Dew Drop – Page 5 – Karla's Cottage

Until next time, Dewdrop!

By Karla Nathan / March 23, 2016

Dewdrop, AKA Arabella Cinderella, had a slew of farewell parties before hitting the road and heading back to North Carolina for some much desired momma time.

One of our goodbye parties was a trip to the Topeka Zoo.

And to the park next door where all the concrete animals to climb on had fresh coats of paint.

Over the years, that zoo has just gotten better and better. This time, we saw lots of improvements and remodelling that had occurred over the winter.

After going to that park for well, decades, I noticed for the first time that there was a children's theater in the parking lot. How did I miss that? I love to take the grand fairies to shows, but in Kansas City and Lawrence, they are often sold out and hard to get tickets. For this little playhouse, we called a day ahead and for ten bucks each, got to see a group of kids put on "Aristocats" and Sugarwings was thrilled with it.

The only bad thing about it was that Dewdrop had already left and we didn't get to take her with us. She'd have loved it too.

But I'll take her next time.

Under the Sea and still under the spell

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 5, 2016

I know it is the New Year (already???!!) Well, at least I am trying to convince myself that, yes, Christmas is over, 2016 has arrived, and it is time to get back to normal.

Hmmm, if I could just figure out what normal is.

Anyway, our holidays were so full that I still haven't run out of photos from them. And I am still basking in that holiday glow. Soooo, I'm indulging myself with yet another blog post of girls being excited by the Christmas extravaganza.

Last year, we started a tradition of seeing a play at the local theater as part of our month long party in honor of the holiday. The play in 2014 was Mary Poppins, and was cute as a bug.

This year, we got to see The Little Mermaid. It was spectacular! Yet one more reason that we are lucky to live in such a cool town with so many interesting things going on.

I'll leave you with some pics from the day, and I just might sneak in a few more of happy girls enjoying Christmas too. Because those are my favorite pictures of all.

Unless we are at a beach… I do love beaches. That sounds especially good right now when the temps are dropping in the midwest and things get icy.

But for now, Under the Sea is close enough to the beach for me.

Our Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 26, 2015

I hope your holiday was full of joy. We had some fun experiences, and plenty of laughs. With lots of hugs.

We started out our two day, holiday extravaganza with a nice, long walk in the woods on Christmas Eve.

It has been mild weather, ideal for a light jacket and some time in the trees.

Albie took that literally, and showed off his climbing abilities. That boy loves to climb trees.

Dewdrop likes to be a damsel in distress waiting to be saved from her perch in the branches.

And her Pop Pop is always happy to step in and help her down.

Katie's girls are as adventurous as Albie and showed off their circus skills by straying off the path and up the branches at every turn of the trail.

Of course, when you hang out with trapeze artists and circus performers on a regular basis, things usually get interesting.

We also had a big, family yoga session before our dinner Christmas Day.

Which soon led to a human pyramid.

Or two.

Or three. (Although this one is only 2/3 human)

Notice that I am not in any of the piles? I was in charge of Santa Hats and photos. Somehow, I wasn't added to the stacks of people, I think my reputation for clumsiness is pretty well known.

Our Thursday was full of exciting deliveries, there were presents being left on the porch all day! One was a package of steaks which came with DRY ICE packed in it.

I was intrigued by the dry ice and used it to create a mini fog machine in this old, silver coffee pot, with the mist flowing from the spout and around the evergreen branches. (Adding rubbing alcohol to the block makes clouds of swirling fog rise from it)

We also tried making sushi on Christmas Eve.

Tried pretty hard.

Then my husband got us some take out.

It was a little like the Bumpas' hounds ruining Christmas dinner in A Christmas Story.

On Christmas morning, we had evidence of the Jolly Old Elf's visit, by the tracks of glitter left on the floor. And I have a feeling, I'll be seeing remnants of that holiday magic for the rest of the year.

The evening ended with Elf and Nightmare Before Christmas, after a big poker tournament where Ryan won 40 bucks from his cousins and was beaming with pride.

I'll leave you with a few more pictures of our celebration, and wishes for a happy holiday season to you too.

A Santa Do-Over and some fancy time for the big girls too

celebrations, Dew Drop, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 20, 2015

We took the grand fairies to see Santa again, this time at Lions Gate Country Club. Of course, the little ones were excited to see Mr.Claus, but I was really excited to see the fab brunch that was set out…

Beth came along with us, and we decided it was a good time to practice being hoity toity since we will be attending Deb Hodge's fancy event in Feb. We will be living the high life then, that event looks amazing!

So, a luxury style holiday buffet was just what we needed to get into practice of being pampered.

And we wanted to do some elfing around.

We arrived early so that Sugarwings could have a heart to heart with Santa, since her last visit with him was so intimidating.

All went well, and smiles prevailed.

Of course, when you are spending time with this little goof ball, there are usually plenty of smiles (and funny faces) to share.

Lion's Gate is part of the company my husband works for, but it is a 45 minute drive, so we only go there for special occasions. The food is always THE BEST and they have cute events for kids.

