The past and the PRESENT...

-There are Christmases and there are Christmases..but this one I am sure is going to stay in our heart and memory for ever...!-

That's what our Dutchess said to her beloved friends when they gathered and sat with her at the kitchen table together eating a lovely Christmas pudding..

-And how is that...asked Horatio Hog...because I can't help noticing that there are NO presents under the tree..
-Typical..mumbled Sir Mole...typical..!
- Just saying..defended Horatio himself..You know I am not the material kind of guy...
-Well....said Gustave..as he wiped his frog face with a napkin..well...there IS something IN the tree..This morning, when I was hanging my imaginary cookies on the branches I noticed an envelope...in a bird-nest..!
-You did...responded Horatio...and he immediately jumped from his chair to go see...
-Tell me WHERE my dear frog friend -his voice now echoing from somewhere in  the Christmas tree !
- I see ..I ssssee it..uttered Mr Mole..its on the top bbranch...LOOK..!

Now...this took a lot of bravery from our dear Horatio..Not many Hedgehogs climb trees..!

Whilst climbing he got irritated -this always happens to him when things don't go his way, he starts doing things he doesn't want to do, but then does it anyway because he can 't stop himself from doing so -...so, soon he was in a very prickly state of mind and condition..which didn't help him either..He was getting stuck..and hanging there, wriggling somewhere half up the tree...like a Christmas ornament with spines..

Our Dutchess and Miss Moussie who witnessed this tree climbing attempted with hidden laughter came to action..this was not funny anymore..help was needed.

-Calm yourself my darling Horatio....said The Dutchess...you are ever so courage's to climb the tree..but please let me help you down..
Horatio was hanging absolutely still...he was waiting for his lady to rescue him..in his mind the words darling and courage's lingered...His trust in the Dutchess was admirable..
Our Dutchess patiently helped Horatio and tried to untangle him ...some of the Christmas lights followed Horatio down...
-O No...the lights...squeaked Miss Moussie..what was it you were saying dearest D..some Christmases will stay in your memory forever..well this one is going to stay in mine...Hahaa..Horatio as Christmas ornament..And our dear Mouse could't help laughing ..she laughed until tears ran from her eyes..down over her little cheeks and moussie whiskers..

Speaking about Memories..responded the Dutchess , after she gently sat Horatio back on his chair with lights and all...
Listen...Quiet down everyone for a minute..
She reached out to the top of the tree ...where indeed a bird-nest was holding a letter...and she took it out !  Then...very solemnly she opened it..and read what was said..


   Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today?
                      Today is a gift. That's why we call it a present.

Silence..

You could hear a pin drop in the kitchen.
 The first sound came from Mr Mole..it was a sigh..followed by another one..
 -I am ssso relieved, he stuttered...- What you just read is so important....and that's why we all needed to gather...
-Yes..Who needs a present when you have the present...said Who..who had been sitting in silence near the fireplace.
-And especially when this PRESENT is like amazing..twittered Miss Moussie..look at us..together..sharing this moment !
Horatio uttered a giggle..somewhat awkward...but he looked very enlightened..like he understood the message..
-And what wonderful memories did we make in all those -present- times which are now in the past...said the Dutchess..:)
-We did.?..mumbled Mr Mole puzzled to himself.....-he had to think twice before he understood this sentence. -..YES, of-course we did...didn't we...and he smiled from ear to ear..-Remember when we together walked the Jiffy trail..!-
-And  don't  forget the Bookworms...said Miss Moussie..some Christmases ago..
-And not to mention The Snow patrol my dearest Mouse ..said the Dutchess.
You had me worried that particular Christmas..I still dream about it..
-One of my fondest memories is where I was hugged by an entire alphabet...croaked Gustave..they called me a Frug...hahaaa..and they were dangerous..!

It was very cosy and warm in the little kitchen of the Dutchess..our Hilltop inhabitants were having a jolly good time sharing stories.. Then Horatio suddenly mentioned Mozes...and how he had missed him and how happy he was when Mozes came back..and where was Mozes now..like in this very minute...?

Closer than you think..said our Dutchess..I believe someone is waiting to enter...

And there the Kitchen door opened wide...to reveal....a bear in a Santa Suite !
Well...can this story get any better..

The Cuckoo clock chimed Merry Christmas...Merry Christmas...and I totally agree...a Merry Christmas to you my dear reader and friend !

                             And may this story be..a present from me...xxx

With love
T.D

......................

Fantastic...

The moon was full..it stood there....like it did for ages..and I am sure for ages to come..!

-Magical...said the Dutchess while taking a deep breath..you were so right my dearest ...this is kind of reassuring ...it puts my mind at rest...!

-I knew it would ..answered Miss Moussie..I knew it...

