We are on Amazon!

For those interested, A Bibliography of Doll and Toy Sources is on Amazon. Soon to join it is With Love from Tin Lizzie; A History of Metal Dolls, Dolls with Metal Parts, and Automatons. The next book on metal dolls will be a photo study.

We are very excited with the new look we have on Facebook, and are indebted to Merna Throne of Pockets of Pearls.com, for her great work. Also, we want to thank 918Studio for picking up the metal doll book.

Working with rice and fresh herbs these days, including chives and various types of basil. Some leftover chinese rice, vodka sauce, sliced buffalo mozzarella, fresh, grated parmesan, sprinkled with herbs and heated 2.5 minutes in the microwave makes a great summer vegetarian dish that doesn't require a hot oven, a boon with our steamy heat these days.

Took an impomptu trip to our closest Trader Joes, mostly organic, very green very reasonable, tons of variety. The chocolate ganache torte is to die for, and should be a "tort!" It was $7.99! The brioche and pate, smolked salmon, was excellent. We got a good selection of cheeses, and lots of cookies as gifts. Then, ate at a Sushi restaruant with a revolving counter and vending machines with real Japanese anime toys and products. It was too wonderful. This was a short day trip, economical in this time of year, but great fun, and a good way to get out of Dodge.

I am better able to focus after a littel road trip like this. Summer doesn't have to be about stressful packing and big trips. Explore what is close,a nd look for free museum and admission days. Do something different, a new restaruant, movie theater, store to browse, or get invovled in a new camp with your kids. I like to clean, a la Laura Ingalls Wilder, one corner at a time. This is a must activity for collectors; it is a chance to recycle, renew, share, and deaccession where needed.