Last week I was very verbose and had far too much to say for myself, so this week its back to basics with a paper doll book. The last paper doll book I featured was Candy and Her Cousins back at the beginning of March. I've always thought of Polly and Her Playmates as the original of these sets with their wrap-around frocks. I can still remember the thrill of receiving this book as a child, and how incredibly beautiful and special I thought it was. I had a tendency of playing with my paper dolls until they literally fell apart and this set was no exception. They seemed to have an unfortunate habit of losing their heads. My mother would painstakingly tape them up for me so that I could play with them again, I don't think it ever worried me that they had become battered and worn. I loved them all the same and would play with them for hours on end! Strangely enough the dresses I liked the most in these sets were not the signature wrap-around outfits but the winter coats with their lovely white muffs. Perhaps it was because I lived in a place where where winter coats were not needed and so I saw them as being terribly exotic. I also remember that I did not play with these dolls as I was supposed to and wrap the dresses around them. Instead I would keep them unfolded and dress the dolls up as though they were wearing outrageously exaggerated crinolines! Late Blossoms The cherry blossom has been very late this year in my part of the world. Winter just does not want to give up its grip on the land. This tree is putting on a lovely display now, and in a way its quite nice to be able to enjoy it so much further into the year. The apple trees have also finally started showing signs of pink and white blossoms. They originally had white blossoms I have never seen before. These new arrivals are still tightly closed - I can't wait for them to open as they are one of my favourite sights when they are in full bloom.