00

Well, when I wrote yesterday, we had a new resident. A self-proclaimed Princess who has apparently been quietly hiding among us. She might have revealed herself sooner had our person not mistaken her for a school girl and put her in the academy here. After casting off her school girl uniform yesterday (leaving her rather bare), she refused to tell us her name until she had some clothes befitting her station.

Ms. Merriweather called our person to tell her we had a fashion emergency of the worst kind on our hands. Our person suggested that our little nameless Princess simply put her school uniform back on until she had time to make her more suitable clothes....she mentioned something about having to clean the basement.

Ms. Merriweather pointed out no one ever goes in the basement to see it, however everyone was now seeing the rather bare Princess. She suggested to our person that the Princess needed to take priority over the basement. The little Princess had began to rather pout at this point. She didn't look too pleased with our person at all.

Ms. Merriweather also reminded our person that had she spent more time with the Princess when she first arrived here, instead of making such a hasty judgment about her nature and sticking her in an academy where she didn't belong, we wouldn't be having this dilemma.

With that, our person caved in to Ms. Merriweather's request rather quickly (I think she was looking for an excuse to postpone cleaning anyway). I also think she did feel rather guilty about misjudging the Princess.

So, the Princess and our person spent the day together. The Princess requested a dress of the finest spider web silk and perhaps a few morning dew drops. Unfortunately, the only thing we have on hand is gingham and calico. Plus, our person is afraid of spiders so I don't see spider web silk ever happening. But, our person did what she could with what was available, promising the Princess she would order some small bits of silk (made by silk worms, not spiders) to make up for misjudging her initially. The Princess perked up at that and seemed to warm up to our person a bit (she had seemed to be holding a bit of a grudge).

Our person let the Princess select some fabric...she chose a nice tiny rose print. To make up for the lack of silk, our person at least found some silk ribbon for a sash and hair bow.

The Princess proclaimed the dress "good enough for now, until better can be found." She finally told us her name...Princess Rosina Fayette. Her first name means "little rose" and her second name means "little fairy". I suppose she is a little rose fairy of some sort. We asked our resident fairies, Nim and Nissa, if they had ever heard of the princess. They hadn't, but they explained that fairy Princesses were quite common. Rosina Fayette was most likely simply the princess of a backyard rose garden somewhere who had been displaced. Sometimes people neglect or do away with such gardens, leaving the resident fairy homeless....or in this case, realmless. Nim and Nissa also suggested we avoid mentioning the fact that we knew the Princess was most likely only minor displaced royalty, since fairy Princesses are quite touchy about that sort of thing. They think she has refused to speak the last few years because she was likely insulted our person couldn't tell she was a Princess right away.

The Princess began making herself at home. She seemed to like Ms. Hickory, but didn't care too much for the stove. I think she was afraid she might have to actually use it someday. Ms. Hickory quickly told the Princess that the stove was her property and she was the cook of the house. Rosina Fayette seemed greatly relieved at that. I don't think kitchen chores are very appealing to our Princess.
Rosina Fayette appeared to become fond of Merilwen quite quickly. Ms. Merriweather had already impressed her for standing up to our person for her rights to a new dress and a proper place in the household.

Lily and Mehitabel seemed to take to the Princess quite readily. And, the Princess seemed to take to the piano in the house quite readily. She explained to us she is musically gifted and quite talented at entertaining foreign dignataries. At least we don't have to worry about Princess Rosina Fayette not thinking highly enough of herself.

It will be interesting to see her start travelling with our person a bit. The Princess is hoping to tour some exotic and far off human lands. We thought we would wait a bit before explaining the most exotic place she is likely to see most days is our person's work place down the road....

Hitty Rowan

Another "New" Resident

2008-04-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

We have a new resident in our home...actually, she has lived here in our person's house for quite awhile. Unfortunately, our person mistaked her for a school girl and placed her in "school" with the other youngsters at the Hitty academy. Our new resident had not yet found her voice...sometimes that takes awhile. She has been here for a few years, just quietly watching everything. To be truthful, we rather thought of her as part of the furniture she was so quiet and have really paid her no mind. But, no longer.

Today, she finally found her voice and has decided she wants to be a travel companion. She also cast off her school girl frock and declared she is not a child but a Princess from a foreign court who would like to travel in the style to which she is accustomed. We are not sure of her name as of yet, or where she is from. She is demanding proper clothes befitting her station in life before she tells us. As busy as our mistress is lately, it may be awhile before we know her name. She might get quite cold before then too.

Hitty Rowan

The Homecomings Continue

2008-04-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings Again Dear Readers!

There is an old saying you may be familiar with....when it rains, it pours. We certainly have our share of rain in the forecast this week. However, I think that saying rather applies to the happenings within our house as well as without.

Miss Merriweather came calling recently. We were delighted to see her. We old fashioned types need to stick together you know. Mehitabel was telling Miss Merriweather all about her decision to resign as Headmistress of Preble Academy.

Miss Merriweather listened quietly. After Mehitabel was finished with her story, Miss Merriweather sighed deeply. "Yes, my friend, I do understand. It is quite an honor to be Headmistress of an academy, but the burdens of leadership do tend to weigh on one after awhile."

Quite surprised by her downcast look, I asked, "Why...my dear Miss Merriweather...surely you too are not thinking of resigning."

"Well, Rowan, not exactly resign permanently. With the Preble Academy for Hitties merging with mine....well, there are plenty of adults to run things smoothly with all the teachers in the house. Not to mention Celebrian and Elrond. Why, I am really not needed that much anymore."

I was shocked. "Not needed! But....Merriweather....you are one of the backbones of the entire household! Even our person would be quite lost without your sound advice...along with us Hitty's collective wisdom!"

