The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

 Dear Readers,

It's already December 2023 and I can't believe how quickly this year went by!  So many things have happened since my last post. I am sorry I didn't update my blog sooner.  However, I do want to share my happiness with others so they too can experience it for themselves.  Life is hard for all, such is our condition when we are born in this mortal realm, but there is sometimes beauty in life and it's up to us to find it.

I recently came across a book that made my heart soar: "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady: by Edith Holden.

It's a beautiful hardcover book with illustration of the English countryside.  It's a reminder of how life used to be slower and how we could easily find beauty in the simple gifts of nature at each season.

If you like plants, flowers and little animals, this book will transport you to a different era in the old English countryside where you can walk in the serene gardens made by Mother Earth.

I don't like the cold and I struggle to find comfort in the winter months but this book has given me another perspective of the dreaded upcoming months.  Book are food for the soul in that regards.  You feast with your eyes but you also walk away with food for thoughts and a greatful heart.

Have a wonderful day dear Readers. I wish you all a peaceful month of December. 

Sylvanian Families Garden

Dear Readers,

My new cabinets have taken the place of my Calico Village.  I had to store away the house and furniture for many months.  The village has now been relocated in another room (aka my son's room).   Placed on the same long table as it was before, I have added this time a new house for the Chocolate Rabbit Grandparents that my sweet friend Ohana has sent to me from Japan.

I wanted to give the grandparents a little garden because all the grandparents I know are inevitably fond of gardening.  I didn't have a garden yet so I bought three different playsets from Amazon:  

1. Sylvanian Families Vegetable Garden

2. Sylvanian Families Flowers

3. Sylvanian Families Family Garden

They were not purchased at the same time but rather over the course of many months.   I always compare prices from various sellers before buying.  When the price is low enough (or when I have saved enough money) I buy the set!  It just happened that these 3 sets were cheapest on Amazon.

Each garden set is very detailed and the high quality of the finish is exactly what one could expect from Sylvanian Families. The set I prefer is the Sylvanian Families Garden because it has so many nice items (shown below).   The mailbox (or birdhouse) can open in the back.  She scissors can open and close!

The Chocolate Rabbit grandparents will live in the Bluebell Cottage (aka Riverside Lodge) and their children will live next door in the Townhome.   I bought the Bluebell Cottage from England many years ago.  It was used but still in good condition.  The Townhome was bought from a garage sale, incomplete but also in rather good condition.

This was the initial setup for the garden.

The children would have a vegetable garden.

The grandparents would have a large lawn.

 There would be many flowers and even a topiary.

But then I noticed grandpa looked a little sad...

So I created a river for him!

After all, it is called "Riverside Lodge" for a reason.

Don't worry for Grandma. She can still enjoy gardening but with less flowerpots.

Whenever she feels like tending to more flowers, she can visit her children and grand children across the river!  And Freya could sure use a helping hand with the vegetable garden!

The grandchildren can also say hello to their grandparents whenever they want!

I am not totally happy about my village yet.  I need to substitute the white and plain background with a forest or lakeside picture.  And I still have to decorate the houses.  My first attempt at adding wallpaper proved disastrous.  Once all is in place, I will be able to continue posting stories about CALICO VALLEY and its new inhabitants!

I need to thank Jennifer from PLUSHPUSSYCAT for giving me a very useful tip!  I was chatting with her about the difficulty in finding fake grass for my display and she had suggested the use of a green towel.  This was truly a great advice because the towel was very cheap ($4 only), easy to clean, and it had a great grassy color and texture!  Thank you very much Jennifer!!!  I am glad this blog has helped me make friends who are so generous of their time and are always willing to share their knowledge!  Jennifer is a mine of information and she is also very kind! She has also sent me miniature gifts that I can't wait to you once the houses are decorated!

The pebbles along the river are from Michael's Craft Store: $2 for a medium bag (the large bag costs $6). The water is blue felt with a paper sheet protector on top.  The bushes along the white wall in the back are aquarium plants.  The Townhome is slightly elevated thanks to 3 rugs placed underneath.  I bought them from the Dollar Store for $1 each rug. The boat is from an old Smurf set.  The total for all the non-Sylvanian items is about $10.

I have elevated the Townhome so the river would be lower because I am planning to add something else!   I can't talk about it yet because it's still an ongoing project and I can't say for sure it will work but I hope it will and the Chocolate Rabbit Family will soon be able to show you their new house! :D

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I was not paid or received gifts to write this or mention any stores or website. You may find a better store in your area.