Some of my one-of-a-kind collector dolls inhabit an imaginary world known as The Ladies Tea & Garden Club.  The members of this exclusive club meet weekly at The Rose Cottage Tea Room.  Non-members may attend by special invitation only.  Each week the ladies order dainty sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and a very large pot of piping hot tea.  Their discussions are wide-ranging, however, tempers flare whenever the topic of the latest Royal Family scandal arises and a lively debate ensues.  But soon cooler heads prevail and another pot of tea is ordered.  Following the meeting the ladies retire to the peaceful comfort of the sun room to take up their knitting or read a spellbinding gothic novel.

To keep up with all the gossip, wander over to the ChatterSox Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Chattersox/

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BLANCHE – A Sock Monkey Schoolmarm

ALL ABOUT BLANCHE

Blanche taught school in New Orleans for many years, but was persuaded to retire as a result of her unorthodox teaching methods. Subsequently she moved in with her sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley, but soon left after a bit of unpleasantness.  Blanche then traveled to Key West, Florida to visit with her younger sister, Margo. Unfortunately for Blanche she arrived at the same time as Hurricane Hooligan and was whisked up the east coast.  When she landed she was a bit bewildered to find herself in Nova Scotia.  After wandering about and depending on the kindness of strangers, she finally arrived at Margo’s Place and was reunited with Margo.

Blanche now lives a very quiet and secluded life, only venturing out to attend the weekly meeting of the Ladies Tea & Garden Club.  She says she still feels “a bit bruised and blown about”.  Her nerves are very weak and she often feels the need to bolster them with judicious swigs of “nerve tonic”.

Blanche does not frequent Margo’s Place as it is too raucous for her delicate nerves.

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EDWINA HONEYCUTT – An Enigmatic Gossip

ALL ABOUT EDWINA HONEYCUTT

The ever enigmatic Edwina Honeycutt enjoys a good bit of juicy gossip with friends over a hot pot of tea.  Each afternoon at The Rose Cottage Tea Room she orders cucumber sandwiches, raisin scones with clotted cream, macaroons, shortbread and assorted petit fours.

“So few people nowadays really know how to put on a nice tea”, commented Mrs. Honeycutt.  “One has to know which are the really superior establishments.”

Edwina Honeycutt always keeps pin money in her purse and a few secrets under her hat.  She never speaks of the unpleasant episode of her disappearance for a fortnight some years ago.  She was feared kidnapped, but instead was found in a resort hotel in Cornwall, where she had used the last name of her husband’s mistress.  She claims to have no memory of what had happened, an amnesia she says brought on by stress.  And that is all she ever has to say about it.

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MRS. THING – A Relaxed Retiree

ALL ABOUT MRS. THING

After a life in domestic service, Mrs. Thing is now retired and enjoys spending time relaxing in her favourite wicker chair.  Some afternoons she dons her fascinator and with work basket in hand, slowly meanders over to visit her friend Jennie.  While drinking a nice hot cup of tea they knit, exchange patterns and have a long chat.  When she arrives back home, Mrs. Thing often has a gentle foot rub to sooth her aching feet.

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