Kirsten Jansen, Book 2, Chapter 1

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After we arrived in Santa Inez and Papa got our farm, it was time to build. I tried to help Papa as much as I could. He said that he was used to hard work and after our long trip he was happy to be busy again.  While our house was being built we lived  in a big tent.  I liked it , but Mama said it was hard to keep everything in order.

It was not long after Papa started our house that I met my new friend Josefina. She lived on a Ranch with her father.  Her Uncle was Father Joseph at the Santa Inez Mission.  I was confused, but Josefina said her Father and Fr. Joseph were brothers. Josefina said she had come to invite me on a picnic!  

Mama and Papa said I had done enough work for the day and I should go.  Mama had me put on a clean apron before I go to eat. Josefina said she knew a place with wildflowers growing.  She said her pony's name was Camilla.  I told Josefina she was so lucky to have her own pony.

Josefina had brought a lunch of tortillas, sweet buns and boiled eggs. I had never had tortillas before, they were delicious!  We talked about how my family came to California.  Josefina told me about her father's Ranch and her Uncle Joseph.  She asked if I would like to come stay at her ranch sometime.  I said yes I truly would!

Finally, Early in December, the day came when Papa said the cabin was ready!  Mama and Papa put on their best clothes and Papa ushered Mama and I inside.  It was beautiful! It was a day of celebration.

Mama and I climbed up to my room.  I was so happy!

 Soon I was helping Mama unpack our boxes and trunks.

Papa carried in boxes and Mama and I unpacked them.

Mama was happy to find her dishes had made the long trip from Denmark without breaking. 

When everything was put away it began to feel like home.  

As the day lengthened Mama said I should go make up my bed.

I was so excited to have my own room again! 

  I was so happy when Papa carried up my new dresser! I carefully arranged my trinket box,

wash basin and my picture of Isabelle.  Mama brought up a candle stick for my room, but warned that only she or Papa could light it for me. I had been straightening up my room for quite awhile when Papa called me to come down.

SURPRISE!! They had put up a Christmas tree while I was upstairs!

Now it really felt like home.  It was when I saw the tree that I realized something was missing, 

"Papa, when will it snow?"

Mama and Papa just laughed.

"Kirsten my dear it doesn't snow here!"

next chapter

New AG Trundle Bed

 I'm sure you recall this AG Trundle that I got second hand.

It had the trundle, but no mattress.

I cut out some egg crate to make a mattress.

I then covered it in white fabric. 

Next I needed another pillow and case.

I used pink ric-rac so it would not be too matchy.

 I went through my fabric stash and found some possible matches.

The AG spread is very pretty with embroidered butterflies.

Teal, pink lavender and green.

Here is the trundle quilt. 

I maybe should have gone to the fabric store 

for a darker pink, but I think it will work.

 I made some extra pillows. to pull it all together.

 Here is the Trundle bed with all its new bedding.

I decided the trundle would go in this room shared by Skyler and Josefina.

 I like that there is more floor space.

Skyler likes it!

Some amazing finds!

 My husband forwarded me an ad for these 

AG items being sold in our area. 

Apparently this lady was selling them for someone else.

She was selling this bed, which she thought was a bed from Target.

When I got home I realized it is the AG bed!

It had the trundle too.

She also had Molly's hairdryer. 

 And the complete baking set.

 So cute!

She also had this Julie.  

We already have a Julie, but I couldn't leave her!

So I decided to fix her up and give her away to a little 

girl who could not otherwise afford an AG doll.

Julie was very clean, but her hair was a bit rough

I used spray wig conditioner and brushed it out.

She had this horrible outfit on so I knew she needed something new.

  She liked watching me sew her new dress.

I've had this skirt I found thrifting for months,

And suddenly I knew it was perfect for this Julie!

 I made her a flower headband.

 So pretty!

I liked this dress so much I made one for our Julie too!

 So Julie is all set now with shoes and a shoulder bag.

 Here she is in her carrying case with new PJs,
ready to go to her new home.

So now I will be contacting my ladies group and asking if they
know a little girl who never had an American Girl Doll.
I'll keep you posted!

UPDATE: Julie went to a Grandma to give to her granddaughter.  She is raising her granddaughter alone, so this is just what I wanted for this Julie.

Evening walk

Hey where are you two going?

We're going for a walk before dinner, wanna come along?

Not me thanks, it's getting too cool out.

I'll go.

Ok, we'll wait for you to get shoes and a jacket.

No need, I'm ready.

Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure, this is California!  Ha.

Wow, the sun is already getting low.

Wow, my feet are getting cold!

 Martin, we told you to get shoes!

Oh, I'm not cold, just my feet.

You see?  It's great out here.

Whatever you say Martin.

 These rocks really feel cold huh?

 No Martin because we are wearing shoes.

Well uh, my arms and legs are kinda getting cold too.

OK Martin let's go back. (hehe)

Hey, dinner is...Martin! What happened?

Oh, nothing really, just went for a walk.

It must have been cold?

Nah, not really.