Welcome at The Hilltop..

Presenting.......The Hilltop band....

2012-01-27T17:20:00.000+01:00

Goodness...... Well..how;s that for a wake up call....!!!! I didn't know we had a band on the Hilltop...

COOL....

2012-01-23T09:20:00.000+01:00

Look ....there she is...making a clean start..!!She is a little upset with me...three weeks make a lot of dust in a birdsnest...

Good night little Mouse..

2012-01-04T11:29:00.004+01:00

All is quiet at Hilltop Hall...

See you in a little while dear reader and friend....Stay warm and stay happy...

T.D and Company.

Happy New Year...

2011-12-31T13:34:00.001+01:00

All's well that ends well...Our dear Hilltop inhabitants are back safe where they belong and they would like to wish you a wonderful New year...

The magic continuous...

With love

T.D and Company..

Video made on the Hilltop..by Miss Moussie..

How Miss Moussie saved Christmas...with a little help..

2011-12-26T14:57:00.009+01:00

How cold this night was...the snow glistened by the light of stars..the moon was white like ice..

A little mouse struggled her way through the shimmering landscape..shivering in her red velvet coat.

In her little hands she firmly held a lantern...so she could shine a pale beam of light on the path she was trying to follow.

-O my goodness.she twittered...how much further will I have to go..there's still no sign of life in this wilderness..I'm ever so worried..

In her mind she already pictured her friends buried under a big pile of snow...
Then...suddenly...a big gust of wind..coming straight from the North Pole....blew out the the candle in Miss Moussie's lantern..and almost froze our little brave moussie into an icy statue..

-O dear....now what...she squeaked in fear...I find things in the darkness to be very suspicious and not to be trusted...!!

For a moment she stood there...staring at the sky....

-The stars ..she whispered ...the stars....follow the stars....l can do this...stars I can trust..they guided people through dark times for centuries..now think little mouse...where's the big bear.....

The night was indigo blue...with like a million twinkling stars...it looked like a picture out of a fairytale book...

-O WOW...twittered Miss Moussie...I thought stars where bright and golden..but there I see one who's RED....that's impossible...and ..and its moving...?

O my goodness....its falling.....and its coming down fast...its heading towards ME....quick I have to hide....

As fast as she could she started digging a hole in the snow.....trying to disappear...but being a mouse wearing red velvet...this wasn't easy to do....

Miss Moussie curled up...and closed her eyes...-.This it it, she twittered....I'm going to be crushed by a star...

-Something landed....very light ..very softly..next to Miss Moussie..in a whirl of fluffy snow...

All was silent.....Miss Moussie didn't dare to move ...

-Then a little voice spoke...sounding like slay bells .....and it said..-.Please !

Please help me little red ball hiding in the snow..please help me..I'm lost...!

Miss Moussie opened her eyes.... peeked her nose out of the snow..and stared in a bright red light....and at the moment her eyes adjusted, she could see that a reindeer was attached to it...

In one big leap Miss Moussie leaped out of the snow.....-Your HIM....she squeaked...Your IT..she twittered....how marvellous, I always wanted to meet you..ever since I was a little mouse..You're Rudolph.....But my dear Rudolph ...forgive me for asking..but shouldn't you be helping Santa tonight...

Then, Rudolf told Miss Moussie that..before going on his journey with Santa to bring presents all over the world.. he wanted to visit the Hilltop....because there....so he read in a French newspaper ..lived a very famous frog named Gustave who could bake imaginary cookies..and he..Rudolph....was a big cookie fan....

Miss Moussie was amazed.....and she told Rudolph her story....about Gustave, Elvira,..and Sir H Hog...being lost in the snow..

Rudolph understood the seriousness of the situation immediately..no Gustave no cookies....and he being a creature with an extremely sensitive nose...he should be able to find our friends in no time at all...

-Hooray..squeaked Miss Moussie...then darling Rudolph...what are we waiting for........I always wanted to fly a reindeer....My friends will not believe their eyes when we pick them up...Lets GOOOOO...

And there they went....Miss Moussie and Rudolph...flying over the Hilltop grounds...

In a bleak midwinter night...

2011-12-21T14:55:00.005+01:00

It was a bleak midwinter night...

Miss Moussie had left the Hilltop Hall in a hurry..She forgot all about her survival list...

There she goes ...without her spy kit..without a first aid kit..the only thing she is taking with her is a little lantern..

Mr Mole and the Dutchess saw her go...until she was just a little beam of light in the distance..slowly disappearing in a white snowy wonderland...

-Ssshe is so very brave...stammered Mr Mole...

-Yes she is...answered the Dutchess..and we must be very brave too..I;m sure all will be oké soon..so we must go and do what we promised to do...!

-We must ..said Mr Mole..lets do it...

And then they started to set up the tree..and making a shepherd's pie...so ..when the snow patrol would get home...they could celebrate Christmas..

The Snow Patrol..

2011-12-18T14:49:00.006+01:00

Finally it stopped snowing...

Miss Moussie was standing in the doorway..gazing at the sky..
-There is still more snow to come..she whispered to herself..I must do something..

Very high up...in the top of the highest tree standing on the Hilltop..a worried owl named Who hooted..

-Dear Who..twittered Miss Moussie...can you see if anyone's coming..can you hear if anyone's calling out for help...

Who hooted again...a very desperate hoot...the lonely sound got lost in the white dwelling...there was no answer...

-That does it...squeaked Miss Moussie...whilst a tear rolled down her cheek and froze dangling on her nose...I must go on a search...My dear friends out there in the white wilderness...never fear..Miss Moussie is here..I'm on my way to rescue you....make way for The Snow Patrol....

Somewhere out there..

2011-12-12T10:26:00.007+01:00

Somewhere..on the Hilltop...Elvira popped out of her hiding place...O yes..she could hear our dear Miss Moussie twittering....

-But did she dare to go running through the snow towards Hilltop Hall...

Yes she is...nooo...she's not....O..yes ...no...she's not..

O my goodness..sweet Elvira..trapped in the snow...luckely for her she carried a little bag full of christmas cookies..but how long could she possible stay out there...and its going to be dark soon..

The Hilltop dressed in white...

2011-12-12T09:16:00.007+01:00

O My Goodness...twittered Miss Moussie...when this snowfall continuous we will be completely snowbound...O my goodness.....Help...Anybody...Gustave...Elvira...Sir Horatio....Please, if you can hear me out there...Leave your nests...Please do come to Hilltop Hall..before its to late.....Hello there ...can anybody hear me...

There was no answer...just the sound of the blazing blizzard ..

To soon.....

2011-11-29T20:00:00.010+01:00

Hilltop Hall....about seven o'clock in the evening...

-Brrr..shivered the Dutchess whilst climbing up the stairs to the attic...how cold it is today...I;m going to get another blanket for my bed...
-Strange..there is a light burning at the attic...could there be someone up there....?
Very softly the Dutchess lifted the hatch at the top of the stairs and took a curious peek... and what did she see...

In the middle of the attic..on the floor..sat our dear Miss Moussie...surrounded by..blankets ..candles..winter woollies..a sled..Christmas lights..matches..pillows and quilts..

The dutchess heard her squeak...
-Survival kit...check..
-Spy kit..check...
-First aid kit..check....Then the little moussie lifted her head ...-O,...she twittered with a blush..its you my dearest...don't mind me I'm just checking my list...

-Dear dear Miss Moussie..please do come down and join me for a cup of tea..asked the Dutchess with a smile.....you must be ever so tired...I'm sure this can wait till tomorrow....the weather forecast was fine for this week..

-Then...didn;t you feel the cold North wind blow today..twittered Miss Moussie...I did...and I just know there's no time to lose...I'm telling you something is about to happen...
-Shall we then continue tomorrow..I;ll help...and we will ask Gustave too...
-Yes..we MUST ask Gustave because I need him for the food storage...we...we...and there Miss Moussie stopped squeaking..
-What dearest....we ..what...whispered the Dutchess..
-O.M.Goodness..twittered Miss Moussie...this can not be happening..its to soon...I'm not ready yet...and in a flash she ran down the stairs and disappeared...

The Dutchess followed as fast as she could....and a few moment later....a moussie and a Dutchess entered wonderland...Lets follow them...

A List...

2011-11-20T21:19:00.008+01:00

Well...said the Dutchess...well..dear C...must we believe everything we read in the newspaper...I always say...seeing is believing...!

Aah..but there is much more between heaven and earth then what the eye or the mind can behold...answered C...but I do agree that one mustn't believe all what is written...especially weather reports..

Then..Mr Mole and our Dutchess remained silent...both contemplating over what was just shared..

The only sound heard in the kitchen was the ticking of the cockoo clock..and the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth..

Outside..in the garden..a little mouse was running...in her hands a big flapping sheet of paper....
Must dash..she twittered out of breath..must hurry...must let everybody know about my Very Important and Practical too do list....!

Confused...

2011-11-06T16:01:00.007+01:00

Hilltop Hall....on a warm day in...November...

-I'm soooo confused..twittered Miss Moussie with a sigh....I'm ever so confused....
-What's the matter dear...asked the Dutches in response....Is there something I can help you with...?
-Don't think so...twittered Miss Moussie...only if you could....change the weather....
-Change the weather dearest...but WHY..look outside...its the most glorious November we had in ages..
-Yes yes..I know..and I find this to be very suspicious..its not how its supposed to be...
-O...you want it to be cold..and rainy...windy and wet....
-Yes..so we can snuggle up in the house...It may sound strange but I've had enough of summer..I'm kind of tired..and there Miss Moussie sat herself down on a baguette..next to the french cheese and a pot of berry marmalade. ..fumbling with the spoon where she just stirred her tea with...
-Your tea is getting cold dear...I made it extra sweet for you...four lumps of sugar...as you like it..
-I'm not in the mood for tea..twittered Miss Moussie..
-Come on ....said the Dutchess a bit worried...this is not like you at all....cheer up dear..

At that moment in time a little person wearing big spectacles entered the kitchen...It was Mr Mole..
-Hello there Mr C...smiled the Dutches..so good to see you...would you join us for a cup of tea....
-That would be lovely...answered Mr Mole...but first..let me tell you something..there's news...and he waved with a newspaper..I just read it....
-O,then do tell us..said the Dutches...and I'm sure Miss Moussie would like to hear it too...
Miss Moussie didn;t move... she didn;t even look up...and she didn;t even say hello to Mr C...
Goodness...she really is very sad today..

-LLLListen,stuttered Mr Mole..like he always does when he is exited...LLListen...We are going to have the WINTER of ALL WWWinters....there is a winter traveling to our Hilltop like we have NEVER experienced before...With mountains of snow and Its going to be sooo cold...so cold like on the north pole...What do you think about THAT...
-REALLY..twittered Miss Moussie whilst jumping up and down...REALLY...how marvelous...O my...so many things to do in so little time....we have to be prepared...now even all the little birdies will need mittens.....O dear..
Miss Moussie dropped her spoon and before you could say cheerio...she was gone....disappearing under the doormat....through the crack in the wall....off to her birds nest...Leaving Mt C and our Dutchess sitting there in wonder what to expect next...

Is it over.....yet..

2011-11-02T11:59:00.000+01:00

Sure ...we love Halloween at the Hilltop...

Time out..

2011-10-19T19:07:00.012+02:00

...Looks like we are to late......Elvira is fast asleep...We mustn't disturb her..Harvest time isn't always easy..Our little woodland creatures needed a break...all is quiet in the garden of The Dutchess...
And, now we mention her...where is our dear Dutchess...Searching for a new adventure maybe..

Lets come back in a little while...and find out...

What did you say...we can enter ...the key is under the mat...OK..let the squirrel sleep her beauty sleep..and lets wander the Hilltop grounds..

Tonight the wind changed....

2011-10-05T11:14:00.004+02:00

Time to harvest...and prepare ourselfs for colder days..but first..a garden movie...

Planting today is sharing tomorrow..

2011-09-24T10:52:00.002+02:00

With love from The Hilltop..

Hippety Hop..

2011-08-29T13:39:00.012+02:00

The days are getting shorter on the Hilltop....a September sun shines through the hedgerows...making it easier for the woodland creatures to find cherries and berries...its harvest time...

Miss Moussie had a very busy day...with her basket filled with raspberries she is now heading towards Hilltop Hall..

-I'm going to bake a marvelous raspberry pie ..she twittered on her way to the Hilltop Hall kitchen..Its a surprise for the Dutchess when she comes home...
She made a little dance out of joy....thinking she was all alone and nobody could see her...But there Gustave leaped out of the bushes..with a big grin on his funny frog face..
-May I join you in this dance..he croaked..would you do me the honor Miss Moussie do do the Hippety Hop with me...?
-The Hippety Hop...twittered Miss Moussie with a twinkle in her eye...The HARVEST Hippety Hop....
-That's the one..croaked Gustave...and he grabbed some raspberries and started to throw them around..whilst hopping..
-Watch out...twittered Miss Moussie..this could get dirty...and she started throwing berries and cherries whilst hipping and hopping down the garden path...
-Now ..that's what I call Hippety Hopping croaked Gustave...Nobody does it better then you my dearest Moussie..

Dear reader and Friend....A new season has started on the Hilltop......Autumn arrived and is standing on our doorstep...and its very welcome..

Wood Mouse

2011-08-26T14:49:00.000+02:00

Lovely little garden Video..

Tribute to Miss Peach..

2011-08-23T18:59:00.009+02:00

What greater gift than the love of a cat...

We all remember this like it was yesterday...

--- Miss Peach came to visit ...It was such a lovely surprise.We sat on the rooftop,made a wish upon a falling star and we where very happy.
We shared some.. Tuna...Tea(almost dropt the tea pot from the top of the Hilltop Hall roof),and the Moon light..---

Dearest Miss Peach ..we would like to let you know that ones a year we will celebrate a special 'Miss Peach Moon light Roof Top Tea and Tuna Party'..starting tonight on August the 23th at ten o clock..we know you will be there..

Its called August....

2011-08-17T15:37:00.004+02:00

With a little lunchbox filled with cookies Miss Moussie left her birds nest...

She wandered down the garden path and entered the Hilltop Forest..