"Dear Rowan, you are too kind. The students all love Celebrian and Elrond, as much...perhaps more...than me. And, our person is busy of late and with the academy being located in the dining room now, I really don't get to visit with her as much as we did when I lived here. This was the first house I lived in when I left the doll cabinet, you know. I really didn't like being a grand lady locked in a cabinet. I saw our little mischievous half-Elven Merilwen when she first arrived here and couldn't help but think that child needed more supervision than she was getting. When our person moved me out of the cabinet and appointed me as Nanny to Merilwen, then eventualy as head of a girl's academy, I was so happy. But times have changed, and will change even more with our person's marriage. I just find myself longing for the old days in this house...when times were simpler."

"Well, perhaps another talk with our person is in order. We would certainly love to have you live here."

We talked with our person, and I think she too was eager to have Miss Merriweather back in our house, where she would see her more. The girls in the academy were sad at the news of a second Headmistress taking a leave of absence. But, the girls really have so much company with each other, Elrond and Celebrian, and Hitty grandparents and teachers, that there was no lack of love to fill in the gap. Life at the academy continued on, and Miss Merriweather began settling in with us, and immediately fulfilling her new position as Head Advisor to our person (who sometimes needs a lot of advice).

All seemed well...or so we thought.

Back at the academy, our mischievous Merilwen seemed quite out of sorts. The other girls seemed delighted with the household busting at the seems with little girls...so many new companions to play with. While polite to the other girls and sometimes joining in their play, Merilwen didn't seem to have the desire to chatter and play all them time like the others. She began to keep to herself.At times, she would wander down to sit with the adults, but still seemed rather out of sorts.

At lunchtime today, Grandma Gracie called for the girls to come and eat. Merilwen was missing. The teachers searched the academy and house...but no Merilwen. Elrond was informed of her abscence. "Surely," he said, "Merilwen would not venture outside alone. She certainly knows better, especially after her disasterous search for snow a few weeks ago."

He went in search of Merilwen....and found her exactly where she wasn't supposed to be.

"Merilwen, whatever are you doing out here alone? You know better!" Elrond gently admonished.

Merilwen, who can be quite stubborn when she has a mind to, simply pouted and replied, "I just needed some fresh air! I can't breathe anymore in the academy!"

"Merilwen, you can breathe just as well in the academy as outside. Now come along...."

Elrond led the reluctant little half-elven girl back inside, with Merilwen dragging her feet the entire way.

He returned her to the care of the academy teachers, gently reminding her not to venture into the dangerous outside world alone again.

Now, you would think being personally escorted back to the academy by Master Elrond would be enough to keep Merilwen inside. We were all quite shocked when Hagrid returned her to the academy AGAIN later in the day...she had somehow managed to elude all the teachers and venture outside once more.

Elrond and Celebrian tried to reason with the child, but she would have none of it.

Merilwen can be "a handful" sometimes, but had never been this uncooperative. The more Elrond and Celebrian tried to speak with her, the more uncooperative Merilwen became until she did something no child in the household had ever done before. Merilwen...threw...a........ tantrum.

Celbrian and Elrond, wise though they are, were momentarily at a loss.

"Oh dear, Elrond. Whatever has gotten into Merilwen? I have not been here long, but I've never seen her behave like this..." Celebrian softly spoke.

"Neither have I..." Elrond quietly replied. "I wonder......"

He rose suddenly and headed for the academy door, "I'll be back in a moment...I think I know exactly what our dear Merilwen needs."

I fear Elrond's idea of what she needed might have differed from Merilwen's. Miss Merriweather lost no time in picking the child up off of the floor and heading home...a very unhappy Merilwen in tow.

Miss Merriweather tried to find out what was troubling Merilwen so very much, but only got a footstomping, "It's not fair!" from the child. Merilwen refused to say what was unfair.
Miss Merriweather quickly had enough of Merilwen's behavior and sent her to bed for a nap, thinking perhaps the child was overtired. As Merilwen sobbed her frustrations into her pillow before finally sleeping....
Miss Merriweather went to visit Elrond and Celebrian. Together, they tried to sort out Merilwen's odd behavior."Miss Merriweather, I don't know what exactly is wrong with Merilwen, but I might hazard a guess. First of all, although she does like the other children, I think there are simply too many of them around too much of the time for Merilwen. She is half-Elven, and sometimes needs solitude...time to reflect....time to write poetry, or gaze at the stars....time alone. I suppose I should have thought of that...the other girls delight in constant chatter and company, but not Merilwen. The lack of reflection time has likely made her quite irritable."

"Second...Merilwen's behavior became much worse...when you left. I do believe she misses you."

"Misses ME! My dear Elrond, you know Merilwen holds a very special place in my heart and always will. But, sometimes her thirst for adventure gets the best of her judgement. For her own safety, there are times when I simply must keep a careful eye on her. You know Merilwen doesn't exactly like that."

"Not on the surface, no. But, deep down, she knows you love her and are only trying to keep her safe. I think she simply needs more attention...from one she really does love...and more time for herself. Not that she needs to be isolated from the others...certainly not. They enjoy her company and she theirs...just not all the time. Merilwen needs, not a governess or Headmistress, but more like a Nanny of her very own, as well as space of her own when she wants it."
"A Nanny....that is what I was to her when I first left the doll cabinet. Before I became Headmistress of the academy. Do you really think she misses...me?"

"Oh, I do indeed!" Elrond quickly replied. "I think she needs you more than you know."

"And perhaps," Celebrian gently added, "You need Merilwen more than you know."

