Living in the Clouds

♫Time Forgotten♫

I couldn't resist a walk in the woods this morning to capture the ethereal fog that was swirling through the trees on our little mountain, which means it is more likely clouds than fog.  I will take you on a walk in the beginnings of my little Enchanted Woods.  I have great plans for it....

I am reminded of the bushes I used to play amongst at my grandmother's farm....

There, the girl cousins had make-believe houses around the large roots of an old oak tree down by the gravel road that ran in front of the old farmhouse.  Here, my grandchildren will ring the Faerie Bell.... 

....before they can enter the Enchanted Woods....

They'll follow the path through the woods exploring along the way....

....until they come to the entrance at the other end....

When they turn and head back the other way....

....they'll have glimpses of what lies beyond....

One of my very imaginative sons listened to my "story" of how the gnomes aren't allowed in the Enchanted Woods.  They are charged with guarding it from all harm--only the faeries and their guests are allowed inside.  He asked--pointing to the stone bench held up by gnomes--is that what happens to gnomes who do enter?....

One cannot get lost on their way to the Enchanted Woods.  It is not far from the house....

....and if you look carefully behind the trees....

....you may happen upon the door to Faerie Land....

Sssshhh....if you're quiet enough you may be able to get close....

There are more woods to explore as we leave the Enchanted Woods....

Off in the distance, framed by other trees, you can see what remains of my boys' climbing tree--an old Tulip Popular Tree....

This is all that is left of it after a large section broke off a few years ago revealing this huge hole inside, and then last year half of the tree above broke off....

Now the gnomes live in it....

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Once outside the Enchanted Woods you can peer over the rock wall....

And get glimpses of the path....

Ah...I've spotted a faerie web for catching naughty gnomes who try to climb the trees into the Woods....

Back closer to the house is the Secret Garden....

This garden was created 15 years ago when grandchildren were only a hope....a place for us to sit and read stories....

Now I have the first of many with whom to share this enchanting love....

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As it turns out, today is the second anniversary of Morning Musings!  This was my very first post:  An Early Morning Walk.  To celebrate I'm giving away the enchanting Fairyopolis--A Flower Fairies Journal based on Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairy books.  It is filled with her delightful drawings, flaps to lift, and letters secreted away in envelopes, all designed to take you into her very special world of fairies.  To get a peek inside look here.  

Just leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing.  I'll announce the winner next Monday!