Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Magical creatures and fairy lights?

I was surprised that a couple of you noticed the swan up on top of my hutch in my last entry, his head just barely sticking out in the photo. I thought I would share an old photo I took back a number of years ago just after the holidays. I had him sitting out on a quilt that I made on our dining room table. I was not quite ready to totally get rid of all my holiday decorations and thought this made a nice winter look. I want to think of a new way to use him again this year.

I would love to see your swans for those of you who mentioned you also had one...


We took our old chandelier up to Cranberry Cottage. This used to hang in our bedroom. I really like having it at the cottage now. It works well with the beams and high ceiling.


Our garden at the cottage is enjoying some unexpected visitors. We have little gnome neighborhoods popping up everywhere this year. Jos went out to mow the grass while I was sitting inside enjoying my "Miss Potter" DVD while stitching. He came in and told me he had to mow around a number of gnome neighborhoods. I think I must have him toadstool trained. *grins*


These Turkey Tails come back each year to grow happily on the tree branches we use to line the planting areas. In Dutch, they are called "Elfenbankjes" which you could literally translate as "elves couches". Can't you just see little elves visiting their gnome friends and sitting here drinking from acorn cups?


Being right on the woods, the grass is very poor here with a great deal of moss in it. I have never wanted to change it as I have snowdrops and daffodils planted throughout the grass as well as the toadstools that seem to increase each autumn. This kind of beauty goes above perfection any day for me.


So who says gnomes don't exist??? Do you believe in gnomes and have you really looked at a toadstool to try and find the door?

12 comments:

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

We love the gnomes and fairies. We were at the ocean a few days ago and found the greatest gnome neighborhoods - they moved like a snake along the grass - for quite a long ways. I could just see the gnomes running and jumping from house to house. There were two sections that we found - I tried to get photos, haven't taken them off the camera yet - one on each side of the road through the state park we were in.

The neighborhood association had five big-leafed maples cut down this weekend just behind our house. It was sad - the fairies and gnomes were unhappy - and so was our grandson - he is three and that little grove of trees was his favorite place to find fairies. I hope they have moved over to the little grove on the other side of our house - it has no big-leaf maples, but it is cozy and we've made a sitting area in it - and our favorite gnome - Chompsky - lives in there.

Nancy said...

Of course gnomes exist. Why would anyone think they don't. I bet you have them running all over the yard when you aren't looking. I love the toadstools, but you already know that.
Your goose looks good back out in the open too. Isn't that the flying geese quilt?
Love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

I sure wish they did exist. wouldn't it be the most delightful thing to step outside and surprise one under the toadstools :)

Maggie said...

I really like reading your blog, i love the way you decorate your house for the seasons with such lovely things. My favourite time of year is Autumn too, i love the way the leaves change and nothing is better than a crip morning.
Maggie x

Judy said...

Of course they exist. I love your toadstools, very interesting looking.

The Dutchess said...

Een bezoekje aan jou site is altijd prachtig...Groet uit Apeldoorn

Carolien said...

Oh, I believe in gnomes, in fairies, in angels, in all of them. I am just reading 'The wind in the willows' again and enjoy every creature in it. Lovely mole! You just have to open your heart and imagination and they're simply there ...

Hugs & groetjes, Carolien

Annemarie said...

Hmm, yes, of course they all exist! Did you know these toadstools are in fact holiday homes? The elvenbankjes are appartment blocks. As soon as the summer holidays are over, the kabouters go to the woods to look for the perfect places to set up their prefab holiday homes (I think they're prefab: how else would you explain their popping up overnight?).
Well, that's my theory anyway.
I love your posts Heidi, please keep them coming!

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidie,
Hope you got my e-mail!
What a real automn pictures with all the different toadstools. I recognise the story of the gnomes living in the toadstools, our daughter was always really sure of that :)
Have to go now, lots to do before our long weekend Edinburgh.
Have a nice weekend yourself,
Greetings, Janneke.

Unknown said...

Well I secretly hope they exist :). I have a swan and will show it this weekend when I post my fall decorating. Swing by and take a look in a few days.

Happy Autumn - Karen

Dena said...

I love gnomes and fairies and I am sure that they live in the gardens sheltering beneath the toadstools, why else would there be toadstools? :)

Hugs,
Dena

Stacey said...

Hi Heidi, I'm so glad you found me! It is so wonderful how people connect through blogging. I've only been at it for a little while and I had no idea! You have lovely blogs, and I will enjoy visiting them often. I think we share a lot of the same likes and favourite things. And yes, gnomes exist! All the fairyfolk do! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to keeping in touch! :-) Stacey in Scotland