Miss Merriweather's eyes became suspiciously moist. "Well...I think I know a solution to this dilemma."

When Merilwen woke from her nap, she found Miss Merriweather waiting for her. Refreshed from her sleep, Merilwen recollected her behavior the past day or so and suddently felt dreadfully ashamed.

She tried to apologize to Miss Merriweather, but found her apology cut off when Miss Merriweather hugged her tightly....

Miss Merriweather and Merilwen talked for a long time. It seems that Merilwen was feeling quite different from the other girls. She wondered what was wrong with her, when everyone else seemed so happy with the new, boisterous house full of little girls. She tried very hard to be happy with the constant noise and activity, but found herself desperately needing a bit of quiet.

Then, Miss Merriweather left and poor Merilwen simply could not contain her frustration any longer. She went outside to seek some solitude, even though she knew she should not do so alone. But, all the adults in the house were so busy with the other children, there was really no one to ask to accompany her outside.
Miss Merriweather asked Merilwen how she would like to come live with us? Although she could certainly see the other children whenever she wished, Miss Merriweather would be Merilwen's very own Nanny, and she would have her very own space for solitude when she needed it.

Merilwen eagerly accepted Miss Merriweather's offer. She seems quite content again. She even helped Miss Hickory fix dinner, did her homework, and practiced her piano lesson without being reminded.

And at the end of the day, Merilwen and Nanny Merriweather delighted in each other's company before Merilwen quietly and willingly turned in for the night.
It would seem all is well again in our world!

Hitty Rowan

The Return of Mehitabel

2008-03-31T07:51:00.001-07:00

Well, since I last wrote, Lily has settled in quite well. I helped her start her own journal, which has made her happy. We are still awaiting the arrival of her sisters. We do not know when they will make their way to their new home.

In the meanwhile, Spring has finally arrived. If you call constant rain and chill "Spring." However, despite its dreary beginnings, Spring has a special magic that gets the
sap flowing in one's veins (if you are a wooden doll) and lifts the spirit.

I arose a bit late this morning. Our person is on spring break, so no need to get up and about early for work. Today all us companions are changing into our spring clothes. It is supposed to warm up by this afternoon, despite intervals of rain. This morning, the rain had not yet set in and hazy sunshine flooded my room.As I looked out the window, I could see rain clouds on the horizen. But, no sense worrying about storms brewing in the distance. We'll deal with them when they arrive and enjoy the sunshine until then.I wandered downstairs and offered to help Miss Hickory with breakfast. Miss Hickory really is a dear soul despite her sometimes brusque manner. However, she considers the kitchen her domain and gets a bit wadgety, as they used to say in my day, about interference in her tiny realm.

Still, I feel impolite not offering my assistance. The response was the same as always, "No thank you, Rowan. I have it all under control. Go on to your study and I'll call you when breakfast is ready." That is Miss Hickory's manner of shooing a person out of her way. It is advisable to listen.

I wandered down to my study and greeted my ever faithful companion, China Blue.
We settled in for some journaling. China Blue is an excellent listener and I often run my ideas past him.

I was so soon so deep in my thoughts that I was quite startled when Amelia burst into the room. My older sister Mehitabel and her school merged with Miss Merriweather's academy recently, and Amelia often visits the other girls during the day. Although Mehitabel's stay at my home was only supposed to be temporary, the house feels a bit empty, although much quieter, without Mehitabel's school here.

Miss Hickory and I are always glad to see Amelia when she returns home for dinner, to liven things up a bit. I was quite surprised to see her at this time of day, though. She brought some rather worrisome news. Mehitabel was missing...she was not in her office or around the academy. Amelia said the dear Mistress of Preble Academy had been unusually quiet the last few days. Ms. Merriweather and Master Elrond were worried about her, and wondered if I could help find my sister.
I set off to search for Mehitabel. Amelia set off to the kitchen, just in time for some fresh baked cookies. Miss Hickory is quite indulgent of Amelia.

I finally found Mehitabel. What I saw worried me indeed. Mehitabel sat looking rather...dejected. Hittys do not normally look dejected. When a Hitty looks dejected, there is definitely a problem. Mehitabel sat beside her lovely spring dress. As Mistress of the Academy, Mehitabel must dress accordingly. Besides, Mehitabel has been with our person longer than any of us....11 years this July...and is entitled to at least some finery and privileges. Mehitabel attended school in a state far from home with our person, accompanied her on her first plane ride, and through her first jobs after school. Mehitabel even knew my person's grandparents. She became so very dear to our person, and such a reminder of times that will never come again, that our person did not have the heart to continue travelling with Mehitabel. She was too afraid something might happen to her oldest companion.

So, Mehitabel retired from travel and became a Grand Lady and Mistress of Preble Academy. She has always seemed quite happy...until now. I wondered how she could be unhappy with Spring in the air.

I sat down beside my older sister and gently asked what was wrong.

"Ah Rowan, my dear sister. It is good to see you. You musn't worry...I am just a bit melancholy at the moment. It will pass."

"But, Mehitabel, I have never seen you melancholy. There must be something wrong. Here...let me help you into your Spring dress. That will cheer you up."

"No! I mean....I am not ready to wear my Spring dress, Rowan."

"But....why ever not, Mehitabel? Aren't you glad Spring is here?"

"I am glad Spring is here, but I do not wish to wear my Spring dress."

"Why not, dear sister? It is such a lovely dress...quite befitting the Mistress of the Academy and the eldest, and I daresay one of the wisest...companions."

Mehitabel gave a deep sigh. "Rowan, I fear I am a bit tired of being a Great Lady. I feel confined in my Headmistresses' quarters, and although I love the students and my staff, I grow weary of the burden of leadership. I want....I want to simply be Mehitabel again. I want to travel a bit with our Mistress. I want to wear the clothes of a simple wooden doll again....not the silks of a Great Lady."