-Isn't August supposed to be warm...she twittered talking to herself....and isn't August supposed to be a wonderful month for picnic's..I don't know whats wrong with the weather this year,but it makes me worry...
I would love to sit in the grass and eat my cookies but..I don't think I will be able to find a dry cosy spot..its all wet and muddy in this forest...and this will ruin my dress..I believe Summers aren't what they used to be...

-You mustn't say that my dear Miss Moussie..you mustn't say that...croaked a toad's voice behind her...
-O...Oeps... Gustave...squeaked Miss Moussie..you startled me..I didn't hear you coming..what are you doing in the forest today...picking herbs for your soup...
-No my dear Lady..I come here for the silence....
-The silence...?
-Yes...just listen.....!
-..............................? I don't hear a thing....not even a bird sing..or a leaf rustling ..there is no wind....there is no sun....O ..Gustave ..I find that very suspisious...
-Its not suspisious at all Miss...its called August...

Now Miss Moussie looked puzzled..she raised one eyebrow...took a deep breath and twittered....Gustave...you know I don't like it when you talk in riddle's...

-Its simple dearest...Nature is at rest....the great works have been done...the little birds are all grown up...the flowers bloomed..the berries ripe to be picked..the green is greener then green..and we are the lucky ones to see this..and enjoy it..in silence...
Wait..croaked Gustave... you can take a seat on this mossy pillow...after I, as the true gentlemen that I am...covered it with my very clean handkerchief..so your lovely dress will not get wet..

-Ah..Gustave ,you are such a darling..twittered Miss Moussie whilst she sat down on the moss under a big tree...
--Look up dearest..croaked Gustave...this is a grand moment in time..we are sitting in a cathedral of green..just you and I..and all is well in this world..

Slow Motion

2011-08-11T14:59:00.001+02:00

There he comes..WHO...he's always the first to come greet me...

Magic.

2011-08-01T10:25:00.003+02:00

It was a chilly summer night at the Hilltop...

-I think I will go out for some fresh summer air before I go to sleep...twittered Miss Moussie...and someone has to check to garden now our Dutchess is away on a trip...

There she went...her little ears tucked away under her bonnet..brrr..so chilly, and this in the middle of Summer...!

The sky was a very dark indigo blue...with a twinkle of starlight..

-O my goodness..squeaked Miss Moussie..would you look at that....Fireflies...

Sometimes you don't have to search for magic...because,when you don't expect it..Magic will find you...!

Stormy weather..

2011-07-29T13:51:00.001+02:00

Its a very blustery day at the Hilltop..so we all stay inside and watch a scary movie...

Strawberry fields forever..

2011-07-20T20:54:00.012+02:00

Miss Moussie was strolling through the Hilltop garden..It had stopped raining at last and she was on her way to pick a strawberry or two..and then maybe eat one or two on the way back to her birds nest..On the strawberry field she bumped into the Dutchess who was sitting there..under an umbrella.. painting...

-Stop..hold that pose dear...that's just lovely..
-Ó No...I'm sure I look kind of silly in my raincoat..
-My dear Miss Moussie...the red of the strawberries go wonderful with the bright yellow of your coat..
-Can I not go and change into my new dress..you know..the one with the leafy greens....
-Then you would completely disappear in this picture ...NOW you are the absolute highlight..
-I am....well...then I''ll stay just as I am.....is this oke...

And there Miss Moussie stood...a bit shy...with her little wellies in a puddle..

Meet the neighbours..

2011-07-19T14:07:00.001+02:00

Meet our friends and neighbours...did you ever visit Brambly Hedge..NO..then now's the time to do it...

Firefly...

2011-07-13T17:50:00.001+02:00

Meet Luciano Lucciola...

Luciano Lucciola....

2011-07-07T14:18:00.010+02:00

Who saw something he never did see before..so, he didn't know what it was..

A little light moved through the garden..like a lantern in the dark..
Who was thinking..-Maybe its Miss Moussie....maybe she is spying around in the dark..by candlelight...?
The light went out....gone....O dear, said Who..now she has to lit the candle again..Aah..there ..the little light was back on, but now it was hovering high up in the Lilac bush..This couldn't possibly be Miss Moussie..she can't fly...or jump that high..
The light went out again..gone..No,..look..it reappeared..bright and yellow..very near by..first,flickering over the pond..then,sitting still on a leaf in front of Who..who sat very still..he now saw what IT was..not a lantern, but a very small insect..

The strange insect saw Who..it opened his mouth..and while his little light was beaming..putting himself and Who in the spotlight....this creature began to sing..
--WHoooo are youuuuu....?
-Who..answered Who suprised...Amazing! What a wonderful sound this little guy produced..
--YOUuuuu...are WHoooooo...?
-Me..I'm Who...
--Are YOUuuuu...WHOOOOOOoooo?
-I am, said Who..and Who are YOU...??
--Me..(and there the creature took a deap breath).....LUuuuccianooooooooo Lucciooooooolaaaaaaaa...and then.. his light went out...
-Where are you...said Who whilst surching the dark with his big owl eyes...and did I understand correctly..is your name Luciano Lucciola...
--TADAAAAA..sang Luciano..putting on his light again...TaDAAAAAAA..itsa soooo nice to meeta you.....I'm fromma Italyyyyyyyyyyy..Ciao..you bigga birda.....
--................!?!?

Who...is there...?

2011-07-06T09:27:00.001+02:00

I do believe Who is trying to tell us something..is there a stranger entering the Hilltop...

To Bee or not to Bee..

2011-07-01T11:09:00.008+02:00

-Hello there..so nice to meet you dear Bee..isn't this a beautiful day to sit in the clover..twittered Miss Moussie...did you fall asleep..?
I did for a moment..and then I heard you...eh..buzzzz..!

The Bee turned his head...his little black eyes looked into Miss Moussie's...
-O my goodness..squeaked Miss Moussie...why this sad face..are you OK..?

-I was wondering..buzzed the Bee..I was wondering..Why is there something instead of nothing..?
-O....twittered Miss Moussie..she didn't expect any question of this difficult kind of sort..so, to be on the safe side,she just responded with..O...!
-Sometimes..continued the Bee..I just don't want to Bee anymore..I often get very confused..in being..Why do I exist...Well...I even wonder if I really BEE..
-O...twittered Miss Moussie again...whilst sitting next to the bee..Well...If you didn't exist you wouldn't be there to ask yourself questions..now would you...But more important is..Why don't you want to Bee anymore..
-To many questions...buzzed the bee...My mind is full...I'm feeling kind of heavy...
-Then you need a lift...squeaked Miss Moussie...let me help you...
-You are very kind..but its to late..sighed the Bee....
-Its never to late ..twittered Miss Moussie..you can do it..you are just struggling with the philosophy of being..I can understand that..Life can be very complicated...

Then..from high up the garden wall ..a beautiful red robin flew into the scene...
It had been following the conversation between Miss Moussie and the bee with great interest..

-I know just what to do ..it said..I will give you a lift..we will fly as high as you like..and when you will feel light enough..you free you mind....and you can let go...
-Wonderful idea sweet Robin..twittered Miss Moussie..Wonderful...Please little bee..give it a try..you can do it..you just have to put your mind into it..

The little Bee..very reluctant..climbed on to the Robins back...holding on to its feathers...
Don't worry now...said the Robin..enjoy the flight....and hold on tight..

The Robin flapped his wings and flew...towards the light..higher and higher...Miss Moussie saw them circle through the sunlight above the treetops..

In the bee's mind something shifted...like a big cloud that was being lifted..
He looked down....he felt the wind beneath his wings and he whispered...I almost forgot how beautiful it is to bee in this world ....How could I forget that beeing is just being..
-How do you feel..asked the Robin...did the heaviness disappear..can you let go now....?
-I can..I can..buzzed the bee....Its ok..I bee because I am...a bee...that's the answer to all my questions...Thank you so much dear Robin...I'm letting go now....goodbye...

Standing in the clover Miss Moussie saw the bee go....buzzing loud and humming a tune..like Bee's do...
She smiled and waved.....

Sometimes my dear reader and friend..we just need a little lift..

A snoring butterfly..

2011-06-23T12:56:00.008+02:00

It was a glorious Summer day on the Hilltop...the sun was shining bright...there was no wind and everything was quiet..very quiet..

Miss Moussie was sitting in a lovely shady spot under a balcony of green ivy..nobody could see her there...she often went to that secret place when she wanted to be on her own..There are days when a moussie needs to think and contemplate.
How still it was ..no sounds could be heard....only a soft chirp of a Robin in the distance.
-I'm going to close my eyes for a wee bit..twittered Miss Moussie...its ever so warm...time for a siesta...
And so she did..with her head resting on a soft pillow of clover..she was of to dreamland before one could count to three....
She dreamt about curtains of climbing roses and pink butterflies...suddenly one of the butterflies in her dream started to snore...it made a strange sound while fluttering round and round...-A snoring butterfly...how very strange said Miss Moussie...and because she found this so out of the ordinary she woke up...
-Still...she heard it again...there was definitely someone snoring...and that someone was very close by...
Miss Moussie crawled out from under the Ivy....and saw a Bee...sitting alone,buzzing ,on a tall moss covered stone...

Picture source..an amazingly beautiful blog...

about ..Beeing....

2011-06-16T00:14:00.002+02:00

So nice to have you visit the Hilltop again...do join us in watching this little bee movie..It won't be long now and our Dutchess will sit down at her drawing table and write a story about..To Bee..or not to Bee...but first she has to unpack her bags and see how Summer has started on the Hilltop...and, help a little creature who got lost..

The source..

2011-05-22T23:56:00.013+02:00

It sounded like the biggest rainstorm ever...Miss Moussie never saw a waterfall in her entire moussies life so you can imagine how she felt.. her little heart pounded very very fast..
Miss Moussie followed a bend in the river...and THERE it was...

From high up..between some rocks..the water came plunging down...
-O my goodness..twittered Miss Moussie...what a wonderful sight...and what noise..it almost sounds like thunder....For a minute she was quit overwhelmed by the beauty of this phenomenon..and she almost forgot to breathe....
-I made it ..she twittered with a big happy sigh..I made it...THIS is the source of the Drumble..Phew..I have to sit down for a while....and enjoy this spectacular view..

Miss Moussie sat herself down in the grass of the riverbank....the sun was shining bright...Life was good....And above Miss Moussies head circled a little bird...watching her..then flying away following the Drumble ,gently down the stream....

The Dutchess and Company were now very close in finding Miss Moussie..in a few minutes they are about to reach the river bend...I know it ..and now you know it...but they don;t know it, yet.!....In fact they are very sure the search is leading nowhere...and that our moussie is lost for ever...

There they are..walking in silence...with a heavy heart...
-The Dutchess looked up...seeing nothing but blue skies....sunlight through the treetops...and a beautiful white bird...how lovely..
-There...a little white bird...croaked Gustave..I've never seen such a birdie...anyone...?
Gustave was only asking this to distracted our little Hilltop Company from being so gloomy..
The little white bird swooped down..and flew up again..
-O would you look at that...said Elvira surprised..
Again and again the white bird swooped down...and again and again...it flew up again..
-Its a sign...said C..I see it..its a sign..
-Follow that bird...yelled Horatio...I'm sure its a sign or my name isn't Horatio..there's more between heaven....
-Yes yes...we know that..croaked Gustave...don't dilly dally..This birdie is trying to tell us something..
As fast as there feet were willing to run our company ran following the bird...THERE..a bend in the river....and -O MY GOSH,said the Dutchess- a waterfall....and....-Hallelujah..croaked Gustave.....they found Miss Moussie.....

Well dear reader and friend..you can imagine how happy our little friends were to see our moussie sitting there..safe and sound...
To celebrate the wonderful moment they asked Mr C to take a picture...and so he did..It took some time..but it became one of his HAPPIEST pictures ever made..!!!

What I would like to ad ( as a writer) at the end of this story is this....When you find an old photograph...and you can't recall where it was made...what year..what date..or even what occasion..never mind...Just ask yourself this...are the people on this picture smiling..do they look happy......When everything else is history...what will remain is the expression in their eyes and on their faces...they will share that moment with you for ever and ever..and you will know if they found the source what makes life worth living..love ..!
-“If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in finding it...Remember the message in the bottle...we all have to find this source for ourselfs...to understand....

So..when somebody finds this photograph which Mr C made today...in, lets say one hundred years...I'll doubt anyone will remember where or why it was taken...but they will see a merry group of friends ,happy to have found each other,and happy to be in each other's company..and that's all what counts..(lovely detail in the photograph a little white bird flying over their heads.....)

(you can click the picture for a better view)

Here we will end the storytelling..Miss Moussie has some explaining to do,she had to make a promise to Gustave that she will never again go wandering in the wilderness.... and the Dutchess is in a hurry because she is going on a trip ..!

Feel free to visit the Hilltop ...Sir Hog is the gate keeper this time..and I am sure he will let you in....

Proceed...

2011-05-21T16:16:00.008+02:00

Abruptly the Dutchess and company stopped in there tracks....causing a multiple pile up of mole,frog,Dutchess,squirrel and hedgehog...

Poor Mr C...he walked in front of the row...and now the whole gang tumbled atop of him....

-HUMPH...humpfed Mr C..
-Help...Don't squish me..croaked Gustave..-
-So sorry ..said the Dutchess whilst standing up..are you oke Gustave darling...
-Whoops...uttered Elvira...sliding from the Dutchess behind taking with her Sir Hog who tried to grab a ribbon of the Dutchess's dress in an attempted to break his fall..
And for a moment he dangled there....until his arms couldn't hold him anymore and he had to let himself drop..bouncing like a little ball in the grass of the river bank...

-WWhy did we stop...stuttered C...this is no time for a picnic..
-You are so right croaked Gustave..there is no time to loose...who knows where Miss Moussie could be...
-She could be drifting in that little boat out in the open sea by now..said Elvira jumping up and down nervously..
-Nnobody said anything about a bboat stuttered C....!

The Dutchess just stood there...she didn't listen to what her Hilltop friends were saying..she was thinking about her dear Miss Moussie...What if she would never see her again..
There was this photograph they had found a couple of ours ago ...a picture of Miss Moussie....to cute for words...Miss Moussie as a baby,sitting in the the Daisy Meadow..
And then there was this teapot....

