The Ash Grove Doll House

Thanks to all you supporters of my Chicken venture! This city girl turning country is sure to meet some bumps in the road so stay tuned!

Its been a bizarre week and yesterday was no exception. I received notice from My Pet Chicken that the chicks won't be shipped now until the 14th of June (as opposed to the 7th) so that sets my summer plans back a week (but thats ok). I smacked my ankle into a metal easel that was sitting on the classroom floor and got sea-sick from a particular onion and potato soup. All that said, I've been feeling really fatigued and think I may not have caught up with myself from the frenzy of last week.

Like I've mentioned here before, some of the best medicine is simply having a new creative project to sink my teeth into. And though I have more than my share of those right now, one in particular that I'm anxious to share with you all is a real honor that has just been bestowed upon me.

My mother-in law, Ellen Emery's doll house handmade by her grandfather George H. Clarkson

I've been named the family shepherd/ guardian of a priceless family heirloom, my mother-in-law's childhood dollhouse. My mother-in-law is Ellen Emery, and this dollhouse was hand-made by her grand-father George H. Clarkson. George was a wonderful wood-worker. For most of Ellen's life the dollhouse has been in her parents home, the Ash Grove in Ithaca NY. It arrived to my home this weekend straight from the Ash Grove and it is in need of some serious TLC, which is exactly what I plan to give it.

The house survived the four hour car drive and some years of dust-collecting. It is fully wired for electronic lights. I'm so excited to get in there replace some badly aged carpets, clean up all the furniture, revive, and refresh everything. I'll be sure share my breathing some new life into this beautiful handmade structure with you all - and try to maintain its original integrity and authenticity for its true owner.

untouched dollhouse residents and furniture a stove from the original set of furniture in the houseAn Organ in need of some TLC a ramshackled room a magnetic chessboard set the second floor stairwell

-Ciao Amarettogirl