HFIM HOUSE history...Preparing for Thanksgiving!

When I first started the HFIM house,(Home for Impoverished Millenials) in 2017,

(Here's a little history) there were 14-16 single people sharing two large homes connected together. School debt and high living costs in Chicago caused them to form a co-op of sorts with everyone investing in two adjoining old houses and making the repairs and remodeling. In 2022 it was eventually sold. The two homes were separated and totally remodeled, the Millenial gang moved on here and there, and most made a bunch of money based on what they put in funds and time working on the repairs.

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Here's the original setup---minus three rooms in the basement that were the guys quarters along with the penthouse floor left upper.

The two houses are a Mattel Townhouse 2004  and a Victorian mansion (1992)

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Portrait of most of the girls.

The 8 girls Back LtoR: Monnie, Zoe, Raquel(changed to Richelle),Rory,Barbie, 

Vickie-close friend, Sindy, 

Bottom LtoR; Mulan, Lara-friend, and Belle

Missing: Elsa, Anna and Chelsea.

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The guys Back LtoR; Dr Ken, Patrick, Ken's twin brotherKevin-visiting,Danny, Aiden, 

Lower Ryan and Stewart. Missing is Nemo.

Residents were fluid as some left and new people came, always room for someone needing a place to stay.

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Main computer workstation where Sindy plans  menus and food costs. Dinners and Breakfasts, while everyone was responsible for their own lunch.

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Early Original Layout of townhouse and conjoined Victorian mansion before the new second  floor with the original cast in 2017. Three rooms on another lower level were the boys bedrooms and bath and storage.

 

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Many changes happened, here Monnie and Chelsea help Nemo install the new main room flooring.

November 11, 2025

 Story for the Year--2017. 15 Millennials ages 20-27 share a huge house and yard. Elsa is an exchange teacher from Sweden with her little sister, Anna. 

Dr. Ken, Barbie,(with little sister, Chelsea)  Raquel(now Richelle), and Ryan are the primary investors, the rest each put in their share of rent which covers living expenses and the repairs and everyone does clean up and assists in construction.

It is a few days before Thanksgiving and Sindy(a baker and in Culinary School) directs the kitchen.

The HFIM house was a-bustle. With lousy weather forecasted for the holiday weekend, these Chicago millennials were either working or sticking close to what was now their home in the HFIM house. 

Anyway...they are ALL family ----sort of. 

Only a few days away and the girl's are getting a 

heads-up on the prep for Thanksgiving.

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Barbie: I'm  using  the new mixer for cornbread muffins, (Sindy gave her tips and  encouragement.)

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Chelsea: We have plenty of butter and fresh corn for the muffins.

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Chelsea: I'll cut the apples for pies.

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Rory asked, "What else do you need from the fridge besides cream and eggs?"

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Sindy: "Just more butter for the extra stuffing. This is the last Turkey dish; a rolled Turkey breast with stuffing inside.We just need the veggies for the guys to roast."

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Doctor Ken: I'm getting ready to 'operate' on the grill. I'm in charge of roasting vegetables. What's that, Monnie? 

Monnie: Just the vegetables and some stock for gravy. I'm suppose to chill it outside before we make the stuffing.

Doctor Ken: It's really a bit balmy, you can use the ice in cooler over there. Hard to believe it is supposed to snow this weekend.

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Inside-Sindy: Thanks Monnie, I really needed the stock cool. Is Ken working on the veggies?

Monnie: He's got them on the grill right now.

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Later--Sindy: "There! The last turkey is  in the oven. We will be in great shape for Thursday, since everyone has to work the day before. You can never make big dinners too far ahead."

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Raquel and Belle folded napkins for the table. 

Raquel: If everyone extra comes Thursday, we will be over 22? Maybe we will have to eat in shifts.

Belle: I think the boys are working on that...a long table and adding an extension of some sort? Maybe we could use the picnic table? 

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Elsa: The centerpiece is lovely, Mulan. Lovely using wild things from the park and yard. In Sweden we use wheat, cranberries and apples for seasonal decorations, with many candles. At home, by today this three o'clock it is almost dark. They say, we have two seasons-Light and mostly Dark.

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Mulan: We have same, in Northern China, dark long time at night. This table needs some order, I mean organizing. Maybe we should wait for the party on Thursday to know how many?  Meanwhile, where will we eat?

(NOISE from the living room---another fumble or bad call?)

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Nemo:NOT FAIR! Bad call ref, bad call! 

Danny: HORRIBLE CALL, it was in! 

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What a crappy game....I smell food.

Ryan: The girls are cooking for Thanksgiving...all we have tonight is cold Pizza.

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Anyone up for Pizza?

A blown field goal, and the BOYS all groan! 

(to be continued )

The dolls shown were from my own collection or the Grand's collection as are the clothes, which are vintage, or made by myself. Occasionally, I falter and buy something new. (2017 remember). 

Thanks for visiting, and I'll be happy to answer any questions or comments. 

All the opinions and photographs on this blog are my own, unless otherwise stated. 

 I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions

 or products shown, or from where I shop. 

I'll be sharing at these fine parties:

Love your creativity

Tuesday Turn About

Vintage Charm

PLEASE do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Thank you for your cooperation,

 Sandi Magle

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Waiting for the Limo on Halloween!

