An abandoned rose, an act of kindness

Mayor: hi Wade, I came as soon as I got your message. What's wrong? 

Wade: Some cheeky being has dumped this boat at my dock with a sign saying "please take me-free."  

It's a bit run down, I've looked it over & it will float safely enough. I don't have the time to fix it up, do you know of any one who could use it? 

Mayor: I do actually! I have relatives in Sugarbush Valley that might be interested. I'll give you the phone number & you can ring them with the details. 

To be continued... 

Find the continuation here: 

http://sugarbushvalley.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/taylor-timbertop-gave-subdued-sigh-and.html?showComment=1460969101089&m=1#c3692515573378426049

The Harvester Restaurant

It was an exciting day in Slydale Hollow, the Harvester Restaurant was finally going to open its doors! 

 

Pinot & Chardonnay Champagne had been working very hard to get everything set up. 

And now it was ready! 

Chardonnay did the finishing touches & then it was time for the first customers! 

Dr. Murdoch & his wife had been looking forward to a night out of fine dining for quite a while. 

And excellent Sylvanian wine

Pinot received the first phone booking! 

"Auntie Mabel Hello! Yes, we opened today. Oh that's excellent that you are coming to Slydale Hollow! Yes, I can book a table for two weeks time. For HOW MANY? Um Auntie Mabel we can only seat 4 people at the moment... Ah ok, I'll see what I can do... Don't worry, don't worry we will make it work. Yes it will be lovely to see you too. I must go now, there are some customers waiting. Bye."

Mr. Huntington & Miles walked in the door. 

"Evening Otto, what can I do for you?" Asked Pinot,

"Mother Ursula had a very busy day & I feel she deserves something a bit special, can we see the take away menu please?" 

During closing time clean up Pinot finally had a chance to tell Chardonnay about the phone call from his Auntie Mabel Periwinkle. 

"Char, Auntie Mabel wants to book a table for 9, how in Sylvania are we going to do this?" 

"Mm I have an idea of how we could make it work, but I'll have to ring Herb Wildwood. He is excellent at party organisation & will know where we can hire chairs & how to fit everyone in. We will make it happen." replied Chardonnay 

Two weeks later (the evening after Mack & Mabel arrived in Slydale Hollow) 

Pinot was waiting outside to greet the special guests. 

"Auntie Mabel, Uncle Mack it's been such a long time since we have seen you. I trust you had a good trip here?"

"Oh yes Pinot my boy, we had quite an interesting 'trip'. Especially Mabel!" Laughed Mack, to which Mabel just replied "Hmph"

"Come in the tables are all ready for you" called Chardonnay 

Last to arrive were the Evergreens & Mr Gus Timbertop

"Gus, when did you arrive?" Ernest exclaimed

"No long ago, but I've been so busy with my son & his family I haven't had the chance to see anyone else!" Replied Gus

"Well let's go inside & see the others!" Said Primrose

"Well this looks cozy!" Laughed Gus

(Next pic is to show how they managed to fit in. Just)

"Just like dinner with the children, hey Gus!" remarked Mack, 

"Not quite! The youngest two babies are too tiny to sit at the table. Luckily." replied Gus, "and I hear your wee granddaughter is a real sweetie." 

"She is! Definitely a sweet cutie pie" said Mabel

"She reminds me of Flora when she was little." commented Smokey Wildwood

"Flora? I think she is just like me!" replied Mabel, "Don't you think so Mack?"

"Mm"

"What was that, Mack?" 

"Yes, dear." said Mack, winking at Smokey

After many hours of chatting about days gone by, & comparing how many grandchildren they each had, they were all ready for a cup of tea before heading home. 

Mack & Mabel sipped their tea, looked out windows at the setting sun.. 

And thought just how blessed they were to have family & friends around them. 

(Not taken by me.) 

Then it was time for the senior citizens to head home. Leaving the Champagnes to clean up... 

"Here Char, have a cup of tea first. You definitely deserve it. Thank you for helping organise Auntie Mabel's dinner party. I couldn't have done it without you."

The introduction of Mack & Mabel

For our wedding anniversary this year my husband bought me the Periwinkle grandparents. They were second hand & though Mack came with his original clothes, poor Mabel needed dressing. This is the end product. 

I have a bit of a soft spot for these two now, & I picture them as a bit of a quirky, slightly eccentric couple. (A bit like myself & my husband) 

Once upon a time, on a sunny day in Sylvania...