-Dutchess...dearest....croaked Gustave ....dearest........A penny for your thoughts ..
-There is this teapot..I have to show Miss Moussie this teapot...whispered the Dutchess to herself..
-She fell on her head...now we have it....Miss Moussie gone and the Dutchess coocoo..said Sir Hog while he dusted himself of and straitened his back..
-Horatio...old chap..that's not a way to speak about our Dutchess croaked Gustave...you take that back I say...and he posted himself in front of Sir Hog's nose...

-Its all right Gustave said the Dutchess..everybody calm down...I was just thinking about my grandmothers teapot..I found it on the attic and it would be so lovely to have tea with Miss Moussie..she would LOVE this teapot...
-And so you will dearest..croaked Gustave...and so you will...Enough of this dilly dally...this is serious business...Come on..Proceed...we are on a quest...The quest to find Miss Moussie..

Up stream..not even so far away from where our company was hiking....Miss Moussie heard a strange sound....
-Water...she squeaked...a LOT of water...O how wonderful..I believe I'm approaching a waterfall...I'm almost there...I've almost reached the source of the Drumble...And above her head a little bird started to sing a tune...

Company ....halt..

2011-05-18T16:43:00.005+02:00

Gustave followed Mr C ...he couldn't stop asking questions...

-C..where did you see these daisies to be precise...?
-Told you my friend...in the Drumble...floating..down the stream...
-C..did you see any sign of life from Miss Moussie...
-Told you my friend...Daisies...floating in the Drumble..down the stream...
-C....but you didn't see Miss MOussie float...now did you...

Our dear Dutchess followed Gustave..and she couldn't stop asking questions..

-Gustave darling....what did C just say....did he go boating...
-No dearest....he said floating....down the stream..
-Boating down the stream...but I thought we were going upwards....
-We are....the daisies went the other way....
-Gustave darling tell C I am sure we have to go follow the Drumble...and we don't need a boat..

Sweet Elvira followed the Dutchess....she was so nervous she couldn't stop asking questions..

-Dutchess ....please...what's this with a boat...it didn't float.!?...O my goodness..
-No Elvira...the daisies did...down the stream....but I'm sure Miss Moussie went the other way...
-Miss Moussie floating in a boat...far away...O my goodness..

Sir Hog did his best to keep up with Elvira..but to know what was happening he couldn't stop asking questions..

-Elvira...wait for me ..wait for me..what did you just say....Miss Moussie went away in a boat....what ever for...?
-Keep up friend Horatio....Miss Moussie is floating in a boat far away down the stream...
-But ...but... we are going upwards....why...what...EVERYBODY STOP....and Sir Hog shouted in a very loud and firm tone of voice...COMPANY ....HALT..!!!!!

We better do as he says...and stop...here...

Follow.....

2011-05-15T16:13:00.009+02:00

For a while Mr C just stood there....watching the daisies drift by....

-Now....Let's put one and one together..he whispered...
One...there are daisies in the Drumble
Two...they cant have jumped in by themselves...!
Three...so..someone must have throwed them in..but why..?
Four...o dear..maybe someone fell in together with the Daisies....
FFFive....and now C began to stutter...this always happens when he is nervous..or when he discovers something..FFFive..WHO loves daisies so much that he or she would dive into the Drumble.....O NO......Miss Moussie..THAT'S WHY my mind mysteriously wandered of to our dear moussie a few minutes ago......O DDDDear....MMmiss Mmoussie ffell in the DDrumble..

As fast as his little feet could dig...Mr C Mole raced through his under ground labyrinth..made a few u turns, took some wrong exit's in his hurry and confusion...but at last he reached the Hilltop Hall....stammering out of breath.....HHelp HHelp....anybody...ccome quickly....Wwe lllost Miss Moussie....

And where was our dear Miss Moussie when Mr C rang the alarm bell at the Hilltop...
Skipping merely down a path that followed the riverbank of the Drumble....singing a happy tune...
-I'M OF TO FOLLOW THE DRUMBLE FOLLOWING THE DRUMBLE AM I....lalalalalalalaaa.......lalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....
Miss Moussie was ever so curious what she was about to find at the source of the Drumble...and this had put her in a very jolly mood...
Whilst skipping and twittering Miss Moussie startled a little birdie....it flew of flapping his wings fiercely....a little feather came floating down on the wind....
-Don't be frightened dear birdie..squeaked Miss Moussie..I'm just a wanderer in the wilderness...I will do you no harm..and she picked up the feather that the little winged creature had lost in his flight..It was white and fluffy...with a silver lining..
-Aah, so lovely...said Miss Moussie to herself..I will keep it as a souvenir...

The little bird from high up a tree top saw Miss Moussie open her spy kit box and carefully put his lost feather away....
Miss MOussie then followed her trail.....and surprisingly the bird started to follow Miss Moussie..

At the Hilltop....everybody was in a state of panic....Mr C had gathered all the hilltop creatures....and with he himself on the lead they were going on a search for Miss Moussie..

Gustave in great courage (as always)followed Mr C....The Dutchess,very worried,followed Gustave..Elvira nervously followed the Dutchess....Mr H Hog, very brave, followed Elvira....he would go to the end of the world for Miss Moussie...and then there's US....following this parade....

Better keep up now...don't lose track of the one walking before you...keep following...until we reach the source...

Daisies in the Drumble...

2011-05-01T19:46:00.005+02:00

You could see...and hear...the flash Mr C created with his little black box from afar....

-Goodness ..twittered Miss Moussie..what was that..and she stopped and paused for a while...could this be fireworks...?
The leaves on the trees above her little moussie head were rustling quietly...like they were saying..its OK..carry on..there's nothing strange under the sun today..we will be on the lookout ...

-The Dutchess and Gustave looked up from there picture book...The Dutchess lifted one eyebrow..like she always does when there is something what puzzles her...
-Maybe its the soup we left on the stove...said Gustave worried..and now it has exploded..
-No no..dear Gustave...answered the Dutchess and she smiled reassuring...lets continue..the soups fine..

-WOW...uttered Mr C...my ears are ringing...what a noise...this cant be good..better check this black box before making another picture..
He wandered off to the riverbank..and sat himself down..
-How lovely this place is, he said to himself...he loved the little babbling brook...
He knew very well one had to be very careful when walking the Old Log Bridge...the little river could run wild and rush you off to unknown places..but for now..it looked ever so calm and romantic...glistening in the morning sun.
Mr C started fumbling with his black box....this was a marvelous opportunity to make some pictures of the dangerous Drumble in springtime...
-Its amazing hoe quick everything turned green so fast...said C surprised...I have to catch how the sunlight shines through the trees and makes this enchanting reflection in the water..
He focused on the Drumble...and what did catch his eye.......A Daisy floating by.....and another one...and another one.....
Daisies...in the Drumble...mumbled C....how strange...I don't suppose they took a dive into the water.....somehow they must of fallen in....
And in a mysterious way Mr C's mind wandered of to.......Miss Moussie...

FLASH........

2011-04-22T15:57:00.004+02:00

Whilst Miss Moussie is following the dangerous Drumble to its source...and Gustave is climbing into a trunk on the Hilltop Hall attic for a photo search...there is another little woodland creature on a quest.....Its Mr C..

See....there he is....and what's that he's carrying ...a black box...well I do believe its a camera..Like the ones they used to take pictures with in another century....
Lets find out where he's going....lets follow him....but be ever so quiet...Mr C sees and hears everything...

Just look at him scurrying through the undergrowth....
....O...he stopped....he's now focusing on something under the Lilac bush....

FLASH........my goodness...was that lightning striking the Hilltop....
.....................................?
NO...Mr C took a picture......!

A Picturebook..

2011-04-12T13:26:00.007+02:00

Miss Moussie was sad to have lost her daisies..there they went..floating down the stream in the dangerous Drumble...but she was also very happy to have found this bottle..this very mysterious bottle which she was about to open....to reveal the secret inside...A LETTER..!!!!

-Now..how to open this thing..she twittered whilst examining the bottle closer with the help of her spy glass....- AHA....luckily its not a bottle with a cork...!

Meanwhile...in the garden..Gustave was heading in the direction of Hilltop Hall....

-Isn't this the most marvellous spring weather, he croaked with a big grin on his frog face,this weather can make a frog whistle a tune.....and so he did..
Leaping and whistling..whistling and leaping..Gustave was a happy frog today...Off to see the Dutchess...

In the kitchen of Hilltop Hall...something was brewing....The sent of rosemary and parsley swirled through the open window....out into the blue yonder...

-HMMM....croaked Gustave..who sniffled the smell when he took a deep breath to whistle his tune..'HMmmm.whats that smell.....I'll have to find the source of this lovely sent..
And there he went ..following his nose...who directed him to the kitchen...-where he was going anyway-...to visit the Dutchess...

-Yoehoe...Dutchess darling..can I enter...I believe you are cooking something marvelous in there....
-Is this you Gustave..he heard the Dutchess answer....Please come in dear...you are just in time to help me sort out something...!
-Sort out a recipe..or.. do you need help cooking...asked Gustave ..always a pleasure my lady...and he enterded the kitchen by leaping through the open window..
-O my, what's this ..he croaked surprised when he landed on the kitchen table...Gustave found himself sitting in the midst of scattered photographs.....
-You are now sitting on my family...said the Dutchess with a smile...meet my grandmother..she is looking at you from under your toe...
-O..beg your pardon...croaked Gustave..and he jumped up...
-And now your behind is on my fathers head...giggled the Dutchess..never mind Gustave...my father loved frogs......
-What are you doing my dear Dutchess...is this what you meant by sorting out some things.....are you sorting out family pictures...could I be of some assistance...?
-Would you be so kind Gustave...I really could use some help..there is a big trunk in the attic...filled with very VERY old family pictures...I was planning to make a book ...to find out more about my heritage...back to the source of the Hilltop history....
-Back to the source you say.....well...I find that very interesting......
Miss Moussie would say...'one never knows what one will find'....And I agree, because one never knows..now does one..!!
-There must be pictures from your ancestors too dear Gustave..AND from Miss MOUSSIE....my mother made a lot of pictures in the garden when she was a little girl...will you help me find them..
A few minutes later..a frog and a dutchess were climbing the attic stairs...they were on a quest...The search of old family pictures..time flew by..

On the Old Log bridge....Miss Moussie had opened the bottle...and with a little twig she patiently and with much effort fumbled the letter out....
-There it is..she twittered softly.....Slowly and carefully she unfolded the letter.....took her spy glass...and she twittered the words that were written in blue ink out loud....

-“If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in finding it....at the source...-

-Finding it...whispered Miss Moussie..at the source..finding WHAT...?

For a moment she just stood there...staring at the letter....reading it over and over again...Then...she started walking...curious as she is....a little brave mouse...on her way to find what the meaning could be of something that could not be said, but what she clearly had to find out for herself......at the source.....the source of the Drumble..

Message in a bottle....

2011-03-15T12:57:00.006+01:00

How happy Miss Moussie was..she was skipping through the Daisy meadow..her spy kit filled with Daisies...

-O I can;t wait to get home and show these pretty little flowers...she twittered...and whilst humming a merry tune she again reached the Drumble..
-O Yes...I almost forgot...The Drumble...I have to cross it ..o my goodness...I find Drumbles to be very suspicious..you never can tell where the lead to....

Soon Miss Moussie found the bridge...the old oak log was still laying there..patiently..for every woodland creature to get safely across to the other side of the water..

-Very careful now..twittered Miss Moussie..very careful now...slowly she started walking the bridge..when she was half way she suddenly stopped....
-What's that I see down there in the water..she squeaked...its...its a bottle...and I do believe there's a letter in that bottle...She grabbed her spy glass to focus....YES...she twittered exited...there's a message in that bottle...
Now Miss Moussie became very curious.....she just had to find out what was in that letter,who wrote it...why..when..and more questions of that sort..
-I HAVE to find a way to pick that bottle out of the water...she said to herself....

The bottle was caught between two slippery green cobblestones....this wasn't going to be an easy job to fetch it....in fact it could be very dangerous...

-This could be very dangerous...whispered Miss Moussie...and not at all a very easy job to do on my own...but...I simply MUST find out what that bottle is doing there in the Drumble..

She leaned forwards..now hanging face down over the edge of the bridge...her little arms reached out and tried to grab the bottle...
-O GOODNESS....she squeaked...my Daisies....there they go.....they fell out of my spy kit....o DARN......

But then Miss Moussie got hold of the bottle...she pulled and pulled...and with great effort she managed to fish the bottle out of the water.....
-PFHEW...she twittered out of breath....this is even a greater catch then the Daisies....now lets open the bottle and find out whats in it..

If you would like to know what message Miss Moussie will find in the bottle....come back another day...and I'll tell you all about it...

Sneezy...

2011-03-08T09:54:00.000+01:00

The little ones on the hilltop are watching a garden movie....I don't think they know that Miss Moussie is on Tulip hunt....I wonder where she is...its been ours and ours since she left...?

The Tulip Hunt...

2011-03-04T10:21:00.011+01:00

There is nothing Miss Moussie likes best then searching the Hilltop grounds with her spy kit..
A lovely orange sun accompanies her and is doing his best to keep her warm..
There is a fierce March wind blowing today...
So far Miss Moussie didn't find anything out of the unusual....all was well on the Hilltop.
Yes,there were some crocuses to focus on...but she already spotted them a few days ago..
-Maybe I can go on a Tulip hunt..Miss Moussie twittered to herself...and there she went..in the direction of the Hilltop meadow..

Whilst walking towards the meadow Miss Moussie needs to cross the Dangerous Drumble...!
The Dangerous Drumble is the stream running through the Hilltop forest....in Springtime the water runs wild..and you better not fall in...because nobody knows where this drumble ends...or where it begins..so one could get seriously lost...and wet...!
Now we all know Miss Moussie isn't the best of swimmers on the Hilltop..Lets hope she will be very careful....

