Let's Start at the Very Beginning

I guess I should tell you how this all began. One June day, the family went to the beach in Oxford, bringing the Dora doll along for the girlie to enjoy. The family was in the water and I, of course, was taking pictures. Dora and I decided she needed to be in more of the pictures, but I think we were getting a bit carried away. (We have other, more reserved poses, but this one shows her getting more comfortable in front of the camera. She likes close ups.)

Here Dora is meeting our live-in Gnome. My husband bought me this gnome several years ago. I was in a real snit for some time and one day at dinner he presented me with a box that had come in the mail. "Would you like this gift?" he inquired.

"I don't know," I hissed, "Will it make me feel better?" I'm always a gracious receiver and one to let my anger go.

Well, it did. Inside was my first gnome, sitting happily upon a ladybug (which goes to say how magnified this statue is of the ones who originally sat for it)! Our Leading Lady, Dora, is surprised to meet such a fine looking Gnome and his Ladybug Lamborghini. And to think, it happened just outside our front door in July 2008!