Showing posts with label Oliver Whiskers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oliver Whiskers. Show all posts

Monday, July 1, 2013

Journeys And Destinations....




A Little Bird Told Me.....

I have recently received a Gift, Dear Readers, that has Journeyed here from the Other Side of the World... a Gift of appreciation from a Dear blog friend.... Sans of My Maharaja's Dollhouse blog! She sent a small piece of her Magical Mini gardens to Thank me for being one of her regular commenters on her blog! She sent more than just the Flowers, of course, she sent a whole box full of treasures and said there was something for each of my projects... but she would let Me decide what should go where... ! And as often happens for me, when receiving something from so Far Away, I have to wonder a bit about How it came to be here.... across so many Oceans.... through so many different Towns...  And here I hope you will Forgive me if I get a little Fanciful.... Because there have been Other Little Gifts sent Traveling out into the World from here.... and people Might be wondering how they are Faring too...!
To Begin with, I Must say that Birgit of BiWuBaren blog, so Wisely reminded us that Toad of Toad Hall was not the most Reliable of Traveling Companions for our Little Rats! And sure enough, they had not gone far down the road before Disaster struck!

Illustration by Michael Hague

The Canary Colored Caravan was overset into a ditch and Toad .... 
well Toad's story is what you can read about in "The Wind In The Willows" ... 
here we are concerned about Fair Bianca and Oliver Whiskers!
Who fortunately were not harmed by the accident...


They were only a little upset..... 
but quickly dusted themselves off and continued on their way!
As you know, it was a beautiful Summer Morning....

And their way passed through countryside of Great Beauty....

And when they were hungry they stopped for a picnic 
in a Meadow of Summer Flowers....

And inquisitive Little Birds....

But the road Did seem to wind Ever Onward......
And even the Bravest of Fair Travelers might find themselves growing weary....
So it was a very Welcome sight that greeted them by the side of the road....

Several baskets filled with fresh cut flowers ....
headed to Market in the nearby Town....
waiting for the delivery wagon.
What a Perfect place to rest and speed their Journey!


They had barely settled into the Basket when 
the Wagon arrived and they were on their way....

The Farmer set off at a good pace...

It seems he regularly delivered fresh flowers 
from his farm to the market in Town.....
I think he did not notice his passengers!

But they had such a Lovely view and the Journey passed Quickly....

Before they knew it the sun was setting....
and they were set down in the Town where they made their way to a nearby Inn...


It seemed to be a spot of local Interest too....
There was a lovely courtyard garden for Dining.....

Oh look, there are some other guests we know here too...!
Harold and Celeste enjoy coming here to dine....
when Celeste is in Town....
How do I know that our friends arrived this far on their Journey, you might ask?

Well, a Cheeky little Bird told me, that's how!
And furthermore, he told me the Rats 
were last spotted getting onto a Train the next morning...
and beyond that, he wasn't ready to go South for the Winter just yet!

As for the flowers that were brought to the Market ....
you may have noticed a particularly Stunning basket of Sunflowers...
Well, Mrs. Butterwoth noticed them and thought they would look just Beautiful
in the Dining Room in the Victorian Brownstone...

And I know it has been Ages and Ages since you have seen 
even a glimpse of this House....
But when Sans said there was something for each of my projects in her gift.... 
I Knew instantly that this bead was really a piece of Oriental Export China....
Brought home on one of Clarence's fast sailing Clipper Ships...
A Treasure from the East...
Surely Destined to Adorn this Dining Table!
And if I Did have to scramble around and dust off the furniture 
for this Incomplete room....
Just to show this beautiful Vase... 
Perhaps seeing it will spur me to continue working on this House....
A Journey that is really barely begun....
But surely a Destination So Worthwhile!
Thank you, my Dear Friends, 
For being part of the Journey!

Monday, June 24, 2013

For My Sister....




Oliver Whiskers And Fair Bianca.... A Love Story

I left you Dear Readers, with just the Beginnings of the Rats I am sending to my Sister, still only half dressed. Well, let me show you how they have progressed, starting with Fair Bianca, who has had a lace blouse added to her ensemble. She is a Gently bred young Rat Maiden.... from the Best of Families... But she has fallen in love with a Handsome Young Rat named Oliver Whiskers......

He is from a Perfectly Good Family... 
but he is considered to be a Trifle Wild 
and full of a bit too much Idealism to be Comfortable..... 
And so the Family has Frowned on the match! 
But that has not stopped the Young Couple!


They are Determined to Pursue their Dreams Together....
And Oliver has convinced Fair Bianca to set out with him on his Journeys!
To that end, she has fetched her market basket, 
a warm shawl for the colder  nights ahead....
And a New Bonnet... 
for who can resist the lure of New Clothes to accompany New Beginnings!

And the New Straw Bonnet must be adorned with Straw Flowers the color of Summer....

And Oliver is also sensible to the Wisdom of a new Hat to guard against the Summer Sun...

 For it is Indeed the First Day of Summer as they set out on their way!
And such a Glorious Summer Morning it is.... 
all the World is swooning with Joy and Anything seems Possible!

But before they left they wished to say Good-bye to their Friends...

Anna Maria And Samuel Whiskers... 
who are spending the Summer at an Estate in the Country...

After all, Samuel and Oliver are Cousins....
And Anna Maria has known Fair Bianca for ages 
and considers her a Best Friend...

Even though they Wish them Well....
It is not easy saying Good-bye...

Even though they can feel the Excitement of the Beginning of the Journey....

With all the new sights and challenges ahead of them.....

Still,.... it is Not easy saying Good-bye!

And you might find yourself  following a little ways.....

Almost wishing you were going too....

Heading Bravely off into the Wide World.....
Going South to their new home.....
Where Oliver Whiskers plans to set up his own little Homestead....
And Fair Bianca will follow him wherever he goes...
Oh how they wish them a Safe and Happy Journey Together!

And you may be happy to know, Dear Readers, 
that they had not traveled for long before they heard the approach of other travelers...
And turning, they beheld a magnificent sight!

(Illustration for The Wind In The Willows Courtesy of Michael Hague)

Yes, it was indeed a Canary colored Caravan, 
with none other than the Notorious Mr. Toad at the reins!
And with such companions to begin their Travels.....
You can be sure they had Great Adventures on their way...
But for more details we will have to wait to hear from my Sister....
about Oliver Whiskers and Fair Bianca...
A Love Story....