-There it is...squeaked Miss Moussie...the Drumble....my goodness..it looks wild..how very exiting...better find the bridge....its much to deep to wade through..
Soon the bridge was found.....a big log of oak....
-Hm...twittered Miss Moussie...well..I always think old logs are suspicious..but this one looks very stable....I suppose I can cross the Drumble safe and sound...
There she went...very courageous..and very swift..
When she reached solid ground again she uttered a little squeak out of relieve..PHEW...that was scary...
After a few minutes Miss Moussie saw the meadow...she started running...her spy kit was humping and bumping on her back...How lovely it would be when SHE could be the one to find the first spring Tulip...
The forest opened...Miss Moussie could see a a green horizon..the trees at the edge of the forest waved there bare branches and bowed in the wind..like they were saying hello...hello dear Moussie...

For a while Miss Moussie just stood there..at he edge of the forest..then she opened her spy kit....
With her nose almost on the ground Miss Moussie stepped into the green grass....spying through her magnifying glass!
There she went...
-Grass..grass...green grass..she mumbled....dirt...more dirt...a Daisy....dirt..green dirt..and then she stopped in her tracks...again mumbling..what did I just say......A DAISY....my goodness...A DAISY..she found the first daisy..this was sooooooo much better then a Tulip...
-She turned around..did her eyes play tricks on her...no....there is was..a beautiful fragile fairy white Daisy!

-This is a very important catch..twittered Miss Moussie...this means it really and truly IS Spring...HURRAY..and she made a little jump out of joy..And whilst jumping she saw more Daisies in the field...my goodness..one two three...twenty five..
-I'll better take some home with me..she twittered....so I can let everybody know its spring..and we can call the meadow Daisy Meadow again...

And so she did....she threw all the spy stuff out of the bag...and filled it with Daisies..she tied her magnifying glass around her neck on a string of grass..and headed home....singing a song..

Lets follow her dear readers and friends..I have a feeling a new adventure starts today...and it has something to do with a Daisy and a Drumble....

Adventure...

2011-03-01T11:29:00.000+01:00

Its a cold and rainy day on the Hilltop....so,we are going to hang out in the Hilltop Hall living room and watch a movie. One of our favorites..

-Gustave dear..so good of you to bring your imaginary cookies..
-Miss Mousie..please sit next to me...but be careful with your knitting...
-Mr C...not to close to the t.v dear..you will ruin your eyes...
-Sir Hog..would you like a pillow..so you can sit extra snug..
-Elvira...don't hop about...if you want you can sit on my shoulder..

Are we all set...then let the adventure begin...lets step into another world...

FOCUS..

2011-02-21T17:47:00.004+01:00

Miss Moussie is walking through the garden...her eyes focused on the ground...
What could she be thinking....Listen..we can find out because Miss Moussie is always talking to herself...

-Come on dear...Focus..
What rhymes with crocus....
.........................?
O I know....hocus pocus...!

-Yes..hocus pocus indeed..isn't it magic to see these flowers grow...lets all focus dear readers and friends what pops out of the ground these days..flowers of spring..!

Waiting for spring...

2011-02-18T21:20:00.000+01:00

Wouldn't it be lovely to skip through the Daisy meadow again...
On the Hilltop the garden creatures can't wait......but first there is a LOT to do..
Like Spring cleaning...

The wedding....

2011-02-11T12:00:00.053+01:00

Valentines day...... a day full of love and hope....an excellent day for a wedding...

I don't know about you but I am very curious what will happen on the Hilltop today....lets go and find out...

Aaah...there we are..we arrived at the garden gate.....Shall I tell you what Elvira did....she decorated the Hilltop with blue bells...

Nobody does this better...She is a very swift stylish squirrel...and do you hear the tingling of the little bells she hung in all the treetops...

Very fairytale like........................................All for a belle Bell and her Beau..

We have to follow the sign that says....to the wedding....but there are many...

sign's I mean....maybe Mr C made them..............................................

to be sure we would arrive on time and in the right place..which is to be ....THE KITCHEN...

Take your seat at the kitchen table my dear...

and lets wait for the bride and groom...

Aren't weddings marvellous....don't forget to catch the brides bouquet later...

I heard Miss Moussie put it together....as well as the brides dress....and the party..;)

My goodness look at this cake......
With all the planning he had to do Gustave still found time to bake....its amazing..

Now I think its time to greet Beau and Bell.....and give them our blessings....may they live happily ever after in their cuckoo clock...

And before we go home..Mr C wil speech...he is great with words...

-Hhhow did it happen that their lips came together? Hhow does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the qqqquivering summit of the hill? A kkkiss, and all was said..............said Mr C...and almost without stammering....(but I believe these words were written by Victor Hugo....:)

Dear reader and friend..I leave you here at this enchanting moment..Wishing you a magical and loving valentines day.....stay warm and stay happy...T D.

SIMPLE...

2011-02-11T10:12:00.007+01:00

Gustave...my man....said Beau..and he jumped out of the cuckoo clock...

-Jee wizz,that guy can jump....croaked Gustave to himself....I'll show him something...and then Gustave demonstrated a salto in the air and landed in the chandelier...

-Great jump Bro....smiled Beau..now looking up..you are getting better every day....listen Gus my man...can I ask you a question....
-Who's Gus....squeaked a little voice from inside the prickly ball named Horatio..
-ME...silly...croaked Gustave...-Sure Beau...you can ask me anything..you know that...!
-Well,said Beau...looking at all the curious faces in the kitchen...since you are all gathered here in your pyjamas...what I find to be very funny....you might as well listen to what I have to ask...
Dear friend Gustave...would you do me and Bell the honor to be our best man...I mean on our wedding ...
For a moment all was silent in the kitchen...you could here a pin drop...only it wasn't the pin that dropped..it was Gustave...he was so overwhelmed by Beau's request that he slipped and then slided from the chandelier..into the Dutchess her hair...
-Hey, said Beau..I usually do that....
-Gustave...giggled the Dutchess....grabbing her hair...are you OK....
-This wwwwas fffuny...stammered C...didn't see that one coming.....
Gustave didn't know how fast to get out of this predicament....whitin seconds he was again dangling from the chandelier....
-Gus...my man..come down from there..or shall I come up...said Beau..and do tell me....will you be our best man on Valentine's day....
-I do..I do....croaked Gustave with a big grin on his frog face...I say...lets make this a day to remember my friend...
-We don't want it to be a big wedding...not to much fuss...just friends...and maybe in this kitchen...we do want to keep it simple....

-SIMPLE...twittered a squeaky moussie voice entering the kitchen...SIMPLE...I heard that..but I can not believe my ears....SIMPLE...?

Well...dear reader and friend...what will it be....a big wedding..or just a simple ceremony in the kitchen....I wonder....
What I do know is ...you are ALL invited...so be there...on Valentine's day.....

Chaos and confusion...

2011-02-10T11:06:00.009+01:00

It was chaos in the garden....The Dutchess stood there,under the chestnut tree, wondering what to do next...and how to calm everybody down..

The fog was getting thicker...Miss Moussie was still twittering somewhere out there....Mr C stammered...PPPPlease ccan someone explain whats hhhhappening....Sir Hog,curled up as a little prickly ball..deciding to stay that way until he was absolutely sure nothing bad was going to happen...and THEN..... Gustave appeared......He jumped out of the mist with a fearless jump....and landed next to the Dutchess feet...

-Morning beautiful..he croaked...how are you this foggy day..I believe this IS you by the look of your slippers...you,my one and only Dutchess.....
-AAH Gustave....there you are....I mean...I can hear you croak but I am afraid I can't see you down there....
-We have to get out of this foggy situation dearest..come on....follow my croak..lets go to the house...croaked Gustave with a very firm tone of croak....

The Dutchess followed..on their way they picked up Mr C..who surprisingly saw them coming down the lawn...and then the three of them rolled Sir Hog ...who was still in shock...towards Hilltop Hall..

-Goodness,said the Dutchess when they all entered the kitchen...Goodness,what a strange morning...I am all confused..
-I guess we all are...croaked Gustave whilst pushing Sir Hog over the threshold....whats all the fuss about....
-It all began,said the Dutchess sitting down at the kitchen table...It all began when Miss Moussie and I shared some wonderful news....
-WWWWhat news..stammered C...I thought there was an earthquake..and what about you Horatio old chap..you stepped on my head......
-Sir Hog still said nothing......
-I'll tell you a secret...said the Dutchess...listen..there is going to be a marriage very soon..in fact on VALENTINES day...its Bell and Beau's...finally!!!!!!!
-SOO,that's why Miss Moussie is twittering like crazy.....croaked Gustave and nodded his head in worry..I know what she will be thinking now...so much to do so little time...
-Exactly..nodded the Duthess in understanding..

-Where is she....asked a tiny voice from inside the prickly ball named Horatio....
-WWWHo...stammered C..?
-Miss Moussie.......?
-.........

Then the door from the cuckoo clock squeaked open.....It was Beau, the gnome peeked his head around the corner in surprise....
-What are you all doing there,he asked...Did I miss a pyjama party..?

A strange encounter

2011-02-04T13:07:00.011+01:00

Under ground Mister C Mole woke up.....

-Did I just hear my alarm go off...he asked himself....were are my glasses...?
Mr C stumbled out of bed...found his glasses in a glass of water on the bedside table and stood there, next to his bed ...listening....
-That's not my alarm,he mumbled...that's..that's Miss Moussie...and...o dear..I believe my ceiling is caving in..quick.I have to get out of here..

In the garden everbody was running hither and thither...they heard Miss Moussie twittering but they couldn't see her because of the fog...They were running over the lawn with stamping feet causing a little earthquake in Mr C's labyrinth..
Mr Horatio Hog like the others ran as fast as he could..not knowing why..well, everybody was doing it so it should have its reason..maybe there was something creepy coming their way on this misty morning...if only he could see where he was going...

Then...bang...he ran into something round and fluffy...made a flic flac in the air and landed on his nose..
For a minute there Horatio didn't move...no,he didn't hurt himself..but he was in shock...
-I knew there was something there..he whispered..there IS more between heaven and earth and now its coming to get me..he didn't dare to open his eyes..and when he eventualy did.....he saw a dark misty figure appear above him..

This appearance was wearing a striped pyjama and a night cap with bunny ears...it tapped him on his shoulder and said...MORNING old chap....I say...whats all this...

A strange encounter of the prickly kind....

Fuss in the Fog...

2011-01-25T13:32:00.005+01:00

After the visit of Itsy B..the Dutchess couldn't get back to sleep again..she was tossing and turning in her bed.

-I suppose I better get up,she said to herself...I have to go see Miss Moussie and tell her about the wedding..I wouldn't want her to hear this news from anybody else but me. And then she can pretend SHE was the FIRST one to know...she is very sensitive about these things..And O my goodness what a commotion this will give in the garden...

Quickly the Dutchess jumped out of bed ..went downstairs..grabbed her coat and scarf..and went out into the garden..
Its was still very early...a cold and misty day..with a drizzling rain.
Wisps of mist tried to hide Miss Moussie houssie from our Dutchess's eyes ,but the dutchess walked the garden path so many times she could find Miss Moussie's house blindfolded..

Standing still under the big old oak tree the Dutchess looked up...there the little house was..hanging in the tree,almost disappearing in the fog..
When she reached out her hand and stood on her toes the Dutchess could knock on the little houssies door...she knocked..and knocked............and knocked.....!
There....one of the curtains at the little window shifted....a moussie's nose peeked through the glass!

-Dearest...whispered the Dutchess ,whilst she was waving her arms....dearest...open your window..I have very important news..
There she saw Miss Moussie face...she smiled..and waved back.....
-Open...OPEN the window dearest....there is NEWS!!!
Now Miss Moussie looked puzzled...then curious...these two expressions always followed each other in that order..
The window opened..

-What are you doing there ....squeaked Miss Moussie...and in this weather..I can hardly see you in this misty drizzle..why the early fuss in this fog...what's so important..
-Listen..said the Dutchess..listen...and there standing under the tree she delivered Miss Moussie the new news about the wedding....

Then Miss Moussies face changed again..from curiosity to a state of panic...and BANG..she flung the window shut....
Two seconds later she opened the door...in her pink ruffled nightgown...squeaking..O my Goodness...soooooo much to do in sooooooo little time..but don't you worry dear..I can handle it..

Minutes later the fuss was complete...Miss Moussie woke up everybody.....squeaking her little head of....

Picture source

B and B..

2011-01-23T14:32:00.010+01:00

Sunday morning....about seven..in the bedroom of the Dutchess..way up from the chandelier..Itsy Bitsy dangled down towards the pillow where the Dutchess's head was resting in slumber..

The Dutchess opened her eyes slowly..as if she knew there was someone in the room watching her...and she saw Itsy Bitsy hanging there..

-Goodness,what are you doing, the Dutchess said surprised...are you sneaking up on me ...tell me WHY..little Itsy Bitsy..you..silly spider you...!
-Beg your pardon, whispered Itsy Bitsy...ssst,I don't want to wake you up..
-But I AM awake Itsy B....and its a good thing spiders don't frighten me...I could have screamed you away..
-O well that's OK..said Itsy..I'm not easily blown away..I love a good scream...all spiders do...
-You know I'm not going to scream one itsy bitsy bit..you know that..so please tell me what you are doing here this early on a Sunday morning...
-I have the most marvellous news dear Dutchess...and I just couldn't wait to tell you..
-Then tell me dearest Itsy ..and then I can try getting back to sleep..Wait, I'll sit up first....
The Dutchess fluffed up her pillow ...checked the rollers in her hair..and said..-Go ahead I'm listening..
Itsy Bitsy lowered herself some more..she was now dangling in front of the Dutchess's eyes...she took a deep breath and whispered secretly..
-There is going to be a marriage..!
-Is that all...I knew that...you mean B&B are going to get married..they are saying that for months now..its OLD NEWS..
-No No..its NEW news...Itsy now dangled frantically up and down...-They set a date...they are going to be married on Valentines day..!
-They ARE...are you absolutely sure...and please hang still..I'm getting dizzy..
-I am ABSOLUTELY sure ,said Itsy now hanging absolutely still..-I overheard them yesterday when I was minding my own business hanging on a thread in their cuckoo clock..
-I believe you have no business hanging out in their cuckoo clock Itsy...you are always hanging out in places where you're not supposed to be..
-So sorry..but I can't help myself..its the element of surprise said Itsy..with a very naughty smile on her little spider face..-I'll do anything for a good scream...and you should of heard B&B scream....the best scream I've heard in a long time...

