Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  I decided to take a break as I am still working on some cool pics of Agnes Von Weiss and incorporating her into the murder scene diorama I created for Ollie. (hint: gloved hands. )  So today I decided to take out my 2nd set of Prince William and Princess Kate and their kiddies Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the newest arrival and do some holiday photos with them. My first set of this pair is still in their wedding attire, de-boxed and sits on my dresser in my bedroom, I bought this set on ebay a couple of years ago seperately, nude. I re-bodied Kate onto a Dynamite body which did not work so well- her head wobbles and which I haven't had the time to fix. I love to re-dress them and pose them but with so many new dolls coming into the herd, there has been alot of neglected dolls. They have to stand in line like the others. George is a Tommy doll I purchased at a show and Charlotte is a old Sunshine family infant doll I have had for years. 

Here are some more photos of their right royal family Father's day photo shoot.

Now onto a photo I'd like to share. This photo is of me, in front of a very realistic playhouse that used to be across from my great grandmother's home in Shelby, North Carolina over 45 years ago. It has long ago been moved as the house was sold by the family who owned it. The playhouse the little girl it was built for was my mother's age. I am about three years old in the picture and I estimate the year is 1968 when this picture was taken by my dad probably in the summer. We used to travel around June down to see my great-grandmother and the family for the reunion each year. 

Here is a photo of the playhouse.

It was made like a real house inside and out. It even had a real fireplace, though I doubted it worked. On the interior, it had a real little kitchen with cabinets for a child's size. Around the little fireplace were cunning little chairs and a table, soft little armchairs like a real parlor. There were doll beds for the dolls too. The windows and doors were child sized as well. 

The reason I tell this story? Well, My dad, Michael Herman Jones, took the picture. And there is a story behind why he took the picture.

This is my Dad, Michael. He passed away in 1969, when I was four. I have been blessed with a wonderful stepdad, who I love very very much. But I have always missed my dad. 

Now back to the reason he had to take the picture- as this is supposed to be a funny story. We were at my great grandmother's house and I had been begging all weekend to go to the playhouse or 'dollhouse' as everyone called it. 'Mike, take Lisa to the dollhouse and let her see it,'  and one day,  he was sleeping on the front porch and I nagged and begged until he finally agreed to take me across the street.The elderly gentleman who owned the large house was outside working in the yard and once Daddy spoke to him I did not stop, I made a beeline for that playhouse and went inside. I remember my dad saying Lisa we have to ask permission and the old gentleman laughing and saying, 'That's alright, she can go in', and once I was in ....'Well!'

What I remember most was everything was at my height, my size. I could reach the cabinets, the chairs, the windows were my height. What was really wonderful was even though the fireplace looked real, it wasn't, the bricks were 'carved' into the wood and painted.  I must have been in there a while because Daddy stuck his head and said, ok, Lisa come on, we have to go now and I said no- go home and get my dolls I want to play. Well, that got me a threat with the bull whip that didn't work and he tried to get inthrough the door and couldn't fit! I remember grinning at him and going into the far corner as I was not coming out. So my dad went out and talked a little more to the old gentleman and this is where my memory gets fuzzy. I must have had enough time to play and get bored or he bribed me but at some point he went and got the camera and must have got me to come out and take my picture in front of it- as we had the picture. That next year on my birthday when I turned four at my grandmother's house he and my grandfather built me a playhouse. Not as elaborate, but oh, how I loved it. I think it was here, that my love for miniatures and dolls tiny stuff was born.  I would say this picture is one of my favorites just for the funny memory of him trying to squeeze through that tiny door and drag my three year old butt home. He never had to discipline me, just point at the bull whip and talk sternly to me, my mother was the same.

I thought you would enjoy this little Father's day story as it brings back a fun memory of my dad and those that are not with us always live on in memories, especially happy ones. He was a prankster, and could not resist a good joke. 
Wishing all of you a Happy Father's day!Lisa