 

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It's Halloween Eve, and outside Vickie's and a horde of party goers---wait for the limo??? barbieoldnewgreenredo "I vill mingle with the peasants this Hallow's Eve, and find a wirgin and  Feast. Mrrrrahhahahahahahah!" Barbieoldnewgreenredo "My sweet innocent Dear.....are you perhaps a Wirgin?" "Nah, lost that years ago---great getup...Vlad. This will be a tough crowd if you are looking for that!" Barbieoldnewgreenredo "See that guy in the cape...he's weird, wanted to know if I was a 'Wirgin'?" Astronaut Midge: "You have to be kidding?..(hysterical laughter)...!" Dreamy Jeanie....."Giggle, snort!" Barbieoldnewgreenredo "Where have you been all my lives....my Dearest?? You have a beautiful neck? May I kiss you? But first......are you a 'Wirgin'?" barbieoldnewgreenredo "None of your beeswax, Creep!" (SMACK!) barbieoldnewgreenredo "That smack was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Afraid the Count is Count--less! Tonight!"  barbieoldnewgreenredo Laghertha: Can't wait until the party starts, my wolf is Hungry! Ragnar: OOOOwwwwoooooooooooh!....pant, pant! Piratess: Me too! Pirate: Avast me hearties, I could eat my sword! barbieoldnewgreenredo Kitty: You need to hold that pumpkin differently---you look PG with it! barbieoldnewgreenredo Awwwww, she looks adorable...when do we get to the 'Treats!'? barbieoldnewgreenredo So when is the limo coming-----already? barbieoldnewgreenredo Midge: Hi, Im Midge and you are.... Cher: Cher of course...! barbieoldnewgreenredo How am I going to carry all this on the bus? barbieoldnewgreenredo Fly with me, on Avian Airways.....Happiest of all Halloweens to ALL! I'll be sharing at these fine parties: Tuesday TurnAbout Whimsy Home Wednesday Vintage Charm All the opinions and photographs on this blog are my own, unless otherwise stated.   I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions  or products shown, or from where I shop.  The dolls shown are from my own and the Grand's collection as are the clothes,  which are vintage, or made by myself. Occasionally, I falter and buy something new. PLEASE do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation,  Sandi Magle

Halloween Skeleton Bash REDUX

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A few years ago I set up a massive set for a fictitious Halloween Benefit Party. At that time I dressed all my dolls in some sort of costume to attend. 

53 dolls were involved, but the most fun was making the set for the party. I used black foam core and lots of blown up photos of spooky locations, netting, lights and small touches of skeletons and bones, and more.

Here is a reboot of the ....Skeleton Bash! with tips on how to set up a party scene.

Of course you need an INVITE...since this was a benefit for Hurricane Relief even apropos today.

Tickets were sold through the local businesses, Vickie's phone was ringing off the wall for tickets.

Many of the HFIM housemates were on the committee. Here you can see the back wall, stage and some of the furniture (draped in purple)

The stage area was small, but I had fun with the printouts on the walls.

Here is that same corner (pink band dolls on the stage, and all the attendees and tables. 

Tables are round disc tops (walmart circles) on candle holders, boxes, and anything the right size. I used stickum foam to make these, easier to store when taken apart.

Feel Free to copy the following 5 photos. They are all doctored morgue files.  

You just know something icky went on here.

Welcome to the crypt!

I printed out two opposites of these to make a corner view behind the stage.

I'm pretty sure this came from Graphics Fairy...so just give her credit.

Next came a few props...The plastic table toppers came were cut from Halloween clear treat bags...

The shelf made a great spooky apothecary.

Draping the ceiling with purple spider web material, and lights made the scene very festive.  The printouts really add depth. Dollar store skeletons were hung everywhere.

Of course you need a beverage bar...a simple box covered in black matte sticky paper and a silver top. Shelves on the wall to hold spooky beverages and a modge-podged napkin on wood for wall decor.

Eventhough this was a fictitious venue it was important to have an entrance.

I made a bumped out entrance that looked like a public venue steel door with an exit sign. Adding a strip of green foam carpet for the entrance flooring...great way to divide the large 48" wide space into areas. 

The Delightful Witch and Wizard Committee chairs...entrance!

Bar and food on the left, seating and stage on the right.

There was a bit of seating by the bar, 

The beverage station was of curse a coffin filled with ice and drinks. 

Sindy was the caterer, and much of the food was donated by local businesses. 

I decorated Mattel cakes with sprinkles and fabric squeeze paint which makes the best frosting. 

And it peels off so you can use it again for another occasion.

Netting in black, gray and white was used everywhere, here it is perfect for

a table cover. 

Typical grilled food station.

Time to get ready to serve.

The set was huge roughly 36" deep x 48" wide. Lots of pins and duct tape holding the walls together. I use thick foam core for floors or double thickness of thin sheets covered in poster board. I really like using the silver---it photos like concrete. And I cover the bottoms of my stands with circles of the same silver poster board. 

Reuse tip: Much of this base is used in Trish's Garden Center again and the Flower shop floor. 

I always have a covered piece of foam core 20 x 30 ready for quick setups. REDO and REUSE! 

This shot almost shows the whole scene.

After Food was Dancing

Some crazy music, good food, and friends.

It even got a bit wild.

A sedate waltz,

And then a wild Lindy...

Whoops, she slipped right out of her Tail!

"I Heard it throught the grapevine....."

Even the bartender got to dance.

The committee takes a break at the end...and lots of money was raised for Hurricane Relief...

The original mystery (Vickie's was Haunted?) and the Skeleton Bash Party Posts are mixed in  here: 

The story was Vickie's was haunted, and it was there that she met Joe...all around the Halloween season and the Skeleton Bash Benefit. Hope you enjoy a bit for fun!!!

Tons of photos and a bit of a read. Suitable for kids, too.

Vickie's Haunted Vintage and Bash 

Haunted and Bash Part 2

Haunted and Bash Part 3

Vickie's Haunted Part 4

Vickie's Haunted Part 5

Skeleton Bash and Vickie's Haunted Part 6

Vickie's Haunted Vintage and Bash Part 7 

Finale Part 8

Enjoy the printouts...more fun from my Dolly world in the Future.

Sandi

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Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi

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