Project: Pippi Longstocking 1

My Pippi (yet to be completed) is inspired by the Pippi Långstrump books written by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, which were first published in 1945.

REFERENCE WIKIPEDIA: Pippi is red-haired, freckled, unconventional and superhumanly strong – able to lift her horse one-handed. She is playful and unpredictable. She often makes fun of unreasonable adults, especially if they are pompous and condescending. Her anger comes out in extreme cases, such as when a man ill-treats his horse. Pippi, like Peter Pan, does not want to grow up. She is the daughter of a buccaneer captain and has adventure stories to tell about that too. Her four best friends are her horse who is nameless, a monkey called Mr. Nilsson, and the neighbours' children, Tommy and Annika. Pippi's two main possessions are a suitcase full of gold coins (which she used to buy her horse) and a large chest of drawers containing various small treasures.

The first U.S. edition was published late in 1950 by The Viking Press with illustrations by Louis S. Glanzman.

My edition is more recent, it was published in the UK in 2007 and is illustrated by Lauren Child.

All the illustrations of Pippi vary from book to book, and there have even been different versions of Pippi dolls (on eBay) from time to time. However, I shall use my own imagination and a little creative licence to bring you my version of Pippi based on descriptions of her clothing in the book.

Her full name in the original book is Pippilotta Comestibles Windowshade Curlymint Ephraims daughter Longstocking. Which is quite a mouthful, I must say!

This will be an ongoing project over the coming months and I will often be so engrossed in this project I may not be here for days or weeks on end . . . but I will return, I assure you.

Big hugs,
X

Spring is in the Air

Okay spring is almost now into her second month and I have finally stirred from my winter hibernation, but I'm really hoping it won't be too long before Spring actually arrives downunder . . . in all her glory.

I am so looking forward to enjoying warmer days, with soft breezes instead of the freezing winds we have had to contend with this past winter.

The sweet fragrance of mimosa already fills the air (giving me a bad case of runny eyes and sneezing) and the pale pink blossom bestows itself upon the naked branches of the local peach and almond trees.

The days are slowly becoming longer and the skies a brighter shade of blue, but
I just need the sun to shine more than ten lousy minutes!

Well that's enough of my ridiculous whining, I hope you are all doing well, I have managed to catch up with all your recent posts, however, I will simply say thank you to all those that were kind enough to leave me comments on my previous post.

THANK YOU!



As sure as the night must follow day,
As sure as no dawn can ever stay,
As sure as clouds across the sky,
Will always and forever fly,
So surely too, will blackbirds sing,
And flowers bloom when breaks the Spring.
Author Unknown

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, no matter where you are.
Big Hugs,
X 

Puffing Billy

It's fun for the children

To ride in the train,

Hear the hissing and snorting

Of steam once again.

Not only the children -

There's always a part

For grannies and grandpas

Still young at heart.

Puffing Billy is a genuine relic of our more leisurely days. It is an historic steam train still running regularly in the mountain district not too far from where I live, and was built to serve at the turn of the century. The Railway is the sole survivor of four experimental lines used to develop rural areas in the early 1900's.


Now days, Puffing Billy is a major tourist attraction and its operation depends on hundreds of dedicated volunteers. This operating museum runs every day of the year, except Christmas day, and takes families and friends on a 24.5 km sentimental journey. One can simply sit back with the kids and enjoy the mountain scenery and panoramic views which pass by the carriage window.


Lakeside, the intermediate terminus of the railway, is inside the beautiful Emerald Lake Park. Here one may stop over for a few pleasant hours bushwalking, swimming or just relaxing in the peaceful country setting.

My children loved riding on Puffing Billy when they were little, and the smell of the old steam train always took me back to my own childhood. I hope you enjoyed your little train trip down memory lane with me today.
Hugs,
X