On a cloudy afternoon, a girl set out for an escape. An adventure. A short voyage out of this world and into the tales found in the little yellow fairy book...
She carried with her a few fading petals and two bits of taffy. There was a great old apricot tree that billowed out, its branches gracing the ground. She crawled into a nook, under the tree branches...
What a delightful spot of earth, thought she...
She opened the book randomly, as the pages chose the tale of The Golden Crab for her...
She was positively enamored with this hidden little place, and moments to escape...
She unwrapped her taffy, humming into the breeze. Which piece would she nibble? Two might cause a grand sugar headache...
While lost in the tale she was reading, she heard a faint noise in the distance...
It sounded like a gallop of hooves? Oh no, could it be the wild beasts of the forest? Oh yes it could be indeed!
A beast came charging towards her, and jumped right on top of her -
Eek ouch, hey, get off me...
But wait, there is a second one!
"Yippeeee woooo, attackkkkkk" exclaimed the littler of the beasts...
The beasts were so odd, they actually sniffed, yes sniffed, her book ;)
"What's that, what's that, let's play, let's play let's play" they said, as though they had each had two pots of coffee...
They even tried to steal her shoes, but dropped them on the way out...
Luckily, they didn't find the sweets, or she would have had to have chased them down. She collected her items, deciding to take her little party inside the cottage. Alas, she could still see the beasts through the trees...
She ran past them as fast as she could and into the cottage, phew safe...
She decided to have her own little calm crochet tea party for one on a Friday night. Ginger and honey and lemon, Yumm...
She could hear the beasts outside tackling each other, and barking viciously at an old man on a walk who actually enjoyed taunting the pups (often). Oops, I mean beasts...
The girl was now happy and peaceful inside, reading her fairy tales. In the middle of Miss Muffet, she heard the furry creatures crying outside. Both of them crying and whining, which was more than quite unusual.
The older of the two would never whine and cry, and the littlest rarely did himself.
After this went on for a bit, the girl decided to go check things out, even though she might be trampled again...
What could it be asks you and me?
Seems, the furry beasts are actually HUGE babies. They bark at coyotes and chase off roadrunners and bob cats - But goodness forbid, the tale (rhyme) of little Miss Muffet might come to life.
They stood huddled on the office porch, whining at a creature far from them, in the dirt...
She thought the furry beastlings were supposed to be protecting her, ha!
So she picked up the spider, that scared Miss Muffet and Baby and that little whippersnapper Matisse-
And, with a simple relocation, off went the spider to sit down beside someone else, and bring fairy tales to life ~ with a twist ;)
Poor spiders, they have been given such a bad reputation, even in the dog world it seems. Didn't everyone love Charlotte though, I ask? Sniffle sniffle...
I don't know how a forest retreat and tea turned into spider tales ;) But it did. With that I must be off to feed those lovely little beastlings of mine...
See you soon ;)
♥,V
ps: Mister Lovee and I have an ongoing joke, that Matty is actually a miniature German Shepherd (which would actually be adorable). He was the runt of the litter, and I will be curious to see how big he gets. He seems to have grown a tiny bit and stopped. Of course, he will keep growing for two years. But still, we are enjoying our little joke, especially since Mister wanted a big tough dog to protect me ;) I keep joking and saying, no wonder he was only twenty bucks ;) Of course, I adore him, and don't care if he stays just the size he is or gets huge. Either way, he is loved beyond words and brings us all great joy. Oh and did I mention, he has an attitude? He doesn't like to be bothered by boring humans, especially ones who want to kiss on him like crazy ;)
Sigh...
Thank you Miss V.
I needed this after looking at news in America yesterday and today. Your 'getaway' under the apricot tree was dreamy...but naughty beasts interrupted your reverie!...thankfully they turned into fluffy, loving, doggies...Ahhhh! tea sounds good right now. Am patiently waiting for what you will reveal in the magical, creating department...Can't wait!
Posted by: Teresa in California | November 06, 2009 at 10:17 PM
So sweet. Thanks for sharing. Off to have a spot of tea.
Posted by: DeeDee Roe | November 06, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Oh! I guess those breaks filled with puppy dog kisses aren't going to happen in your fanciful world...hee hee!!! Life!!!
This my fanciful friend is the most darling of enchanted posts!!! The furry beastlings are ferocious indeed. So much so that I almost fell out of my seat ;-O.So sweet and furry!!!
Just a little side line...the fireworks are going off and shaking my weence cottage walls.
xoxo Cori...
I hope your eyeballs are feeling better.
Posted by: Cori. G | November 06, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Awwwww that is the sweetest thing everrr! He really does look like a miniature german shepherd! How sweet.
