Very little memories remain of my early childhood.
It feels like my life began when I moved to New Brighton.
I felt like an outcast then. Intrigued by literature, especially poetry, I would get lost in a writer's imagination until the entire book was finished instead of playing outside.
I grew up listening to these incredible stories of remarkable entrepreneurs. Stories of the town's founding families, their business ventures and how many of them worked together to save many lives, remain etched in my mind.
To this day, all throughout New Brighton, buildings and homes remain with incredible history and amazing stories attached to them.
The dollhouse is one of those places. An enchanting place with extraordinary stories.
The dollhouse looks very similar to my childhood dollhouse. My first dollhouse. The dollhouse I had when I lived in the city.
The dollhouse is my dream manifested into reality. The interior layout is eerily similar as well.
It is a wild feeling to live inside of a replica of your childhood dollhouse. It is living deeply in a dreamland.
Sometimes I awake confused, anxious, almost panicked.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The cold, beautiful hardwood floors from the 1930's, remind me that this is real, with it's icy touch. The purple walls of our bedroom, I am told, match the walls of my bedroom in the city.
I do not remember my bedroom in the city. I remember my dollhouse though. My dollhouse, sitting on the floor and the glow from a light.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The second story landing that overlooks the courtyard, with it's enormous window, makes me feel like I am living a beautiful fairy tale. Laying at the window seat, reading a new adventure, makes my soul sing. Lounging with a bunch of pillows and the cats, I enjoy my coffee.
The sun shines its gorgeous rays through the entire dollhouse, illuminating every room. The large foyer creates the most beautiful echo, as Mila sings from her heart. The cats play in the livingroom, as our dog chases his favorite ball into the Billiards Room.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The gigantic kitchen greets me with fresh baked muffins. This place inspires me to bake. Having a chef's kitchen, I have no excuses.
The bay window resembling my childhood dollhouse, gives me an amazing view of the vegetable and botanical gardens.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The Billiards Room makes me smile. It is filled with our favorite trinkets and statues of samurai warriors and Buddhas.
Our pool table sits center of this wonderful time capsule of a meeting room.
The fireplace and original side windows take you back to the 1800's. The cigar smell still lingers.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
Crystal door knobs on the dramatic double set of French doors give an extravagant essence to entering the Billiards Room and livingroom from the foyer.
In the foyer, I imagine being down south in Louisiana. The entryway door has windows on each side that open up. Leaving the front door open, invites the breeze in to dance throughout the entire first floor.
Mannon McPherson's business plaque from 1889 sits on the hallway stand proudly. His son, George and his wife Cora, owned the dollhouse in the 1930's. Their daughter, Eleanor, then owned the home in her later years. Eleanor McPherson spent most of her days at the dollhouse, reading in the sunroom.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The sunroom has two sets of French doors attached to the grand livingroom.
I design and sew in this space. The incredible view of historic homes across the street inspires me to keep going.
I have expanded the boutique further than I had ever imagined. It is a lot to juggle and my soul gets tired at times.
I rest and meditate on the chaise here.
Seeing these homes, I think of the early entrepreneurs who lived here. Their essence and legacies inspire me to trust my path.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
The grand living room pulls you in. It is a great room for music and dancing.
It is the heart of the dollhouse. It is reminiscent of a ballroom.
I look forward to making memories here. The fireplace is an exquisite work of art in itself.
Is this real?
Am I dreaming?
Sometimes I feel like I am lost in a dream. What to dream up next when my heart is full and my soul content?
In reality, I am living my dream,
creating each moment, writing a story while living my story, unearthing stories untold.
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