In 1998, American Girl launched its first walk-in store in Chicago, IL. I was a teenager at the time and wanted very much to see the place that held every doll of my childhood dreams. Twenty years later, I finally visited. American Girl Place Chicago was moved from its original location to Water Tower … Continue reading American Girl Place Chicago

   Every May in Holland Michigan, something special happens. The tulips bloom. Not just a few, but over 5 million! Tulip Time is a festival that celebrates the town’s Dutch heritage. In the 1960’s, the town purchased an authentic windmill from the Netherlands's named De Zwaan (the Swan). As a Swedish immigrant, Kirsten was the … Continue reading Kirsten Visits DeZwaan Windmill

  As a huge fan and avid watcher of the Little House on the Prairie tv series, I was excited to travel to the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was here on Rocky Ridge Farm in the Missouri Ozark Mountains, that Laura wrote her Little House series.    Naturally, my custom Laura doll was … Continue reading Laura Ingalls Wilder Home