Play Food for Thought; Dolls and Cuisine

Baby Alive, Bébé Gourmand, Bébé Teteur, Snack Time Kids, Drink and Wet Dolls, Betsy Wetsy---Even dolls have to eat!  Remember the wonderful doll food described in Parrish's "Floating Island?"  All those cups of air!

Ginger, Courtesy R. John Wright Dolls

 Remember the elaborate Japanese dinners Nona created for Miss Happiness and Miss Flower?

Great cooking and ingredients inspire art, and art inspires dolls.  Think of Alice, and her mysterious, magical snacks that said “eat me” and “drink me.”  Think of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and the Queen of Hearts distress over losing her tarts! 
Bébé Teteur, Courtesy, Theriault’s



Diane Mott Davidson, who writes wonderful mysteries with recipes, even has her detective, Goldy Bear, catering a Babsie Doll Convention. Babsie, of course, is a play on the name of another very famous fashion doll.



Flower Fairy dolls often represent edible flowers and berries, which themselves are used to paint doll, like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s doll Charlotte. Remember, also, that Laura’s first doll, Susan, was made of corncob wrapped in a hankie.
Laura Ingalls with her Corncob Doll, Garth Williams Illustrator, Public Domain Image
Cornhusk dolls, corn dollies, nut dolls, fairy dolls with acorn caps, apple heads, licorice dolls, gingerbread dolls, dough dolls, orange peel dolls, gourd dolls, jack o lanterns,  lobster class dolls, candy dolls, the list of edible dolls is seemingly endless. 
Corn Dollie, Public Domain Image



Holiday dolls evoke memories of holiday cooking, e.g., Halloween Witches remind us of candy apples and Halloween candy, and Christmas dolls remind of sugar plums [sugar plum fairies], sweets, cookies, mincemeat, and so much more.  Easter has its chocolate bunnies and Peeps, St. Patrick’s Day has its leprechaun dolls and green beer, Valentine’s Day its candy Kewpies, and chocolate boxes topped with dolls.

Antique dolls often open up to reveal they are elaborate candy containers! A, it is a feast for dolls and people!

From Mrs. Beeton; Public Domain

 Dolls and Gourmet go together, and as we know, there are dolls made of edible materials, too.  Here are some great public domain illustrations to enjoy, as well.

In fact, the UFDC has put out a cookbook featuring recipes and doll photos.

The American Girls have recipes and cookbook directions, there is, of course, the Easy Bake Oven, and Barbie has had kitchen and barbecue outfits and accessories for decades.   Didn't we love our toy stoves, and the cast iron versions are important collectibles!
Easy-Bake Over, Public Domain Image
Ute Applehead Doll, Courtesy, Theriault’s

One of the American Girls has dreams of running a bakery. Doll kitchens have been around for hundreds of years, and doll with cooking utensils have existed for thousands.

So, it's been established.  Doll Collectors have to eat.
Enjoy!

Household Hints; Borax et al

I can swear that I remember President Reagan once advertising 20 Mule Team Borax during a commercial that played in the middle of “Death Valley Days.”  It is possible, Borax has been around since 1891, six years before my grandpa was born, but the same year that his eldest brother, “Grandpa George” to me, was born.

Lenci Dolls being Domestic, courtesy Theriault's

The back of the box has tips for further use, though I use it in laundry.  I have to do several loads a day sometimes, always heavily soiled. It works, and leaves a fresh smell.  Here are some of its uses:

• Toilet Bowls; no kidding!  I’ve heard Coke works, too.  Sprinkle ¼ c Borax into bowl, then swish with your favorite toilet brush.  Let stand 30 mins or overnight.  Keep closed, in case you have a dog or curious cat.

• Baby clothes: Soak in ½ c of Borax and warm water. Do a hot/warm water wash.  Add another ½ with regular detergent.  [For the record, I am not a good washerwoman; I guess].
• Laundry Stains including tomato sauce, oil/grease, grass, the proverbial ground in dirt; add 1 TBSP Borax per gallon of water or ½ in washer.

Presoak “at least” 30 mins before wash.

·         Garbage Disposal/Drains: Sprinkle 2 or 2 TBSPs in disposal or drain.  Let stand at least 15 mins. Flush with water for a few seconds, disposal on.

·         Delicates: use ¼ c Borax.  Dissolve Borax and 1-2 TBSPs of detergent in basin of warm water.  Soak for 20 mins.  Rinse in cool water.  Blot with towel, dry flat.

·         Rugs: ½ c dissolved in 1 pint water.  Sponge on, wait ½ hours, rinse well.  Let dry and vacuum.

There are lots of other uses, I’m sure.  Wash doll clothes following instructions for delicates.  Per box, it still does not cost as much.  The manufacturer also recommends it for laundry boosting, bathroom cleaning in general, and kitchen cleaning in general.

Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: An Amazing Paper on Animal Over Population; Thanks...

Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: An Amazing Paper on Animal Over Population; Thanks...:                                                                                                                    ...