Fairy Springs Into Summer!

Greetings my people – and welcome to a lovely sunny spot in the garden where I am sure you will all be eagerly awaiting my latest pontifications. So here goes.

Many of my loyal followers will be familiar with the term ‘Spring Cleaning’. Although more usually applied to what ones Personal Piggy Palace goes through when it gets its annual big clean-up jobbie, this term could also be applied to some of us who enjoy our pampering a little more regularly.

First things first though. To ensure the maximum pampering quotient is achieved, only the very best is good enough. It isn’t good getting all fobbed off with any old shampoo, washing up liquid or such rubbish. Oh no, the very idea.

To save you the bother of wasting valuable salad munching time researching the subject all round the internet and everything, I can tell you here and now there is only ONE shampoo company good enough for me to risk my legendary good looks on – Gorgeous Guineas.

Yes Mummy – I do insist on checking the bottle first.

Hummm, now let me see – ‘Spring into Summer Easi Rinse shampoo‘. Five fold orange oil and lavender. A special edition too! That looks just the ticket.

Now we have that all sorted out, there is just the small matter of the water.

Steady as she goes Mummy – lower away. I just want to dip a toe in to test the temperature.

I said ‘DIP A TOE’ – not ‘DUNK THE PIGGY’!!!!

Actually, talking of toes – don’t forget they need lots of extra special pampering.

Ooooooooh – stop it – that tickles!

I like this bit – all lovely and luxurious. Any chance of a scritch too Mummy?

Awww – can’t I stay in here just a little while longer?

Be very careful not to rub me up the wrong way – Tee Hee!

That got most of the sploshy water off – time for that all important blow dry.

Oooooh, stop it Mummy – your causing such a draft around my, err . . . moving swiftly on.

Gosh all that beautification malarkey takes it out of you. Time for a swift relax.

Oh yes – this is the life. My fur feels even more all soft and silky than usual.

What was that shampoo called, mum? Spring Into Deckchair?! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Fairy tries her hand at Inventing!

Oh, hello there! I am just having some quality time with my Daddy.
Can you just scritch a bit higher Daddy? Down a bit . . . . up a bit! Oooh! That’s really perfect!
What a lovely, jolly useful Daddy.

What’s that, Daddy? You are going away for a couple of days? Eeeeeeek! WHEN exactly? Oh heck, how inconsiderate. That means I won’t get my full quota of daily back rubs.

Now then Fairy – don’t panic. Let me see . . . time to consult my little book of brilliant inventions. It has all the answers!

Right then, quiet please, I am going to be exceptionally busy in my little workshop.
If you all promise to sit still and keep quiet, you can watch, learn and wonder.
Pay attention now!

I just need to gather some of my trusty tools . . .

They are kept in this jolly useful biscuit tin type contrivance – pity there isn’t a sustaining snack or two in there too. All this inventing is jolly hard work and hungry tum making.

First, you need to draw up lots of green prints, complex plans, detailed drawings of what it is you are going to invent and all complicated things like that. Leonardo De Pigggy got all his very best ideas from me!
Lots of scrunched up balls of paper make it look like you have had loads of very Good Ideas. More good ideas than you could shake an antique measuring type stick at!

Yuk! Get this nasty bit of wood thingy off my head top – everyone knows guinea pigs hate shavings!

Right, just let me consult my inventing book again . . .

Oh yes! Now for the really tricky part . . . for this bit you need some suitable stand-in handy type wotsits – just like these –

They need to be pink, just like Daddy hands. Just a mo, I must perform my handy-stand-in suitability test.
They need to be able to perform perfect pats – just like this. Check!

But what about these pudgy finger ends? Will they pass the highly technical itchy-scritchyness test?

Mummmmmy! Can you put the pesky batteries in so I can get my invention all road tested.

I’m all braced and ready! You can turn them on now please Mummy – soon as you like.

Oh yes! This is all very nice and ‘Rubbery’!

The finger tip action is just the job, giving my shoulders a nice relaxing rub. And yes – this invention does have a proper patent and everything – that’s what makes it so shiny.