"Well, why don't you tell our person how you feel. She would understand. The students and all your friends would also understand. Auntie Fern and Hitty Flora are quite capable of running the academy along with Ms. Merriweather. Why don't you retire from.....retirement?"

"Do you really think everyone would understand?"

"I am sure they will!!"

With that, I fetched our person. She loves Mehitabel so dearly, she would not ever wish to see her unhappy. So, she accepted Mehitabel's resignation, and gladly welcomed her back as a travel companion. Our person has finally accepted the fact that Mehitabel, like me, is meant to walk in the adventurous footsteps of the very first Hitty.

Mehitabel quickly put on a traditional "Hitty" dress and settled with Miss Hickory and me. She can save her finery for our person's wedding....but will certainly need to change back into more practical clothes to accompany us to the beach this summer.

The academy students and staff were sad to see Mehitabel resign as Headmistress, but happy for her to follow her heart. Besides, it is not like they will not see her everyday anyway.

So, here's to our happy household!

Hitty Rowan

Lily Arrives!

2008-03-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today is very special. Lily arrived on our doorstep! It is much warmer today than is usual for this time of year, but Lily's summer dress she arrived in was still too cold for her. She tried on her new spring dress my person and I made her, and it fit her perfectly! Since it is so close to Easter, my person gave her an Easter bunny in anticipation. So here she is...our very own Easter Lily:

Grandmother Hitty

2008-02-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

I have received a request for a picture of our grandmother Hitty. Here are our delightful grandparent Hittys, busy baking cookies in the kitchen on this cold day:

Another Winter Day

2008-02-23T03:26:00.001-08:00

We had another ice storm the last couple of days. No snow...just pure ice. School was closed so my person got to stay home. A new doll pattern book just came in the mail. We decided to make a dress for our first new companion, Lily, expected next week sometime. I added the finishing touches. I do hope she likes the dress!
Hitty Rowan

The Secret House

2008-02-16T12:53:00.000-08:00

My person has been busy the past few days. We have decided us companions may need more private quarters, especially when non-doll people visit. Together we determined that stained glass film in front of Ms. Merriweather's academy would do the trick. Our person also put nice wood floors in and some wallpaper. We have to find more wallpaper for the other two rooms. And, there is even a key to lock the cabinet where we are totally safe from intruders. We have a key from the inside if needed. Here is our renovated cabinet home:

Actually, we can see out through the clear spaces and the glass stain is quite lovely to look out of. Our lives, however, are shrouded in secrecy when needed. We actually rather like the changes to our home.

Neverland Adoptions

2008-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

Greeting Dear Friends!

We are now on day 3 of being confined to the house due to an icy snow. It is melting quickly, so perhaps we can be out and about tomorrow. Today is particularly dangerous since the ice is melting off the trees in small shards that are dropping everywhere. I really wouldn't want to be hit on the head by dropping ice spears, so the other companions and I have been busy catching up with online friends. What adventurous households our companion friends live in! It has been quite delightful and intriguing to find out what they are up to.

I decided, after reading about all their adventures, to write in my own journal. I found myself rather at a loss as to what to write. We do have some minor adventures here, but nothing that I would count as truly exciting. Well, on second thought, we do have our moments, but ours is a peaceful, quiet existence for the most part.

I sighed and gave up journal writing for the moment. I wandered downstairs to join Miss Hickory, Mehitabel, Granny Grace and Grandpa Jones.

Mehitabel noticed my rather downcast expression and asked, "What is wrong, sister?"

"Oh," I replied, "Nothing I suppose. We are rather blessed with such a peaceful, quiet home, aren't we?"

"Why yes, we are" Mehitabel and the others agreed.

"Yes....but," I ventured, "Do you ever feel something is missing...that perhaps things could be a bit more...exciting?"

Mehitabel got a rather dreamy look in her eyes before softly replying, "Sometimes."

"I just wish....I wish things were a bit more active." I sighed. I forgot that doll wishes are powerful things...magical almost. We of all creatures must be careful what we wish for.

I fetched Merilwen from Ms. Merriweather's to check the mail with me. We had a most curious envelope waiting for us. It was simply marked, "Neverland."

I read over it on the way back to Ms. Merriweather's. I couldn't believe my eyes. I quickly shared the letter with Ms. Merriweather.
It read: "Have you ever wished for more excitement in your life? Perhaps a more active lifestyle would appeal to you? Then, Neverland Adoptions might be just the thing for you! Feel free to contact us for more information by wishing upon the nearest star!"

"How odd," Mused Ms. Merriweather. "Perhaps you should show this to Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian.

I immediately did just that.

"Oh, yes!" Celebrian exclaimed excitedly when she saw the letter. "I know exactly what Neverland is! Why, it was very close to the Undying Lands of Valinor where I have spent the last several centuries. Neverland is a wonderful land of enchantment, where children never grow up! The problem is, children grow wild in Neverland, much like wild roses or such...they are liable to just spring up anywhere, just like wildflowers do. There isn't enough room for all the children to stay, so some are adopted into loving homes outside Neverland."

"Oh my!" I exclaimed. "Do they grow up outside of Neverland."

"No." Celebrian replied. "Neverland babies and children remain in the wonderment and delight of childhood forever."

"You mean...we might adopt a baby from Neverland?" I asked. "Why, we have never had a baby here...we have had wild pixies, fairies, dragons, Hickory nut companions, and Elves...you, know, more typical sorts of companions....but never a baby!"