They both then were just silent for a while..no words needed !

UNTIL...Our Dutchess suddenly shouted...-THAT'S IT...that's it, why didn't I think of that before..
-Because you needed the moon..squeaked Miss Moussie...and please do warn me the next time you are going to shout something...my poor heart almost stopped here...

-My sweet clever and very wise friend..thank you so much for bringing me to the Hilltop..I now know what to do on Christmas eve...Isn;t that fantastic...
-And what ARE we going to do...asked  Miss Moussie in anticipation..?

-Listen ..whispered the Dutchess....come closer my dear...and then she explained the wonderful idea in Miss Moussie's ear...

-FANTASTIC....twittered Miss Moussie...fantastic...couldn;t have  come up with a better plan myself if I say so...

Then a Dutchess and a Mouse descended from the Hilltop...accompanied by the light of the moon which guided them safely to their  kitchen doorstep.

And if you are curious what will happen ...come visit...on Christmas-eve you are ever so welcome..x

Shadows and light..

It was a strange formation standing there on the Hilltop..

A Mouse with a blanket..a Mole with a book..a Dutchess out of breath..a Frog hopping and collecting twigs..an Owl hovering over them ...and look...I believe there's another creature emerging..its a Hedgehog with a box of matches..!

-How in earth are you going to make a fire without matches.. said Horatio...(because that's the hedgehog we can now see standing next to our Dutchess)
-You can now say "Thank you friend Horatio" because I saved your day..here you go... and then he presented his little matchbox.
-Actually..-answered the Dutchess...actually dear Horatio......there is also something else we forgot..!
-What..whispered Miss Moussie...and then a little louder like she was almost shouting...WHAT ?
We have a blanket...and matches and Gustave collected fire wood..so What ..?
Its all we need to make smoke signals...isn't it !?
-No dearest it isn't ...I just thought of it myself...we need WATER..otherwise the blanket will set fire and burn in a second..the blanket  needs to be wet...explained the Dutchess to her woodland friends..who now looked at her in admiration...why didn't they think of that themselves..!

-So...No smoke today.....but..but..uttered Mr Mole...we need to send out a signal..its important..like like...
-Yes...I understand said the Dutchess...and I don't  know HOW its possible but SOMEHOW (maybe by writing this story on a blog) I know that our message already reached the souls of our friends..because look...someone is climbing the mountain..

-Mozes...twittered Miss Moussie..its Mozes...and there our little troop together ran towards a HUGE
enormous big bear to give him the warmest welcome ever......and yes, I know you are here too...by heart...so happy to see you dear reader and friend..You made it..Now the story can continue ..

Shadows and light..

Time went on...
The season changed...soon summer was a memory ..

Our  Dutchess sat in her birds-nest..behind her desk..writing ...she was brewing up a storm of ideas for Christmas...but it wasn't working..Every idea ended up in the wastebasket !
-Why...she mumbled to herself..why can't I come up with one single idea that's outstanding..creative..and funny for our Christmas Eve celebration....and there isn't so much time left for preparations...So many friends will visit..I'm almost getting kind of desperate..

Softly the door opened..a little mouse entered..
It squeaked...( not the door but the mouse) and it said..-I am coming to light the candles ..!

-Goodness..uttered the Dutchess..I didn't hear you come in..but thank you dearests...its very dark in here ...days are short..
-They are...and I saw you sitting in the shadows..in fact the whole house was covered in darkness..I had to find my way through the dark in the garden too...its lantern time..!
-So kind of you to come and watch over me, sighed the Dutchess..I'm having a kind of OF day...and my mind is gone blank..Maybe I'm getting old..?
-Of-course you are getting old dearest Dutchess -answered Miss Moussie with a grin..but not tonight...you just need a little light..;)  Come with me..we will go outside and wait for the clouds to shift..to watch the moon..And if the clouds don't shift I'll just summon it...the moon...I can do that you know...Miss Moussie is always very confident..!

Well...Miss Moussie did not have to repeat this suggestion..within minutes a Mouse and a Dutchess were climbing the Hilltop !

We could join them...and just wait for the winter-wind ..It will move the clouds ..change the shadows into light..it will....

Art by The Dutchess

to be continued 

xoxo

Run...

The grass in the Daisy meadow was high...a late summer field ..still green..and peaceful (but not for long)....because there a little figure came running...as fast as her age could allow her to run..The Dutchess...out of breath but clearly on a mission...

Is she alone there in the field....no...look again...she is being followed..by a tiny mouse in a yellow raincoat..see how she fiercely makes her way through the weeds and  clover.....

Wait...very close behind our little mouse a Mole is struggling to keep up ..clutching something in his paws..

Look up now...there......circling in the sky above...can you feel it..the wave of mighty wings...Its like a little flutter of your heart...skipping a beat ..because this bird hovering above you is there to protect you..

