SLIME!!! Arghhhhhh!

This is a video created by Iona. It is all about the latest craze, SLIME!!! Warning! It is quite revolting, quite frankly, but well put together. Watch at your own risk! 

Sasha - the Austria Connection

I suppose nostalgia plays a part when you grow older. I find myself nostalgic for things Austrian, from time to time, and my Sashas seem to be the victim of this longing as the following pictures will show. Here is a photograph of Yasmin, aged 4, in a Dirndl dress my mother made for her. The next photo shows my Sasha, also called Yasmin, in a Dirndl made by Ruthsdolls.

Ruth calls this ‘the Bavarian Costume’. I was delighted to find a garment for my Sasha which reminded me of my place of birth. 

I soon added a few more Dirndls for my Sashas. Here is an example of one of Stela Aranghelova. 

 Soon after, Ruth made me another, really gorgeous one, in blue. 

Then, Diane Duke, the intrepid traveller, told me that she found a Käthe Kruse Dirndl in a shop in Tirol, which she brought back for me. The following year she brought me another one. Both really nicely made and fitting perfectly. 

Next, Diane got very interested in traditional Austrian knitwear and how it might be adapted for Sashas.  I got very excited over the idea of ‘ The Jopperl’. A cardigan/jacket which we all wear in Austria – girls and boys! It is very practical, very warm and partially weatherproof.  Diane being Diane went ahead and started designing and adapting the idea. She succeeded brilliantly!  

I thought how much fun it would be to have my kids dance around a Maypole in traditional Austrian costumes. This seemed a bit elaborate, but an opportunity presented itself at the 2017 Sasha Celebration Weekend. The theme was ‘National Costumes’ and I thought a Maypole exhibit might fit in with that theme. Both Tricia Jackson and Janet Myhill Dabbs thought it was a nice idea. So I asked a friend to help me construct a Maypole. Of course, I needed more girls in Dirndl dresses and that’s where Marilyn Hotchkiss came to the rescue. She made me some gorgeous Dirndls and also some Knickerbockers for the boys. Rosie Laird knitted the perfect socks for them all and Lisa Hartley provided the footwear.  We were all set for the Sasha Celebration Weekend. We dressed up the kids and had a try-out in the garden!!! 

Marilyn's Dirndl Dresses

When I arrived at the SCW we realized just how big the Maypole was and how much space it would need, so some last minute arrangements had to be made to accommodate it. It caused Janet a bit of a headache, but it was all sorted out and in the end it worked really well. Some other participants brought Sasha kids in traditional costumes along (Madeleine Foong’s gorgeous Sashas) and they joined in the Maypole dancing!!! There was even a cow, with a bucket at both ends (!), a goat, a Toddler and a cowbell – all supplied by Diane Duke -  to join the fun! 

A final word: The creative talent in the Sasha community is astounding. That’s how it was possible for me (who has no talents, ha ha) to put something like this together. Thank you all. It’s a joy to know you. 

Postscript: In Germany and Austria the Maypole is a tradition going back to the 16th century. The tree is erected on 1 May on the village green or in the town square. There is usually a festival to go along with this, with dancing round the Maypole – to dance in the month of May. 

Swinging on GIANT 15 FOOT SWING ROPE!!!

This is Raffay, my grandson! Iona's brother. His passion is making videos and posting them to YouTube. This one, although exciting to watch, produced some grandmotherly concerns as to safety. But apparently - I needn't have worried!

BABIES!

Trying to keep track of what my babies are called is very tricky! I need to do a periodic roll-call with tags to help me remember. I don’t have this problem so much with the older Sashas. Does it matter? Well, it does to me! What sort of a Sasha mother am I if I can’t even remember what my kids are called?

Top row from the left

April, Yasmin, Naomi, Poppy, Freya, Emily, Charlotte, Rosie

Tabatha, Honey, Harry, Peter, Charlie, Max, Julia, Katie,

These are the Götz babies:

Charlotte, Poppy, Freya, Max, Katie

The latest addition is called 'Archie', another Trendon Honeyblonde. 

Here are all the baby boys: Harry, Archie, Peter, Charlie and Max, being very well behaved for their photograph to be taken. ..

... but you can’t expect babies to stay still for very long!

So now, hopefully, when I forget their names, I can check in here! 

THE SASHA ROOM

While everyone is busy at the Sasha Festival in Dulles VA, I thought I’d just post a few pictures of stuff that goes on in the Sasha room from time to time, just for myself, hoping that no one will notice!

The new cabinet.  

My Kiltie, April, likes  the cabinet, as does Kally, who is a Dungarees Girl. April is wearing a little dress made by the talented Marilyn Hotchkiss. I won the little blue dress in the lottery at the Sasha Celebration weekend. The proceeds of the lottery at the SCW always go to a children's charity, in this case 'Safe the Children'.  This year the lottery made an astonishing £2,852, but the most amazing thing is, that this sum has increased 10 fold, yes, 10 fold, to £25,000, due to the kind generosity and ingenuity of Brenda Myers at our Sister event, the big Sasha Festival in Dulles, Virginia, USA, which is being held at the time of this posting. Wow!!! How did she manage that! 

Here is little Max, looking a little lost. He has only just arrived and hasn’t managed to make friends yet with the other babies. 

Luckily Kally is on hand to make him feel at home. Don't I know you, says Kally?  You are a little sweetheart Max. All is going to be well! 

A WEEKEND CELEBRATING SASHA

Dear Iona and Raffay,

Grandpa and I made it to Eastwood Hall and I wished you had been there with us! What wonderful Sashas in beautiful costumes! It was a feast for the eyes! The theme was National Costumes and some of the outfits were simply astonishing! I have chosen just a few photos to give you an idea. The Maypole seems to have been a success, too! The flowers you wove into the wreath were still all there and the ribbons worked beautifully. The Sasha kids were very well behaved and didn’t fall over once! Some of their friends joined them and I think they all had a blast! Notice the Toddler going in the wrong direction? I was glad she didn't get trampled on! 

This Warrior was one of my favourites, although it was very hard to choose, as you can imagine

This little darling stole my heart! I love how she is painted, particularly her eyes

There was also a band. Lukas played the recorder, but look at Gilly playing the accordion. He came all the way from America! In this photo you can just make out the naughty cow who crashed the scene!

Some of the kids who joined in the fun.  The boy and the girl in the hat came all the way from Switzerland! 

I met up with lots of my lovely Sasha friends, but here are two of my favourites: Rosie and Kalaya! They had a great time, winning no end of Raffle prizes and taking part in all the crafts that were on offer with amazing skill. They delighted us all with their happy smiles and sweet nature. It would have been great, if you both could have been there too, Raffay and Iona! It would have been the icing on the cake.

Lots of love, Grandma xxx

SASHA CELEBRATION WEEKEND - Nottingham

Some of the Sashas have decided to take part in the SCW in Nottingham. Only 11 days to go now until the big day! The theme, as we all know, is Traditional or National Costumes and since there is a strong connection with Austria, and the celebration takes place in May, they have decided to don their Dirndls, Jopperl, Knickerbockers and Lederhosen and put on a Maypole Dancing Exhibition, in the best Austrian tradition!

A group photograph was taken so as to have a permanent record of the Sashamania Maypole Dancers, watched by Yasmin and Aania. 'Why can't we go too', asked Yasmin.  

 'At least let us be in the picture'. 

The boys wanted to show off their traditional gear. Well, why not! They do look rather splendid! Apart from Raffay's sock, which is a disgrace! 

A few days later, they had a go dancing around the actual Maypole. A practice run! Nice one, kids! Well done.