Bluebirds and Butterflies

Russian Doll Measuring Cups

 

My husband and I took my youngest son on an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle to celebrate his graduation from high school in 2008.   During our cruise, we stopped at several different ports of call.   One of the first places we stopped along the cruise was to the town of Sitka, Alaska.   We spent several hours browsing through the community.   When you visit this little town, you can definitely see the Russian influence in the community.   Many of the shops were filled with furs and hand-painted and lacquered Russian boxes.   Some were very ornate,  and I fell in love with these beautiful boxes.  While shopping in one store, I purchased a small lacquered box as a souvenir to take home with me.   Some of the quaint little shops were also filled with Russian nesting dolls.   Each colorful doll nests inside each other.   Most of the dolls contained three to four different sizes of nesting dolls all stacked into the largest one.  Each nesting doll was beautifully hand-painted and had lovely colorful faces.  

The other day, I was reminded of the Russian nesting dolls that I loved in Sitka, Alaska.    While shopping in a store called World Market, located near our local mall, I happened to spot some ceramic nesting dolls.

When I opened the larger nesting doll,  I had a surprise!  These nesting dolls are actually measuring cups for cooking!     Isn't that a great idea?

You can see how the dolls nest inside the larger one.   When you turn the head over, you can see that the inside of the head measures l/2 a cup.  Each component is clearly marked with a measurement.

The bottom part of the largest doll measures 1 cup.

The bottom of the second sized doll measures 1/3 cup.

1/4 cup is marked inside the head of the second sized doll.

The smallest doll head will hold a pinch...

The base of the smallest doll will hold 1 tablespoon...

Next, you see all three dolls together...

I think they are adorable!   Don't you?   I also think that they are very reasonably priced at $12.99 for the three dolls.   What a great and unique gift these would make!   Of course, I had to treat myself to the measuring cups, and I have really enjoyed them.  



The nesting measuring cups look very cute on the kitchen counter or a shelf and, unless you opened them up, you would never realize that they are measuring cups.    I love things that are both useful and unique.   If you do not live near a World Market, and would like to order some measuring nesting dolls,  you can order from their site online.  I checked on this today so that you would know that they are available for order.   If you click on this link, it will take you to the World Market page so that you can see the nesting dolls.  Cost Plus World Market   I am not paid anything by Cost Plus World Market for this promotion on my blog.  I just LOVE the delightful measuring nesting dolls, and they made me think of the Russian Lacquer nesting dolls I saw in Sitka, Alaska.    I love sharing things with my friends.

I hope you have a wonderful day today!  (((hugs))) Kim

A Little About Me

I am a Southern born and bred gal who has lived in the Seattle area for the past six years.  I live with my handsome husband and my little furry companion, Sadie, in a small Norwegian town near the waterfront of Liberty Bay.   We reside in a cottage-style home that we helped design.  My husband and I consider this cottage to be our final/retirement residence.  Our little nest  is our haven, and we love the fact that it is a five minute walk from our house to the nearby shops and restaurants.  We frequently take our dog, Sadie, for walks to the local coffee shop and to our sailboat, Skye, which is moored at the marina just past the shops.   We love the beauty and culture of the Northwest!

My husband is a retired Naval Chief Warrant Officer and now works as a Manager for a major company in the area.   He is my soul-mate and the love of my life!   I will affectionately refer to my husband as "the Officer"in this blog as I definitely consider him to be my version of an Officer and a Gentleman. 

As for me,  I am a former legal secretary in felony and family law.  When my first son was born, I decided to become a stay at home mom to nurture my child.   I loved my job but this was a decision that I will never regret.  Being a mother has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life.  I have enjoyed giving my love and time to my children and helping them to become the best they could be.   I feel I have had a small part in the wonderful people they have become.   My eldest son lives in Houston and is employed with a major company as a Mechanical Engineer.  He is engaged to be married to his beautiful girlfriend in November 2011.  My younger son left home this year to continue  his study of computer engineering at a nearby major university.   He is doing well at school and is a junior this year.   So, you might say that this Bluebird is now an empty nester.   This is why I now have time to write this blog.   I hope to share things with others that have brought me joy and healing and, hopefully, will inspire others who can relate to me and my life.  With that said, I would like to share that I have had many changes in my life recently.  In 2008, my parents who resided in a small beachtown in Florida, both passed away within two months of each other.  I was very close to my parents.  My mother was not only  my mom but my very best friend.   We spoke to each other by telephone several times a week.  You never quit missing or loving those that leave you.   However, would you really want to forget?   It is those very things that we miss about our loved ones that made them who they are.   My life since the death of my parents has certainly been a journey.  We really miss  our loved ones who leave us.  It can be a very heart wrenching experience.  But, if we really are  quiet and listen, they become present to us again through the songs that we hear, the flowers that we see, the food that we smell, the breeze on our face, and the sunlight on the rivers.   And, even through bluebirds and butterflies...    If life is a journey, let the journey take flight.   Thank you for soaring with me.