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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sepia Saturday = Walking the Baby Dolls

Merle Johnsen Brock 1926-2008
This is my mother-in-law, Merle Elaine Johnsen Brock.
She was born in 1926 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Her mother's family was Swedish and her father's Danish.
I'm guessing she's about 3 years old here...not much taller
than her doll carriage...so this is the late 1920's.
She certainly is enjoying the Michigan winter!
When I see pictures of her as a child, she is always
dressed very well. I love this little knit outfit and
matching hat and mittens. Even her dolls are dressed
for a winter walk...including rosy cheeks!
Do you see the little doll sitting on the carriage
handle? Could that be a boudoir doll? They
were so popular in the 1920's!

Click HERE to join in or see more sepia photos!

39 comments:

  1. Oh I love your Sepia Saturdays. Your mother in law was a darling little girl. And I think her dolls are so cute all dressed up and in that carriage.

    I got a doll buggy for Christmas when I was about six... I remember that being one of my favorite presents.

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  2. Heh. Adorable M-I-L you have there!

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  3. That is the best picture! Love everything about it! :D

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  4. What a cute, cute little girl. Love this photo.

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  5. She was a beautiful little girl, wasn't she? I love her thick blonde hair...and her smile is just like I remember.

    She was the only girl of the family. I wonder what became of the dolls and carriage!

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  6. That is a great picture. Both your mother-in-law and her dolls are really cute. I love her outfit too.

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  7. She looks like she's having the time of her life...and adoring taking her baby dolls out for a stroll! A note from your snack of today...a girl scout snack we used to eat often was peanut butter on celery with raisins going across and we called it ants on a log! Thanks for the memory of such a yummy snack! I enjoyed your Sepia Saturday too! (I've got to work on mine too!)

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  8. Very cute and so interesting - in a way seeing this vintage photograph and the recent ones of my nieces, I can see that little girls are still the same.;)
    I love the small diary of your day on your sidebar.;)
    Have a lovely weekend,
    xoxo

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  9. Your MIL was such a cutie. I had a wicker pram just like that; painted cream. Those boudoir dolls were special!

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  10. She's having a ball - I bet it was difficult shoving the pram through the snow. I love your "birdie banner" too - so sweet :-) Jo

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  11. I love this sweet photo! Her smile is priceless.

    I have an old wicker doll carriage similar to the one in the picture. I'm planning to fix it up and give it to Baby Sister for Christmas.

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  12. It really is a spectacular photograph Betsy, The photographer just seems to have caught the essence of the child and the essence of childhood in a simple photograph.

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  13. Beautiful photo!!! Love this pic!!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  14. Great moment captured. I have a wonderful photo of my mother I should scan and post for Sepia Saturday. I've never participated before. Maybe next wknd.

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  15. It's always fun to stop by on Saturdays to see your blog and your family treasures.

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  16. Karen S ~ well today, I'll have to add some raisins! haha...sounds good!

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  17. Imagespast ~ I thought about that...I wonder how many times she got stuck! haha.

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  18. I love her smile. She looks like she is having a great time : )

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  19. Yes that must have been quite the feat
    Moving the doll carriage and staying on her feet
    As the snow was quite high
    But she looks quite sly
    Prob gave a little smile
    And had someone help her across the huge snow pile

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  20. Love her snow suit. Very stylish. Imagine it took a long time to dry. Wet wool. Don't have fond memories of wet wool.

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  21. This is such a gorgeous photo of a lovely wee girl who is obviously enjoying the moment. I am most interested in her outfit, she was born about the same time as my mother but my grandmother would never have dressed her daughters in anything but a dress. I don't think i have seen any photos of little girls of this era dressed like this.

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  22. Marilyn ~ did you click on the embedded link? You can see her in another pretty knit outfit...a dress. Yes, it's very unique, isn't it? I love it.

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  23. smiles. guess that is one thing that doesnt change...walking the baby dolls pretending to be a mommy...

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  24. She looks so thrilled to be alive. Not only was she darling, but she had some very nice dolls and a beautiful carriage. I find her joy contagious; just looking at her brings a big smile to my face.

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  25. @Brian:

    "guess that is one thing that doesnt change...walking the baby dolls pretending to be a mommy..."

    Uhhh... Do you do this often?

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  26. Silver ~ maybe it has something to do with that gown Pat says he's always wearing!

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  27. This picture is priceless. Soooo sweet.

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  28. Your mother in law Merle looks very happy pushing her dolls pram in the snow. she is very cute and well dressed. Such lovely memories for your family.

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  29. that is just too darling for words!!
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  30. Yeah Brian that comment did raise a question?
    Even the Fox had to give it a mention
    He said he was drunk when he wore the gown
    All over town
    But maybe he lied
    And this just proves he tried
    To do it one to many times
    Now to end my rhymes
    What's this about socks
    Should I change my locks
    I don't even know I say it much
    But anyway I'll keep using it and stay in touch

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  31. Lozvely photo and story.

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  32. I'm not very well up on dolls, but it must have been hard to push them in the snow.On the few occasions when I have been in Michigan in the snow you needed a sledge or a 4x4.

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  33. Your MIL looks like a happy little girl. She had a fine collection of dollies to play with.

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  34. Hi Betsy,

    I love your SS picture! Your MIL is so sweet, and such a great mommy to her babies, I can tell.

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  35. I really like that photo. It is a special looking coat.

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  36. This photo brings a smile to my face. She looks so adorable and happy! Also, I like your new header image of the birds. Very fun.

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  37. yes, lovely knitted outfit and sweet picture. I so love these.

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  38. Oh how adorable! She looks like she is just having a ball with her baby dolls!

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  39. This just doesn't get any cuter. Classic and well perserved.

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