Glad you could come, the fun has just begun....

Myrtle and Eduardo are the first to arrive

"Is that what I think it is?" squeaks Mathilda when she spies Eduardo's mysterious bottle.

"Yes, dear Mathilda. It belonged to Great Grandpapa, his famous vintage Birch and Amanita wine, thought I'd share a drop or too. Hmmm, it looks like that belonged to Great Grandpapa too!"

Eduardo said as he caught sight of Myrtle's brand new shoe...

Oh dear, looks like Myrtle's been pillaging the burial grounds again!!!!

What sumptuous delights! Gertrude brought a delicious macarron filled with cream and strawberries, Myrtle a rare and delicious egg and Nelimosa (the flouncer) brought a Snortleberry Surprise.

None of this has escaped Weesk and The Woo, who are peering through the greenery and drooling too...

"Won't you have some Moss Dew cordial and join us dear Woo" asks Mathilda

"Moss Dew cordial?"

"Yes" snickers Mathilda.

"Come Woo have some Snortleberry Surprise" invites Nelimosa " I made it myself" she boasts.

"Those aren't Snortleberries" indignantly cries The Woo

"Surprise!!!!!" chortles Nelimosa.

Don't worry!! Weesk is here as well , enjoying Strawberries with Gertrude but not  a drop of Amanita brew ;)

He knew, unlike The Woo that Moss Dew cordial doesn't stink and turn your brain to stew!!

Please forgive him for not telling her of Mathilda's dastardly plan, you see Woo's been rubbing stinging nettles in his eyes again lately, punishment for his mishaps and naps!

But wait who's that upon the fern? It's the Christmas witch, oh no! Did no-one invite her at all?

Oh we're sorry Witchy-Poo, this will never do. 'Twas all a rush and in our haste we forgot to visit your tree!! 

"Oh dear friends, I'm afraid I cursed you in my despair" wailed the Christmas witch. "I called upon The Galibeast, he'll crunch your bones and eat you up!!!"

" But I've only worn this hat once" sighed Mathilda.

"Don't despair, The Beast can be pacified with a slurp of your lovely egg!"

 Be still and show no fear, The Galibeast approaches....

Yippee it's working!!  But where is The Woo? Did he crunch her bones and eat her up too?

No, she's here under a bush, with an un-Snortleberry stuck to her nose. Looks like the Amanita brew got the best of her too!!

Anyone fancy a cup of tea?

Still hungry? For much munching of magic and more mad teas jump through the portal here

A Mad Tea Party

You are cordially invited to attend our Mad Tea Party.

Mathilda has put on her best hat and Myrtle her shiny new shoe, even Eduardo my bookish faun is wearing his party scarf...

I wondered what she was doing in my felt bag.

Very proud of her pretty bow and new hoof.

Such a dandy.

Please don't be late the fun starts in a few moments more!!

Weesk And The Woo

After my meeting with Weesk, I became ever curious as to who is The Woo. Of course, I didn't quite know where to begin. So, I enlisted the help of  Myrtle Clumpett as I remembered that she was also of the Watcher clan, albeit disgraced (but that's another story!)
With my beloved Myrtle's help it didn't take long to locate their burrow.

The Woo, or Prudence The Prude, (as Myrtle calls her) was none too pleased at the sight of Myrtle and I. Poor Weesk was plainly horrified, lest I let slip that we had already met!

Knowing that Weesk likes to wag his chin far more than is proper, The Woo sent him out to collect supplies for their storehouse and some new moss for her carpet.

" Mind you don't dilly dally and keep your eyes open"

"I do hope they won't tell I was captured" worried Weesk.

"Oh dear, I do hope he doesn't bring lichen" muttered The Woo.

The Woo is fastidious about the upkeep of her mossy carpet and only the softest and greenest will do.

Weesk

I'd heard a scurrying from behind my mannequin and plant pots all day but each time I looked there was nothing there. I had no idea what it was until, I saw this little one scampering towards the window.

I scooped him up, despite his protests that he would be in "oh, such terrible trouble" if he was delayed, and promised to take him out to the garden myself, if he would share his tale with me.

His name is Weesk, a fledgling watcher and gleaner, apprentice of The Woo and general curious soul.

He's severely punished should he miss a moment or a tiny detail, hence the red eyes, they've been open for weeks (even when he sleeps).

Weesk came to visit on an secret adventure of much importance! I begged him to tell me about it and he did, but shhh, don't tell The Woo!

Gertrude, the plot thickens...

Gertrude has been enjoying her time with the Fae of late, making crowns of ever abundant lilac buds and even helping in the harvest of woodlice for pickling. As each new day dawns she firmly plucks a nettle leaf and pops it into the teapot for their early morning brew.

                                           

The Fae in turn are ever so impressed with this sweet hearted maiden and have gifted her a painted mask with the most sparkling viridian eyes.

Why a mask? You'll have to wait and see...

There, there Gertrude.

After last weeks capers poor bewildered Gertrude was badly in need of a little TLC. While I gently teased and tweaked Gertrude's mane, Myrtle and Mathilda scuttled off among the undergrowth. Quite some time passed before they reappeared, it seems they had stumbled upon a long forgotten stash of pickled woodlouse, but in their hands was a beautiful stem of lilac buds.

Mathilda gently wove it into Gertrude's hair as if to make amends, "how sweet" I thought, until I caught dear Mathilda wantonly twisting a lock of hair around her fingers and chased her off. She just can't help herself!