That is where Dewdrop first met her favorite princess, Snow White. It was at "Ghost and Giggles". One of the co-workers dressed as Snow, and Dewdrop fell head over heels for her. She is always happy to see her when we visit the club. She even took her an apple this summer when we went there to use the swimming pool on a day out.

Hmm, if you think about it, that might seem traumatic for Snow White, to be handed an apple. Isn't that a scary memory for her?

On this visit, she gave her a shy hug, then watched her from afar. Then, she told her Pop Pop that she was so happy to see her friend again, and asked him if he knew that Snow White had a job there.

I could save a fortune on vacations, if I just went to visit this Snow White over and over, to Dewdrop, it is as exciting to see her there as it is at Disney.

It doesn't matter where you go, as long as you bring your imaginations. Fun is waiting for you anywhere if you just look for it.

I hope all of your holiday celebrations are tasty and fun too!

A Santa Dilema

Dew Drop, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 16, 2015

We love to go see Santa. When Sugarwing's Mommy sent me a message saying that the hospital she works at was hosting a party with Mr. Claus attending, I answered back, "We are on our way!"

Surprisingly, Sugarwings was feeling a bit shy with the Jolly Old Elf this year. There was some indecision about what she should "order" (as Dewdrop calls giving Santa her wish list). It reminded me of the scene in a Christmas Story where Ralphie freezes up:

A Christmas Story (1983)

[Ralphie is visiting Santa at the department store, only he can't remember what he wanted]
Santa Claus: How about a nice football?
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Football? Football? What's a football? With unconscious will my voice squeaked out 'football'.
Santa Claus: Okay, get him out of here.
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] A football? Oh no, what was I doing? Wake up, Stupid! Wake up!
Ralphie: [Ralphie is shoved down the slide, but he stops himself and climbs back up] No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!
Santa Claus: You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Santa suggested Barbies and both girls agreed, even though neither really plays much with those dolls.

That big red suit can really throw a kid for a loop sometimes, huh? For them, it is a Big Deal, and I wonder just how many other kiddos freak out and get their tongues tied over this major event of the year.

After a tour of the cardiac unit where her Mommy was busy saving people, she found her courage and we went back to see Santa again,(he was MUCH nicer than the guy Ralphie visited) so she could tell him how much she really wanted some Shopkins. He was glad to see her back again, and very gracious to change her "order" for her.

Here are some pictures of what is new in the Etsy shop– in case you are still making your list!

Haunted House fun

Dew Drop, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 30, 2015

This season, we discovered fondant. And for big time, PlayDough lovers, this is a wonderful thing to know about when you are making a gingerbread house. Some orange fondant came in the haunted gingerbread house that I bought at Michaels, and we enjoyed it sooooo much that we bought another package of orange and one of white.

It isn't cheap like Playdough, but it is worth the cost, because the grand fairies worked with it for hours and hours.

The house came assembled!!!!!! That was a huge plus for me, as the contractor for building the home, I'm gingerbread impaired and often struggle to raise the roof. (I've been known to resort to hot glue in the past)

This was also our first Halloween house, and while it was very fun to do, I discovered that the black and purple icing "glues" are a horrid mess to work with and the first batch of orange fondant ended up sorta grey from messy icing fingers.

Also, there wasn't nearly enough candy in the box to finish decorating the creation. At least not to our standards… we are big believers in GAUDINESS!

So, after a couple hours working on the house at the table, and smearing black icing everywhere, I smartened up and the next day when we finished the house, I had the kiddos spend time making their fondant creations and letting them dry before gluing them to the house with the goopy icing.

Sugarwings threw another Arabella Cinderella party to welcome her sister back from her trip out East to be with her mommy, and the gingerbread house made an ideal centerpiece for the table.

I rented Cinderella ( It is a beautiful movie, Rose and Rob Stark make a lovely couple,and I was glad to see that Rob's wedding went a lot better on this show than on Game of Thrones) and the grand fairies had a tea party breakfast watching the show. They spent most of the rest of the day making fondant pumpkins and ghosts in front of the TV, since the room was set up so festive, and we wanted to take advantage of the decor.

Sugarwings had made princess posters on Disney's online game page, printed them, and taped them all around the room to surprise her sis. Then, she set the table for breakfast and called her sister into the room for a surprise party.

I'd say the girl has a flair for hosting a stylish bash.

We will miss our tiny Dewdrop when she heads back to her Mommy. But like we tell her, we are so happy that she gets to be with both us and with her Mommy who she loves so much.

And we never cry about her leaving ( at least not in front of her). She is such a trooper and stays cheerful about it all. I have a feeling that having parties thrown for her doesn't hurt at all.

We have a photo album of her mother and siblings who are not with her, and keep it near her bed, to look through whenever she is feeling lonely for them.

And when she is away from us? I have blog posts full of pictures of her to look at and remember our fun while she was here. I hope that her other family enjoys the posts too.

Fare thee well to the renfest for the season

Dew Drop, fairies, family, parties, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / October 28, 2015

When I got off the airplane from my trip to Georgia to see my buddies, I went directly to the Renfest to see my grandfairies. They were there with some family members to see their daddy at work. And Dewdrop had just returned from her time with her Mommy out East, so I was really missing that lil cutey.

