SNOWY SEATTLE GNOMES

GNOMES AND GNOME HOME IN THE SNOW

Yes, it does snow in Seattle! There are a few gnomes out in the snow here on the Olympic Peninsula. The boys wanted to get a little play time so they asked me to take some pictures. Like us, they usually spend snowy days in their indoor shops making tools and furniture. When they do go out, on go their special boots that make  small-looking  animal tracks. We wrote a blog story last year, “Footprints in the Snow.”
http://whimsicalwoods-gnomes.blogspot.com/2010/11/footprints-in-snow.html. 

GNOMES AND THEIR FRIEND GO FOR A WALK IN THE SNOW

Seems snow and gnomes go together. They are dressed for it! 

Having had snow for several days now, the birds are very hungry. So with a little help from me, we’re keeping them fed. Our special suet is very popular now. Unfortunately, the Starlings like it way too much. Popcorn keeps them busy.

The snow will end, but be followed by rain with a concern for flooding next week. I think most gnomes float pretty well. Enjoy the snow pictures. We’re going to send a few into the Seattle news stations. They like local snowy home pictures. You never “gnome” what they will put on TV.


All is very white and quiet here in Whimsical Woods. Look at those tracks in the snow!

IS THIS GNOME LOST IS THE SNOW?

 

Suet Feeders - Very Popular!

Suet Feeder - for the birds!

To all the Whimsical Woods loyal gnome blog readers, a very Happy New Year, 2012. It surely will be a year of changes and politics. That is something we do not read about in the life of gnomes. They have a vocal leader in the clan - a king, who has a queen. Likely a wise elder couple who have earned great respect over the years. How different!

Although our winter of 2011- 2012 seems to be very mild so far, the winter feeding of the little birds must continue. A favorite here in the northern cooler climate is suet made from real animal fat, or in my case, lard. Here at Whimsical Woods, I prefer to make my own from scratch. I can make it to my liking much better than the cheap corn based cakes available in stores. You can find the lard at various bulk food/restaurant stores (Cash & Carry, Smart & Final, etc.) It is about $1.00 a pound in bulk. I buy a 30 lb. bucket for about $35, which will last a full season. The birds love the protein and energy from the suet feeders.

When the snow piles up on the ground, the winter birds will need your suet feeder and ice free water. Our gnome friends to their best to help, but appreciate human efforts.

The photo is a suet feeder I make and sell at the Sequim Open Aire Market, craft shows and mail order. Commercial green suet cages work, but don’t look as natural and require the use of store bought packaged suet.

Suet Recipe - simple ingredients

1 lb. soft lard
1/4 cup sugar, brown or white
1/8 cup ordinary beach sand
1/4 cup old bread crumbs
8 cups of good quality bird seed mix*
1/2 cup flour (white or whole wheat)*

Mix all and let sit in a cool place for a day, then feed the birds! Suet filled pine cones also work great!

*Note: Add more or less to thicken the mix. Optional: add natural chunky peanut butter.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2012 from Whimsical Woods

Merry Christmas from Whimsical Woods and the Gnomes

From our Whimsical Woods to your homes, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. From our crew and little fellows here, we all thank you for your support in 2011. We appreciate your mail, photos and your orders for special log bird houses and custom gnome homes.

Our hope is to continue to spread the Gnome news and bring a little joy to those who can imagine and share with the family. Whimsical Woods will be spreading out to bigger craft shows in 2012. We’re hoping to be accepted to the Anacortes Arts Festival  and the Olympia Harbor Days. If we are accepted, we’ll let you all know and the dates. We’re looking now to branch out to spread the smiles. You never “gnome!”

Thank you all again. Please send us your feedback and your own photos so we can share the fun we’re having. (val@whimsicalwoods.net).

All is well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Val & Nancy Jackson
Whimsical Woods
Port Angeles, WA

Three Wise Men Come!

Three Wise Men (Gnomes) at a Gnome Home

As the Christmas season approaches, we often hear the story of the Three Wise Men from afar who traveled to find a baby. It is possible the gnomes come from a Scandinavia heritage, which likely has a strong Christian base learned from their human neighbors. I haven’t read of any Christmas celebrations per say, but have read that the birth of a young gnome does bring in wise older clan members to celebrate the new birth. Perhaps they are guided by a friendly night owl with bright white neck feathers to be seen in the dark. Some special little gnomes do grow up to become king. Great respect is given to the gnome king and queen and they are recorded in the Great Book in a secret place deep in the woods.

