Our First Foray...

...beyond the garden.

On Saturday afternoon we went for a lovely, long walk along the valley, down to the river.

Paige asked to sit in the shade for a little.

I love the way this girl's hair picks up the light.

I was hoping to get some shots of her paddling in the river, but it was too busy and there were too many dogs enjoying the cool water.  We did spend ages there, though, chasing tiddlers and sitting on the bridge cooling our feet in the fairly fast flowing water.  Where was Paige all this time?  Tucked away in her little bag (an unused drawstring shoebag) with her hairbrush for company!

We (I) need to get used to photographing Blythe dolls outside of my safety zone.  I've been accepted to host a Traveling Blythe .  I'm SO excited about this.  I'm already planning her trip.   

Introducing...hmm, not quite sure yet....

This Prima Dolly Winsome Willow won me over in her photograph - the sweetest little face.  Then she arrived and I took her out of her box.  I set her aside.  A few days later I looked at her and she looked back at me.  I changed her outfit and I set her down again. 

I really wasn't sure.  I then read Michelle's article  (a timely post if ever there was one) on bonding and I thought, "I just haven't bonded with this girl."   That was odd for me - I hadn't imagined that I wouldn't immediately love a doll that I'd CHOSEN to adopt - especially given that initial falling for the little face.  That then led to the question of what to do with her.  On some level I felt it would not be fair to the doll  (Blythe enthusiasts will understand this) if I kept her whilst feeling anything less than 100% about her!!  I couldn't quite contemplate letting her go, though.

Then the sun shone and I thought I'd photograph her....

I loved how the sunshine turned single strands of her hair golden and the subtle shadow play.  A subtle transformation - all indicative of her emerging personality.  Truly beautiful, in a gentle, understated way.  I also learned that she wanted to be called Paige.  So, I'd like to introduce... Paige Willow (here looking at cloud pictures)