Dancing into Spring.......

'What a to do, what a to do....' Hortensia was muttering to herself as she eyed the huge pile of fresh wild garlic leaves that Archibold had proudly brought home after his morning forage. 'I really only needed a few leaves.......' Suddenly she knew what to do with the unexpected surplus, 'a party, that's what, we'll have a party, and I can use all the leaves for a lovely dish of cheese and garlic bake!' Hortensia tied on her lucky blue apron, the one with little red hearts embroidered on the hem and set to washing the leaves.

Archibold was presented with a lump of really rather hard cheese and an old roll when he returned home for lunch, Hortensia had even prepared a long list of invitations for him to deliver as soon as he had finished his cup of tea. 'Nothing like a Start of Spring Party' said Hortensia, 'best to give everybody lots of notice so they can plan what they are going to wear.'

Gnomes are mostly quite practical about clothing, but as Archibold remarked later that afternoon when he was flopped in the rocking chair exhausted by delivering all of the invitations, 'not often we get a chance to wear something bright.' Like all gnomes, Archibold and Hortensia honoured the old code that all the creatures of the forest lived by, and only wore clothing that blended in with their natural habitat so as to be as inconspicuous as possible. 'Thats why parties are essential Archie, can you imagine never having an opportunity to wear your red velvet waistcoat again?'

Hortensia was quite red in the face herself from the effort of making ten large dishes of rolled garlic leaves stuffed with fresh cheese, herbs and breadcrumbs in a cheese sauce. 'I'll have to start putting them in the oven soon, and then there is the bramble crumble to finish, oh my oh my, so much to do!' Archie smiled at her as he offered to be in charge of keeping the oven hot and baking the delicious treats. 'More than enough My Dear, you really have excelled yourself his time!'

Hortensia dashed upstairs to cool her face and choose her outfit for the evening ahead. 'Such a relief to be having a supper party, no need to set the table and just think of the dancing!' Downstairs Archibold was keeping an eye on the dishes in the oven as the glorious smell of cheese and garlic began to waft about the house. He began to lift the extra chairs of their wooden pegs where they hung high up on the walls. All gnomes keep extra chairs in case visitors come by, sensibly storing them out of harms way high up on the walls of their houses, but conveniently within reach from a small step ladder.

'Ta da da, ta ta da ta!' Archibold whirled around holding a chair as his dancing partner when he suddenly stopped in amazement, Hortensia stood in the doorway, she was wearing a glorious blue dress the colour of a summer sky and Archibold knew with all his being, that he just had to sweep off her feet for a little dance of happiness..............

Nettle tea and honey flapjacks........

Hortensia and Archibold were sitting by the fire enjoying a delicious cup of tea. 'Oooh Archie, I do love our morning cup of tea, and such a lovely pot of the very best nettle top too!' Archibold smiled - long ago they had decided that every day - unless on an escapade - that they would stop whatever they were busy doing and meet up for a morning cup of tea at eleven am. Eleven in the morning is just the right sort of time for a refreshing cup of tea and a proper sit down to organise the day.

Archibold took great pride in collecting leaves for Hortensia's teas, and the first tender tips of spring nettles were her most favourite of all. Archibold liked to gather them early in the morning, of course he had to be careful because nettles are quite tall, and the stems most prickly and could give a terrible rash to a careless gatherer.

Humbert, Archibold's father had taught him how to lasso the plant tops without hurting himself. 'There you go boy' he used to shout, Humbert was very keen on shouting - and singing - whenever possible, 'Swing the rope over your shoulder and bring the tip down!' Of course, as you can well imagine, it was easier said than done and poor Archibold had found learning an aggravating experience, especially as Humbert would accompany all of his attempts with loud shouts of 'one, two, three and away she goes!' and other, sometimes rather rude, comments.

However, now that Archibold was an expert forager and had human gardens of his own to look after, he could bring home lots of special treats for Hortensia to blend into her teas. Hortensia was very proud of Archibold's prowess and in return would bake the special honey flapjacks that he absolutely adored.

'Very tasty indeed My Dear' Archibold mumbled, 'helps keep the damp out'. Not that gnomes are particularly prone to damp, but as Archibold then said 'you can never be to careful at the end of a long winter, damp gets about, nasty thing damp.'