Well...dear reader and friend..now we know....a marriage on Valentines day..don't miss it...

Open me..

2011-01-20T14:41:00.003+01:00

Time to open the door....said the little birdie sitting on top of the Cabinet...its time, its time....

-You are absolutely right ..twittered Miss Moussie..its time to share what I found on my journey's...so please everybody...take some time...hold your breath and open the door...
With all my graditude to my friends in blogland...its a tribute to you all...And thank you Nita for inspiring me..xoxo

(From now on you can find the Cabinet on my sidebar...it will tell you when to ENTER..)

Bedazzled...

2011-01-19T14:11:00.003+01:00

Miss Moussie is very impressed and slightly confused by something....she keeps staring at the wall.....

Eureka.....

2011-01-11T11:43:00.009+01:00

Yesterday,in the late afternoon...the sun was just on his way down to disappear behind the bare chestnut tree..Mr C scurried through the garden in a hurry..
He was making a lot of racket.....yelling..EUREKA....EUREKA..!!
Miss Moussie approached Mr C on the garden path and asked..

-What's all the commotion about dear C..why this disturbance on this quiet afternoon?
-Yes..explain this gay and excited revelry..croaked Gustave who also came to see what C was yelling about....

-I found ..I found it...said C with a big grin on his face...would you believe it..Its ME who found it this time and not you my dear Miss Moussie..AND..I did it without a spy kit...just used these very sharp eyes of mine....hahaaaahaaaa....!
-You found WHAT..dear C...twittered Miss Moussie in suspense..you found WHAT...?
-Come see,said C..and he grabbed Miss Moussie's arm..

They made a bumpy walk through bushes...got lost in the undergrowth..Mr C always has a problem finding directions....and finally stopped almost on the spot where they started this confusing trip....

-LOOK said C..very proudly....look..

This is what they saw......a sign of life.....

-Ahumm...twittered Miss Moussie..I see....how wonderful....how marvelous you found this C..
Gustave smiled...He knew this was a big disappointment for Miss Moussie...not finding this life sign first....A long dangly arm reached out and patted the little Miss M on her back...

Then Gustave croaked to C.....Good job old fellow...a very good job indeed...

-I told you I could see everything said C...told you so...and now I proved to be right...hahaaaa!

Something in the air...

2011-01-09T14:47:00.005+01:00

Miss Moussie woke up very urly this morning...a little sunbeam was shining directly into her birds nest!
-O my goodness..the Sun..she twittered in surprise..its been such a long time ago...I must hurry and open my curtains to let some sunlight in before its gone again.
She ruched to the window...and doing so she noticed something else...she didn't shiver..
-O how happy this makes me she uttered and made a little jump out of joy....its not cold at all in my bedroom...
She now flung open her window to the garden and what did she see..

The Dutchess..in her robe..standing on the garden path..looking up...her face toward the sun...her eyes closed.

As quick as her little mouse feet could carry her Miss Moussie hurried outside..and there they are standing now..
A Mouse and a Dutchess...enjoying the winter sun...

-I can feel it...whispered the Dutchess
-Me too..twittered Miss Moussie..its warm...

-There's something in the air today....

Slow start..

2011-01-06T09:25:00.002+01:00

The year is now 6 days old...the little ones in the garden are taking it slow...
All the merrymaking took its toll..If you are looking for Miss Moussie you can find her in her warm and snug feathered birdsnest..reposing..

Slumber party..

2011-01-01T13:15:00.003+01:00

We had a wonderful bonfire last night...now its time to rest our little heads...
Mr Horatio Hog just couldn't say goodbey to the bookworms..so he went home with Alice..and now he is sleeping in Wonderland..

Dear Reader and Friend..

2010-12-30T18:22:00.009+01:00

Wishing you a magical evening with your loved ones...stay warm and stay happy out there..BIG hug from all of us.....Its the last night of this year...BONFIRE night in the garden....!!

We wait till the clock strikes twelve..............................................................HAPPY NEW YEAR..!

Winter Waltz...

2010-12-29T14:39:00.000+01:00

Don't forget the little birdies...We just found this old video in a birdsnest...

Light in the darkness...

2010-12-26T12:19:00.028+01:00

On the Hilltop the days before Christmas were very busy...
Everybody was doing his best to make this the most wonderful Christmas holiday ever..

Sir Horatio Hog was in charge to arrange the lights...He was standing in the Library..looking up...
-Now that these poor little worms were in the dark for such a long time I am going to hang more then a million lights in this place...this he said to Mr C...who just entered the Hilltop Library...carrying a basket full of dusting cloths.
-Great idea my friend Horatio..said Mr C...there's more between heaven and earth then darkness...I'm sure you will do a grand job bringing light into the Library and to Hilltop Hall...
-I can't wait to see this..said the Dutchess..following Mr C and pulling behind her a vacuum cleaner..but please let us clean up first and dust the books and bookshelf's....
-Yes...OPEN those stuffy books...said C...let them breathe..(and... so he thought by himself...and...then I can take a quick look inside..he LOVED books).

Gustave was in charge of the Christmas dinner...he has been cooking for days and days....

And our dear Miss Moussie....she insisted to decorate the tree..with a little help from Elvira...
It took some time to get the tree inside the house..and for a while it was stuck at the winding stairs..the Library is at the second floor...so they had to drag the tree two spiral staircases up..!!

But today ..after some hard work...you are all ever so welcome to visit

The snowy Hilltop inhabitants would like to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Here's to you...my dear reader and friend..lets toast and sit down by the fire..Shake hand with the bookworms...and lets make them a promise..
Don't forget the BOOKS....because there are worms in it...!~We read to know we are not alone~(C.S Lewis).

And to end this little story Mr C would like to read you a poem he found whilst dusting the books...
John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) ‘Bookworm Ballads, a literary feast

My Bookworm gave a dinner to a number of his set.
I was not there — I say it to my very great regret.
For they dined well, I fancy, if the menu that I saw
Was followed as implicitly as one obeys the law.

“’Twill open,” he observed to me, “with quatrains on the half.
They go down easy; then for soup” — it really made me laugh —
“The poems of old Johnny Gay” — his words were rather rough —
“They’ll do quite well, for, after all, soup’s thin and sloppy stuff.

“For fish, old Izaak Walton; and to serve as an entrée,
I think some fixed-up morsel, say from James, or from Daudet;
The roast will be Charles Kingsley — there’s a deal of beef in him.
For sherbet, T. B. Aldrich is just suited to my whim.

“For game I’ll have Boccaccio — he’s quite the proper one;
He certainly is gamey, and a trifle underdone;
And for the salad, Addison, so fresh and crisp is he,
With just a touch of Pope to give a tang to him, you see.

“And then for cheese, Max Nordau, for I think you’ll find right there
Some things as strong and mushy as the best of Camembert;
And for dessert let Thackeray and O. Khayyám be brought,
The which completes a dinner of most wondrous richness fraught.

“For olives and for almonds we can take the jokes of Punch —
They’re good enough for us, I think, to casually munch;
And through it all we’ll quaff the wines that flow forever clear
From Avon’s vineyards in the heart of Will of Warwickshire.”’

From...Cobwebs from a library corner (1899) gutenberg.

Thats all folks........Hope to see you again soon.....Stay warm and Stay Happy..!

Art-Pic nr 4 `Scott Gustafson.Town mouse and Country mouse.

A Worm on a mission...

2010-12-24T14:23:00.010+01:00

-You must be the ghost of Christmas present ..twittered Miss Moussie..But ..you are very tiny...The ghost in the Christmas Carol is a giant..'
-AHAA..said the worm in the fridge..you know your classics...surely then you can remember that the ghost of Christmas present has the ability to change ..so he can fit into ANY space...like I'm doing today...!
-Did you come alone....asked the Dutchess...or are there more worms in my refrigerator..?
-I have..now let me count..uuuh...2009 brothers to be precise..answered the ghostly worm..
-YIKES......Dearest..you have more then 2000 of those wormy ghosts in your fridge..squeaked Miss Moussie..EEEuw..
-No no no...said the ghost ...I;m alone....you really should read the Christmas Carol again sweet Moussie..it seems you forgot a part that's very elementary..I am alone because I AM the GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT....meaning I can only exist in the NOW....I am on Earth for just one single year....the year 2010....and this year is almost coming to an end...SO....And there he paused for a while....so.......I come with a very important message..I am a ghost on a mission...
-We believe you are not the only worm on a mission...croaked Gustave....look...and he pointed towards the wiggly worms in the sugar bowl...they also tried to tell us something...
-And we think we've got the message dear Ghost...said the Dutchess... I believe its all my fault...I'm the one who neglected the books....and the worms...Tell me ..what can I do...
-There's no better time to make a change then the present time...said the wormy ghost....whilst wiggling out of the Christmas pudding..
-I know what to do...twittered Miss Moussie exited...I know exactly what to do.......we are...uh...and then...ah...yes....
-Don't keep us in suspense sweet Miss...croaked Gustave...we all know you're ideas can be quit brilliant at times...do share them with us..

-A big smile appeared on Miss Moussie face and she twittered with a firm tone of twitter...(which could only mean that whatever she had been figuring out definitely was going to happen).....LISTEN....We are going to celebrate Christmas in the Library..

-Marvellous...said the Dutchess...
-Amazing...croaked Gustave..
-Wonderful...wiggled the worms...
-What a hoot...hooted Owl....
-I love it when a plan comes together ..squeaked Miss Moussie....come on everybody...things to do ..places to go....no time to waste.....

So..dear reader and friend...I believe this year Christmas will be celebrated in the big Library at Hilltop Hall....Better go now and let our Hilltop friends do what they have to do to make this Christmas special....Don;t forget to visit them again...because you are always very welcome on The Hilltop....see you in the Library soon...

I know that worm.....

2010-12-22T13:21:00.012+01:00

-Do you think its safe to open that fridge...twittered Miss Moussie..
-I'm curious...like Alice...said the Dutchess.....we have to know whats in there...!
-Maybe its the Christmas pudding.....getting impatient and wanting to come out....croaked Gustave..
-Shall I open it, hooted Owl....if its something creepy I'LL slam the door shot again..I'm very quick on these wings..and to demonstrate this Who flapped his wings furiously..

-And doing so Who created a storm strong enough to blow Alice and Monster away...
Luckily both of the worms made a soft landing in the sugar bowl..

-Dear Who..Be careful when you open that door ..said the Dutchess..I will be right behind you..
-Me too...squeaked Miss Moussie..
-Me three..croaked Gustave....uh...On the count of three everybody..
-One....two....THREE....and there Who opened the fridge door.....

This is what they saw....
Another worm ..sitting in the middle of the Christmas pudding...shouting..

........COME IN AND KNOW ME BETTER MAN.....!

O.M Goodness..twittered Miss Moussie...I know that worm....Its the worm of Christmas present...

A WORM VIRUS..

2010-12-16T11:00:00.006+01:00

It was a strange looking scene in the Dutchess's kitchen...There was Who, sitting on the Table with at his big owl feet two little worms..
Miss Moussie had sat herself down on her thimble...it was always standing ready for her next to the teapot warmer,and Gustave found a lovely seat close to the Dutchess...at the rim of her now empty cocoa cup.

The worms continued there story..

-Dear Dutchess said Alice....when was the last time you visited your library..I ask you this because there's SO many dust on all of the books...you wouldn;t believe !...WE...the bookworms who live there are having some serious allergy problems...we can not stop sneezing....
-And don't forget to mention the darkness...there hasn;t been any light coming into MY book for ages....said the Monster...
-We need the light dearest Dutchess...its not possible for any living being to live in darkness all of the time...we don't know when its day or night...I can't see if the roses are white or red in MY book...sighed Alice..and this could bring some characters of my story in big problems..
-I'm sorry to say that there are worms who have left this building searching for a lighter and brighter place...we surtenly need this at this time of year...and after saying this Monster took a deep breath...He looked very sad....He knew where living in darkness could lead to...

-I understand...twittered Miss Moussie..it is the season of light...I would be sad too when I had to spend it in darkness...Tell me..are there more worms wandering around on the Hilltop searching for a brighter place...

-O my goodness...I feel very bad....Dear Alice..and dear Monster you are trying to tell me that I've neglected you...and you are so right..I haven't been in the library for months...the Dutchess said this whilst searching for her handkerchief...she had tears in her eyes...
-Don't cry my sweet lady...croaked Gustave..and he helped to pull out a handkerchief out of the Dutchess's sleeve...please don't cry...You couldn't help it..you have been ever so busy....writing and drawing...
-Yes yes...AND spending to much time at my computer...sniffled the Dutchess...I didn't read a book for ......I don't even know when I last read a book...a she blew her nose..very loud!!

-You know...whispered Alice,while she crawled close to the Dutchess to look her in the eye..you know, we even thought of choosing the dark side..and become a VIRUS!
People are not reading books anymore...we worry all the books could disappear in time so we were thinking to go in the computer business...and sabotage the system...we even had a name for our virus....The Trojan Horse...I believe some worms all over the world are already very busy doing so...
-O MY GOODNESS..twittered Miss Moussie...you can not do that...a virus is very dangerous and is not to be trusted...please tell us how we can help....before this gets out of control...?

For a moment there they were all thinking what to do....when a knock and muffled sound came from....the refrigerator....

-COMMmmminannnnknooowmebrrrtmn.....

-Curiouser and curiouser said Alice.....there's someone at the fridge door....

The Insects' Christmas

2010-12-14T10:19:00.000+01:00

Taking a little break from the worms...be back soon with more adventures on the Hilltop..don't mis it..

It's a worm thing..

2010-12-09T11:44:00.011+01:00

-Hello there...croaked Gustave...I was planning to come for a cup of cocoa but look what I found on my way over here..and he pointed towards the worm standing next to him....Dear friends..let me introduce to you ...Alice...from wonderland...

Alice..very courteously made a bough and said...So nice to meet you all...I hope I'm not causing any inconvenience by crawling in unannounced...

-Well..dear Gustave..and..eh ..Alice, twittered Miss Moussie..you are ever so welcome...and please meet another unexpected quest....The Monster...from Frankenstein...!

