Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, in a time of magic and everyday whimsy, there lived a beautiful spirit. A spirit of the forest, mountains, and the sea.

She lived in a city by the blue sea. She collected stones and touched them with gentle hands. They bloomed.

But though she loved the the fast heartbeat of the city by the sea, and the people in it, she longed to visit the high pine forest of the mountains. A place where her spirit could be peaceful and immersed in green.

In the mountains, she saw the tiny spirits of the forest. They dwelled in fallen branches and broken-off twigs.

She collected the dear spirits and brought them home to the city by the blue sea, home to her studio. And there the spirits whispered stories to each other about their lives in the forest and sang their forest songs. Nanou listened. And with a little tender work from Nanou's hands, some yarn and other natural ingredients, the spirits came to life. They became the Critters.

Some of these Critters went on journeys to faroff lands, where they had adventures of their own . . . .

Princess Elowen's Freedom

In a faraway land over the plains, across the mighty green sea, nestled on the edge of the Great Forest lived a lonely princess called Elowen. Elowen lived with her father and mother, King Ash and Queen Lilac. She wasn't allowed to venture outside the castle and garden walls and her only companions were servants and the castle cats.

Princess Elowen dreamed of visiting the outside world and doing all the things other young girls enjoyed. She wanted to ride bicycles, visit the sweet shop, swim in the lake and meet other young people her own age. But Elowen knew that should she leave the castle, her shiny crown would give away her identity and no one would treat her like a "normal" girl. Elowen knew that removing her crown would be strictly forbidden, doing so would be like laughing at her royal birthright.

One day her fairy godmother, Nanou appeared to her. Nanou was known throughout the land as a lover of all friends of the forest and also quite handy with a crochet hook. She suggested to Elowen that what was needed was a little "cover-up".


So Nanou got busy making hats; hats that could cover up a crown without the need to remove it.

Elowen was so happy, she couldn't wait to try on Nanou's creations. First she tried a white woolly one.

Then she tried a multi-coloured hat with a wide brim.

And a pretty hat in a jolly purple colour.

And lastly her favourite, the green and white pointy hat with two leaves at the tip.

Elowen was so grateful to Nanou for helping her taste freedom that she wanted to throw her a small party. Elowen's new forest friends the nut quintuplets, bunny and robin all joined in to help.

With Nanou's help Elowen did get to ride a bicycle, visit the sweet shop, swim in the lake and meet other young people her own age. But her parents found out she was sneaking away to the outside world and Elowen was grounded for a time. King Ash and Queen Lilac soon softened and gave Elowen some freedom to go out and explore and to be more like "normal" girls - as long as she wore her hats.

Happy Birthday Nanou!

Nini x

The Birthday of Nanou Feast

When the Pinecone Gatherer came to live with me in the woods of Minnesota I was elated. When his friend, Mr. Happy joined us, it filled us with joy. These two have been the best of friends, and like most inhabitants of the poplar and pine, enjoy good-natured teasing and a little mischief-making. Naturally, when the two asked if they could make their sweet creator a birthday treat, I happily agreed, and prepared for some silliness. The Birthday of Nanou is a holiday in these parts and we needed a proper celebration.

The boys put on their aprons and prepared to work. It wasn't long, however, before Mr. Happy attempted to ride the mixer while P.G. cheered him on.

It seemed that Mr. Happy was especially enthralled in the whirring of the mixer. I fear I will have to watch him closely anytime the mixer comes out.

P.G. being the worker that he is, piped out the meringue.

Mr. Happy says that P.G. fancies himself quite the Jacques Pepin. Mr. Happy fancies himself the designated beater-licker.

I put our treats in the oven and turned around to find those two rascals trying to open a beer. I guess they thought their job was done and it was time to relax.

Finally our Birthday of Nanou treats were out of the oven, and what a bounty!

The boys just stared in awe at all of their hard work. The sun came out at that moment and lit up the room and they felt for certain that it was the smile of their creator Nanou, lighting their day from afar.

I noticed a glimmer in their eyes so I reminded them that this was a feast for the Birthday of Nanou. "We know, we know" they said, licking their lips.

P.G. couldn't help himself and ate mushrooms until he collapsed on the table, belly bulging and eyes glazed over.

He lay there napping while Mr. Happy snuck off to ride the mixer again.

Happy birthday, Nanou!

Remembrance of Birthdays Past

We remember when we were born. Not many of the People can say that, you know.

But we have memories of the sap that once ran through our veins. We remember the time before when our green newness was barely a bud on a bare branch. We remember the time after, the break and fall to the carpet of leaves on the forest floor.

And then the crystal-clear memory of gentle hands picking us up, holding us up to the sun once again.

