More Bits and Pieces

A few leftovers from this week...

* I spotted the Happy Gnome outside his home on Thursday afternoon. The windchill was bitter and I can't imagine he stayed out very long. In fact, by the time I returned to the kitchen, I was half frozen myself and Mr. Gnome was no longer standing on the steps.




* Bitter temperatures and snow easily convince The Naughties to spend more time inside than out. Empty baskets and boxes magically turn into forts, beds, and sitting spots.


* We were blessed by an overnight snowstorm, thanks to those lake effect snow bands, and woke up Friday morning to a foot or more of fluffy whiteness. Linda, if you're reading, I heard there wasn't so much as a flake at your house.

* With the longer days, the hens are laying more eggs again. Rather than one or two a day we are back up to 5-7. The snow keeps them home where they hang out under the shelter of the barn's shed roof.

* I dug out my car late in the morning and ventured out to try out "Betsy's new hiking boots." (She has new tires...) Our road was only half plowed and I managed to stay on the road without difficulty. I exerted more energy just sweeping the snow off the roof than driving down the road.

* My sister and I went for a walk three out of seven days this week. Three miles around her neighborhood. By the time we got back to her house I was cold, my feet were wet, and the cold I've been fighting was winning the battle. Once I was home again, I changed my clothes and curled up under a blanket in my spot on the couch.

Mr Gnome stayed home...

Maybe I'll write this book...

No one had actually ever seen the gnome, but the fact of his existence was hard to deny.

 Somewhere, deep behind his brightly painted tree house door, he was likely having his breakfast of buttered toast and coffee with sweet cream. (Like Wanda.)

Outside the snow piled high and deep, much too deep for a gnome to trudge through, and so he stayed inside...

And There You Have It

Tada! I finished it. Finally.

The Man helped me put some hinges on the door and I painted a window too. I also changed the over the door decorations. The pretty party lights I strung earlier this summer weren't holding up well, so now I have a string of bells instead. The Happy Gnome is smiling. At least I'm pretty sure he is. Haven't actually seen him.

The Gnome is at Home

It's been slow going, but the Happy Gnome has finally moved in. It's the first in my "Fairy/Gnome Home" collection and I like it. The door needs a window of some kind, but it's a good start and it makes me smile. I hope it makes you smile too.

 I believe the Happy Gnome was inside taking a nap, but since I am not always watching, it could be that he has packed a bag and gone off to visit a friend. It is July, after all, and that is the time of travel and vacations. Perhaps I'll know he is home if the party lights come on at night... (I know, you're all fairly certain by now that I have gone completely over the edge, but I'm still hanging on.)

Do you "Believe"?


Here's my original post and a photo of the "empty" Gnome Home back in the winter.