Its called August....

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..

Harvest time..

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 .

In The Pond

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...

Great view..

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.

Very early....

Monday morning...very early...

Miss Moussie carefully shuffled through an icy garden...the ground was very slippery..She was heading to her Swop Shop...carrying a basket with woollies...Little socks and tiny mittens she knitted herself and she now wanted to swop for handkerchiefs. A lady could never have enough handkerchiefs...They always came in handy when she would occasional drop one to attract the attention of a fine and dandy, strong and manly ,mouse!

-Snow... snow ...and more snow...twittered Miss Moussie ..its ever so difficult to find my way in this snowy garden...How I long for spring to come..

A door opened at Hilltop Hall...our dear Dutchess appeared...while standing in the kitchen doorway she called....'Everybody....tea's ready...and I made waffles for breakfast...

-O,that's just what I need...twittered Miss Moussie...waffles, with whipped cream I hope....And when I'm in the kitchen I also could visit Bell and Beauregard in the cuckoo clock..I wonder how they are..

And there Miss Moussie went...dashing through the snow...shall we follow her into the kitchen....

Mouse on Ice...

Beauregard and Bell disappeared...leaving Miss Moussie and Gustave standing in the snow..

-Well twittered Miss Moussie...I don't think we will see them any time soon...
-Do you think they are going to live together...croaked Gustave...in the cuckoo clock...I heard the Cuckoo moved out...He went a bit cuckoo from the way Beauregard was behaving...he was a very difficult room mate..he never stopped humming..
-We better leave B&B alone for a while,twittered Miss Moussie...and maybe tomorrow pay them a little visit..
-Then ...how's about a dance on the pond...croaked Gustave....will you do me the honor of waltzing with me..on skates of course...I believe the ice is thick enough after all this freezing cold weather we had the last few days..

This was a wonderful idea...
On the Hilltop it stopped snowing. The sun decided to join the fun,he did his very best to shine through the tree tops...making the ice look like a silver mirror..
All was well in this magical winter garden...

Mouse tracks..

Elvira soon found Gustave..She heard from a little bird that Gustave was having tea with Miss Moussie in the Kitchen.
Gustave was enjoying some quiet time..looking out of the window...watching snowflakes fall..

Elvira hopped on the kitchen window seal and with a very elegant tap she politely knocked. .....

-'O ,there's Elvira'..twittered Miss Moussie..'she must be ever so cold standing guard at the garden gate all day..I will ask her in for a cup of tea'.
Whilst opening the window she squeaked..'Come in Elvira dearest,and sit yourself down by the fire'.
Elvira rushed in....taking with her a whirl of snowflakes...
She didn't take time to sit down but immediately started talking..

-'Gustave ,there is someone to see you at the gate...that is ..she is sitting on the bird feeder waiting to be fed...and she wants you do feed her...'said Elvira very exited!
Gustave,who was just stirring his tea...with four lumps of sugar..paused..
-'Did I hear you correctly Elvira'..he croaked puzzled..'I am sure I didn't understand you correctly..?'
-'He has to feed WHOM with whát...twittered Miss Moussie curious..'and whére...?'
-In his restaurant said Elvira...Unexpected...
-Unexpected ,twittered Miss Moussie,'unexpected..I knew something unexpected was about to happen..told you so..I hate unexpected things...they can be very suspicious...I want to know more about this'...and then she grabbed her bonnet,mittens, and coat,swooped down under the doormat, to wiggle herself through the crack in the wall,this wasn't easy to do wearing all this thick winter cloths..!

See how she runs.....followed in her tracks by Elvira...and ofcourse Gustave..

In the kitchen the Cuckoo clock stopped ticking...the little clock door opened and the Cuckoo came out...
-'This was the last cuckoo you will ever hear from me in this kitchen', it cuckood...'I am off...I packed my bags and I am going back to Cuckoo land...Farewell..!'
And with a bang the door closed behind him.


What happened up there..?

Unexpected indeed...