"Oh, babies are delightful!" Celebrian absolutely glowed with excitement.

She looked thoughtfully at Elrond. "Elrond, do you think we might perhaps adopt a Neverland baby into this household?"

"Why yes," Elrond slowly replied. "Yes. I think we should indeed. He began smiling, and the smile widened as he thought more on the idea.

It was hard to find a star in the daytime, but Elrond used his telescope. We wished upon the nearest star, and the next thing we knew, there was a tiny, lovely, lady standing in our living room.

She immediately went to Ms. Merriweather and shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you, my dear. I am Esmerelda Eventide, at your service."

"Well, I'm pleased to meet you too." Ms. Merriweather replied. "Uhmmm...exactly how may we help you?"

"Oh no, my dear....you aren't going to be helping me. I intend to help you. You did wish for a Neverland baby, did you not?"

"Yes, we did" Ms. Merriweather affirmed.

"Well, I am a Neverland caseworker. We can't just let anyone adopt a Neverland baby. Only the most loving of homes will do for our children. I am hear to study your home. If you meet our exacting standards, you will be able to adopt a child from Neverland."

"Oh, that WOULD be wonderful!" Ms. Merriweather sighed, wistfully.

"Let's get started, shall we?" Esmerelda replied. "Now, I will need to visit each companion here and speak with them, and we shall go from there."

Esmerelda set to work. She did indeed visit every companion...

When she finished, she returned to Ms. Merriweather.

"Congratulations, my dear!" Your home is most suitable for a Neverland baby! I have just the little girl in mind. She is 2 years old, and will always be 2 years old. She is a perfectly lovely little rose...a bit active, but I'm sure you can handle her! She will be here by Stork Express within the next few weeks, so you best start preparing. Well, best wishes to you, and if you need my services again, just wish upon the nearest star!"

With that, Esmerelda Eventide disappeared in a flash...literally.

We were all so very excited! A 2 year old baby should indeed add some excitement to our lives! Ms. Merriweather begain knitting baby things, as did Celebrian. Unfortunately, at that moment, our person looked in on us.

"Uhmmm...I was just kind of wondering...I thought I might have heard, but I know I am wrong...I thought I might have heard something about a baby arriving by stork? But I know that can't be right because we agreed we were only inviting one more companion home...and she is coming from Narnia in a couple of months through the wardrobe, not by stork...I am mistaken, aren't I?"

And now, the real excitement of the day will begin I suppose...with explanations.

Hitty Rowan

Ice Snow

2008-02-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Well, our long hoped for snow arrived. Like many things longed for, however, it was not quite what we expected. Instead of a nice, fluffy, snow to play in, we have a chilling, hard, ice snow. It can't be played in very well at all.
In fact, it is best simply viewed from the window.I helped my person fill the bird feeder today. The poor little birds need food in this kind of weather.

At least we can help our little feathered friends if nothing else on this snow day.

Hitty Rowan

Snow at Last!

2008-02-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Greetings Again Dear Friends!

We have snow at last!!!!! In fact, school was dismissed early today, so my person and I got to come home from work early. I rushed out to watch the falling snow.

I took a nice little walk around the yard. However, it is quite cold outside, so after a bit more walking I was ready to come in and warm up by the fire.

Then, I sat down with friends for some hot chocolate. It is at last time for it!

Perhaps it will snow into tomorrow (it is supposed to), school will be cancelled...and my person and I can stay home for a Dolly Day in which all doll companions can play in the snow!

Hitty Rowan

A Walk in the Winter Woods

2008-02-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Friends.

I am afraid we have still not even had one snow this year. In fact, it is unseasonably warm. So, today my person and her Fiance decided to take a walk in the Winter Woods. I was invited along and had quite a good time.

I began with some tree climbing. Fiance found me the most fetching acorn cap.

I took a ride on a swinging vine...just call me Hitty Jane of the Jungle.

After that excitement, I found a nice stump to rest on.
Although it is indeed winter, there are still some signs of greenery.We found a little stream. How does a little wooden doll get across?
Fortunately, like a gentleman, Fiance helped me each step of the way. He let me pause a minute in the middle to watch the water flow around me.
We climbed all the way to the top of a hill overlooking some farmland. It was quite a view!
We stopped by a little lake. Fiance waded out to let me sit on the canoe. I had a rather sinking feeling about that venture. Fortunately, I didn't have to actually ride in the water logged boat.

After that exciting ending, we all returned home for a well earned rest.

Hitty Rowan

Celebrian and Elrond

2008-02-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I have exciting news indeed! Celebrian, Elrond's long lost wife, has been found! I will have the full story later, but I can say we are quite excited around here! Ms. Merriweather is keeping the girls occupied, since if they could, they would spend all their time with Celebrian and Elrond.

And, who could blame the girls wanting to spend time with such a lovely Lady and her wise Elven Lord!

Mischievous Merilwen

2008-01-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Well, the excitement continues around here. What a week it has been! This week's excitement, however, has nothing to do with our person's pending wedding.

Instead, it has to do with one of Miss Merriweather's more....active...students, Merilwen. Merilwen is a half-elven doll companion. A little girl with a quick smile, a friendly demeanor, a cheerful outlook...and a turn toward mischief. Don't get me wrong, Merilwen is a good child, it just seems that trouble tends to find her (or she finds it) on quite a regular basis.

The trouble began with a predicted first snow fall. We were all so hoping to see snow at last! The girls at Miss Merriweather's academy were fairly bursting with excitement. They gazed longingly out the window to catch sight of the year's first snow.
However, no snow appeared. In fact, it was rather sunny. Merilwen was all in favor of going on a hunt for the snow, thinking it must be hiding somewhere. But it was a bit too cold and too close to evening for little companions to be out and about. The other students reluctantly settled down to homework and other evening activities....but not Merilwen.

