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Happy Wonders - Blog Posts
Samantha wishes everyone a very Happy and Bewitching Halloween!
Toy Sunday’s Theme: Halloween
“Samantha Stevens in Bewitched merely twitched her nose and turned the mortal world upside down. Forever charming and fun, the show features the light-hearted antics that happen between a beautiful but strong willed witch named Samantha and her eternally bewildered mortal husband, Darrin.
Endowed with a wonderful cast of wacky characters, this classic 1960s television series still continues to delight television audiences with its funny stories and whimsical hocus pocus.”
As dusk approached, Rutledge hurried home, wondering if the mushrooms he saw were there before or had recently appeared, much like how they were described in a poem he had come across:
“Overnight, very Whitely, discreetly, Very quietly
Our toes, our noses Take hold on the loam, Acquire the air.
Nobody sees us, Stops us, betrays us; The small grains make room.
Soft fists insist on Heaving the needles, The leafy bedding,
Even the paving. Our hammers, our rams, Earless and eyeless,
Perfectly voiceless, Widen the crannies, Shoulder through holes. We
Diet on water, On crumbs of shadow, Bland-mannered, asking
Little or nothing. So many of us! So many of us!
We are shelves, we are Tables, we are meek, We are edible,
Nudgers and shovers In spite of ourselves. Our kind multiplies:
We shall by morning Inherit the earth. Our foot's in the door.”
Poem is: Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/mushrooms
Goddess of the Moon (Cháng’é)
“Every year around September in the Gregorian calendar, people across Asia and around the world gather with their families to celebrate the Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival).
The festival involves the serving of mooncakes and, in some places, like Taiwan, often involves barbecue parties with family, friends and neighbors. Central to the folklore of the Moon Festival is the telling of the story of the moon goddess, Cháng’é.
According to this ancient story, a long, long time ago, the heavens was home to ten blazing suns. The ten suns scorched the surface of the earth mercilessly and the earth’s inhabitants – the animals, plants and people – struggled desperately to survive in this fiery world.
One day, a brave and powerful archer decided to take matters into his own hands. His name was Hòu Yì and he took his bow, climbed up the highest peak he could find and challenged the suns.
One by one, Hòu Yì succeeded in downing the fiery orbs. Just as he was about to shoot down the tenth and final sun, however, a beautiful village maiden appeared and begged him to stop.
“If you shoot down the final sun,” she pleaded, “the world will be plunged into icy darkness forever. Spare this last sun and the world will thrive – neither too bright or too dark, too hot or too cold.”
Hòu Yì heeded the maiden’s advice and permitted the last sun to remain in the sky.
The gods rewarded Hòu Yì’s bravery by gifting him with a bottle of elixir which, when imbibed, would turn mortals into immortals and enable them to join the gods.
In addition to the heavenly gift, the village maiden, thankful for Hòu Yì’s bravery, pledged herself to be his wife. The maiden’s name was Cháng’é.
When Hòu Yì received the elixir, he did not immediately consume it. He put away the bottle in what he felt was a safe place in his home and went on a hunt, leaving his dear wife to guard the elixir. The two had decided that, at a later time, they would both take the elixir and be able to live with the gods together, never to be separated.
It was at this time that bandits who knew of the elixir’s existence, intruded upon Hòu Yì’s residence, demanding that Cháng’é give up the elixir.
The maiden, unwilling to hand over her husband’s hard-won prize to bandits, took the decision to consume the substance herself.
This ill-timed and supposed blessing of immortality had become a curse – forever separating Cháng’é from her husband who must remain a mortal man.
Cháng’é felt her body become lighter and lighter. She began to float up towards the sky, eventually landing on the Palace of the Moon, where she took up residence.
Hòu Yì, separated from his beloved wife, could do nothing. But thenceforth, he began, on the anniversary of his wife’s ascent to the moon during mid-autumn, to place fruits and cakes on altars to honor her.