Elvira takes her job as gate keeper very serious...come snow or come ice she is standing guard!
This is why she noticed the Robin talking to a little creature sitting on the bird feeder..Quickly she hurried over there to go see...

-'Goodmorning stranger',she asked with a gentle voice..'Who are you and what are you doing on top of the bird feeder..?'
-'Waiting to be fed.',jingled a voice sounding like sweet chiming bells ..
'I am ever so hungry..'
-'Then where is your home',asked Elvira curious,'and didn't they feed you over there?'
-The food was terrible at my place...chimed the little bells..and I heard from a very dear friend THIS was the place to be...in your garden! One of the greatest of greatest gourmet chefs should live here..I believe his restaurant is called.."Unexpected".
-'Well',said Elvira,'I do know a Gustave,and he is a great cook...but what I didn't know was that he started a diner..
-'My dear squirrel...it isn't a Diner..don't let the Great Gustave hear you say that...he is the most famous pasta maker ever...and his imaginary cookies won a prise in Paris..very unexpected...
-A Gourmet Chef ,in our garden,very unexpected indeed..said Elvira...I must go and find Gustave...see what he has to say about all this..But before I go, can you tell me your name, and who this dear friend of you is..the one who told you to come here..
-'My name is Bell...and the name of the friend who invited me here is Beauregard....he is very very nice with a sweet and kind look in eyes..'answered Bell.
-Beauregard....Elvira was puzzled...She knew everybody in the garden...and everybody in the Hilltop forest..but a Beauregard...Who could this be..

Unexpected..

Miss Moussie and Gustave were sitting in the Kitchen...It was very quiet on Hilltop Hall...The Dutchess was out..all the little creatures were minding there own buisiness,the alphabet safe and sound in the secret drawer,and the Gnome high and dry in the Cuckoo clock..So,nothing to worry about...

-'I dont know what it is'...twittered Miss Moussie...'I have this strange feeling inside...like when very unexpected things are about to happen...I don't like unexpected things...they can be very suspecious!'
-'Dearest Miss',croaked Gustave...'You worry to much,look ouside..the sun is shining...its a perfect day to go ice skating..come on...my pond is your pond...'

It really was a perfect day on the Hilltop...a bleu sky,clear crisp frosty air...and a red and orange sun...shining so bright that it looked like a big ball of fire..

In the snow a very beautiful bird was surching for breadcrumbs...he was sure to find them because our Dutchess never forgets to feed the little birdies from Chatter Creek....Today the Red Robin was very lucky to find bits of chocolate chip cookies..
Whilst he was nibbeling merrily he heard a voice sounding like a little jingling bell,it said...

-Please little Robin...may I nibble with you..cocolate chip cookies are my favorite..

The Robin looked up...to see where this little bell came from..and there it was..sitting on top of the bird feeder..an enchanting tiny creature..

The first night in a new year..

It was the first night in a new year...the year 2010...a night with a full moon...and snow..!

Miss Moussie and Mozes were sitting on the old garden bench..

-How magical is this moon dear Mozes,I could sit here for ours if it wasn't so cold ..its freezing...I think in a few days we will be able to skate..on the pond..
-I'm sure my sweet Miss,and I wish you a lot of fun doing so..
-You are a great ice skater Mozes..you were going to teach me the pirouette remember...
-This, I will have to do another time dearest...I can not stay in the garden any longer..
-O....I see....twittered Miss Moussie with a very sad squeak...I understand....You want to back to Nowhere...and continue your journey and adventures.....
-I do, sighed Mozes...can't help it...I am a traveler...
-Please be safe my big bear friend,twittered Miss Moussie with a tear in her eye..please take care...This Nowhere can be very dangerous..you never know where you are when you are there......I hope you don't get lost..
-Never fear dear lady,said Mozes with a smile...never fear...I will always find the way home...

And then they sat there for a while...A Bear and a Mouse,gazing at the moon...together in there thoughts and in there hearts..