She got it in her head that it was not too late or too cold for a quick adventure. She tried to convince Nissa and Nim, the pixie and fairy students, to join her in a brief excursion outdoors. Nissa and Nim refused and tried to talk some sense into Merilwen. They didn't succeed.

Defeated, Merilwen wandered off to try to convince Sarah and Betsy to join her. She didn't meet with any success there either. She sadly drifted about the academy...or so the other girls thought. As soon as Merilwen was out of sight of the other girls (and Ms. Merriweather), she slipped on her coat and muff and then slipped right out of the mail slot (the dolly door as we like to call it). Once outside, Merilwen delighted in the brisk air and freedom. At first, she searched for snow near the house. But then she saw a lovely red cardinal and chased after it for a bit. One thing led to another, and soon Merilwen was quite lost. The poor dear tried to find her way back, but night had fallen and she realized she was a very small doll lost in a very big, dark, cold world. She continued trying to find her way back, only to slip and tumble down a large hill. Bumped and bruised, the poor darling simply sat and wept in despair.

Fortunately for Merilwen, it didn't take long for Miss Merriweather to find out she was missing. Miss Merriweather had called the girls together to check on their homework progress and to settle them in for the night. She called several times for Merilwen, with no luck. After searching the house, she noticed some rather worried looks from the other girls.

Miss Merriweather had the sinking feeling Merilwen had went out to find snow. The other girls didn't like the idea of snitching on their friend, for Merilwen...despite her mischief....was indeed a good friend. Miss Merriweather quickly explained to the girls the dangers of a little doll being lost in the cold darkness and it didn't take long for them to tell what they knew.

Miss Merriweather and Master Elrond went out in search of Merilwen. It didn't take long to find her. She hadn't made it out of our own yard yet, but in the cold and dark, and being very frightened after her tumble, Merilwen didn't even realize she was not far from home.

Master Elrond and Miss Merriweather made short work of bringing Merilwen back home. Miss Merriweather helped the sobbing girl take off her coat and muff.

She went to fix Merilwen some nice hot tea while our resident healer, Master Elrond, made sure there was no lasting damage. Aside from some minor bumps and bruises, our mischievous little half-elf was fine; however, she would not stop crying. Master Elrond was rather puzzled, since Merilwen was safe and warm now.

In the meanwhile, Miss Merriweather reassured the other girls that their friend would be fine,

before bringing Merilwen a cup of hot tea.

Merilwen continued to sob. Ms. Merriweather gently asked her what was wrong? Was she still afraid? Hestitantly, Merilwen confided that she had lost her little yarn doll out in the dark and was terribly worried about her. She was afraid Ms. Merriweather might leave the doll outdoors since such a naughty little girl might not deserve to have a doll anymore. Ms. Merriweather hugged Merilwen tight and assured her that she would most definitely not be without her yarn doll. Our English governess was ready to march right out into the cold again after the doll, but Master Elrond intervened.

Finally, reunited with her doll, warmed, and surrounded by love, Merilwen was ready to give into exhaustion.
Miss Merriweather tucked her into bed, confident Merilwen wouldn't be wandering about anymore this particular night.

The next morning, Merilwen was fit as a fiddle as we used to say in my day. And....Master Elrond and Miss Merriweather kept her quite busy the rest of the week...leaving little time for further mischief....at least for now.

If you are interested in more of Merilwen's past escapades, you are welcome to read her very own journal:

http://merilwensmusings.blogspot.com/

The Ring

2008-01-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well, when last I wrote, we companions were settling in for a nice, quiet, Christmas Eve...but, little did we know the evening would be more exciting, and more worrisome, than we ever imagined.

I had left the festivities at Hitty House for a few minutes to check on things from my usual look- out point on the entertainment center in the living room. From there, I can gaze out the window as well as observe the goings on of the household.

In looking out the window, I saw my person's beau coming up the front walk. The Dangerous Dogs must have sensed him too, since they began the most ear shattering barking and howling. That is the greeting they reserve for people they know and like. I won't go into their reaction to strangers or people they dislike, lest I digress into a whole blog on the uncivilized behavior of Dangerous Dogs.

I have accompanied my person and her beau (secretly...in my person's purse or pocket) on many outings over the past several months. After all, it is only proper to have a chaperone on such outings and I felt myself the logical choice for the job since I like tagging along with my person anyway.

I must admit, I approve of my person's beau. He is a nice, old-fashioned sort...just the type of person a Hitty admires.

On Christmas Eve, however, my person's beau seemed rather nervous if I do say so. He came in the house and sat beside my person in the living room. I was only half-listening to their conversation, having been distracted by the most lovely pair of cardinals at the bird feeder outside the window.

I was abruptly brought back to the conversation, however, when I heard my person's beau say, "....so, I guess what I'm trying to say is....would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?".....as he took a white box out of his pocket.

"WIFE!!!!!!" I exclaimed in shock.Fortunately, most people can't hear dolls even when they shout or shriek in surprise and my person was too busy stammering out things like "Yes!...oh of course!..." and rather rambling on about being so very happy and such as she opened the box and took out a ring.

Both of them were so distracted neither one of them noticed when I fell into a dead faint from shock right were I stood. When I regained consciousness, the house was quiet and there was no sign of my person or her....Fiance. I looked out the window to see they had left in Fiance's car. Left WITHOUT me!!!!! They returned only briefly, quickly leaving again to attend a Christmas Eve party...and now a celebration of engagement too... at Fiance's parents home and then to go to Midnight Mass. I was NOT included in the party or at Midnight Mass.