Now it was Gustave's turn to be surprised again...and little Alice stood there silent..and motionless...
Nobody knew exactly what to do or what to say...

Dear friends...said the Dutchess breaking the silence.....this seems to be a very awkward situation.....so please forgive us our behavior...worms on kitchen tables or on doormats are not something we are used to..Please, Mr Monster and sweet little Alice ..would you be so kind to tell us what may be the purpose of your visit..

-Its a worm thing...said the Monster
-No,its a book thing..said little Alice whilst climbing the table leg...
-Its more wormy then book..said the Monster..
-No,its more book then wormy..said Alice..now reaching the table surface..
-I would say its a bookworm thing..said the Monster.
-I agree,said Alice..and she sat herself down at Owls feet.....who sat very still in anticipation....what next..?

-Oke..,croaked Gustave ..leaping from the doormat to a kitchen chair....so far so good...

-What's a bookworm thing...twittered Miss Moussie...I never saw it before...never heard of it either...?

Did You...?

Lost worms..

2010-12-06T23:55:00.012+01:00

-What's so funny ...said Alice... please Mr Frog, is it possible, when you have stopped laughing, to ask you a question....?
-O..I'm so sorry my dear ...croaked Gustave with a big grin on his frog face..I'm so sorry,this isn't very polite of me...Its ever so nice to meet you..you look adorable.. My name is Gustave and please..do tell me...how can I help you..?
-Well,the problem is...Gustave.. I AM LOST....and everything is getting curiouser and curiouser...
-Lost you say...lost in the woods....?
-Yes....suddenly I found myself falling and falling ..and there I was..In the middle of Hilltop forest...and now I don't know how to get back..
-Back to whére little Alice,croaked Gustave...where did you come from..?
-From a book...said Alice with a very tiny voice...the most wonderful book ever written...and I;m a very important character in it...I'm Alice....

Gustave looked puzzled....he didn't know what to say..A lost worm....how strange..

-Come on..he croaked whilst hopping of his stool...I know just the person who can help you....follow me little Alice..We are going to visit the Dutchess..she'll know what to do..
-The Duchess...uttered Alice surprised..did you say the Duchess...she's in my book you know..she is very ugly don;t you think..!
-I THINK NOT...croaked Gustave...my Dutchess is very lovely looking...how dare you say this about the Dutchess..are we speaking about the same person..?
-Well, last week she said this to me...listen "'You don't know much; and that's a fact",this wasn't very nice...
-Couldn't be my Dutchess, said Gustave..I'm sure of it...
-How about this then.....and I quote..: Be what you would seem to be -- or, if you'd like it put more simply -- Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.
-This COULD be my Dutchess but I think I should understand that better, if you had it written down....I can't quite follow it as you say it...
-THAT'S what I thought..when I heard that the first time.... Alice said surprised..

The situation was,like Alice mentioned before,getting curiouser and curiouser..Together Gustave and Alice walked towards Hilltop Hall....Off to see The Dutchess..

Meanwhile ...in the kitchen of Hilltop Hall....a little wormy creature named Monster asked..
-What;s so funny...never saw a worm before...?
--Not a worm from frankenstein...laughed Miss Moussie...Whats with all the stitches..you look all stitched up...I'm afraid when I touch you ,you might fall apart...
-I happen to be proud of my stitches ...Its what makes me special..I am a very important character from a very famous book...I'm the Monster...I was created....
-O yes..I know the book..twittered Miss Moussie...I found it very creepy.....The monster was made by a crazy scientist...And crazy scientists are not to be trusted...
-Well,let me tell you....I am NOT my creator...I am a very loving creature..!
Let me quote myself...I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me likes of which you can scarcely imagine and eh.....eh....

-And eh WHAT,,twittered miss Moussie..
-Eh..I fforgot the rrest...stammered the monster...
-HMMN...squeaked Miss Moussie..whilst looking at the Dutchess.....very suspicious....

-O my goodness...said the Dutchess...look what just entered the kitchen....

Miss Moussie turned around and saw Gustave standing on the doormat...and next to him a worm..a worm with curls ....

-I'll say.....twittered Miss Moussie..O. M. G. indeed....!

Not just any worm....

2010-11-27T16:24:00.007+01:00

A little creature scurries through the garden...he is following his nose...and his nose told him to go to Hilltop Hall in a hurry because there could be something chocolate...!

-Chocolate..whispers Gustave (because that's who it is)...chocolate..only the Dutchess can make hot chocolate that smells this good..and he makes a big leap for joy..
There..he can see Hilltop Hall in the distance...How wonderful...Smoke is coming out the chimney and there are lights in the kitchen...It looks ever so warm and inviting..
Coming closer Gustave hears a murmur of laughter through the treetops...its coming out of the house and it sounds very familiar..It could be Miss Moussie..
-Well...they are having fun in there..says Gustave to himself and he stops to listen..
-Isn't it wonderful to have friends to come home to ,he sighs gratefully...

The evening is quiet and very still...There's only the sound of leaves whirling on the ground..round and round and round they go....a beautiful happy dance...The moon is full and casts his light on a big red toadstool...Gustave decides to pause for a while to enjoy the view and the fresh night air..
He hops on the stool and gazes at the sky...its clear and bright...and very cold..very cold indeed...Gustave's mind wanders of...thinking..There could be snow....yes....there could be snow..wouldn't that be enchanting..

-Hello there....hé...you up there..excuse me....helloooooo....!

A little creature stretched itself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the mushroom, and its eyes immediately met those of Gustave, sitting on the top.....

-Helloooooo IT uttered again....excuse me....you up there...can I ask you a question...?

Gustave responded immediately and he asked in great surprise....'Who are you.....?
-I'm Alice..answered the creature..and I am a worm..not just ANY worm you know..I come from Wonderland...

And then Gustave almost fell of his stool...laughing like he couldn't stop...
A worm from Wonderland....HaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

To every book its worm..

2010-11-09T11:57:00.006+01:00

-There's a bang at the door....squeaked Miss Moussie..someone who isn't polite enough to gracefully knock..
-I'LL go and see who that is..said the Dutches..and with her cup of hot chocolate still in her hand she walked to the kitchen door and opened it..

Who..because that's who it was..stood up from the doormat, where he made his spectacular landing just a few seconds before.. and entered..
He didn't say a word....He shook his wings..fumbled with his feathers..and then flew up with a little flutter ...muttering something like...'AAAh'..and then crashed on the kitchen table..leaning his head in a very dramatic pose against the teapot..

-Who..so nice of you to drop by....said the Dutchess with a smile...
-Yes..nice..twittered Miss Mousie ,but could you please knock next time..I find a bang on the door to be very suspicious..one never knows what one will find on one's doormat..
-I am so sorry...said Who a bit out of breath...but I was in a hurry...And I didn't come alone..
-Is there somebody else going to bump into our kitchen door....twittered Miss Moussie curious..tell me Who..who..?..

Again Who started to fumble with his feathers...and flap his wings.. he didn't seem to be able to sit still...

-Who dear..please sit still for a while...you are making me nervous..are you having an itch..twittered Miss Moussie...and then she herself started to scratch her back..
-Is there something tickling you ,asked the Dutchess,when she saw Who starting to giggle and now jump up and down on the kitchen table..

-WHOOOHAHA..uttered Who ...just a minute....have to find something..WOOHAH.......AAAAh..there IT is....
-Where..where squeaked Miss Moussie..Who..you are scaring me now..I don't see IT..'

-But I do..said the Dutchess...will you look at that tiny little creature...how cute...

On the table next to Who's big owl feet..crawled a white wiggly wormy thing...Yes..a worm..!

-May I introduce to you..said Who..now relieved to got rid of this tickling thing...may I introduce to you..a worm from a book...and not just any book..this one comes from...Frankenstein..

The Dutchess and Miss Moussie where flabbergasted..they stood there staring at this wiggly THING...a sound came out of it...

-Hi there..it said...with a very tiny voice...I come from Frankensteins book and my name is Monster...how do you do..

First there was silence..and then Miss Moussie started to laugh..like she couldn't stop..

Enter....

2010-11-03T15:25:00.010+01:00

At the end of the afternoon,the Dutchess stumbled down the stairs....tired..wearing a deep frown on her forehead...she had been writing....
-'O my gosh'..she whispered to herself at the last step of the stairs..'its already dark in the hall...what could be the time..?'
She reached for the light switch..and waited for the chandelier to spread his light on the big standing clock....
-'Six o clock....of course....we arrived in wintertime..the time of early darkness but also the time of light....we can start thinking about Christmas...how wonderful..'
All kinds of thoughts tumbled through the Dutchess's mind when she walked through the hallway...trees..lights..presents..turkey...friends..castles crowns cottages and laughter...and.. hot chocolate because THAT was the reason to go downstairs..towards the kitchen..
Again....in the kitchen...total darkness...and silence...nobody home..

-I am going to gather and light all the candles there are in the house..and I'm going to have a little party all by myself...celebrating THIS time of year...and everything nice to come...sitting in my quiet kitchen and just contemplate..
After she thought up this wonderful idea...the Dutchess wanted to go on a candle search in the dark...(She didn;t want to turn on the kitchen light to disturb the romance..)

THEN....Ssst....what was that...what sound did she just hear coming out of the darkness....It was a very loud squeak followed by.. the patter of little feet....
-Someone there..asked the Dutchess a bit nervous...who are you..and what are you doing in my kitchen....
-O..so sorry...Its only me....I didn't want to frighten you....but when you came in YOU frightened ME...
-Ah..its you Miss Moussie....I should have recognised you by your lovely squeak...tell me...why are you wandering around in the dark...did you need anything from the kitchen..
-No No...I came to visit you my dearest....I was thinking..why is it so dark in the kitchen...no lights..no stove burning...no Dutchess cooking or sitting at the table....I thought something could be wrong...Are you feeling well dear.....can I make you a cup of tea..You look kind of tired...
-Thank you so much for you concern dear Miss M....but I'm fine..
-"Speak you this with a sad brow?" ...twittered Miss Moussie....I don't believe you..
-Ah..Shakespeare my dear....how wonderful witty...and this you can see in the darkness..
-Mice have very good eyesight...but it would be better to bring some light into this kitchen...I agree..
- I was just on my way to light ALL the candles we have in the house and create a romantic atmosphere in this kitchen...just because its November and we are starting a new wonderful season...The season of light..Would you like to join me...
-Marvelous...simply marvelous dearest....I'll help you....and could we please make some hot chocolate before we sit down to enjoy the candlelight view..
-You can read my mind..smiled the Dutchess....

When the first candles did light up the kitchen,the stove was burning,and the smell of hot chocolate made its way out through the crack in the door....a little creature, walking in the garden stopped in his tracks...

-Hmmmmmm.....I MUST follow that smell.....it uttered in immediate haste....and there it went..

High above the bare treetops....in a cold blustery autumn wind..an owl came circling down...
Who flew in....with mighty flapping wings...not stopping until he bumped into the kitchen door...with a devastating big bump...and there it was he dropped...on the doormat..

A voice inside the Hilltop Hall squeaked..ENTER..

(There we go again dear reader and friend..a new season a new adventure...you are ever so welcome to follow...)

Autumn at the Hilltop

2010-10-19T16:15:00.000+02:00

Mushy...

2010-10-07T16:00:00.005+02:00

'Goodness'....twittered Miss Moussie....'marvelous mushrooms.'..and she hurried down the garden path to go and tell Gustave....
When the mushrooms, or toadstools as Gustave calls them, appear on the hilltop, everybody gets in a state of Autumn fever..!
It means the Hilltop creatures have to go harvesting..and be ready for colder days..It will not be long before the first frost will be there to turn all the berries into ruby red popsicle's...
Its also a dangerous season for the little ones...They have to be very careful not to get hit by falling nuts..especially when there's a storm..Better wear a helmet or put up your umbrella Miss Moussie always says...Falling nuts are very suspicious..you never know where they will land....

Gustave, sitting very quietly on a waterlily leaf in the pond...minding his own business..saw Miss Moussie running down the lawn....O dear..he whispered..Mouse alert..For a second he wanted to jump back under water but then he heard Miss Moussie yell....MUSHROOMS...BIG ONES..

This message, in an instant, turned Gustave into a completely different frog...he almost jumped out of his skin for joy...and started shouting..yes ..o yes...O my...time for my special recipes..mushroom pie..mushroom pancakes..mushroom soup...Quickly he leaped over to Miss Moussie, grabbed her around the waist, and started a little dance..

-O Gustave, giggled Miss Moussie...whilst swirling around...O Gustave...
Then abruptly,in the middle of a whirl,Gustave stopped....
-'What's wrong dearest...said Miss Moussie...did I step on your toes....Well,I believe I see a tear in your eye..
-I'm fine Miss..Gustave answered with a croak....I'm fine..Its just when you speak of mushrooms I become all mushy....
-O,you silly frog..squeaked Miss Moussie...and she pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket...here you are..That's just like you..getting mushy over mushrooms....Come on...lets go and get them...

And there they went....a happy frog and a sweet little mouse.....skipping down the garden lawn...
I think,soon,we will be able to go for a mushy mushroom dinner under The Liac bush...

Art`Carl Whitfield.

Harvest time..

2010-09-30T13:07:00.008+02:00

Life is taking its course on the Hilltop...Slowly the garden is changing into a majestic Autumn cathedral...when you look up the red orange and yellow colors will take your breath away..And then the light that shines through the branches..its pure gold..!
We all LOVE this time of year...
Its also harvest time...that means we are all very very busy...harvesting!
Miss Moussie is running around...trying to take control...At this moment she is searching for Sir H Hog...he promised to bring back a load of apples for the pies that Gustave is planning to bake...and for us to eat under the Lilac bush on Swap shop day...
Well..I think Horatio found out that there are more things you can do then picking apples on such a beautiful day under the autumn sky .

Gone with the wind..

2010-09-20T11:52:00.000+02:00

There they go....and here on the Hilltop we stay and wave goodbye..we'll waite for them to come back next spring...

Me and Sybill,Sybill and me....

2010-09-09T12:21:00.015+02:00

Sybil

Is pronounced SIH-bul. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Sybil is "prophetess, oracle". But of course you knew that....