BANG

This was sooooo much fun....biggest BANG indeed..biggest POOF you mean..poor Gustave...poor Mozes...they worked so hard...and all we saw was a litte poof in the air...Much to the relief of Miss Moussie,because she was nervous all day long..BIG Bangs can be dangerous you know....Who came to the rescue..MR Dutchess...home, from one of his many many travels over see...Just back out of a far away land called China, he brought with him the most magical fire works you could ever imagine..
So my dear dear friends...look up to the sky,dive into the land of imagination, and cellebrate..our friendship,our joy,and our lives..Big hugs from all of us....HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR....

While we wait...

Gustave and Mozes are in the toolshed....putting together some very special fire work. When the clock strikes twelve they will create the biggest BANG you ever did hear on The Hilltop...


Countdown starting... NOW.....and while we wait..would you like a very yummy ''oliebol''

All hands on deck...

Work to be done.....There was a big pile of dirty dishes...we had to sweep the floors..wash the tablecloths...find missing objects....like Mr C's glasses and Gustave's bow tie..he likes to wirl this around when he does a little dance...and then, when all was in order...start over again...with..shopping,baking and decorating for New Years eve!
Gustave is all exited...he is in charge of the fire works this year and he can't talk about anything else then THE BIG BANG....so,be sure to visit...see you in the garden at midnight...

A day's rest.

It was the day after Christmas
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
not even Miss mouse....

She is sleeping in her birds nest..

Very Merry...

Welcome to a very merry Christmas party at the Hill top

The silver was polished...by Sir Horatio Hog

The table was set...by Mr C Mole

A last look in the mirror before the party...by Gretta..


Elvira waited and waited for the quests to arrive..


There was a tree


and anothere one...

and another one..Horatio and C just couldnt agree...


A plate full of Gustave's imaginary cookies....


There was music..played on the piano..by Rattus


And last but not least...after a wonderful dinner...THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING...made by Horatio...Mr Mole was to nervous...and his glasses fell in the brandy..infact, the glasses fell in taking Mr C with them...


All the little creatures from The Hilltop Hall would like to wish you a wonderful Christmas...may your days be merry and bright...and remember...stay warm and stay happy...

Hugs from all of us....and now...lets party..

Ready Steady......wait..

Brave little Elvira...waiting in the snow....

Found it..

-Found it...shouted Horatio...waving with a little note book..it was in the top drawer of the linen closet...
-You searched in the Dutchess's her bedroom closet...shame on you..said Mr Mole...that's where all of Victoria's little secrets are hidden ...
-Yes acsactly...and the recipy of the pudding IS a secret...said Horatio..so I just knew I would find it there..

Now then...lets see...said Mr C...whilst reading the recipe...OO,I see there's Brandy in it..some Pudding this must be...come on dear friend Horatio...of to the kitchen we go.....
Sir Horatio Hog followed ...singing... high hoo high hoo..

HOWDY..

O my....its a snowman...twittered Miss Moussie...he is waving with his hat...

-You can't think how happy I am to see you, shouted the snowman from far..I felt a bit melancholy.......HOWDY to you all.....my name is MOODY..
-Well HOWDY..Moody....responded the Dutchess...are we supposed to give you our mail...?

Sometimes I'm up and sometimes down
Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I frown
Sometimes I'm happy and sometimes sad
Sometimes too many birds are circling my head
My name is Moody and I'm a bit out of balance
But I will deliver your mail....I consider it a challenge.

Then after singing this wonderful moody song...the snowman held his hat in front of the Dutchess...
-Put it in please...he smiled...you will be of in a Jiffy..and then he started to cry icy tears..

-O dear,you poor darling..twittered miss moussie...are you oke..are you sure we can leave...isn't there anything we can do..
-Don't mind me ,said Moody...I am a bit unstable today...I will be fine..just fine..You can go now..and then he started to giggle...in fact he couldn't stop..he almost fell on the ground laughing...

-Come on you guys...said the Dutches...hold on to me..stay close together now...I am going to drop the mail....