Your photography is stunning, I adore it so. And a lovely tale too! You never fail to impress, Miss V.
Posted by: Krista Komis | November 06, 2009 at 10:55 PM
eeeekkkkk, how brave of you to pick that spider up!! just looking at it gives me that absolute bejeebers @_@
Posted by: icantsew | November 06, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Cute little story. And that puppy is so adorable. I had to smile when you wrote that your Mr Lovee wanted a big bad dog to protect you. So sweet. He must love you very much. :-)
Posted by: karin | November 07, 2009 at 12:12 AM
a stunner. love the spider!! they are sweeties! How nice to have that surprise!
What wonderful puppies. Isn't the little one getting big! growing into his paws! (german shepherd dogs are among the BEST)
Thanks for a lovely story!
Posted by: Chris | November 07, 2009 at 12:58 AM
You are so creative and talented! I lost track of your blog after the Mad Hatter tea party, glad to find you again!
Posted by: Gabrielle | November 07, 2009 at 01:36 AM
Always an adventure at your place! Although I wouldn't have been as calm as you at the sight of that spider! I can understand why the furry beasts were whimpering (glad those two are getting along famously). xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | November 07, 2009 at 03:49 AM
Are you seriously telling me you have spiders THAT BIG in your garden??? Oh my... Oh my.... Oh my... no wonder the doggies were scared. I was enjoying the tale so much up to that point, then the hairs on the backs of my neck rose and a huge shivvvvveeerrrrr passed through my spine. Next you'll be telling me you have snakes...or did the spiders eat all the snakes! Seriously though... that is ONE BIG spider. Are the snakes scared of it?
Posted by: Lisa | November 07, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Que fotos maravillosas!!!
Siempre pasar por aqui es magico.
Besos amiga.
Posted by: Jorgelina | November 07, 2009 at 05:36 AM
how much I look forward to coming here and laconically reading and enjoying the photographs - I'm always so happy when your blog shows up on the "new post" list!
I have no issue with spiders as a rule - but I really must say - that is one mean looking dude you got there. I don't blame the beasts for doing a little whining - I might have done so myself! LOL
Posted by: Tristan Robin | November 07, 2009 at 06:59 AM
You. did. not. pick. up. that. spider! Ewwww! I can't stand little ones, but when they start growing hair, I think I'd be whining and whimpering like your "beasts"!
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | November 07, 2009 at 07:10 AM
Oh, what a delightful tale...I was enjoying it until Ms. Spider came along! Yowza! Well, I still enjoyed the tale, but I jumped in my seat a bit and made sure to skim over the ensuing photos. Fortunately, I was able to continue the tale even while whimpering like the beasts. Yes, I am a little chicken (or perhaps little Miss Muffet!) I DID love Charlotte - but the spiders around here do not converse with me. If they did, perhaps I would ask them nicely to visit another house! ;) Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | November 07, 2009 at 07:35 AM
oh.my.word.
that is a HUGE spider.
don't know if I'd like them crawling within sight distance of me, either!
you are a brave, brave soul Miss V!
Posted by: Cassandra | November 07, 2009 at 08:17 AM
...so absolutely delightful!!!
Posted by: Gypsy Purple | November 07, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Love your tail tales - I get such a kick out of seeing Matty grow. It's been so long since I've had a super baby puppy - My current furry kid came to me almost full grown.
Dog rules amuse me (no old men walking by allowed, etc). My Kate doesn't allow cars to park on our street or mail carriers to deliver mail unannounced - which is a good thing, I guess. Can you imagine how crowded one's front doorstep would be if mail carriers and other folk weren't told to move along and were allowed to just hang out? I guess dogs have their logic....
What a gorgeous spider (though I can't say I would want to meet it in person).
Posted by: Lisa | November 07, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Aww Matty is adorable, but I'm not sure about the spider (Eeek!)
Posted by: babelfish | November 07, 2009 at 08:50 AM
I'm with the dogs as far as the spider goes. It is the size of a mouse! You are braver than me!
Posted by: Sarah | November 07, 2009 at 09:19 AM
such a delightful little tale....and i think i own that same book!
love your beastlings!
Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | November 07, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Just adored catching up dear! I am feeling better and just get a tickley cough now, so catching up here and sitting quiet with the kids and dog and kitty make my day. Thanks for that! Blessings and Congrats on the office dear one!
Posted by: amy faldet | November 07, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Oh no you dit'ent pick up that Tarantula! Promise me you didn't.
Posted by: Alix | November 07, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Hello Vanessa... I sooo love escaping into your little enchanting world... your "beasts" are adorable! And I was so happy to see you "relocated" the spider... we do that too, but our spiders aren't that big! Love to you! Bisous... Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie Vicknair | November 07, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Egads! If I saw a spider like that I'd be whining too, but first I'd be running very quickly in the opposite direction. Australia has a lot of poisonous spiders, but at least they're generally small!