I know I've said it before, but I think that the addition of the Mermaid Lagoon to the festival is a giant improvement. We sure love that area.

And this time, there was a merperson plopped into the water fountain near the entrance too.

And of course, there are fairies galore. My girls always recognize Fay Royalty and are quick with a curtsy.

We have our favorite places to visit, we can't go without spending time in the Children's Realm and seeing the wizard.

As a matter of fact, it would be easy to spend the whole time just in this area for the shows, playground, and crafts. (all free)

We like the dancing too. Whether with the sprites around the maypole or with the royal family.

Where else can you sing at the top of your lungs to "What do you do with a drunken sailor" and dance a jig with Cinderella and her prince?

And be surrounded by pretty gypsies?

Or go for a camel ride?

We also met Rapunzel.

It was a bit surreal to be in Georgia with best friends, enjoying coffee on the wraparound porch of Suzanne's farm house that morning, then a few short hours later being surrounded by mermaids and princesses.

But, what a magical time!

An Arabella Cinderella Farewell Teaparty

cottage, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, parties, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2015

We've had a nice, long visit with our tiniest fairy girl.

But now, she is headed East to be with her momma. We've squeezed in lots of snuggles and hugs before it was time for her to leave.

Sugarwings thought it would be a good idea to throw her a going away party, so we planned a tea to send her off with a toast.

Usually, Sugarwings helps set the table with me, but this was scheduled for right after school to combine after school snacktime with the festivities. I had the table set and waiting when they got home, to save time. If we delay after school treats too long, they interfere with dinner appetites.

But of course, this girl had to do some rearranging to improve my set up.

Dewdrop had been admiring some vintage dresses that I had hanging in the studio, and I kept promising her that she could wear them, but we never seemed to get around to it.

It dawned on me, that if I didn't pull those dresses down and let her try them on, they might not fit her when she came back again in a few weeks, those little ones do not stay little forever.

A vintage gown was chosen for Sugarwings too, but she preferred one of her own princess dresses. Both girls wanted to wear some of the jewelry I had out in the studio and chose some sparkling necklaces to try on. Dewdrop went with a floral hat from the studio too.

When the bigger girls got off the school bus from Jr. and Sr. high schools, they were good sports and joined in to toast our little sweetie. Can you tell by the look on her face that she appreciated our efforts and loved her party? That is one happy, kiddo.

We have recently discovered how delicious basil flowers are. I have always picked them off to make the basil plants last longer, and sometimes fill a vase with the blooming stems. Dewdrop likes to pick them out of the vase on the dining room table to eat during dinner, so I sprinkled some over our heart shaped watermelon slices for the party (made with a cookie cutter).

We also served blackberries and cupcakes along with the tea. All the dishes are mismatched and mostly from garage sales, and when set out on a floral table cloth, they feel special. Not so special that I get upset when one breaks. We had a creamer casualty, but it had only cost a quarter, so that didn't matter much. I want the grand fairies to enjoy nice things, had be used to handling them, not be afraid to use the pretty pieces.

We are all going to miss our silly, funny, little goofball and will be looking forward to planning a return party for her when it is time for her to come back.

Happiest Birthday, Sugarwings!

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 29, 2015

August is full of fun around here. Sugarwings' birthday (with multiple parties), the Hippy Chick's birthday, our anniversary, plus trying to fit in a few more fun things before school starts up.

Sugarwings' mommy always throws a special bash for her girl. This year's theme was Mystery. The cupcakes each had something flavorful tucked inside and you didn't know which you were getting. I can highly praise over the ones with peanut butter cups hidden away in the center.

There was a question mark pinata filled with goodies too.

And the kids had a scavenger hunt, following a treasure map to find the hidden presents.

It was all pretty cute to watch.

The world’s happiest dog

Dew Drop, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, kitties, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 23, 2015

For one thing, yorkies are usually just plain happy. I started calling mine 'dorkies' because they are often such silly, little, joyful dorks.

Twinkle adores her buddy, Sugarwings, who she grew up with (both are now nine years old). Especially when the water hose comes out. Those two can spray the hose together to no end. (glad we have well water!)

I was watching them the other night as they played outside as the sun was setting, Sugarwings was in charge of the hose, Honey helped her a bit, the other dogs and Dewdrop stayed out of reach of the water. But Twinks? As always, she was voraciously chasing droplets and attacking the spray. If her girl got side tracked and sat the hose down, that dog would go and get her. Trying to tempt her back into playing. She would run towards Sugarwings, then back to the hose, over and over, till her buddy picked it up and sprayed her with it again.

Dewdrop was happier with the dry kitties.

Or snuggling with her Pop Pop.

Twinkle never let Sugarwings get too far away from her, because she always wants to be in on the action. And while "Joy" is the fairy girl's middle name, it could just as easily have been "Action".

This is our idea of a perfect evening.

Can it get any better than this? Girls, bikes, garden hoses, with pups to play with as kittens watch… add in a cool evening with a bright sunset and, yes, that is perfection.