Other than teasing trolls, a gnomes’ favorite past time is watching us humans and copying our habits and activities. No doubt, I think, somewhere here in the Whimsical Woods there is a small decorated Christmas tree soon to be surrounded with special woodlands gifts of food, tools and handcrafts. Maybe there is a Santa Gnome, pulled by a small flock of flying birds. What a sight that would be.

Three wise men come to see a new baby gnome on a special night in a nearby Whimsical Woods. You just never “gnome!”

All is well here in our Whimsical Woods.

"John Beer" Gnome Tractor

"John Beer" Tractor and Gnomes

These little people are so smart and observant - monkey see, monkey do! They must  be jealous of me on my John Deere tractor working the garden, fields and Whimsical Woods! It’s just like them to figure out how to copy me. Maybe now they’ll leave my berries and other garden goodies alone. I’ve never read of gnomes turning to internal combustion power, but that’s why we live here in Whimsical Woods. Next, I’ll find a gnome camper trailer that is strapped to the underside of a large Canadian Goose for the gnomes to vacation in!

If a gnome can build and drive a “John Beer” Tractor, no telling what’s next. I’ll say this, picking to build a John Deere (“John Beer”) was the best choice! I’ve heard a visit to the John Deere factory is worth the time and effort. Wonder if the gnomes somehow snuck in? I’ll keep my eyes open next Spring for the little fellows in our field where they may have planted. One possible surprise would be the use of bio-fuel to run the tractor. Likely they’ve come up with some simple formula, They know how to brew beer, ferment wine and now make bio-fuel!

Sounds like a good earth life to me. Oh, one last note. Fred Meyers stores have a lot of homeless gnomes who would like to be loaded into your car. :-) All is well.

Cooler Nights, Warmer Clothes

As we  move into winter, out comes the warmer clothes. That’s the same for the little forest gnomes also. Heavier jackets, pants and fun-lined boots. Gnomes use deer fur that collects on bob wire fences for making clothes, hats and boots. Likely also used for warm bedding and blankets. They also collect bird feathers from chickens and ducks. I’ve never seen or heard of gnomes wearing ear muffs to keep their big ears warm however. Their hearing is excellent, so maybe they don’t want to cover them up. The big leather waist belt is important to keep the body heat in as well as acting as a critical tool belt for their adventures at night. I have also never seen gloves on a gnome (illustration) but have to believe they have made them coming from Scandinavia. Same for a scarf or neck band - no record of them.

It’s too early for now yet here in Sequim, Washington, but the nights are getting a lot colder and wetter. Lots of fallen nuts and sunflower seeds for the gnomes’ delight. Best get the storage room filled before the snow! Firewood is plentiful and easy to find. Must be a busy time for our forest gnomes. Holidays ahead and good times for all.

http://www.whimsicalwoods.net accepts on line orders (via PayPal) and our gnome homes, bird houses, etc. make excellent and unique Christmas gifts for those hard to please, or special people in your life. Hint, hint!

All is well. See you at the Market.

The Gnome Top Hat

A Gnome Hat and a Gnome Home

As seen in some of our blog photos taken at our weekly Sequim Open Aire Market, my new large red gnome hat attracts joyful attention. A generous gift from another vendor, Ellen Lloyd, Olga's Yurt of Fiber, it always brings smiles and fun to those who place it on their head and always results in a photo-op!  What visitors must think when they return home having visited Sequim and had their picture taken with a scaled to fit red gnome hat!

Always worn by both male and female gnomes, their hats are only removed at bed time. Likely while bathing and seated at the dinner table, also (?). I’ve read a gnome does not feel like a gnome unless they have their hat on. Never a bare head. Child gnomes receive their first hats at a very early age and are taught to care and repair it for the rest of their life, which is 350 to 400 years! The importance of this hat in helping the gnome is numerous because it is pointed and hard, it can protect them from falling nuts, small branches, snow, rain and sometimes predator attacking birds and animals.

The tall red gnome hat is the signature of a proud gnome.

Winter Sequim Market: Winter schedule - every Saturday until Dec. 17 from 10 am to 2 pm in downtown Sequim on Cedar Street. Come on by and bring your camera. All in fun and all is well at Whimsical Woods.