Hortensia agreed, she had seen her Mother, Wispy, become quite bent over with the effects of damp. Wispy was short for Wisteria, but as everyone knows, Wisteria is not thought of as a proper name for a young gnomette because it rhythms with Hysteria - and any thought of hysteria was thought of as rather a bad omen for an adult gnomes temperament. Besides Wispy's hair was always floating out of her hats in gentle golden curls, so Wispy suited her very well indeed.

' Thank you Archie for the lovely fresh milk, perhaps a saffron custard might be nice for tea?' Archie's eyes twinkled, he had been thinking about a custard when he brought home such a big jug of milk, ' just perfect My Dear, just perfect!' And with that he kissed Hortensia and Baby Harriet and was off out to tend a wild rose that needed pruning!

Spring sunshine and mending hats.........

One fine Spring morning, Hortensia decided to sit in her rocking chair by the open kitchen door with a large basket full of hats, her sewing basket, her precious box of extra ribbons, and her wool bag - all arranged about her.

Hortensia was involved in a very important job - inspecting and mending her family's hats. Now that Spring sunshine was a possibility, sorting out and mending hats seemed a necessity. You would be surprised at how much needs to be done to keep a hat in tip top condition. Of course most humans think that gnomes just wear pointy hats, but, as we well know, gnomes wear hats of all shapes and sizes and made from all kinds of useful and practical materials.

'First' thought Hortensia 'I'll tackle Archibold's fishing hat, it gets the most wear and tear and is really beginning to look a disgrace.' She had carefully unearthed Archibold's favourite hat from his basket of fishing tackle, 'best he doesn't know that I've got it yet' she thought as she carefully began to darn a large hole where the hat been snagged on a branch. Archibold hated his hat being mended, he liked things being just the way they were and been known to complain vigorously about enforced changes to his favourite hat.

In fact when he saw his mended hat later that afternoon, he was quite cross, 'I'd liked my hat the way it was, I liked the feeling of fresh air on my hair, Hortensia I wish you wouldn't mend my fishing hat.' Hortensia just smiled, she knew that when it was wet and windy and he was out in his boat, that he would be very grateful not to have a large hole where the rain could soak his hair. Archibold stomped about a bit, but soon forgot all about his hat once it was back on his head and he was sitting eating a big bowl of onion soup for lunch.

Hortensia had also mended his best hat, which she had left out for him to admire. 'See Archie, I've put new feathers in the brim and given you a new ribbon and silk lining'.' Archibold was very impressed, 'Hortensia, that's the best it has ever looked, and it's much more comfy now,' He strutted about a bit looking important, holding his head up so that the purple ribbon shone and the feathers looked most impressive. After all, best hats were for High Days and Holidays, so wearing a hat of character could certainly boost a gnome's confidence when out and about or dancing a reel.

Hortensia was particularly proud of the silk lining and ribbon, she had found the silk handkerchief wet and abandoned by a careless human by the side of a picnic table. 'What to do?' she had thought,  'it would make such a good eiderdown cover, but no one would see it, I shall save it and use it for mending hats!' Now that she saw the results of her handiwork, she knew that she had made the very best decision!

The Sweet Air of Spring........

'With a hop and a skip and a jump we go, with a hop and a skip and a jump we go, tum tum tiddly pom, tum tum tiddly pom with a hop and a skip and a jump we go!' Hortensia was singing one of her favourite songs for the first time in what felt like ages. Things were becoming a little easier at Fir Tree Cottage now that Hortensia could hop about a bit, her toe was mending fast, and though both Archibold and Hortensia were grateful for the miraculous healing benefits of Aunt Mildred's foot balm - as Archibold kept on saying - 'I can't wait for that terrible smell to go away!'

In fact just today Hortensia had been up early and was gently pottering about in what she called her garden. 'Just seeing how things are Dear' she smiled at Archibold's worried face 'I'm feeling much better now I know that some of the primroses are on their way!'

Gnomes adore Spring time and Hortensia longed for the brave cheerfulness of the first snowdrops and the creamy yellow of the gentle primroses. 'The frost and ice hasn't done any damage Darling, such good leaf cover that they are all safe and ready.' Hortensia sat down in her rocking chair by the front door, Archibold had very kindly brought it out so that she could sit in the morning sunshine. 'What do you think about a trip my Dear? It's been ages since we have been to see Eleanora, or even perhaps to see the sea?' Archibold smiled, there is nothing that stirs the heart of a gnome more than the thought of an adventure, 'My Dear Darling - simply a splendid idea!'