This practice began by Hòu Yì during this time of year is the reason, this story says, behind the mid-autumn festival so popular throughout East Asia.”
Reference: islandfolklore.com/the-bunny-girl/
(Barbie is wearing Over the Moon Chang’e doll’s dress/headpiece) (Moon is a mini moon lamp)
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
Cora, Caramel and Cocoa wish everyone a beautiful and Happy Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day!
“We are like snowflakes, all different in our own beautiful way.”
Lumi and Icelyn wish everyone a warm and wonderful winter!
Happy New Year 2024!
♫ “Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.”♫
Toy Sunday for the theme: New Year
Reference for lyrics above and brief article about the history of the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne:
A Christmas Nativity
♫ “O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine.”♫
Toy Sunday for the theme: Christmas
(Little Pullip and Little Byul dolls)
Baby Jesus
♫ “Away in a manger No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus Lay down His sweet head The stars in the sky Look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay”♫
Toy Sunday for the theme: Christmas
(Little Byul doll)
A Sylvanian Holiday Gathering
Some of the families of Sylvania have gathered for the Christmas tree lighting. But where is Daisy Maple?
Popeye, Olive Oyl and Sweet Pea Inspired Barbies
Toy Sunday for the theme: Strong
♫ “I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach
I'm Popeye the Sailor Man” (toot, toot) ♫
After Sweet Pea arrived into his life, Popeye decided that he wanted to be a good role model, so he quit smoking and decided to promote a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and eating healthy (lots of veggies).
The Sound of Music Maria Inspired Blythe
Blythe a Day December 2023 for: The Sound of Music
♫ "The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs, they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears
(Every song that it hears)
My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
That rise from the lake to the trees (to the trees)
My heart wants to sigh like a chime
That flies from a church on a breeze
To laugh like a brook when it trips
And falls over stones on its way (on its way)
To sing through the night
Like a lark who is learning to pray
I go to the hills when my heart is lonely
I know I will hear what I've heard before
My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more" ♫
Mary Poppins “Jolly Holiday” Inspired Blythe
Blythe a Day December 2023 for: Mary Poppins
♫ "Oh it's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
Mary makes your 'eart so light!
When the day is gray and ordianry
Mary makes the sun shine bright!
Oh, 'appiness is bloomin' all around 'er
The daffodils are smilin' at the dove
When Mary 'olds your 'and
You feel so grand
Your 'eart starts beatin' like
A big brass band!
It's a jolly 'oliday with Mary
No wonder that it's Mary that we love!" ♫
A Christmas Story, Ralphie’s “Pink Bunny Suit” Inspired Blythe
Blythe a Day December 2023 for: Christmas Bunny
Ralphie opens his present from Aunt Clara, revealing it to be a pink bunny outfit.
Adult Ralphie: (Aunt Clara had for years labored under the delusion that I was not only perpetually four years old, but also a girl.)
Mrs. Parker: Oh, isn't that sweet? Ralphie, go upstairs and try it on if you--
Ralphie: I don't want to!
Mrs. Parker: Go upstairs right now and put on that present! She went to all that trouble to make it, now go on!
[Ralphie runs upstairs.]
[Down comes Ralphie, clad in the bunny suit.]
Mrs. Parker: Ohhhh, isn't that cute? That is the most precious thing I've ever seen in my life. (Randy laughs)
Ralphie: Shut up.
The Old Man: He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny.
Mrs. Parker: He does not!
The Old Man: He does too; he looks like a pink nightmare. Do you wanna take it off? (Ralphie nods his head) Tell the kid to take it off.
Mrs. Parker: Alright, you'll only wear it when Aunt Clara visits; now go on and take it off.
The Old Man: Take it off!
Titania (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Inspired Barbie
Toy Sunday for the theme: Shakespeare
“Titania is a character in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. In the play, she is the Queen of the fairies and wife of the Fairy King, Oberon.”
“Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire;
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon’s sphere.”
