'So heavy, must be the best crop we've had for years!' Archibold and Stephanotis were pushing the big barrow back home, full to the brim with shiny golden crab apples. 'Can't wait to taste the jelly' said Archibold 'or the fritters' said a very puffed Stephanotis, who really liked apple fritters best of all the tasty treats that he adored.
Soon they rounded the bend in the track and could see Hortensia and Aunt Mildred bustling about through the open kitchen door.
'Here's your apron Darling, what a magnificent harvest, there will be enough jelly for the whole winter long!'
As the forest resounded to the whack of axes, the gnomes chopped the apples in half ready to be popped into the big cauldron. Then as the delectable sweetness of simmering apples and birch tree sap - with just a hint of rose geranium leaves - wafted through the trees, the gnomes began to sing a song of the joys of harvest and and of having a well stocked larder for the winter ahead.
Aunt Mildred was standing on a stool as she gently stirred the simmering apples, 'soon be ready to strain' she called out.
And with that Archibold and Stephanotis tugged ever more fiercely at the ropes strung between the trees holding up the the big cloth bag made from one of Mrs Partridge's long lost lost handkerchiefs. ' Has to stay high enough to clear the top of the pot even when full of hot apples' Hortensia called out as Stephanotis leaned precariously from a branch.
Archibold wiggled his eyebrows, always a sign of exasperation, as he pushed the big bowl directly under the bag. 'Just perfect Darling' called out Hortensia, 'Humph' said Archibold but thought better of saying anything more.
Very precariously the gnomes started carrying jugs of hot apple mixture up the ladder to where the big branch leaned out, and handed the jugs to Stephanotis who gently poured them in.
'So brave' murmured Hortensia, 'a truly noble gnome!'
Because there were so many full jugs to carry the gnomes were feeling rather tired by the time the apples began to slowly drip into the bowl below.
'Time for fritters' called out Aunt Mildred just in time to wake everyone up who had begun to doze off. 'Its going to be a long night so best tuck in now!'
So that is how the night of watching began. The gnomes had to watch the apple mixture because as good as their relationships with foxes and badgers and even rabbits were, apple syrup is a rare delicacy and so very tempting to taste!
Mind you, it is hard to stay awake when more than a little bit tired and with a tummy full of soft apple fritters with honey syrup, so who really knows if there might have been any secret early tastings or not..... it was said that Mrs Badger of Ivy Hollow seemed to take a very long time to clean her whiskers the next morning, but maybe that was for a completely different reason.....
Monday 15 October 2018
Tuesday 21 August 2018
Fun and Games, Pine Cones and Humbugs....
'Humans seem to make things very complicated' said Hortensia as she caught Archibold rolling his eyes as they watched a pair of young humans walk through the woods.
'Courting is supposed to be fun, looks like they have forgotten how to even hold hands!'
'Poor things' said Hortensia as she smiled at Archibold who was looking rather splendid in a new cornflower blue waistcoat that matched his eyes. 'We are so lucky Darling Archie, we have so many precious things that make life wonderful!'
'Right' said Archibold popping a mint humbug into his mouth 'lets go play hide and seek with them, lets give them a day to remember!' and with that he leapt off and hid behind a splendid fir tree.
'Ooo play time' and with that Hortensia straightened her apron and running across the path of the two humans called out 'Boo!' and then 'Lovely day for a walk!'
Archibold started laughing so much he almost forgot to throw a pine cone at Hortensia for her to catch. 'Here' called out Hortensia and threw the pine cone into the air, 'would you like to play catch with us?' She winked at them as their mouths fell open and they slithered to the ground in a messy heap.
'Here, have a humbug, very good for shock' said Archibold as he held out a tiny bag of sticky sweets.
Somehow the young girl found herself holding out her hand as a tiny, weeny mint humbug was thrown into the palm of her hand. 'Its true!' she gasped.
They sat in a daze as Archibold and Hortensia started playing catch with the pine cone. 'Here you are, you have a go....' Slowly they began to throw the cone back and forth to the laughing gnomes, 'Ah' thought Hortensia 'once they can play together then love will blossom!'
Soon the amazed pair found themselves leaning into each other as they gently they fell asleep right there in the middle of the path.
'Ah well, Hortie, that was fun, they'll be much better off now!'
Hortensia smiled as she and Archibold began a little, special song all about tenderness and kindness, playfulness and gentleness. 'Soon they'll wake up and it all will be a dream....'
' 'Except' said Archibold 'they'll know that they're in love!' and with that the laughing gnomes ran off home for elderberry tea and a scone or two or perhaps even three!
'Courting is supposed to be fun, looks like they have forgotten how to even hold hands!'
'Poor things' said Hortensia as she smiled at Archibold who was looking rather splendid in a new cornflower blue waistcoat that matched his eyes. 'We are so lucky Darling Archie, we have so many precious things that make life wonderful!'
'Right' said Archibold popping a mint humbug into his mouth 'lets go play hide and seek with them, lets give them a day to remember!' and with that he leapt off and hid behind a splendid fir tree.
'Ooo play time' and with that Hortensia straightened her apron and running across the path of the two humans called out 'Boo!' and then 'Lovely day for a walk!'
Archibold started laughing so much he almost forgot to throw a pine cone at Hortensia for her to catch. 'Here' called out Hortensia and threw the pine cone into the air, 'would you like to play catch with us?' She winked at them as their mouths fell open and they slithered to the ground in a messy heap.