'SNOW DROPS, SNOW DROPS and VIOLETS.' Poor Stephanotis was quite red in the face what with the effort of shouting his good news as he passed every gnome dwelling and running at a fast trot at the same time. 'Snow drops AND Violets, you have to come and see....you must come.'

Well that was that, Hortensia stood up and firmly announced that, with the help of her walking stick and Archibold's arm, today was the day for her first walk since she had broken her toe! Archibold rushed to get their hats and a scarf and gloves for each of them, and arm in arm they set of to view the new arrivals.

After a little while, Hortensia felt a bit tired and so as she sat resting on a convenient hummock, she suddenly lifted her head with an incredulous smile. 'Oooh Archie, I can smell them....the scent of Spring, Darling we must go at once!' And with that they were off again and soon indeed they were joining other gnomes - all standing gazing up at the beauty of the white and green snowdrops and breathing in the sweet air of Spring!

An unexpected outing.....

Archibold was very worried, though excellent at making bread, he wasn't particularly gifted at cooking - and most importantly given his current predicament - Hortensia was! Uncle Humperdinck had brought around several of Aunt Mildred's tasty stews and soups which had been very gratefully received by the whole family, but now the responsibility was on his shoulders. ' Nothing for it Harriet, we will have to go over to Stephanotis's and ask him for some of his dried mushrooms, he won't mind, might even give me a few tips for my stew!'

Archibold and Harriet were ready to set off through the frosty forest, they were both bundled up against the cold with Harriet carefully strapped on to her Father's back. 'Don't be too long Darling, I've put a baked potato in your pocket to keep your hands warm.' Of course to you and me, the baked potato was very small indeed - in fact one of the teeny weeniest new potato you have ever seen - took up all of Archibold's pocket! Hortensia was in her rocking chair by the fire, her poor foot resting on a foot stool, Archibold smiled at her, ' not to worry Darling, just you rest up, mushroom stew for dinner!' and with that Archibold set off.

Hortensia sighed, resting up was proving a real challenge, ' I suppose I could start chopping a carrot to help '. She hopped over to the table and set to chopping, she had nearly finished when there was a loud knock on the kitchen door and Stephanotis suddenly rushed in. ' Hortensia my Dear, we've had a wonderful idea! We've brought the sled and as I've made a giant pot of stew we've come to collect you and take you out for dinner!'

Hortensia instantly felt thrilled, ' truth to tell, Stephanotis, I've been a bit desperate for a change!' Soon she was nestled in fluffy blankets in the sled with Baby Harriet in her arms while Archibold and Stephanotis pulled them through the golden light of the snowy dusk. ' How kind of you, how kind of you,' Hortensia felt the best she had felt in ages, ' what fun, dinner at Stephanotis tonight!' Archibold and Stephanotis smiled at each other, Hortensia had been noticeably glum since she had broken her foot, ' looks like your idea has worked Stephanotis! What a relief for her to be out and about again, not good for gnome to be stuck indoors for too long!'

Stephanotis smiled, he was relieved too but was secretly worrying if his stew would be tasty enough for his unexpected guests.

Aunt Mildred comes to the rescue!

Hortensia was resting in her rocking chair, things had been rather hectic of late, what with the unexpected return of Hector from his planting expedition, and of course the all important New Year Celebrations. Hortensia stretched out her feet and rested them on the round footstool in front of her. She prided herself on her dainty feet, gnomes aren't always known for their dainty feet and so Hortensia took great care in looking after hers.

She had worn her best red slippers for the dancing, but even so her feet were very sore this morning, her right foot in particular was throbbing horribly. Archimedes had been mortified when he had accidentally stepped on her foot when engaged in a tricky double looping reel, but Hortensia had carried on dancing assuring him that all was well. Today was a different story, her big toe was now throbbing persistently." feels like a rabbit chewing a carrot - nothing for it, I shall have to ask Aunt Mildred for some foot ointment." Now as we all know, gnomes revere Aunt Milded's foot ointment for its almost legendary healing ability, but no one would keep a jar in the house. Even safely encased in a pot or jar, the ointment had a habit of making a whole house smell of the eye watering strong ointment.

Hortensia needn't have worried, Aunt Mildred had observed Hortensia limping home the previous evening and at that very moment walked through the kitchen door. She was of course, wearing her High Days and Holidays Cloak of emerald green silk with a sky blue ruffle and hood and underneath, safely tucked in her basket, was a large pot of very smelly ointment, a packet of lavender tea and a six scones.