The irony of this is that I'm currently knitting a Charlotte's Web lace scarf for my aunt for Christmas, hehe.
Posted by: kate | November 07, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Boy this post has everything! May I present: Maggi Whilst Reading V's Blog...
"Wow, how enchanting!"
"Hmmm...I wonder if we have any taffy in the house"
"Oh, here comes the dogs!"
"LOL They totally knocked V down!"
"Ooooo Calm Crochet Tea Party For One sounds like fun!"
"Oh poor babies are whining to come in so that they can see V...HOLY CRAP LOOK AT THAT SPIDER, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! RUNRUNRUNRUNRUN!"
*deep breath*
This post was a wild ride, loved it! Thank you kindly! :D
Posted by: Maggi | November 07, 2009 at 04:32 PM
I just found your blog. Delightful. Spiders and beasts are both misunderstood.
Thanks for sharing,
Kat
Posted by: Kat | November 07, 2009 at 04:34 PM
A delightful tale. Those beasts were enchantingly cute..even the spider. I love spiders but that one there was kind of big.
Posted by: Shell | November 07, 2009 at 04:35 PM
I love your stories! Love the old book (of course!) and amazing how you got those doggie action shots!
Is that spider actually a spider you found in the forest, or is it a pet your brought out? I ask because one of my friends in the Air Force had a pet tarantula, and hid it in her dorm room, but forgot to hide its house the day of a surprise inspection, and... well, let's just say the TI wasn't so tough after all! (At least where spiders were concerned -- my friend cleaned toilets for a month!)
Posted by: Lori Anderson | November 07, 2009 at 05:08 PM
I loved this tale (as I love reading your blog) but must admit that I would have been alongside the beasts and been whining, too! I'm not fond of spiders. :/
Posted by: Miss Nightingale | November 07, 2009 at 06:43 PM
What sweetie pie little beasts Ms. V! And oh my, that spider gave me the heeby jeebys, tee hee.
Jamie :)
Posted by: AForestFrolic | November 07, 2009 at 06:45 PM
What a sweet story! In my version, though, there would have been *much* more taffy and *no* giant, hairy spiders!!
I started a blog last week, I'd love to have you stop by if you're interested : ) -
http://excerpts-kristin.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Kristin | November 07, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Oh, that Matty is the most adorable "beast". How can you get anything done with those two fun creatures with you? I'd want to be playing with them all day long. Happy Saturday!
~Allie
Posted by: allie | November 07, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Matty is so adorable. I can't wait to meet him. I hope him and Douglas will become pals. I know Baby and Doug never really took to each other...
One of my colleagues shared this tea with me, Bengal Spice, from Celestial Seasonings. It is very good. You should try it.
Posted by: Bobbypin Bandit | November 07, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Love it! My Ron doesn't let me read outside either.
Posted by: kathryn | November 08, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Egads! What a humdinger of an eight legger!
Babies babie-be they human or furry, they just dont want mama's attention to wander into some far away dream land....
Hee. At first, when i read your PS, somehow i thought it said that Mr. Lovee had a theory that HE (Mr. Lovee) is actually a miniature german shepherd and I'm all like what what? But it does pose an interesting question..what breed would you be Veevala dahlink?
I'm definitely mutt. :-) With a wee bit of collie and maybe some wolf...ok maybe i just think that about that wolf...
Posted by: Rhonda Roo | November 08, 2009 at 01:45 PM
And the runt of the liter got the best family ever.
Love Renee xoox
Posted by: Renee Khan | November 08, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Awwww..the puppies are so, so cute. BUT - that spider! really? Really?? Did we need the giant, yucky, spider? How about another clown video WITH a spider. Gadzooks, girl. Eeeps!
(chuckle) - Kathy in Chicago
Posted by: Kathy | November 08, 2009 at 09:39 PM
I am sitting here, sipping my coffee with hazelnut creamer...yum! And enjoying your story immensely. Wild beasts indeed!!! Whining at a poor defenseless little spider. And what a gorgeous specimen he is too!! Bravo for your heroics!!! LOL!!
Hugging you
SueAnn
Posted by: SueAnn | November 09, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Goodness, you do have critters in your neck of the woods!!! I thought scorpions were bad, but if I saw that I would have a little fit. It makes me reconsider our thought to move to the desert foothills. I am sure there are more snakes, scorpions and spiders like that even though it is only a 15 minute drive from where I currently live.
Posted by: Kandes Lee | November 09, 2009 at 07:55 PM