When I was eight years old, my dad built my sister and I a treehouse. It was not in the trees, but rather situated between two of them.
Up until that point, I would sit in a little bench in a berry tree nearby and ration my fruit roll up all day.
I assume that the larger handprint on the left is mine and the smaller one (but inserted with much more might and gusto) on the right is my sister’s. Those handprints speak volumes about our childhood personalities viewed from the wisdom of many years later.
I thought it fitting to wear my Anthropologie Zola Shift Dress for a trip up memory lane, so to speak. This dress is from the summer of 2013. I cannot find a similar bear dress, but I think this dress looks like a similar cut and it even has an animal print.
Whilst I never ate porridge in the treehouse. Nor did I ever sleep there, I have many fond memories of this small domain.
My dad carpeted the top and inserted an antique school desk inside so that we could play school as that was my favorite thing to do.
I like to think I was a very fair teacher. Although my sister would probably say differently.
There used to be a pail that could be raised and lowered to the ground with a pulley system. It disappeared long ago. It was my favorite part of the structure.
And although this tree house was not built in the trees. And it did not boast a secret trap door like my imagination longed for, I do declare:
“This treehouse was just right.”
Did you have a treehouse or playhouse when you were little? Have you visited it as an adult? Is it still standing?
P.S. * I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!
That is an a amazing tree house!! You were lucky girls!! I never had a tree house, but my sister would make forts in our woods..i preferred to stay indoors and read:)
I love that dress on you. So fun. I don’t remember the bear print. I like it!
Have a good weekend!
Thank you Alicia. I would have preferred reading indoors as well, but we were made to play outside during certain hours of the day. Ruthless parenting. ; ). Forts in the woods sounds like fun, too. It all goes by too quickly.
Sweet dreams!
Jenni
What great memories! You are the perfect Goldilocks! I love the weathered teal color on the rails. And your outfit! Thank you for your support with what I am going through. I am glad you can relate with a hubby commuting too. Jon’s commute will go down to 40 miles (instead of 95) at the new house. If all goes well, we will move next month!
Thank you Heather. I love the color, too. My sister just informed me tonight that my dad is redoing the playhouse for her son. I will miss the pretty chipped paint, but my dad always uses bright colors (mostly teal. His honey barn is pretty cool) so I know I will like whatever he does. I am so glad that you are finally moving. That commute just sounded so hard. Plus with you being pregnant that had to be hard, too. I cannot wait for you to get settled. It will be a big relief. I am so happy for you!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenni
Cute outfit!
Thank you Bronzi. I had not worn it here before because I had not ironed it. It finally got pressed. : )
Have a super weekend!
Jenni
what a darling treehouse! I love the paint color on the railings….love the dress and THOSE SHOES are stinkin’ cute! my hubs has made two “forts/tree-houses”for the kids…the recent one has insulation…it’s crazy! happy Friday!
Thank you Melodee! I love that your husband insulated it. That is too cool. My dad always paints with really cool colors. I definitely got my love of color from him.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Jenni
Oh my GOD! This is like, my favourite post of yours, ever! First off, what an amazing tree-house your dad built. I just love it. And I love that you used to play school! That’s adorable. What else is adorable? You in that bear dress. I FINALLY get to see it! It was made for you. (Well, for both of us!) Twinsie high five! This dress is so good with ankle boots, isn’t it? I want to wear mine now… 🙂
Thank you Gwen! I definitely thought of you when I finally wrote this post. It is about time I wore this dress here! I have only owned it for over a year! Of course, I have never posted about my favorite kantha dresses either. I am a terrible blogger. Twinsie high five right back! : )
Have a beautiful day!
Jenni
Ahhh… how awesome! What a wonderful thing for your Dad to do for you and your sis. I spent my early childhood in Pittsburgh and there was a huge tree on our lot that some boys had nailed wood to – to make steps and a platform. My sis and I looooved it. It was torn down with the rest of the woods to make way for more houses. Very sad.Us kids loved those woods.
Thank you Cynthia. That is so sad about the woods. Our town used to have beautiful orange groves that you could smell and those were ripped out a few years ago. It was such a shame. I love your visual of the treehouse. Very reminiscent of “The Goonies.” Thanks for sharing! : )
Good night!
Jenni
My grandpa made my Mom a playhouse. My cousins, sisters, and I had lots of fun playing in it. I was very sad to see it go. For some reason it had doll sized madeleine cookie pans in it. No one in my family has ever eaten a Madeleine but we all played with the pans. A few years ago in an antique store I came across almost exactly those pans, bought them and have hung them in every kitchen I have had since. Maybe one day I will eat a Madeleine. Loved seeing your awesome treehouse. Your dad did a great job!
I love your story. It is enchanting to picture madeleine pans that are used for pretend baking and then in the future as decoration to reminisce that. Much better than a cookie long gone. I have never had a madeleine but they seem to be making a comeback. I have seen recipes for them everywhere. Thank you for sharing and for your sweet words! : )
Have a sweet Sunday!
Jenni
I think every child longs for a treehouse, or a non-tree house like you had! I was fortunate to have a “play house” in our backyard. I guess it was originally a mother-in-law type house, a one room, real house. However, the prev owner’s son had taken out one wall & used it for a garage to work on cars. So needless to say it was always a bit dusty, but I loved playing in my own little house!
Last month we caught a few episodes of that treehouse show, (treehouse masters, I think) I think it’s on travel channel. Have you seen it??? They are AMAZING, like you could actually live in them bc they have running water & bathrooms! I would love to see more of your treehouse bc it looks kind of similar to me. They all had stairs, which I’ve always thought was so neat! You should check that show out!
Cute, fun, comfy looking dress! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Thank you Rebecca. It is a really cool structure. My dad can build cool things. I have not seen that show. I will have to search for it. That sounds enchanting. I have seen tree houses you can stay in but the ones I would want to would cost my whole vacation just for one night. My kids just had those plastic structures that are not nearly tall enough. They outgrew them much too quickly. Your house sounded so cool. Definitely enough room.
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Jenni
What an adorable trip down memory lane! I would’ve loved to see the inside of the tree house! I love this look! That dress is so cute, paired with those booties!
Dhruvi
Stilettos & Sequins
Thank you Dhruvi. Unfortunately the inside needed some lovin’. No one has played in it in over twenty years. My dad will be fixing it up soon for my nephew. That boy is going to love it. : )
Thanks again! Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Jenni
Your dress is darling and you know i love your boots. Anthro has some great clothes and shoes. I love the handprints , and love looking at things i made as a kid, if my mom saved them
from the link up
please stop by, jess
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess. As a mom, I save things. But organizing them is an entirely different story. I am still working on my son’s kindergarten book and he just started sixth grade! : )
Have a fun day!
Jenni
seriously in love with that dress! Marie @ In Our Happy Place
Thank you so much Marie. It is one of my favorites. I just know my daughter is going to want to borrow it soon! My heart…
Have a super Friday!
Jenni
Such a cute dress and I love those shoes! We had a play house, it was awesome! Complete with a zip line out of it. : D except it was always full of wasps and spiders. Eventually my dad tore it down because it wasn’t very safe and we didn’t use it much.
Sarah
http://atowngirlslife.blogspot.com/
Thank you Sarah! A zipline! That sounds exciting and scary! Playhouses are the best. Thank you for sharing. : )
Have a sweet week!
Jenni