A small journey, bumpy but cozy, followed. Sitting close beside other Tree Spirits--slim branches, acorn tops, seed pods, smooth stones, leaves--we whispered to each other. This was an adventure, to be sure, and we felt excitement like the shadow of the sap that once pulsed through us.

And then we were placed in a neat row atop a table, again by those gentle hands. We looked around in wonder at the yarn and wool and bits and pieces from our Forest. We looked at the Person who had brought us here. Nanou is my name, she told us. Nanou, Nanou was the sweet sound we heard as she sanded us smooth.

And that is when we came alive again, when we marked our true birthdays.

I took on a jaunty acorn top for a hat and a scarf that blooms with flowers. My friend with the beak nose, Monsieur Le Nez, can be a cold fellow, supercilious, looking down his long proboscis. But not with his fitted crocheted cap. He got quite chatty, in fact, when Nanou tied on his scarf. He thanked Nanou for making us feel warm again. Yes, we were warmed by Nanou's care, and stylish to boot.

We sat together for a while, admiring each other.

And then Nanou placed us in a box, where we nestled together and began another journey, this one much longer. When the box was opened, we were in a new place, where the leaves outside the windows of our room greeted us in a new language. Welcome, they said, as they showed us their changing colors and varied shapes.

Now those leaves are as dear to us as the ones back home, and we watch in wonder as they mark their changes.

We see their birthdays, when they explode from their tight buds, uncurl in the spring and unfurl through the summer. They dance in the breezes, cradle raindrops in their breasts.

When they fill with color, we wave the scarves that Nanou gave us. We cheer them on and wave goodbye.

And then we rest and wait for them to come again. While we wait, we tell each other stories of the Forest and of dear Nanou, of the gentle spirit that gave us a new life.

And we wish her a very Happy Birthday in this time when life still flows through the earth and the trees and the tightly furled shoots warm underground. A life aglow in us but unseen by People, making its preparations for the spring.

the little tale of the mystery cake

Once upon a time in a sunny spot of southern France, on the edge of a small oak forest, lived a little but strong community of friends. On a sunny & breezy day, in the heart of winter, they had all gathered near the little stream & the toadstool house.

Something unusual was standing there : a special, wooden, birthday cake ! But who was it for ?!

The cake was standing on a little wooden table, with a pretty floral tablecloth, and the candle was already burning ! The gentle Winter Breeze, who knew who the cake was for, whispered that the cake was for someone beautiful ... soft ... sweet ... cheerful ... and kind. Hearing this whisper, the little friends gathered a little closer around the table & wondered a little bit more. Suddenly, they started to speak.

"I am beautiful", said The Treasured Friend, "the cake must be for me !"

"I am sweet", said The Twig Friend, "the cake must be for me !"

"We are soft", said the mossy stones, "that cake must be for us"
"I am cheerful", said The Happy Nut, "I am sure this cake is for me !"

"I am kind", said The Pinecone Critter, "I bet this is for me, friends !"

The Gentle Winter Breeze whispered softly that the cake was for none of them. The friends were really puzzled and asked : "well, then please would you tell us who this delicious cake is for ?!"

"This cake was brought today for celebrating the birth of your Creator, little friends !", whispered The Gentle Winter Breeze, "let's celebrate the life of the one who help most of you to come to life ! Let's celebrate Nanou !!"

"Aaaaaaaaah YES !" said all the friends in one voice, "we're going to make of this day a memorable day for her !! Let's throw her a party that she won't forget !"

On those words, they left in different directions & began to prepare the party ...

a celebration in the winter wonderland of resurrectionfern

Once upon a time, in a land of snow and ice there lived a magical wooden creature by the name of healing heart. He started his life as part of a branch of a tree in the forest of southern france where he was found by a woodland fairy and brought to life. He was given a little satchel with a heart stone and a very important job of traveling to bring healing to another fairy living far away across the great ocean. He found a wonderful new home in this new forest and made many new friends. He never forgot the beautiful fairy whose loving hands carved him and knew when it was her birthday that a celebration was in order. He sent snails, with tiny little invitations far and wide. It was winter in the land of resurrectionfern so he decided to hold a snow ball. The setting was a woodland place where a portion of an igloo was built and a tiered table set for the party. Liberty buntings were hung between the dogwood branches. Each guest was given a flag to wave in celebration. Some guests arrived by snow canoe, while others took the very slow train. The atmosphere was so festive that once the guests began arriving, the air warmed and the snow and ice started melting. A great chorus sang "happy birthday nanou", the snow cake was eaten and enjoyed by all. It was good luck that a photographer was on hand to document the grand event.

I have heard whispers in the forest that they are planning a mid summer night's eve party in July with all in attendance ( except the snowman) and some extra special visitors from across the sea.

xxoo

margie