I can’t help but think there’s something missing though . . . .

Watch-it! Now they really do look like my real Daddy with time on his hands.

What do you reckon, Mummy? I think my new prototype invention type thingy is just like the real thing – but a lot quieter.

I will miss my real Daddy’s handy scritches . . . but these super duper Fairy flippers will be just the job for a day or two, I suppose.
Now, about my dinner . . .

Fairy In The Kitchen!

I am back! I went for a jolly long flight but I am here, safe and sound, on terra firma – well, actually I am perched atop a Quince at this exact moment –

Hey, Mum! What are we doing with these Quincey type fruits then?

Oh well, I did ask. Looks like my salad, all sliced up properly!

We made chutney – lots of chutney!

Now then, what shall we make next? A treat for mummy and daddy, for making lots of lovely salads for me!

Are the cakes ready yet? Hurry!

I am a salad-pig myself but even I could be tempted by these sticky fingers!

We’ve had a smashing day, busy in the kitchen, but it must be MY teatime now.

That’s it! I am fed and watered and now it is time to settle down to my favourite radio programme – Desert Island Salads!

Everything In The Garden’s Perfect!

We have a problem.

In between snacking and snoozing, and snacking a bit more, all I keep hearing are mutterances about the garden.
The gist of it is, the long, cold winter killed a load of plants off.

Well, it isn’t a problem now! Mum! Look at all these nice new plants I’ve found for you.

Just pop them in where the gaps are and things will be as right as . . . as right as . . . err . . . HAY!
Look! This one is nice. Well, it IS pink so it must be ok.

Anyway, it isn’t all doom and gloom. I am sure there’s something good over yonder . . . can you prise me out? It is a bit of a snug fit in this plant tray. What do you mean, ‘my bottom’s too round’? Humph!

No! I didn’t mean this! It is far too YELLOW.

I was actually thinking about something a bit more GREEN.

Ahaha! This is much better. Who needs flowers when you can your teeth into some jolly decent grass?
Nom, nom, nom . . . . everything in the garden’s grassy – perfect!

Fairy’s Beautiful Pea-Green Boat!

Ahoy! I say! AHOY THERE!
Chocks away!
I am going to sail my my beautiful new boat on a voyage across the seas.

Errr . . . what do you mean, ‘I have to row’? Isn’t it powered by anything?
Well, I’ll soon see about that!

That’s it, Marigold – row, row, row the boat, and off we go!
That Marigold is very useful sometimes.

Oh no! Look at all that water . . . it’s coming in!

We’re filling up! It’s time to bail out!

Whe . . . where’s Fairy? She’s left me in a sinking ship.
Bail out, Marigold, swim for it . . . squeaks a little voice from the shore.

Phewee, back on my kitchen table now after all that excitement.
I think we will keep the boat moored here, then I can hop in and have a snooze whenever I like.

Driving Miss Fairy!

Peeep! PEEP! PEEEEEEEEEEEEP! Look out everyone! Here I come!

Driving Miss Fairy! (2)

Brumm-brumm . . . brumm-brumm!

Watch out – make way!

Driving Miss Fairy! (8)

Am I doing ok, Mum? I like driving – I don’t even think I need driving lessons!

Driving Miss Fairy! (11)

It might be a different matter when I get those two back seat drivers in with me though. I can hear Marigold now, ‘Fairy! Fairy! Slow down’! And Mariella, fussing over her long fur as it gets all blown about in the breeze.

Driving Miss Fairy! (5)

Oh well . . .

Whooooo! Hold on! Is that my tea I see, over there?
*slams paw on the brakes*

Driving Miss Fairy! (10)

I’ll just make a quick pit-stop. There’s plenty of time to practice driving round the bend later!

Driving Miss Fairy! (7)

One’s beautiful new car was delivered by Jenny’s Custom Cars. Official car-maker to the Pig-nicenti, by Royal Appointment.

Driving Miss Fairy! (13)

Flowery-Fairy!