—Spoken by Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
(Wrinkle in Time Mrs. Whatsit Barbie, 2018)
Movember Inspired Kens
Friends Evan, Ming, Ted, Lars, Arturo, and Henry attended a Movember event. Some had grown moustaches while some had improvised moustaches.
Trick or Treating with Barbie and Friends
Toy Sunday for the theme: Trick or Treat
Tinkerbell: Let’s go to this house!
Belle: She has giant lollipops!
Ariel: Here’s some king size candy bars!
Peter Pan: And caramel and candy apples!
Cheetah Girl: I’m in candy heaven!
Princess: These are my favorite!
Mario: Let’s come here next year!
Gloria ordered some special treats this year. She loves seeing the neighborhood kids and their costumes. Meanwhile, Felix (the cat) seems to be quite amused with the animated jack o lantern.
(Front porch is a cat scratching house, miniature candies are Glitter Girls, Trick or Treat bags printed from Doll Daydream Boutique blog and scaled down to 25%)
Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. Friends Inspired Blythes at a Haunted House
Blythe a Day October 2023 for: Haunted House
Freddy, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby have arrived at a haunted house and are ready to investigate.
♫ You know we got a mystery to solve
So, Scooby Doo, be ready for your act
Don't hold back
And, Scooby Doo, if you come through
You're gonna have yourself a Scooby Snack
That's a fact
Scooby Dooby Doo, here are you
You're ready and you're willing
If we can count on you, Scooby Doo
I know we'll catch that villain ♫
(Scooby-Doo is from Playmobil, Haunted House is a cat scratcher house)
Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc. Friends Inspired Blythes
Blythe a Day October 2023 for: Haunted House
Freddy, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby are off to solve another mystery in a dark forest.
♫ Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We got some work to do now
Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now
Come on Scooby Doo, I see you
Pretending you got a sliver
But you're not fooling me, 'cause I can see
The way you shake and shiver ♫
(Scooby-Doo is from Playmobil)
Welcome to the Apothecary
Blythe a Day October 2023 for: Apothecary
“Life is like an apothecary; you'll find a remedy for every problem.”
Welcome to the Three Witches Apothecary where we have the finest quality, locally sourced potions, tinctures, spells, and magical goodies. We are having a special sale, today only, on Saturday the 14th. All brooms and candles are 14% off. If you need help locating an item or have any questions, I’ll be right here, behind the counter.
A Discovery in the Enchanted Forest
Blythe a Day October 2023 for: Pumpkins
Fuchsia came across the most peculiar specimen as she walked through the Enchanted Forest. Orange gourds growing on branches. It was a Pumpkin Tree!
(The specimen that Fuchsia encountered was actually Solanum integrifolium, an ornamental eggplant, also known as Pumpkin on a Stick.)
Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters Halloween Inspired Blythes
Blythe a Day October 2023 for: I put a Spell on You
“Twist the bones and bend the back.
Itch-it-a-cop-it-a,
Mel-a-ka-mys-ti-ca.
Trim him of his baby fat.
Itch-it-a-cop-it-a,
Mel-a-ka-mys-ti-ca.
Give him fur black as black.
Just…Like…This!" - Sanderson Sisters
Movie Synopsis: “300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters (Winifred, Sarah, and Mary) were punished for practicing dark witchcraft in Salem. Returning to life thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid-in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence…"
Blythe a Day September 2023 - Around the World in 30 Days for the theme: “Sail Away”
Ginger (Blythe): “Has anyone seen Brie (the baby giraffe)?”
Brie: “I’m right up here!”
(Ginger and her Sylvanian, Woodzeez, and Honeybee Acres friends on a boat trip, enjoying the sunset at sea)
♫Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) by Enya
Blythe a Day September 2023 - Around the World in 30 Days for the theme: “Road Trip”
“Good company on a journey makes the way seem shorter.”
Ginger (Blythe) and her Sylvanian, Woodzeez, and Honeybee Acres friends on packed van for a road trip.