'Here, have a humbug, very good for shock' said Archibold as he held out a tiny bag of sticky sweets.
Somehow the young girl found herself holding out her hand as a tiny, weeny mint humbug was thrown into the palm of her hand. 'Its true!' she gasped.
They sat in a daze as Archibold and Hortensia started playing catch with the pine cone. 'Here you are, you have a go....' Slowly they began to throw the cone back and forth to the laughing gnomes, 'Ah' thought Hortensia 'once they can play together then love will blossom!'
Soon the amazed pair found themselves leaning into each other as they gently they fell asleep right there in the middle of the path.
'Ah well, Hortie, that was fun, they'll be much better off now!'
Hortensia smiled as she and Archibold began a little, special song all about tenderness and kindness, playfulness and gentleness. 'Soon they'll wake up and it all will be a dream....'
' 'Except' said Archibold 'they'll know that they're in love!' and with that the laughing gnomes ran off home for elderberry tea and a scone or two or perhaps even three!
Wednesday 18 July 2018
Pancakes and Gratefulness!
"You know Archibold, there is very little that matters as much as this" Hortensia snuggled deeper into Archibold's waistcoat and thought how handsome he looked with his deep blue eyes and soft white beard, " We may be older but so is our love!"
"Humph" answered Archibold, "That's quite enough of that!" but he gave her a big squeeze as he held her securely in his arms.
They had woken up early on a late summer's morning to see the beauty of the early dawn lift the sky from pale blues into gold and apricot. "We are so lucky really, still to live here and be guardians of the wood" thought Hortensia, but ever being a practical gnome, she remembered that she had promised to make myrtle pancakes with honey for breakfast!
"Oh my goodness Archibold, everyone will be arriving for our breakfast party and I won't have got the pancake batter ready!" and with that she lept up, straightened her apron and cajoled Archibold into rushing home!
There in the cool of the early morning Archibold had set out benches and tables, Hortensia's oven was lit ready for her to set her skillet on the hob. "My oh My Archibold, quick boil the kettle for tea, I can hear voices!"
There was an abundant selection of teas: rose hip, nettle top, mints of various varieties, lavender, blackberry leaf and fresh Dandelion leaf, Archibold was in charge of the teapots and of course the tables were set with cups and saucers all ready for their guests.
On the side table were set out a huge pyramid of fluffy scones, apple cake and blackberry pie. Gnomes believe in generosity and never want a guest to leave unless they are happily full. Each table had several jugs of fresh elder flower cordial and as a centre piece, a bowl of this years precious mint humbugs. For as you know, a good humbug can help resolve the riskiest of situations or problems, and revitalise body and spirit whatever the weather.
Soon the gnomes had gathered in the glade and Hortensia was banging her spoon on an old saucepan, "Pancakes are ready, take your places!" and an orderly queue formed of very hungry gnomes."Three each for starters and more if you fancy them"
Soon the air was filled with the sound of soft murmurs from the contented gnomes and perhaps, the occasional burp. Archibold stood up, " today, Hortensia and I are celebrating having been together for a hundred and thirty nine years and we wanted to thank you our friends and family, for all the joy that you bring into our lives!"
Well, with that there was great cheering and hat tossing and of course soon a most wonderful song was echoing through the tall trees. The gnomes sang of the delights of summer, of the comfort of friendship, and most of all, of their gratefulness for their beloved wood and each other.
"Humph" answered Archibold, "That's quite enough of that!" but he gave her a big squeeze as he held her securely in his arms.
They had woken up early on a late summer's morning to see the beauty of the early dawn lift the sky from pale blues into gold and apricot. "We are so lucky really, still to live here and be guardians of the wood" thought Hortensia, but ever being a practical gnome, she remembered that she had promised to make myrtle pancakes with honey for breakfast!
"Oh my goodness Archibold, everyone will be arriving for our breakfast party and I won't have got the pancake batter ready!" and with that she lept up, straightened her apron and cajoled Archibold into rushing home!
There in the cool of the early morning Archibold had set out benches and tables, Hortensia's oven was lit ready for her to set her skillet on the hob. "My oh My Archibold, quick boil the kettle for tea, I can hear voices!"
There was an abundant selection of teas: rose hip, nettle top, mints of various varieties, lavender, blackberry leaf and fresh Dandelion leaf, Archibold was in charge of the teapots and of course the tables were set with cups and saucers all ready for their guests.
On the side table were set out a huge pyramid of fluffy scones, apple cake and blackberry pie. Gnomes believe in generosity and never want a guest to leave unless they are happily full. Each table had several jugs of fresh elder flower cordial and as a centre piece, a bowl of this years precious mint humbugs. For as you know, a good humbug can help resolve the riskiest of situations or problems, and revitalise body and spirit whatever the weather.
Soon the gnomes had gathered in the glade and Hortensia was banging her spoon on an old saucepan, "Pancakes are ready, take your places!" and an orderly queue formed of very hungry gnomes."Three each for starters and more if you fancy them"
Soon the air was filled with the sound of soft murmurs from the contented gnomes and perhaps, the occasional burp. Archibold stood up, " today, Hortensia and I are celebrating having been together for a hundred and thirty nine years and we wanted to thank you our friends and family, for all the joy that you bring into our lives!"
Well, with that there was great cheering and hat tossing and of course soon a most wonderful song was echoing through the tall trees. The gnomes sang of the delights of summer, of the comfort of friendship, and most of all, of their gratefulness for their beloved wood and each other.
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