In this field of very different shades of green...one particular shade stands out..or must I say...hops out...Now you see it...Now you don't ! Could it be....a frog...a specific kind of frog...one who bakes imaginary cookies ?

I think they are planning to gather in the middle of the field...See the Dutchess standing there...In a little while now the company will be complete..

I am so happy you are here .....we can use your courage, friendship, strategy and recousces....are you with me..

to be continued..

..........................

Trust the voice within..

Are you seated..
Than lets get started..I really need your help with this one..!

Its an adventure not for sissies..not for non believers..and certainly NOT for those who can´t see beyond the borders of imagination.. Because for this story ..now about to be told..for this adventure now to begin ..you will need to go where no one ever EVER did go before..It just wouldn´t be possible because Its YOUR imagination...(and you didn´t imagine it yet..so not even I can predict how this wild tale will end )..do you dare..to explore the bounderies..to have fun...to be bedazzeld..bewondered..YES ?...Marvelous..Than take courage my friend...

-Wow...just let me interrupt you here ...great introduction dear Mr Mole..!!!
So this is the beginning of your  new book...can´t wait to hear the rest of it..But wouldn't it be nice to have patience for our friends to arrive, so we can all listen together?

Mr Mole took of his spectacles...stared into space for a while.. stirred his tea..took a slurping sip..and then nodded his head.. -Lets..he said...lets do just that ..because I need my friends with me ...I need every voice that comes from within..to complete the  story..And the voices of friends I trust..
-Why so serious my  friend ...our Dutchess now whispered...are you alright..?
-I will be my dearest Dutchess...answered Mole...when we al gather...as soon as possible..
-Then so we will...said the Dutchess..then so we will...

To be continued..

Any sign of them yet...asked Mole after a few hours.
-So sorry ..not yet answered the Dutchess...they have yet to find out that we are here...waiting..!
I do hope our friend Tea-rat will get the news soon..And there is a Cat in Canada..she would be a great help..living is such a rugged country with I believe to be Turkeys..she must be fearless..!
-Yes and how about Nita..from Nowhere..and Bebe..and Rattus..!!
-In time dear friend Mole..in time..
-But...there isnt so much time...Dutchess mine..there just isnt.



To be continued...

 -I.m worried nobody knows that we are on the look-out dearest Dutches..Ive been pacing up and down the kitchen floor a thousands times.....opened the door a thousand times, to maybe see a friend in the distance walking down the Hill..but alas...
 - I think its time to do something drastic..something likely to have a drastic effect...!
 -Like What...now you have my fullest attention dearest!
 -Like..Ehm..a smoke signal..!
 -Really ..Mole replied..REALLY.....? Couldn´t we just use the internet..?
 -There´s nothing magical in that now isn´t there..?
 -No...and there should be magic ..a story without magic...nope..nothing at all...
 -Then lets go out and build a fire in the field..
 -Yes...I´ll bring my book of smoke signal language..said Mole whilst setting his glasses straight..
 -You can find me in the Daisy Meadow my friend..and off was our Dutchess in a hurry.....closing the kitchendoor behind her with a bang...

 To be continued

Interview with a Knit-wit...

Too complicated..to complicated..sighed the dutchess whilst studying her knitting pattern..It's not doable..not doable AT ALL...and her eyes dreamed of into the dancing flames of a softly crackling fire ...She was sitting next to the hearth in the kitchen ....The cold had settled in and winter was near..

Her thoughts drifted of to beloved friends...adventures of the past...stories untold....!

Do you  remember dear reader that we stopped right in the middle of an adventure ..a few years ago..!
You DO remember..! Great..!
Then maybe this would be a good moment in time to ask our dear Dutchess WHY it stopped..Let's ask some difficult questions..and maybe more..like..
                                               
                         -What happened-?
                 -Why-?
                             -When-?
                -With whom..or with what..?
                                         -Where..?
                -Was it in this world..or in outer space..?
            -Was it whimsical,witty,wonderful..

Please, dearest Dutchess, stop knitting..this is an interview..We need to know...
Like your most beloved friend asked a few days ago..are they coming back ?..Are you bringing them back..The stories about the Hilltop inhabitants..the adventures of our magnificent Miss Moussie and company..?

After a minute of silence that lasted for what seemed like an hour..the Dutchess answered....

-My dear readers and friends..It's so good to see you here..It was also overwhelming to read your many sweet letters in which you wanted to know how we were doing..I can tell you we are all fine..But it would be Impossible to pick up where we left.
It would be to complicated..like this knitting pattern. I am trying to unravel it...but it's a mystery to me..As were our many adventures ..I think we better start over..as from this very day......