Snow, snow and more snow! I expect you thought that is what you would find here today. Well, you were wrong! Nasty cold wet stuff that sticks to my whiskers – brrrr! So instead I am bringing you a little bit of summer. Sit down on a nice comfy chair, put your paws up and chill(!) while I show you a few of my favourite garden flowers.

My love of flowers can be traced back to the Big Royal Mouse Wedding Of The Year where I, among all my other important and complicated duties, was co-opted to do the wedding flowers. Remember Minty’s spectacular bouquet? A pretty little posy of Sweet Williams with some other little whatsits thrown in for good measure. Fairy-sized flowers, delicate, sweet and mini – just like little ol’ ME. A triumph!

Fairy's bunch of flowers (10)

Look! They are jolly snazzy.

If you need me to do your wedding flowers I am sure it could be arranged.

Fairy's bunch of flowers (12)

If you are going to a sophisticated wedding, you can always find a suitable hat hidden amongst the flower petals. This jolly posh hat was just the job for the famous Mouse Wedding of the Year. An occasion made all the more enjoyable by my meticulous planning and superior organisation skills. Oh and a particularly good Cheese-cake!
That reminds me, I must invite Minty and Monty round for tea, it’s ages since we got together!

Fairy flower power (5)

Have you ever tried lounging around in the flower bed? Daisies are particularly comfy and quite handy to hide among, their being white and everything!

No time for loafing today though. Let’s be taking a look over yonder . . .

Fairy Daisy (8)

. . . err . . . I am in here. HERE! Can you see me ok?

Fairy checks the garden for pollen (3)

Pink! My favourite colour! Mummy says it has something to do with my ears, I think . . . not sure what though.

Fairy flower power (14)

Now then . . . where was I? Oh yes, flowers.

The very best kind of flower is of course, the edible non petal flower – more commonly known in horticultural circles as ‘grass’. Not only is it comfy to loll about in, it also makes a tasty and nutritious snack. Yum!

Fairy lawnmower (11)

Another Special Delivery for Fairy!

What do we have here then? Looks like a fan has sent me another present – all the way from Germany!

It’s a goodly sized box. I wonder what it could be! Whatever it is, it’s sure to be exciting.

I hope it’s salad. I have it on very good authority that German salad is exceptionally tasty!!!!

Malilla's surprise parcel (3)

Can you locate the label, Mariella? Does it say ‘TO FAIRY’? It does?

Be very careful that the box doesn’t give way under your enormous bulk!

Malilla's surprise parcel (4)

Move over – let the Fairy see the present. Now what do we have here?

Malilla's surprise parcel (11)

Yes, very interesting – lots of paper – just what I wanted! PAPER!!!!

Malilla's surprise parcel (13)

Bit more paper . . .

Malilla's surprise parcel (15)

. . . and plenty of it. It’s obviously needs lots of protection – is it a Piggy?

Malilla's surprise parcel (16)

Wow – MUMMY, LOOK! A bright pink fleece cuddle-blankie! And just my size! PERFECT!

Malilla's surprise parcel (17)

What’s this then? I’ll lower it down on this rope Mariella, get ready to catch it!

Malilla's surprise parcel (25)

Mariella! It’s the snack pack you eat – not the rope. You are a dope! A ‘dope on a rope’ – tee hee!

Malilla's surprise parcel (26)

I’ll just have a little rest before I carry on unpacking – all by myself – without ANY HELP!!!

Malilla's surprise parcel (27)

DOUBLE WOW! There is another super duped pack of yum yums – it’s a carrot tart, perfect for a restorative nibble.

Put those teeth away Marigold – that one’s mine!

Malilla's surprise parcel (30)

What’s that bright red holey thing then?

Malilla's surprise parcel (33)

Now then, are these the instructions? Let me see . . . . hum . . . . ummm . . . . yeees . . . right, hum . . . .

Malilla's surprise parcel (34)

Oh I see, it says in here that it is a lovely ceramic, nightlight holder type ornamental apple.

Ornamental.

So you can’t eat it then . . . oh well, perhaps Mummy can use it to make light work of her chores!