I was rather dismayed and went to break the news to the other companions.

The house was soon in an uproar. Our person seemed so happy, and Fiance is a nice man....but, we couldn't help but wonder....what would happen now? Would our lives change very much? What if Fiance didn't approve of little dolls and their households ? I had heard our person tell Fiance a bit about "doll collecting" (A term we dislike....we are not stamps, or stones, or thimbles or on the same level as things people usually collect...we are companions. But, we also understand most people wouldn't approve of such a thing as companions and might think our person a bit daft in the head if she described us as we really are. So, we resign ourselves to being a collection for the sake of simple and sane explanation).

Fiance didn't seem bothered by my person's "hobby" (as if we are like socks to be knit, or scrapbooking or some such hobby). But still, he has never shared quarters with doll companions either and he might not approve when it comes right down to it.

Miss Merriweather, Master Elrond and I entered a long discussion about the possibilities of our new roles. Master Elrond was of the opinion that we might expect our person to not pay as much attention to us over the next few weeks in all the excitement, but that if we were patient she would return some of her attention to us soon enough. Miss Merriweather and I were more worried. We know our person loves us dearly, but she has been rather distracted of late and tonight she forgot to even take me along with her. Master Elrond simply chuckled a bit and said our person just needed a bit of time to adjust to all the excitement and he was sure all would be well.

When our person returned home after Midnight Mass, it was quite late. She sat in front of the Christmas tree, silently staring at her new ring glimmering in its light, for quite a long time before retiring. She debated on keeping the ring on all night, but fearing it might be best to be more careful with it, she gently placed it in its box right by her bedside.

After our person fell asleep, we companions sprang into action. We wanted a closer look at this exciting but rather worrying thing. I carefully took the ring for us to better examine.

I have to admit, it was a rather lovely thing...but then, as Master Elrond can attest, so was that ring that caused all the trouble in Lord of the Rings . You know the phrase from the books or movies..."One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." If you are a doll and have ever been shoved in a box and placed in a dark closet and stored for years, you can truly relate to, and fear, that last phrase there. I sincerely hoped this ring of my person's wouldn't mean us companions getting shoved in a dark storage space somewhere...out of sight and out of mind.

Although I didn't really think our person would treat us that way, the ring still symbolized a rather uncertain future. And uncertainty can be a frightening thing...especially for doll companions. After all, we have no control over our own futures. Our lives are in the hands of our people, for better or for worse. It can sometimes be an most unsettling thing to be a doll.
We talked throughout the night, but reached no conclusions. Master Elrond suggested we simply talk to our person about our uncertainty. But, with our person being so happy, we did not wish to intrude upon her joy with our worries. After all, Mehitabel said she had never seen our person so very happy in all the 10 years she has been with her. Who were we to dampen her spirits? But, surely the wedding was a long way off we determined. Why, there was no need to worry at all until much later....surely. I held onto that thought until my person took me with her on a mysterious errand a few days later. When I peeked out of her purse at the shop we had entered...I quickly realized that the time to worry was now....

It seemed that in six months time, our lives would change forever and we would have a Master of the House as well as a Mistress in ....July.

I fainted again, but no one noticed since I was in a purse.

By the time we got home, I had quite recovered. The next two weeks were even more worrisome. My person forgot entirely to take me with her as she rushed off to work. Fiance visited often and he and our person held long discussions about the future. Dolls did not enter the conversation. I know because I kept up an unobtrusive surveillence in the living room (not to be confused with spying).

In general, our person was far too distracted to pay attention to us...too busy looking over wedding books and such when she was not at work (where I was no longer invited).

I grew more worried as the days passed. Master Elrond continued to counsel patience.

Finally, just a few days ago, I was in my surveillence spot and I overheard a conversation that relieved all our worry. My person and Fiance were talking about keeping their hobbies and interests alive after marriage. My person begin talking about us companions (again as a beloved hobby and doll collection...but it was at least it was a start). Before long she took a deep breath and, pointing at me said..."and that is Hitty...she is kind of a....mascot who travels with me" (I'll forgive her calling me a "Mascot" like some silly costumed creature wandering around on a football field, since I understood she had to explain me in terms acceptable to the general public).

My person went on to explain that she enjoyed making miniature costumes for me and that she liked collecting minature things for me in different places. She explained how much she loved having her miniature doll homes in the house and how dolls had been special to her since she was a little girl. I held my breath, as did my person, and waited for Fiance's reply.

He paused a minute before saying, "Well...is she coming with us to the beach?" Fiance and our person plan to visit the ocean for their honeymoon. My person rather embarrassedly admitted I was, but Fiance would not even know I was there. He slowly replied...."Well...I suppose we will need to find some shops to get her some souvenirs."

My person and I both breathed a sigh of relief. Fiance told our person that he could see she really loved her doll hobby and that she must keep her dolls right where they were since they made her so happy.

Our whole household rejoiced! It looks as though we are soon to have a Mistress....and a Master...in our happy home! And, my person is again taking me to work and attending to her companion family now that the initial excitement has died down a bit. She even ordered me a bridesmaid dress in Tea Rose silk. So it looks as if I will be attending my first wedding soon!
Yours Sincerely,

Hitty Rowan

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well dear friends, it is Christmas Eve at last. The forecast had called for a white Christmas, but alas, the promised snow will only be rain. No matter though. A little rain cannot dampen the brightness of Christmas.

Things have been quite busy around here! There have been days of Christmas baking. Miss Hickory and I are helping our person ice the last of the cookies, bake an apple pie, and make Christmas candy before we set aside our labors to visit family and friends and gather for Midnight Mass tonight.

