Dr G.Nome of Toadstool House & the Fairy Hat Shop

Oh there you are! 

Do come in, only mind the flat fairy under the doormat my dears.

Perhaps you're feeling a little stressed or pressured-it's a busy time of year.

I've seen/heard lots of chatter, just lately, about women feeling that they desperately need to slow down, that if they don't stop soon they'll break.

We can break for many reasons.

I wonder why we think that life is more the more we stuff in?

I have felt pressured to get on & write this post, but truly, some things just take their own sweet time

& actually, that's ok.

Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to wander up the garden path to Dr G.Nomes toadstool house whenever we felt stressed, broken or poorly. I feel certain that he would have just the ticket for every little patient.

Fairies, gnomes & pixies are so sweetly fanciful.

Wouldn't you like to help paint this toadstool?

A few months ago I bought a tiny fairy door for a tree from a clever lady who lives out in Havelock North. When I popped out to pick it up, I spied the cutest little set of toadstools in her back garden. She had made them up all by herself to suit a fairy birthday party for her daughter. I am so glad that she was happy to make me some toadstools too. They are made of concrete & very heavy. I can't lift the table on my own & there's not much that I can't move around the garden!  You can find Mandy & her listings of fairies, mushrooms & woodland creatures on Trade Me here.

We made ourselves delicious sandwiches for lunch today & Rob said "let's sit at the toadstool table". We must have looked ridiculous but who cares, right!

If you're small you get to eat fairy mushrooms when you sit there, but shhhh don't tell their mummy!

You also get to do tea party training if you come to Aunty Catherine's house.

The little apron was found first & fits perfectly.

We later raided the dress up box. One brother tried on the clip on earrings, but only for a second-you do understand. Nina chose the little tulle skirt, it wasn't until a long time later that the same helpful chap informed her that we could see her undies from the back...pfff who cares! 

 All kinds of concoctions were made from gathered flowers & plenty of water.
Now why would this one be called a grannybonnet, Aunty Catherine?

 Well how else do you explain?

My dear Sue bought me back a special gift from Cath Kidston London when she returned from her recent travels, a Lucy gift & they're perfect!

Foxgloves flourish in her garden in spring.

Aren't they beautiful!

Can't you just imagine the Fairy Hat Shop set in the midst of these fanciful blooms.
Another wonderful Margaret Tarrant illustration, kindly shared by my lovely friend Barbara at March House Books a week or so ago, from a book entitled "Joan in Flowerland by Margaret Tarrant & Dutton Lewis". The book is still presently for sale. Barbara has a wonderful range of vintage children's books for sale through her online shop in the UK.

I came across this very old board book for 20 cents some months ago.
The illustrations are so delightful. they make me smile & smile!

Oh look who appeared in the garden today...a jolly gnome.

We have been walking around our neighbourhood in search of an urban harvest of elderflowers (only the flowers hanging over the footpath of course!). It's amazing how many bushes there are out there. You barely notice them the rest of the year, but when they bloom, their fragrance is divine & the flowers so lacey & delicate. They make the most deliciously fragrant cordial.

Perhaps these pretty little French glasses will be lovely to drink out of next time my little tutued fairy friend comes to visit. (I found them in The Dog Shop the other day).

On our road trip south we came across a lovely little tennis set that will be handy for Lucy tea according to Rob.

And a cute little honey pot.

But our best buy of-well, all time- has surely got to be this painter's ladder that we grabbed at the school fair in October along with the wheelbarrow, the trestle legs & several other items all for $20!

I have been able to trim all kinds of bushes quite safely using this marvelous contraption.

Thank you so much for coming to visit!

Welcome to my new followers. It is also lovely to know that so many of you pop in unseen.

I am so grateful for your company, your messages & our conversations. Sorry that I didn't get much replying done this last week, but I do so appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Have a lovely week & do watch out for the flat fairy under the doormat as you leave.

MUCH

♥♥♥♥♥