Mind you,things have been very quiet..Miss Moussie is living very merrily in her Potting Shed.
Gustave has found a new pond...it's small but very deep....Who lives in the biggest tree you possibly can find ...There's Mr Mole...yes...what can I say about Mr Mole..He gets lost a lot..but we always find him..and last but not least..Sir Horatio Hog...he's still writing poetry..!
It's good to know you missed us..we missed you too..

Winter is coming...a time to gather by the fire..a time to be with friends ..and maybe a time to tell a story..better still..to wait for an adventure to reveal itself..who knows what will occur..arise..appear..!

You are so very welcome..


And this should have been..could have been the end of the interview ..but it wasn't..because a little voice from out of the cuckoo clock yelled...

                 -You forgot to mention ME-
          O yes, of course, said the Dutchess..
                         How could I forget YOU...!

THEN.. there was a big racket coming from the chimney...something came tumbling down?
It was WHO.....covered with soot..he almost landed in the fireplace..-So sorry- WHO uttered, flapping his enormous wings..I do apologise..it's not like I'm eavesdropping..I just lost my balance on the rooftop..I brought Miss Moussie with me..that is ..she was with me a moment ago..

-WHO...really..You were both on the rooftop...said our Dutchess worried..WHO,You of all birds must know Miss Moussie finds heights not to be trusted..and then there's the fire..
-I,m fine I'm fine.....twittered a squeaky voice suddenly from out of a tea cup..I'm OK....!
-Dearest...o my goodness, you landed in my tea...are you alright..?
-I am..but could you hand me over  your handkerchief..it's a bit wet..and let me suggest to put honey in your tea next time ..it's much to sugary..
Then a little mouse came climbing out of a cup..soaked in tea leaves and sticky with sugar on top..

Just when Miss Moussie wrapped herself in a with the initials T.D embroidered  handkerchief...a green THING jumped out of the cookie jar next to her..

-Would you like an imaginary cookie to go with your tea-..it croaked..!

-Gustave...what are you doin in my cookiejar..asked the Dutchess in surprise..
-Yes...that's what I like to know too..squeaked Miss Moussie...My guess is you were secretly listening in..

-Just came to fill the jar with imaginary cookies...croaked Gustave with a big grin..One  can never  have enough imaginary cookies..

Well...looks like our friends were very closeby when our Dutchess answered her questions !
I wonder why...

And look who we find entering the kitchen very quietly through the hole in the door...a Mole and a Hedgehog...to complete the Company..

Now...anything can happen...


T.D and Company

At last...

At last...squeaked Miss Moussie when she opened the kitchen door.....at last, my dear friend what took you so long..!
This long wait was almost  to much for my nerves..I missed you like crazy...and there she fell in the strong  furry arms of her beloved bear..And he..he lifted her up like a feather..and wirled her high up to the sky...like she was going to fly..

-Ooooo.. weeeeee.....squeaked Miss Moussie, completely forgetting that she was afraid of heights and was supposed to be squeaking something like.-.Ooooo nooo, put me down..I find height's not to be trusted..!
 But, Ooooo Weeeeeee was much better under the circumstances..I'm sure..

Our Dutchess was standing in the doorway..almost with tears in her eyes..look at those two,she whispered to herself..

At that moment completely unnoticed..a little figure entered the kitchen..it came running ...took a big leap..and jumped into the Dutchess her hair..

Now..I know  this creature..do you..?


..to be continued..
                                                           xoxo

Follow the mouse....

Welcome to this blog.

...and when you want to catch up with our tale..go HERE....where you can read the story from the beginning....and then wait for the end..xoxo

 IF it ends...Because I believe Miss Moussie will live forever..so bring yourself, and bring your children ..grandparents..story lovers..dreamers...to the Hilltop.. the place to be..when you believe in magic..
                                  Follow The Mouse..

Illuminated...

You could say our Dutchess, at that moment of fright, was almost quicker than  lighting to run back into the living room and come to Miss Moussie’s  rescue..

-Dearest…she shouted..WHAT…WHERE…WHO…!

-O NOOO…twittered Miss Moussie disappointed, whilst standing with her little nose pressed to the window…now he is gone…

-HE…in our “Bear” you mean…?

-YES..of course..are you expecting anybody else maybe…squeaked our mouse.

With her little paws to the glass she tried to see into the dark garden…it had started to rain..

-There's nobody else around. I am sure what you saw was our friend..answered the Dutchess…looking over her shoulder back into the Hallway..

Again the lighting lit up the room..and the thunder roared…

Again Miss Moussie uttered the most squeaky sound ever to be heard in Hilltop history..but it was a happy sound…it sounded  like surprise and home coming..because before her eyes..illuminated by lightning the friendly furry face of a friend appeared..MOZES..!