Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of 2022.  I have no idea how we got here so fast, but here we are.

​Yesterday was one of our granddaughter's birthdays, so we made a cake for her, and spent some time visiting outside, social distancing, keeping warm by a (huge) fire....

I've spent considerable time this past week trying to catch up and finish off many of the Favourite Photos albums of 2021, before having to start all new ones for the new year. There were so many great photos taken last year. I don't know how I even had the energy. But several photos stood out in my mind....as being my favourites....

Jude

the Mouse Seamstress

the Queen's birthday...

Bicycle Day...

A Forest Dweller Picnic...

Grace and Jude in the scillas....

Check-mate!

the Kiss...

Two men and a baby....

Lawrence on the throne...

Winston babysitting...

Naomi's costume shop....

Construction guys....

the Frog Prince...

Jude and Grace's family....

North of Superior....

Lawrence as the Soldier....

...and the Pied Piper....

I know it's a lot, but there were a lot I really loved.

So, what's the plan for 2022?  I don't know.  Just going to go with the flow I guess. There's no point making long range plans, since they always change. I'm still shooting scenes for Baron and Naomi's Christmas at the castle, and I had wanted to do a story with my Forest Dwellers for Christmas as well.  Unfortunately my new critters took forever to arrive. The two new, darker gray mice were shipped on November 11th, and the Chipmunks on November 27th.  Their tracking numbers were never recognized by Canada Post for the entire duration. However I got the 'Pick Up' notices in my mailbox two days ago, so they were picked up yesterday....

Now they all need something to wear, so that's first priority.  

I was also given a small, jointed, porcelain Mouse, which I think looks more like a rabbit, and it needs something to wear as well. It's the same size as the Forest Dwellers, but being such a different aesthetic, I think it would work better as a rabbit. 

I can use the same patterns as for my Mice, but it has bigger hands. so will need stretchy sleeves, since there's no way I want to use a snap at such a tiny wrist. I think I will also sew a tiny white pompom on the back of it's skirt, to further make it look like a rabbit.

I'll see if it ends up working with my Forest Dweller critters or not.

As to upcoming stories, I plan to tackle my White Cat Sequel. I shot much of it two years ago, just at the very beginning of this Covid plague, and never finished it...partly because we were stuck at home, unable to go anywhere, when Jan lost his licence after being hospitalized with encephalitis.

So, without giving anything away, here's a sneak peak at some of the photos.... 

So stay tuned for that...

​As to Baron and Naomi, their story will continue. She will start another dress shop in Baron's time, and there will be a wedding at some point - as soon as she gets around to making her own wedding gown. Baron's mother, Miho, will finally get a partner this year,  Who knows what else might happen?  It all depends on what I'm inspired to undertake. And my other dolls need a turn too.

So, it looks like another busy year.  But like Jan keeps telling me...what else am I going to do with my time?  Housework?  

So, here's hoping for another productive year.
And I'd like to wish everyone a ​Happy and Healthy New Year!