Our companion homes are bustling at this time of year. Unfortunately, our person has had to do some re-arranging of the house to make more room in the kitchen and dining room. There was simply no room for my sister Mehitabel's big pink house to stay upstairs. Mehitabel and her household did not wish to move downstairs with the house, since they would be away from our person and all the companion family. The Hitty motto is "The more the merrier", so Mehitabel and her household simply moved in with Miss Hickory and I. It is a merry house indeed, just in time for a Merry Christmas.
Eilonwy and Charity Faith (formerly known as "Christmas Girl") entertained us at the harp. Those two are as lovely as angels so it was quite a fitting setting for them.

Ms. Merriweather's academy is making ready to greet the Christmas morning, as are all other members of our household.

We all wish our friends a Merry Christmas!

Hitty Rowan

A Dreary December Day

2007-12-15T06:00:00.001-08:00

Well, I must admit to being a bit downcast today. The weather forecast was calling for snow...finally. Miss Hickory and I were so looking forward to wandering outside to greet the first snowfall of the year. This morning we climbed the Christmas tree to see out window. We see nothing but a grey, dreary rain. Our person said that the forecast is now calling for snow tomorrow. Perhaps we will not be dissapointed all weekend after all.

In the meanwhile, our Christmas girl has had a nice bath and her lovely hair washed and brushed. Our person has plenty of supplies for new clothing for her, but unfortunately her time to make the clothes is in short supply. Hopefully next week. Our girl has borrowed a nightgown from Eilonwy. It is a bit big on her, but we think it makes her look rather like a Christmas Angel. She is rather on the quiet side and has not told us her name yet. Perhaps she is waiting until closer to Christmas. Or perhaps she will tell us on the first snowfall of the year. We will simply have to wait and see.

Christmas Companion

2007-12-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Well, not much time to write tonight, but I at least wanted to introduce you to our Christmas Companion. She just arrived today. She has not yet revealed her name, but hopefully that will happen soon. Here she is:

Perhaps she will choose a Christmas name...

Yours Truly,

Hitty Rowan

Fall Updates and Re-Connecting

2007-11-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

Greetings Dear Friends!

Well, there have been more changes since I last wrote. Our person actually convinced Miss Hickory and I to move into a larger house. Ms. Merriweather's old house was standing rather forlorn and empty, and our person kept remarking what a pity it was that such a fine house stood empty. She moved our furniture into it for a few minutes so we could just consider what it would be like. I must say, as we looked about, the bigger kitchen and more space was quite appealing. So, in we moved.

And, our pokeberry shawls are finished...just in time for cold weather. Our person even made me a new fall hat. She plans to make one for Miss Hickory too.
Why, with a dear friend, a fine house, and pretty clothes...what doll had more reason to be content than me? In many ways I was content, but lately I found myself a bit restless. I used to be my person's constant companion. I would stowaway in her purse every day and sleep by her bedside at night. On occasion Miss Hickory and I accompany my person to fun things, but Miss Hickory loves the comforts of home rather than the trials of constant travel and we now spend most of our time in our lovely home.

The last few days, however, I found myself watching out the window (with unfortunate companionship) as my person left for work, errands...all the places I used to go with her.
My restlessness grow worse. I wandered out into the cool fall days feeling increasingly out of sorts. I wondered if I might be a bit under the weather. ..perhaps that was my trouble.

I went to talk to Ms. Merriweather to see if she knew of any doll illnesses that might be in the air.
Some of Ms. Merriweather's students had indeed been afflicted with the Fall Fever so she suggested I visit our dear healer, Master Elrond.

Master Elrond offered me some tea as I described my symptoms to him. He smiled gently and reassured me that I did not have Fall Fever. He suggested I go visit my sister Mehitabel and discuss my concerns with her.Unsure of the rather unexpected advice, I went to visit Mehitabel.
We had a lovely chat, and my older sister listened carefully as I described my melancholy. She smiled and said, "Oh, my dear Rowan. I know exactly what is wrong with you, and the cure is not as difficult as you think."

"You, my dear, were born to travel...to be the companion of our person. You miss the thrill of travel and being out and about...and you miss our person. For most of us, it is rather uncomfortable being in a purse or pocket all day. But not for you...your spirit of adventure is too great to be confined at home all the time and your devotion to our person too deep to be parted from her so often. And you and Miss Hickory are dear friends...why have you not discussed your concerns with her?"

I explained that I did not want to hurt Miss Hickory's feelings, or for her to be alone all day in our large house.

"My dear Rowan, you two are friends. Miss Hickory will understand...it saddens her to see you so restless. You can still spend time with your friends AND travel with our person. You do not have to choose only one. And, I think I can help with the problem of the empty house. My house is becoming a bit crowded...and I believe that some of our doll friends would love to move to your house and keep Miss Hickory company. But first, you need to talk to Miss Hickory."

So, off I went to talk to my friend. I was a bit nervous, but Miss Hickory was delighted I confided in her. She urged me to travel as I wanted, and welcomed the idea of new companions in our home...as long as she kept my friendship and I visited often. I promised her I would.

Then I spoke with the very first companion I met when I arrived here at my home...my dear person. She too had missed my company terribly, but did not wish to take me from my friend and cozy home out into the rather uncomfortable world of work each day. I assured her that I would love nothing better to travel with her. We planned that each evening, as our person goes about household chores, I will spend time in my home with my friend.

Miss Hickory and I have been joined by several new housemates, so she will not be lonely.

Each night, I will again sleep in my little cradle by my person's bedside. And each day, I will accompany her out into the world as her faithful doll companion. What doll has better cause to be content than I?