Today our dear Sybil is sitting very quiet, very high up, in the chestnut tree...we haven't heard her say anything for ours..and that's strange..Our Dutchess decided it was time to go and ask what was wrong...Standing under the tree she called out..

-Dearest Sybil..isn't there any news you would like to share with us..no buzz..no gossip...no rumor..no tittle tattle tales to tell.....
-....
-Please dearest..are you alright..
-.....
-I am sure there is something you would like to share with us..
-I lost it.....I really think I lost it..
-What dearest,do tell,then we all can help you find it...
-...I lost......my sixth sense...its terrible...Now I wont be able to call out very wise,highly regarded and influential pronouncements.. My divine inspiration has left me....
- O dear,I am so sorry to hear that...I do hope your other senses are still where they belong....(now Miss Moussie standing next to the Dutchess started giggling)
-I can hear you...said Sybill irritated...this isn't funny you know..
-O No dear Sybill..its not funny at all..I know how it feels when one's lost his inspiration..it happened to me one day.....
-It did..! And how long did it take to come back,and where did you find it...
-Well,it took some time but I I found it in a spiders web...on a clear gossamer autumn morning...
- So the spider did catch it for you...how marvellous...maybe I should go and ask a spider to go and catch mine too...
-Its very well possible you will find it hidden in something completely different my sweet Sybill....you just have to be patient..and maybe it will even come back to you by its self
-It would..?..Now Sybill started to hop down the branches towards the Dutchess..asking..Could you stay with me for a while until I come back to all my senses...I have the distinct feeling a little chit chat could help..

And there we still are,under the chestnut tree..Me and Sybill,Sybill and me..

A mouse is a mouse is a mouse...

2010-09-08T10:37:00.003+02:00

And the winner is....

2010-09-05T13:18:00.017+02:00

At teatime all the little woodland creatures gathered in the garden....This was going to be a very important tea party because our dear Miss Moussie was going to pick a note out of Mozes his hat...and announce the lucky winner of a Big Bear and Little Mouse sketch..

-Gustave..twittered Miss Moussie...drum roll please...
Gustave standing on a waterlily leave raised his drumsticks and started a drum solo that lasted at least 10 minutes...
-Enough Enough...squeaked Miss Moussie...now covering her ears...enough all ready..and then took a dive in Mozes his Borsalino..

They all heard Miss Moussie fumble through the pile of notes...twittering..shall I pick this one..ore this one..maybe this one..no better this one..O my Goodness..so many little notes..I think I'll pick this one..yes ..I'm sure...well...O dear...I don't know which one to pick..maybe I just pick all so I can make everybody happy..
-Are you oke in there dearest..asked the Dutchess..do you need some assistance..
-NOno..I'm fine squeaked Miss Moussie..I'm going to pick..THIS ONE...and then with the note in her hand she jumped out of the hat..

-Will you do the honor and open it..asked Miss Moussie..and she handed the note over to the Dutchess.
-I will my dear..thank you...and very slowly the Dutchess unfolded the piece of paper..My sweet friends...here in this garden..and all over the world..I am so happy to say that the winner is......MISS Everly Pleasant...everybody give her a warm applause..
And so they did..Congrats sweet Everly....very soon we will send you a Moussie Mail !

For all of you who entered this give away...thank you for being there...HERE'S a NEW BIG BEAR AND LITTLE MOUSE story..xoxox

Drop Hat..

2010-09-04T13:20:00.003+02:00

Giggles is keeping watch..you can still drop your name in the hat....Today at teatime Miss Moussie will pick the lucky winner....

Huff and Puffffff...

2010-08-22T17:01:00.002+02:00

On a very warm day at the Hilltop our friends were longing for some cool fresh air..

-You know..I was wondering..
-Wondering about what...?
-About the wind..
-What about the wind...?
-Where does it go...when it doesn't blow...
-It hides...
-ITS HIDING...WHY..?
-Because it doesn't want to be seen..it hides under bushes and in trees, a little bit of wind behind every leaf...nobody ever saw the wind ....
-.....?
-Its possible to call him..did you know...?
-No....how can we...
-By huffing and puffing...but not to loud..and when the wind hears us..he will answer..
-Oke then..LETS...all together now.....PUFFFFFFFFFFFFFF......
-HUFFFFF and PUFFFFFF....
-...........do you think he heard us...

Then and there the wind started with a whisper,saying here I am.... and it began to blow....a soft cool wind over the Hilltop..

AAhh..sighed the bear...there you are...
MMmm..sighed the mouse....found you.....

The sky over the Hilltop..

2010-08-19T10:43:00.003+02:00

Come out come out...twittered Miss Moussie...everybody...you have to see this..come out quickly....

Did you ever see such a beautiful sky....

Pictures taken by Mr C...

Perfect Day

2010-08-13T12:58:00.000+02:00

Just wanted to let you know that its a perfect day on the Hilltop..we are all very busy..Our Dutchess is working on her book,and we,the Hilltop garden creatures,are planning all sorts of things...
Soon I will open my Swap shop...and we will celebrate a wedding under the Lilac bush. I hope you will be there to join us..
You are ever so welcome to visit..now that the light is changing and slowly summer glides into the anventure we call Fall..we would like your company..and greet this new season..its my favorite..
Stay tuned to read all about life on the Hilltop..

Hug from all of us...your Miss Moussie.

Great Minds..

2010-08-03T15:04:00.006+02:00

-What are you doing...?
-I'm listening...
-Listening to WHAT...
-To what you are thinking...
-......?
-You should try this too...can you hear me think...?
-.......NO...!
-Can't hear you either....
-That's what I thought...!
-See...I knew it..great minds think alike..

A walk on the Hill top...

2010-07-29T10:49:00.000+02:00

In The Pond

2010-07-27T12:29:00.019+02:00

Life at the pond on a summers day...

Days are warm and lazy at the Hilltop. All the woodland creatures are enjoying this friendly and dreamy summer..
There are days filled with sunshine...days filled with rain...and days when the wind blows the curls out of your hair...lovely.

Sitting on a waterlily leaf Gustave sighed....

-AAaah,how I love the garden in July..its just perfect..
-Well,I love August ..twittered miss Moussie sitting next to him...August is very special because then I will celebrate my birthday..
-Yes, answered Gustave..we mustn't forget that...that will be a glorious day..
-Did you hear dear Gustave that there will be a wedding soon....Our friends Beau and Bell are getting married..a little birdie told me.
-They are...wow....I hope they will have there wedding dinner in my restaurant..how wonderful would that be...
-I must say,Gustave,..the Pond looks ever so lovely..and the water very inviting...It would be marvellous to take a cool dip...sometimes on days like this,I wished I could swim...
-You are never to old to learn dear Miss M...you are never to old...when I see you hopping so very elegant from one Waterlilly leaf to another I always think..look at that girl go...she can do anything...you are so very brave my dear..
-Well...thank you my friend..that's sweet of you..but I better keep my feet on the ground...or.....should I try ..just one more time..
-Lets...said Gustave and he jumped up and grabbed Miss Moussie hand...come on..I know just what we need to keep your pretty head above the water..

The rest of the day was filled with laughter...When the other woodland creatures saw Gustave and Miss Moussie swimming in the pond...soon there was more splishing and splashing to be heard...

Mozes joined his friends...and believe me he made an enormous splash when he took a dive....

Liam came lingering and took a real slow lingering bath...

Sir H Hog showed everybody that he was an outstanding swimmer....

And look at Elvira go..who ever said squirels can't swim....

Mr C just came to see how everybody was having fun..standing near the water he stammered....'You all be careful now'..sspecialy you Elvira...And when he was asked to join the fun IN the water he just shook his head saying..'NNoo no no..can't see anything without my glasses..and one can't swim when one can't see..'

What a wonderful summers day...maybe we should join our garden friends....OKE..come on..I'LL race you...last one in the water is a ..something something......

YAHOOOOooooooo.............splash.....o,so sorry Miss Moussie..didn't see you there...

The Dutchess and the Falcon

2010-07-19T14:58:00.006+02:00

Great titel for a post don't you think..

Well,there was a big surprise in the garden today..THE FALCON is back..
Last night we were sitting in the garden...and we heard him...I believe falcon's hunt at night..he hoovered over the garden and he made this very beautiful sound..like a cry..He came back a few times and then disappeared in the darkness..

BUT...this morning he was back...sitting on top of the roof..looking at me when I walked into the garden..amazing..Wonder where he came from..and why he's back.
I asked him to sit still so I could make a picture but this wasn't a succes..I will keep trying ..but this is how he or she looks like...

For ever and ever..

2010-07-15T12:35:00.007+02:00

-I love it when all the stars come out..
-Why...?
-Because then you just have to sit and waite until one of them is going to fall.
-Fall...?
-Yes...fall from the sky,and then you get to make a wish..
-A wish..!
-Yes..I know what I am going to wish for..but I'm not going to tell you..
-You're not...!
-No...because then it won't come true..
-O..then I'm not going to tell you eather, because I want us to be together for ever and ever...
-Me too...

Watch closely now..

2010-07-07T14:31:00.000+02:00

That's the way to do it...

Keep your cool...

2010-07-03T16:48:00.004+02:00

Once, upon a very hot day in the garden...

-What you're doing up there
-Something very important..
-Like ...?
-Like two things at the same time..
-Like....?
-Keeping my head cool....AND..yours..
-So..your keeping our cool..nice work little one..
-Thank you big guy..your welcome..

Take out...

2010-06-27T12:26:00.015+02:00

Gustave's grumpy..very,very,grumpy.
Now,a week after opening his restaurant he noticed that there's a take out just around the corner..FAST FOOD...goodness!
And how did he find out..let me tell you..

We have a new visitor in the garden..he comes and goes as he pleases..without warning.
His name...unknown...he didn't want to tell us..so we called him Figaro..this because of his midnight concerts..which keep everybody awake for ours. It wouldn't be so bad when it would sound nice, but..heavens to betsy..it sounds more than terrible.
The woodland inhabitants are now sleeping with earplugs..
The Dutches told us this noisy creature is a drifter..a midnight wanderer..a rolling stone searching for a home..well,we are not so sure about that..
Because the Dutchess always wants to take care of lost souls she started to feed this midnight creature...cat food..yes..you guessed right..ITS a cat..big and fat..we were thinking he doesn't need all that extra food..he is doing fine..but,our Dutches said,when I feed him he will keep away from the mice and birdies...good thinking!!
So...Figaro comes and Figaro goes...Figao here..Figaro there...eating, purring and singing..

Now,..listen to this..yesterday,our Dutchess was sitting in the garden..the time..close to midnight!...The garden was looking ever so lovely in moonlight. Everything was quiet and peaceful.
Then, suddenly the Dutchess heard something rustle in the underground..she sat very still..holding her breath....what would come out from under the leaves..
AHA...it was Sir Horatio Hog...and he was in a hurry...he ran across the lawn not knowing that he was being watched.'O my', whispered the dutches..I believe Sir H has gained some weight lately..but look at him go..what would be the reason of this midnight run...She then decided to follow..
And this is what she saw...
Sir H..eating a midnight snack..cat food..really, Sir H, what were you thinking..this can't be good for your health!
Quickly the Dutchess grabbed her camera and made a picture..
Sir Hog didn't even notice,he was to busy eating.
The next day...a glorious summer morning...our Dutchess was having breakfast on the terrace..the magpie family dropped in..They are always very loud and always in argument over silly stuff..they never seem to agree on anything..
The Dutches looked up from her morning coffee and just at the very moment when she wanted to say hello to mommy and daddy Magpie to tell them there baby's were getting big...she saw daddy magpie take a dive in the cat food bowl...he grabbed some fast food to go, and took it to his family..to feed his kids and wife..really, Mr Magpie ,cat food ,this can not be very healthy!
At that point Figaro walked into the garden..only to find his bowl..empty.
Under very loud protest and looking extremely annoyed he walked over to the Dutchess...
-I know, I know..shushed our Dutches..I know..I will get you some food in a jiffy ,just you wait here..and off she went..
Figaro sat there waiting..The magpie family on top of the roof sat there waiting..Sit Hog ,hiding under the ivy sat there waiting..O my goodness..they are all addicted to fast food...
So ,when Gustave heard all this he was grumpy very very grumpy...

Summer air...

2010-06-23T10:07:00.000+02:00

Never a dull moment in the garden..

Waiting..

2010-06-19T20:07:00.008+02:00

It had been a long long long day....a big bear and a little mouse were sitting in the garden..waiting....

-Tell me..what are we waiting for...
-We are waiting for a very special moment..
-What moment can this be..
-Midnight..
-Well.its been midnight before...I believe only yesterday..
-Yes,but this one is different..
-And why is that..
-Because for this one you have to wait even longer to arrive....its special,its Midsummer night..
-Can I see this one coming..has it a color or shape..
-Its magical my dear..its magical..
-AAAh....

WELCOME..

2010-06-11T12:03:00.032+02:00

Welcome welcome my dearest friend..I am so happy to see you, welcome to a very fairy garden..We are going to have such a wonderful time together..
Grab yourself a little lantern,and follow ME..Miss Moussie ...your host for this evening.
Darlings..soon the sun will disappear behind the trees and darkness will fall..let the little lights from the fireflies guide us to a very enchanting place in our garden...a place where tonight a dream will come true..a place we call..

'Under the Lilac bush'..a wonderful sight awaits your eyes, and some magical food awaits your senses..

When we walk along the garden path we can see the pond..doesn't it look romantic with all the fairy lights floating on the water..

And there..next to the pond we are going to make a stop....Why, you ask..well,because of the surprise...didn't we promise you dinner and a show..Then,to start this wonderful event.....let the show begin...

A sweet little fairy will now dance for you...in the daisy meadow..

Isn't that dreamy....I heard from Mr C this dancing fairy is famous around the globe...Her name is Margot Fountain..and she lives near a big fountain in a place called..Les Tuileries..in Paris..We are ever so proud to have her here this evening..She is Mr C's quest..and later this evening she will accompany him to the grand opening of Gustave's restaurant..

Come my friends..let us go to the Lilac bush and see whats happening...