Malilla's surprise parcel (36)

Gosh, thank you Auntie Malilla. We really love our parcel and we really love YOU. XXXXXXXXXX

I’ll just have a quick rest while mummy arranges Marigold and Mariella for the group grateful photo.

Malilla's surprise parcel (20)

Actually, the ceramic apple makes a rather good posing podium – I can keep my eye on Mariella from up here!

Everyone say “Grass”!

Malilla's surprise parcel (40)

Fairy Takes Percy For A Spin!

What ho! I may be able to fly a carrot through the wide blue skies and beyond – but who would have thought that a real life wooden pig might fly too?

Just give me two ticks while I get cleared for take off and locate the accelerator pedal thingy, and check the horn – pip-pip!

Fairy Percy (3)

How high up is it, up there? Will I need my pigga-shute? It looks very high and very scary indeed.

Now then lets check the whether or not type conditions. There is a cross wind of 3-4 hay-knots Nor Nor West and visibility is, as usual, ‘challenging’.

Right, that’s all the highly technical stuff that you won’t understand, dealt with, time to fly.

I bet you thought I would be worried about flying . . . not me, Fairy the Fearless-flyer! (actually, I am a little more concerned about contracting a severe bout of the dreaded ‘splinters’)

Fairy Percy (5)

Hold on . . . I say . . . what the dickens . . . it is, isn’t it? That there – over yonder whatnot . . . well, I’ll be . . . get a move on Percy old chap and let’s zoom over there and investigate . . . neeeeeeoooouuuuuuuu . .. . weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee . . .

Fairy Percy (2)

Wooo hooo – this is so exciting! We’re travelling at the speed of white. Tee hee.

Fairy Percy (1)

View Halloo! Well done Percy Pig! You just carry on and hover up there a mo while I check out this rather stupendous Fairy sized super pumpkin type thingy!

Fairy and the pumpkin (1)

The question I know you’re all dying to ask is – am I going to ‘The Ball’ or to a totally brilliant and spookily amazing, surprise ‘Halloween Party’, thrown in my honour by Marigold and Mariella?

Fairy and the pumpkin (4)

That’s for me to know and you to find out – very soon!!!!

Fairy And The Tumultuous Tower Of Cosy-Comfort Device!

We find our pals busily sitting around happily doing nothing – but all is not as it seems.  There is a simmering mood of discontent coming inexorably to the boil, emanating from the hairy occupant of the cheese chair.

Hummph, Hummmph and thrice Hummmmph!

The wrong beds! (1)

What ails you sweet Fairy? You don’t appear to be your usual bouncy, jovial self today.

Well Marigold, thank you for asking but – if you don’t know, I’m not telling you!!!

The wrong beds! (1)b

And as for you young mousey type babies, shouldn’t you be busy sweeping chimneys or plaiting sand or doing something equally useful? And be quick about it!

The wrong beds! (3)

Err, *whispering* Marigold.

Yes Mariella, what is it?

I rather suspect that our international superstar sister is in one of her . . . moods!

The wrong beds! (6)

Oh goodness, what ever can the matter with her be?

The wrong beds! (4)

We think we know.

Err Auntie Fairy, can we borrow your highly developed cleverness skills for a moment, please?

The wrong beds! (5)

We want you to test our latest invention – it’s a tumultuous tower of cosy-comfort device.

What do you think of it Auntie Fairy, do tell us please? Oh yes, Fairy! Please do tell!

‘It will do’, proclaimed our furry hero.

The bed heap (2)

Fairy loves it! Yippppppeeeeeee, hurrrrrrrrrrah and various other squeaky outpourings of delight.

The bed heap (7)b

Fairy had been peeved because everyone was sitting on her favourite comfy pads.

Of course, she believes passionately in sharing everything snugglable, just so long as her share is a little more equal than others.

The bed heap (12)b

Mine’s A Sweetcorn Leaf!

I know what you are thinking – how could Fairy possibly leave all that spare lovely bright shiny sweet corn leaf treasure behind?

