Tea with Beatrix Potter...

Why all the tea parties lately? Well, because there is no gardening to do in the winter. I spend the winter doing artwork, fiber and finally, in Feb and March, start planting seed in trays in the house.

I cover it all in this new video and I have about 15 minutes of information on the beloved Beatrix Potter; her life, her work.

Winter is tea time.....and we love tea in Hopalong Hollow

 "Afternoon tea and Winter Decor from the Garden"

"Cornish Cream, Scones and Tea with Charles Dickens"

 In this video I am actually cooking something. I rarely do that, but baking Scones is easy and Clotted cream is a delicious British treat that anyone can make.

Greetings from Hopalong Hollow!

It's been awhile, wow!

 But we are still here as the Hopalong Hollowfolk take over the studio, travel to shows and get new homes;

 Our Thanksgiving weekend show was less than successful, I must say. 

Sales for books and prints were moderate and we only sold one mouse and one bird.

Marley Potts is still with us.. I'm glad though. I just made him last week. It took about 34 hours to complete him, so I'd like to enjoy him for awhile.

 I created Miranda to replace her look-alike cousin who was adopted a month ago...

I am tempted to keep her...

  Ducks are always too adorable...

I created these in memory of dear old Mathilda the Goose; she passed away, I am so sad to tell you.

 We have one more showing this year at the Ohio Designer Winterfaire in Columbus Ohio. 

Maybe we'll see you there!

 Ready, set ROLL!!!!!

 

Theodora Cheddar is teeming with artistic flair and talent.With her slender frame,Luminous Pink eyes, Platinum fur and graceful fingers she poses before her large mirror in her luscious gown, practicing her high notes with a splendid Soprano voice. Is the world ready for Theodora?!!

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In the meantime, Augusta and Polly get ready for a trip to Little Red Riding Hoods house...thru the woods..past the stream and

beyond the Bluebells.

Behave yourself girls!

Happy Autumn to one and all!

Twila and some 18th century Birds

Twila seems to be in a perpetual state of anxiety...

why is Twila so worried?

Is that horrid spotted dog coming to lunch?

Did she lose her yo-yo?

Should she have worn her green shoes instead of her pink???

  

  Did her sister eat ALL the ice-cream?

Do those birds have nicer hats than hers?

Could it be that Twila is not worried at all..... She just has one of THOSE faces?!

Garden, Baby, and a Potting Bench..

 I just returned from CA. where I met my first ever Grandson!
He's the finest little fellow a person could ever want!

 My new title is Gramsey...borrowed from my book "Mamsey Bear and Mopkin"

         One of the Gardens was in full bloom when I left town

 It was quite an overgrown mess when I returned.

Time to pull the daisies and poppies and plant the Peppers!

 It has been so dandy having the new Potting Bench James built for me using an antique cast iron sink, old windows and chunky old table legs.

He's a mighty good man!

oops! Now how did that picture get in there?!

This potting bench holds everything!

  The flowers have been growing so well this year, that a new bouquet is possible every few days>>>

 Penstemon, Canterbury Bells, Love in a Mist, and Foxglove.

 Flanders Poppies, Daisy and Primrose

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Larkspur, Peony, Pansy, Allium, Rose and Sweet Pea.

oh my gosh...there's that baby again!

He must have heard me say Sweet Pea...cuz that's what  I call him

Larkspur, Queen Annes Lace,Forget Me not, Yellow Pansy.

There's been a lot of seed to collect already.

 It's going to be a wonderful summer!

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It's going to be a wonderful life!

I can finally beam about being a grandmother..

I posted nearly 2 years ago about a little grand daughter, (actually my husbands, from his youngest son).

 

  Now, I am officially the Grandmother of a wonderful wee baby boy, ( My oldest son and his wife Hara).

He was born today and I  have to beam about it!

Finley looks like his mommy, she is Taiwanese and

 I think he is the cutest little chap!

Only hours old.