Look,Mozes and Sir H Hog are waiting for us....
O dear....I believe they are going to celebrate the opening with FIRE WORKS...O my Goodness...I find fire works to be very suspicious..you never know if there will be a bang.....I makes me very nervous..forgive me if I, for a minute or two, stick my fingers in my ears....and close my eyes..just give me a squeeze when its all over..

-Is it over yet..was it beautiful...colourful....loud...? It was !..Then we can now wait for Gustave to appear..
He told me he would come with a big scissor and cut this pretty pink ribbon that's dangling from the dutchess her dress...yes..the dress still hanging in the lilac bush. At the very moment when the ribbon is cut..the dress will fall...and all will be revealed..

Aha,there is our favourite gourmet frog......GUSTAVE..DARLING...This is it..the moment we have all been waiting for..tell me ...How are you feeling..

-I'm feeling very proud my dear Miss M..very proud..
Everybody...beloved friends and dear woodland creatures...come gather around me...In a moment you will see before your eyes my new and magnificent restaurant..I wish you all welcome and I hope that in the future we will spend many happy ours in this Lilac place....And of course...I hope you will enjoy my FOOD...Let me hand you over the Menu card...

As you will notice the card is blanc....because this time the letters didn't want to appear on paper but ..IN THE AIR...
Lady's and Gentleman..I present to you the most amazing menu card EVER in history..THE SECRET ALPHABET!
Like butterflies...no...like bats...the letters came swiftly swirling through the tree top..they made circles in the air...swooped down an flew back up again,whilst they were spelling ..Bonjur..Bon Apeti...

Then, Gustave walked slowly and with a very serious look upon his frog face towards the Lilac bush.....there .....he cuts the pink ribbon....whilst speaking the historical words....'I declare my restaurant Under The Lilac bush..opened!!!!

The dress dropped....and what we see there dear friends is beyond words....This is not just a little restaurant ..its a DREAM...Gustave's dream..and how very happy we are for him that his dream came true...

And now.....LETS EAT...

Very Important Post..

2010-06-08T15:05:00.003+02:00

Because of the baking accident in the middle of the night a week ago..and because of the very very very VERY long baking day in the Hilltop Hall kitchen..(which was a success by the way)..Gustave almost forgot about sending the invitations..

There's only one person who delivers mail on the Hilltop..and that's Lingering Liam...
He is very nice...very kind hearted..he's a snail with curious ever searching eyes..a happy smile ,AND a big moustache.
Dear Liam is getting older,its getting harder and harder for him to work the snail mail trail... and for that reason the mail Liam delivers often lingers..It will get there..eventually ..but...you have to be patient..

So..You,being a Very Important Person and friend..are invited to the grand opening of Gustave's restaurant...
Be there...Saturday at dusk..there will be dinner and a show..if at any reason Lingering Liam lingered long ,too long..and the mail didn't reach you on time..please print this Very Important Post.and you'll be fine..
See you there....

M.M

A perfect day...

2010-06-03T09:34:00.000+02:00

Early bird...

2010-05-30T18:42:00.004+02:00

The crack of dawn....a few early birds were singing in the tree tops,and Miss Moussie was banging on the kitchen door...

-Hello there..wake up...its time to bake some pies..she twittered very loud..
Nobody answered..
-Hello, anybody..there's no time to loose...we have to hurry..twittered Miss Moussie impatiently...please open up the door.
Still...no answer..
-Well, squeaked Miss Moussie..where is everybody..I am sure they told me to be here bright and early..Then, she decided to knock again...or..wait a minute...she could just could go in..through the crack in the wall...and enter from under the doormat..
And that's just what she did....on her tippie toes...

It was still very dark in the kitchen..nobody was there...
Miss Moussie opened the cupboards in search for pie ingredients....turned on the oven..and then made herself a cup of tea..
-O My..she twittered...how sleepy I am..maybe I will take a nap for a minute or two..I am sure it won't be long for my friends to arrive...Then ,she curled up in the Dutchess her favourite teacup,and with her little head resting on a teabag...she was of to to dreamland in a jiffy..

PHEW...

2010-05-24T15:49:00.007+02:00

It was the middle of the night..a lovely clear spring night...the garden looked enchanted in the light of many stars shining bright..Not a leave was stirring..there was no wind.The night air was filled with the smell of sweet Lilacs and Lillie's.

The Dutchess was about to go to bed ,when,just before closing her bedroom curtains, she saw a shadow ..The shadow stood under the Lilac bush and it made a funny noise...The Dutchess tried to get a better look but unfortunately her dress...still hanging there in the bushes, blocked her view. Then she understood what was responsible for the shadow...the DRESS made the shadow...but dresses don't go and make strange noises in the middle of the night now do they..?
THERE..A light went on..a light behind the dress...this was interesting...now the dress looked like a little theatre where any moment now the curtain could go up..but still there was this funny noise...it sounded like something was boiling or simmering on a crackling fire....Now the light behind the dress became very intense..and, O my goodness..there was smoke coming out of the sleeves...The Dutchess flung her window open wide and yelled ..'Everybody ...wake up wake up ...FIRE FIRE.....',and then ran down the stairs into the garden..

Within seconds all the little woodland creatures were in a state of panic...
Miss Moussie came running ....in her hands a glass of water...she was in her night gown squeaking 'where, where...?'
Mr C popt out from a hole in the ground carrying a handbook..a manual for "what to do in case of fire..."
There was Sir Horatio....he was just running hither and thither not knowing where to run first..
Elvira came jumping from her nest in the chestnut tree...in her arm the first aid kit..
Beau had stormed out of the cuckoo clock...screaming..'Out of my way, out of my way...I'll save the Lilac bush...'He was followed by Bell who chimed with an alarm bell ..'...FIRE FIRE in the Lilacs..everybody, where is Gustave....?'
-O My goodness..twittered Miss Moussie...still holding her glass of water...'we lost Gustave..he must be behind this dress..caught in the fire..'

Then...thank heavens...Mozes appeared....pulling behind him the garden hose.
-Stand clear, he shouted ...its going to be wet...and with a big fountain of water..he was able to put the fire out....

Silence....
-Shall I ggo and ttake a look behind the curtain..eh I mmean dress.....to see what happened there.....stammered Mr C...
-I'll go said Horatio .....and he was about to lift up the dress WHEN......Gustave crawled out from under it...followed by the letters of the alfabeth who spelled...SOAKED..

-GUSTAVE...there you are..we were ever so worried..squeaked Miss Moussie with a squeak of relieve...are you oke..do you need a sip of water..

Gustave stood there..dripping wet...
-No thank you..he said..I'm fine...but I'm afraid the pies aren't...look there they go..
There..our garden troupe saw ..drifting down a stream, which created by the water from the hose...three..four..five ..pies...sailing down the garden path...

-O my goodness Gustave, said the Dutches..I believe I must apologise...I thought there was a fire..
-I was just baking you all some pies ...for the grand opening ....said Gustave..and he had to clear his throat...
Now everybody looked devastated...sure..they were very relieved nothing had happened to Gustave but then again something DID happen to Gustave..so what to do next..

-I will help you bake dearest Gustave..and you can use my kitchen, said the Dutchess...we will start bright and early tomorrow..
-I'll help too,twittered Miss Moussie..I am very good in times of crisis..
-We wwill all help..stammered Mr C..I will read the recipe's..aloud..
-And I will bring all the nuts you need, said Elvira..I have a big pile stashed away..

After they had calmed down, and plans were made for the next day..all the little creatures returned to there nests...PHEW...all is well what ends well..but this story continuous ..so don't miss the grand finale..

In a few day Gustave WILL open his restaurant and you are all kindly invited..

2010-05-22T22:41:00.011+02:00

A few weeks later..to be exact yesterday,our dear Dutchess together with Miss Moussie walked the Hilltop grounds....checking the garden.

- So,my dear Miss Moussie, you tell me everything went well,..all was well on the Hilltop when I was gone..?
-Sure..nothing special happened. Mozes took great care of things..he watched the garden gate like a hawk and that's very special him being a bear..He even sat on the rooftop for a while..The only strange trespasser was a dog..!
-A dog..what kind of dog and what was he doing here..
-A itty bitty dog...with an attitude.. He came to visit the Queen..told him this was the wrong adress..but he didn't want to believe it at first..
-The Queen..? In our garden..
-Yes,..he was just a bit confused...we showed him where to go...and guess what, a few days later we saw him in the newspaper..sitting next to the queen at the Queens ball on Queens day..
-Are you kidding me dear Miss Moussie ..I could swear you are making this story up this minute while we are walking..
-O,No..this really happened..twittered miss Moussie bending over to a inspect a daisy...

Then, abruptly, the Dutchess stopped in her tracks...

-What's THAT...she said surprised....but that...that's MY DRESS..hanging in the Lilac bush..!
-O yes..that..twittered Miss Moussie..I was going to mention that to you..didn't get the chance yet..Its the construction ground..
-Well,my dresses are called many things ,from sweet to stunning...but never to be a construction ground dearest...
-Its that old fashion thing..you know ..the one I could have because you didn't want to wear it anymore..so..Gustave borrowed it from me to hide his construction..
-You mean that behind this dress he is building his restaurant...How marvellous..When can we see it..

Then a little croaky voice from behind the dress quacked..."SOON MY DEAR..VERY SOON...but until then"...and there came some letters from the alphabet whirling through the Lilacs.."SKUDATLE"....GO UWAY..

I'VE GOT IT...I'VE GOT IT.....

2010-05-18T17:22:00.011+02:00

-I think this beautiful balloon is blue
-I think...PINK
-BLUE
-PINK
-anyone can see its blue..
-I'm sure its pink..

-O I can't stand the suspense..I am going to fetch it...
I've got it..I've got it....
-and I've got you my dearest .....tell me what it is....

-ITS PINK....ITS PINK...told you so..
-did not..
-did too..
-O no you didn't..

-O my gosh..its my favorite color..
-Mine too..mine too..

Up Up and away...

2010-04-21T20:39:00.006+02:00

-Wouldn't it be lovely...to drift,like that little balloon..up up and away..
-Yes....and to leave all your worries behind you...
-Carried by the wind...with your head in the clouds...
-See mountains and rivers and magical forests..
-Castels..crowns and cottages...
-A Fairyland..or the BottonWillow grounds from the air..
-To see all our blogland friends from above and wave..
-Our garden....and everyone that lives in it.....

-I would miss them after a while...wouldn't like to drift off TOO far..
-Suppose we couldn't get back..
-O No...better stay safe and sound on the ground..
-Yes..and sit together under the Lilac bush..

And there they sat for a while...A little moussie and a bear..dreaming of far away places..and knowing that there's no place like home,because Home is where the heart is...

Great view..

2010-04-20T09:08:00.006+02:00

Great view...said Miss Moussie..recovering from shock and sitting together with the Dutchess at the window from the Hilltop Hall Library..
The Library is a very quiet place...Miss Moussie loves it there...so,after her encounter with the wooden boards Gustave moved so elegantly..she asked to be carried upstairs to rest for a while..Now,she is resting comfortably on the chaise longue, enjoying the view..
She is watching the little ones paint the garden in pink and white...
-AAh,she sighs..so lovely...and then carefully checks her head...Marvelous,she squeaks..a bump!

There is a soft polite knock on the library door...
-Enter...says the Dutchess whilst pouring a cup of tea for Miss Moussie..enter..
Very slowly the door opens...
-Anybody there...asks the Dutchess..
Then a flower enters the room...a Daisy...attached to a long dangly arm..and this arm belongs to..Gustave..who, very shy, steps in..croaking..."I came to offer my sincere apologies..I am soooooo sorry...may I offer you this very special flower..its our first Spring Daisy from this year". Then he hops over to Miss Moussie..grabs her little hand and kisses it..
-O Goodness Gustave..twitters Miss Moussie..you are such a gentleman...thank you..I'm feeling better already..
-My dearest Miss...croaks Gustave with a lump in his throat .....When I saw you laying there my heart stopped..Good thing Mozes was there to carry you into the house..
-I will be fine dear Gustave...but please promise to be very careful in the future....there must be no more accidents while you are building your restaurant..you do have a solid building plan I hope..
Gustave stands there...looking at his feet..fumbling his tie...and then mumbles something like...'sure'..
-What did you just say...twitters miss Moussie..do I suspect some doubts...Please explain..speak up...I find mumbling to be very suspicious..

lets hope, dear readers and friends, Gustave knows what he's doing....We have to wait for a while to read how this story is going to end because The Dutchess is going on a little trip...to Spain.
She will be back..Meanwhile..enjoy the view..take a stroll in the garden...have a lovely tea party with Miss Moussie..sit on the garden bench with Mozes...visit Gustave at the pond..and very important...stay warm and stay happy...Hug from all of us

T.d and Company.

DUCK...

2010-04-17T12:57:00.001+02:00

Its still very early when Gustave, with a big leap, pops out of the pond ... he's not alone. Behind him whirls he alphabeth .. one by one the letters jump in the grass and they form the word ...'quiet' ..
-Yes my friends,croaks Gustave .. we must be very quiet, everyone is still asleep ... Let us first go look for Mozes, he has the key to the tool shed ,there we can find all the stuff we need ..
-Nails... plaster, boards, thermos,tea .. whirls the alpabeth ..
-Certainly, quacks Gustave .. but most importantly, we need a building plan ..... and a strong man like Mozes!
-We strong, whirls the alphabet ..VERY...
-I know ,quacks Gustave .. and I am sure that together we can build something nice ..
Wait ..I will take down a few boards on the way.. ..and Gustave bends over to lift some wooden boards..
Suddenly, there's a little squeaky sound from under the lilac bush....
In panic the alphabeth whirls the word..'DUCK'...because they see who's appearing from down under..

Miss Moussie ,because that who it is...sees the letters and reads...DUCK!

- 'Duck'..she twitters..'where'..and she looks around..'where'?
At that moment exactly, Gustave, with on his shoulders the wooden boards..turns around and.....

-O,M,G,..whirls the alphabeth..

- 'Duck'..squeakes Miss Moussie ..now laying on the ground looking up..'you mean little birdies'..

A Garden Movie

2010-04-16T13:33:00.000+02:00

Get the popcorn...sit next to Miss Moussie..relax and watch a lovely garden movie...Wishing you all a wonderful spring weekend