And so she did...the minute the postcard reached the bottom of Moody's hat..our little troupe disappeared

-O gosh...I am alone again...said Moody..and in between the giggles he cried big tingling icecicles.....O.. gosh....what a happy sound these tears make he said..and started to smile again...

Nowhere or bust..

In the middle of the forest our friends gathered ..

-Goodness..its so cold..shivered Miss Moussie..I decided to wear my new bonnet..I made it myself...isn't it lovely?
-You always look lovely in pink croaked Gustave...as you can see I am wearing my snow boots..
Good thinking dear Gustave ,twittered Miss Moussie..I find them very cool...
-Very wise to dress warmly,said the Dutchess...I believe winter is now getting serious..I am wearing my winter woollies too..

-Will you stop babbling about cloths...said the little Gnome...there is no time for fashion chit chat..we have to find the Jiffy trail...

-This will be easy mmmy ffriend..stammered a voice from under a litle pile of snow..
-C...croaked Gustave...and he wiped away the snow from Mr C's nose...C,old chap...so good to see you...are you coming with us..
-No, my friends..said Mr C Mole...but I am going to show you the way to the Jiffy trail...last time we traveled I made a map...to always find the Jiffy trail back in a Jiffy....just follow me..

There they all went ..following the mole..through the falling snow..

-Who is this funny looking guy...asked the Gnome walking next to the Dutchess at the end of the row...
-That my dear Gnome is Mr C...he is ever so clever and he sees everything..
-AAh,said the Gnome..I see,that explains the glasses..

Mr C now stood still in front of two big Pine trees...the trees were standing very close together...there branches all tangled up in each other..

This is it...said C...this is were we have to say goodbye..this were you have to write your destination mail...

-O Yes...the mail...said the Dutchess..whilst she opened her bag...I did write a little something...on the back of this Christmas card....I wrote..

Nowhere or bust...

....and then all the names of the persons who want to travel...Miss Moussie..Gustave..Gnome..and little old me of course..

-Then you are all set tto travel the Jiffy trail..its right before your noses said Mr C, pointing at the Pine's.
-Really ?..twittered Miss Moussie..I can only see trees...and snow...
With the Christmas card in her hand the Dutchess walked towards the Pine trees..the trees stepped aside to let her through..and there it was...The Jiffy trail...

-O how marvelous, squeaked Miss Moussie ...she grabbed Gustave by his arm...come on my brave frog in boots..lets go..
-Just a minute..said the Dutchess....My dear C...thank you so much for bringing us here...you are a darling..
-You travel sssafe now..stammered C...when you come back there will be a wonderful diner waiting at the Hilltop...and my friend Horatio Hog promised to put up the Christmas tree in the Hall..so ,don't wwworry ....bey bey..and Mr C.....who never was very good in saying goodbye...quickly disappeared back into his secret tunnel.....to pop out again half a second later...again stammering ...bbey bey... bey....I,m going now...bey..

-Bey dear C..said the Dutchess...see you soon...She waved ,and C was gone...they still could hear him saying goodbye underground....

-Oke.....NOW can we go...asked the Gnome ..impatiently..
-We have to call the pumpkins..twittered Miss Moussie...so we can give them our mail...
-I don't think we are going to meet the pumpkins today,croaked Gustave...something completely different is coming our way......LOOK!

A Kindred Spirit

Soon the forest changed his coat...from dark brown to white...with a soft glow from the moonlight..

The Dutchess stood still under the chestnut tree...a little creature appeared..it was Elvira..She looked ever so elegant with all the glistening snowflake freckles on her furry nose..

-Dearest,she said to the Dutchess...don't you worry..I will keep an eye on things when you are gone..please take care..and be safe..
-You are such a brave little squirrel,smiled the dutchess...go quickly now...close the garden gate behind me and don't let anyone in...unless.. they know the secret password..
-I promise..said Elvira...I will let nobody enter the Hilltop...unless they say.."I am a Kindred Spirit"!
Now Elvira was the gatekeeper...the Duchess gave her the key...Elvira took it, clutched it to her chest..and disappeared in the bushes..the snow covered her tracks..