Well – she didn’t! Just after the last photo was taken . . .

Mummy – can you come quickly? Oh, and bring lots of carrier bags with you please!

Out for a ride (35)

A few hours later, back home all safe and sound . . . . .

Settle down now, and I’ll read you a bedtime story.

Once upon a time there were three little mice . . . and a lovely Piggy Auntie called Fairy . . .

Bedtime story (1)

Good  that did the trick – they have all drifted off to the land of nod.

Bedtime story (5)b

It was such a jolly good thing Mummy brought all the Sweet Corn Leaves home from the famous Sweetcorn Leaf Mine. I like to have a little snack just before retiring, and just in case I wake-up during the night, and just in case I might wake-up again during the night, and . . .

Bedtime story (3)

And there’s even some left for breakfast! Woo hoo!

Goodness me – yesterday was the best day ever! It was a champion day!

Time for . . . nom . . . nom . . . sleeps zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZ

Bedtime story (8)

Fairy Gets More Treasures Than She Bargained For!

Nanny Fairy here people, my good works and kindnesses to bestow.

Minty and Monty wanted a quiet day out together today, probably to get me a big prize or plan a huge surprise party for me or something of that me-centred nature. I, of course, volunteered to look after all the baby mices for them. Such a selfless little treasure I am!

Out for a ride (36)

Hello there Marmaduke, Mabel and Petunia. How lovely for you to have me to look after you today.

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Right you three, lets be ‘aving you. Are you all sitting comfortably? Hold tight. We are off for a quiet genteel stroll around the garden on this beautiful sunshiny day, in your beautiful new shiny pram.

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Mummy, we are going to set off now mummy. We won’t be too long, Mummy. You might want to prepare some restorative sustenance for when we get back. I will be very much in need of it because I will be doing all the hard work type things in the hot sun, pushing this great big heavy pram and everything.

Out for a ride (6)

Chocks away! Oh! Hang on . . . I will need a quick energy boost before we move off.

Now where did I put that secret stash of grass? Looks like you are sitting on it, Marmaduke, hotch over.

Out for a ride (9)

Yum, yum. Now, you three can sit there patiently and admire a virtuoso display of piggy formation nibbling and at the same time get a free maths lesson.

Munch, 2, 3, 4. Chew, 2, 3, 4 . . . and what comes next, Petunia? Yep, swallow! Gulp 2, 3, 4 . . .

Out for a ride (13)

That was just the ticket. Right, brace yourselves – time to launch this show on the road.

Just a cotton pickin’ minute – what’s that up ahead?

Out for a ride (4)

It can’t be, can it? It looks like it could be . . . I can’t believe it – we might have stumbled across a mythical, fantastical, storybook type treasure, beyond the wildest dreams of piggy avarice. . . A Sweet Corn Leaf Mine!!!!

Corn drying

Whoooooooah! Look! By ginger! It is!

STOP! EVERYBODY OUT!!!!

Out for a ride (16)

Goodness – this looks like a very picturesque picnic spot. Let’s just sit and eat the scenery for a while.

Nomm, nomm, burp – pardon! Nomm, nomm . . .

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We can’t possibly leave all this yummy stuff here to go to waste . . .

I know, let’s pile as much as we can into the perambulator.

Out for a ride (15)

I had better sit up here and make sure nothing falls overboard.

Come on then mices – heave ho. Let’s make tracks for home.

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Put those little mousey backs into it. Puuuuuuush!

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Hummph, we don’t seem to be getting very far. Are you all trying?

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What’s that, Mabel? One of the wheels has sunk into the gravel?

Well, if you had pushed a little harder, and complained a little less . . .

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MUMMMYY – HELP – WE’RE STUCK! Ring the breakdown man, quick. We will need an extra big, strong tow truck!

Out for a ride (32)

No need to panic – I have it all fixed and fettled.

There was nothing for it – I lightened the load – by eating all those yummy leaves!

Out for a ride (33)

We haven’t heard the end of the soon to be legendary Sweet Corn Leaf Mine saga, no doubt . . .