"Why on earth did I let you talk me into riding right up the top of the bus! It's so windy & im sure I'll catch my death of cold!" Said Mabel Periwinkle 

"Mabel, dearest, you said you couldn't stand the noise of all those children on the lower level. You practically begged me to help you up here! Remember?!" Replied Mack. 

"Did I?" Said Mabel 

Mack sighed. Sometimes Mabel was a bit difficult & changed her mind often, but he loved her anyway. There were so many times that Mabel was a caring, patient soul, that when she did have a difficult mood it didn't matter so much. 

Meanwhile at the new Slydale Hollow bus stop...

Smokey & Flora Wildwood, and Cliff & Pearl Babblebrook were waiting for the Periwinkles arrival. 

They hadn't seen Mack & Mabel in years, & had planned to get all the "senior" citizens of Slydale Hollow together for a welcome drink down at the Harvester Restaurant. Smokey Wildwood was especially excited as Manel was his cousin & he had very few older relations left (as can happen when you grow older).  As they were waiting Alex Periwinkle & his family came walking up

"So Alex are you excited about your parents coming to stay?" Asked Pearl Babblebrook 

"Yes, both Katie & I are really looking forward to it. This will be the first time they meet little Isobel" replied Alex

"It would also be good to have someone to watch the children & give us the chance to spend time together." Remarked Katie. 

"You do look like you need a bit of a break Katie, would you like me to take the children to the playground while we wait." asked Flora Wildwood

"Flora, that would be lovely. But don't you get worn out be around children all the time? You live with your son Herb & his family don't you?" 

"Katie, don't you worry your pretty head about me. I enjoy being around young children, & my daughter in law Ginger makes sure I don't have to do too much at home."

And with that Flora took the off to play. 

"Thanks heaps for coming Uncle Smokey. I'm sure Mother will be pleased to see you when she arrives." 

"No worries, Alex. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I haven't seen cousin Mabel in way too long. Plus I have a feeling Mack will need a bit of a break from her after the long bus ride" chuckled Smokey 

"I think I can see them! I can see the bus!! Yay!" Cried Rebecca from the top of the playground 

Everybody waited for the first glimpse of the bus. 

It was here! The first official bus trip to Slydale Hollow! Mack & Mabel could see their friends & relations waiting for them. The Babblebrooks were so excited they had to sit down! 

"Now Mabel, my dear, let me go down first so I can help you down those steps"

"Of course I will Mack, I don't fancy tumbling down them"

"Mother! Father! What on earth possessed you to sit at the top of the bus!!" Cried Alex

"The view, of course" replied Mack with a wink 

"Here, Mrs. Periwinkle allow me to help you down." Said Stan the bus driver, " I have experience get up & down these steps."

"Why yes of course" said Mabel, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth she slipped, & luckily Driver Stan caught her. 

"Oh my, oh my, oh my" muttered Mabel as Mack & Katie led her to the bench. 

Mabel promptly lay down on the bench & puffed & panted like she was going into hysterics. But just then a little face appeared right next to hers. 

"I kiss it. I make it better Granny!" 

It was Baby Isobel, Mabel's newest grandchild. Mabel cheered up immediately. 

"Come along Mabel, you've had worse slips than that." said the familiar voice of her cousin Smokey. "Remember when we were children & you used to climb the apple trees in your father orchard..."

"Are you talking about the time Mabel ended catching her skirt on a branch, then slipped & you left her hanging there!" Said Mack

"I had to go get help, & if I remember correctly you were too busy rolling around laughing!" Replied Smokey

Mack & Mabel spent the rest of the day reminiscing about younger years, & getting to know their grandchildren better. 

And now here they are. The Periwinkle rabbits. 

The Old Mill

I'm going to start writing some small pieces about the houses & shops we have here in Slydale Hollow. First up we have "The Old Mill", a windmill converted into a lovely home. 

It has three rooms kitchen, lounge & bedroom. 

I've just recently finished furnishing this building, & I think the residents will be very pleased! 

Emma & Kenneth Furbanks live in the mill with their 2 adopted sons Ambrose & Alfie. 

Sometimes Emma wonders if living in windmill is such a good idea with two young adventurous boys, especially when they love to climb so much!

I remember her telling me about the day she came outside to find them both playing with the winch that is attached to the top of the mill... 

Poor Emma was so beside herself she didn't know what to do. Luckily Kenneth had the ladder handy! 

First he caught cheeky Ambrose,

Then up another ladder to get Alfie! 

Then into the mill to comfort poor Emma, with the boys promising never to do that again!