'Oh Aunt Mildred, you are so kind - always here when I need you! Warm scones too, what a treat!' Aunt Mildred had her reasons, she put the kettle on and sat down by Hortensia to have a good look at her foot. ' just as I thought My Dear, I think you have broken a bone, good thing I brought my bandages'. Hortensia felt a little weak at the thought, ' but I have so much to do, dear oh dear and little Harriet has taken to crawling everywhere!' Aunt Mildred snorted and were about making tea and spreading the scones with butter and strawberry jam, 'that was the reassuring thing about visiting another gnome' she thought, ' always jam in the cupboard!'

Aunt Mildred placed the plate of scones and a cup of tea by Hortensia, then she carefully lifted Hortensia's poor foot onto her lap and gently rubbed in a little of her ointment. ' nice cup of tea there, ready for when we finish' she reassured Hortensia. Hortensia wasn't feeling like tea or scones at all but she knew her foot would get better if she let Aunt Mildred look after it.

Soon Hortensia's foot was back on the footstool carefully bandaged and reeking of ointment. She found herself feeling a little faint so was grateful for the cup of tea and the comfort of a warm scone with strawberry jam. ' I'll speak to Archibold, rest is what you need, foot up as often as possible! Humperdinck will be round with some supper for you all later and I will pop in before nightfall to check on your progress.' Hortensia sighed, she was very grateful but she had so much planned that the idea of rest was a bit of a shock, ' thank you Aunt Mildred........' That was all she could say before she found herself drifting off into a gentle snooze. ''Poor girl, needs to watch it with that foot.' And with that Aunt Mildred rushed off to catch Archibold and Harriet before they returned home from their early morning forage.

Autumn leaves and the making of humbugs......

Hortensia was walking with glee through the amber leaves as they crunched and rustled beneath her feet. 'See Archibold, see how they are all mixed together at last, oak and beech, birch and ash, all in a huge mess of shape and colour', and with that she pounced on Archibold and pulled off his hat, he of course started chasing her and before they knew it, they found themselves very out of breath and right outside Aunt Mildred's front door!

Hortensia thumped the brass button knocker hidden under the ivy, 'I recognise that' said Archibold as he tried to stuff his curls back under his hat, 'what a great find that was - one of my first triumphs!' He had found the old jacket lying forgotten under a hedge at the side of the great field, 'the buttons were a great prize and I think that Aunt Mildred used every scrap of material to make coats and blankets - we were all a lot warmer that winter because it'. Hortensia was thinking out loud, 'I can't imagine why a human would leave such a precious thing behind?' Archibold winked at her as he whispered - 'love' in her ear.

'Humph' snorted Aunt Mildred as she opened the door, she of course had heard everything. Gnomes can hear a mouse fart from fifty paces so a whisper is practically a shout. 'Love indeed, get in here and start pulling!' Hortensia and Archibold rushed into Aunt Mildred's warm and steamy kitchen 'just in time, put on your aprons and start to pull when I say it is ready.'

Uncle Humperdinck smiled a sort of queasy smile, he had been helping since early morning and the strong smell of peppermint had begun to make him feel a bit sick. He was in charge of cutting the long ropes of pulled humbug mixture into the right size to make perfect sweets, so he was standing at one end of the kitchen table wielding an enormous pair of human nail scissors.

Aunt Mildred poured the hot mixture onto her marble pastry slab, she had carefully oiled the marble with walnut oil so that the incredibly sticky mixture just oozed as she gently spread it evenly with her best bread knife. 'Now my Dears start to pull...!' Hortensia and Archibold rushed to stretch and pull the mixture into long ropes, snip, snip went Uncle Humperdinck's scissors and soon there was a pile of Aunt Mildred's luminous, alluring and utterly essential mint humbugs.

It was a great honour to be allowed to help with the humbug pulling and Hortensia and Archibold did their best to work very hard indeed. Soon Aunt Mildred pronounced that all was well, and after a short wait whilst they cooled, the humbugs were carefully stored away in the safest place in the Forest - Aunt Mildred's pantry. ' Well done my Dears, well done - now who's for a cup of tea and a biscuit?' 'As long as it is not peppermint tea' groaned Uncle Humperdinck who had collapsed in his chair by the open window!