Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Willows Return Part One

 The Three are back!  Badger was all gussied up, ready to greet them.  They had to wait in the mail package until he was all bathed and dressed.  He was nervous.  They've been away so long.
 First, he sniffed around the New Zealand mail labels.  "I'm ready.  Open it up, please."
 "Fine fellows!"  (We were both sort of emotional!)

 He and Mole had a little chat.  I'm not sure what their conversation was about.
 I am overwhelmed by all the hostesses' kind gifts and additions to The Grand Tour!



 The little goodie envelope in the back of the book held a toadstool button from sweet Angel in the Garden, Catherine.  LOVE!

 There are so many sweet treasures here now. I feel very loved, very blessed.  I cried when I looked through the passport.  Aren't their passport photos fine?

 Angela from Tracing Rainbows made a snug pouch for the passport, book, and BOYS!


 









 





Can you get your mind around how LOVELY literary women are?  I am blown away by the imagination and the creativity I have seen.  My next post will show you the book.  It's gorgeous!  I took a photo of almost every page, so I must break this "telling" up into two posts.
I really only started loving this story about five years ago.  Who knew that women all over the world love it, too?  
Would you like to participate in The Grand Tour Welcome Home Tea Party on March 1st?  You can set the table for the boys and Badger, you can talk about the book and your favorite parts, and you can link to everyone and raise a cup for the kindness and hospitality that carried Ratty, Toad, and Mole through the mail, to the lovely homes of childlike-hearted women.  
Soon, Mr. Badger will be winging his way to Mags in Northern Ireland.  He's launching his own Willows event from there.  When will it all end?  Never, I hope!  
Thank you for believing in their "real" journey and chuckling with us along the way.
Next post coming very soon! (and more gushing on and on about the hostesses!)

22 comments:

M.K. said...

Wow! I'm first in the comment line! Oh, Pom, what a fun, fun post! I love seeing all FOUR of them together again, at home. What a trek! I wish now that I had put more in the package, done more. But the whole collection of stamps -- how exciting! It makes me feel as if the planet is smaller, as if we are a neighborhood. By tea party time on March 1, I should have my new copy of Willows in hand, to help me enjoy the event. Julia and I will definitely be participating!

Gumbo Lily said...

What a lovely bunch of hosts and hostesses! So many personal bits.

quilterliz said...

G'day Pom Pom. How wonderful that the boys are home. They would have been so happy to see you again and no doubt are still telling you all about their grand adventure. Take care. Liz...

libbyquilter said...

i'm so excited for you Pom Pom~!!!~
it's all just so much FUN and quite beautifully done~!!
the passport is fabulous and i had a good chuckle when i read the note that Toad wrote . . . sometimes traveling is a bit trying for us all i guess.

of course i will be looking forward to the party on the first of March.

i wonder if you will be sharing this with your class at school?
i would think that it would seem quite wonderful to them as well. i imagine that it might give them the idea that they never ever have to grow all the way up. i so wish that someone had given me that important message when i was in school. we must all leave a little room within our lives for the pleasures of play and imagination no matter what age we might be.

enjoy. enjoy. ENJOY.
:-)
libbyQ

Elderberry-Rob said...

How wonderful! they are back with passport intact and goodies too! Thankyou for arranging the journey and Mags too for co-ordinating in Europe - I had so much fun visiting places with the Willows that I have never had an excuse to blog about before! (toad crossing sign, river Mole, Lonesome Lane teddy bear house). Betty x

Catherine said...

And don't forget the boy Pom!! He did most of the writing & stamping & signing stuff this end! He loved joining in..thanks so much for the tour. Badger certainly looks very spiffing in his crisp new attire.
I do hope that there is no confusion when he gets to Ireland..mobile Strawberries & all that. Much love GK x0x0x0

Unknown said...

It is amazing to see the willows home again, how wonderful. Love seeing all the photos and looking forward to the next part.

Angela said...

So exciting to see all the details of their travels - and glad that all those little gifts have arrived safely with you.
Thanks for setting this one up, it has been great fun !

blessings xx

Elizabethd said...

Oh how lovely!
I was so sad to have to drop out, just as we moved house from one country to another. Maybe another tour will be planned!

Cheyenne said...

This is just so neat! I loved seeing the passport book and will anxiously await your next posting. Such fun!

Nancy McCarroll said...

How delightful! I loved reading of their journeys. Being a foodie, I was wondering if they enjoyed any fine dining while they were away, or if they just had ants and flies and small creatures for tidbits. Just love TOAD!

Patrice said...

What a fun thing! I loved the passport. You better send off those undies for the one who had an accident. ;)

Lisa Richards said...

What fun! Can't wait to see the book pages! I feel a litte untechy...what exactly do we need to do on March 1st to participate in the party?
I noticed Toad's colors were a bit smeared. I guess the wet pants explain a lot! :D

Lisa Richards said...

It's the linking to everyone's blogs part that I'm not sure how to do. Are you going to have a Mr. Linkey thingy? Thanks for any assistance. ;)

magsmcc said...

Oh look! I am speechless, amazed, delighted, not so speechless at all clearly! Will Badger be here in time for St Patrick's day- oh I hope so! Well done, all of us x Cannot wait to see the book!

Leslie said...

Love it! I didn't realize they had been traveling for so long. What a special treasure! Can't wait to hear more.

Floss said...

How lovely to see them all back - I have a confession though, I think something that shouldn't have stayed got left behind chez nous... I found it, kept it carefully to send it on to you, and now... I can't find it! It was one of Carolyn's little felt creatures, and I can't believe I've lost it - so many apologies to you and Carolyn! However, it is here, SOMEWHERE, and when I find it it will wing its way to you, Pom Pom!

Pamela said...

A delightful post to read. It made me smile and cheer for all the hostesses. I hope Mr. Badger loves Ireland. (Wish I could sneak in the package, too.)

Red Rose Alley said...

Thank you for visiting us at Red Rose Alley. You have a lovely blog, and I like the red polka dot shoes on your side bar. I am a polka dot girl too. I hope you visit us again soon, and have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Simply amazing and thrilling! No wonder you were teary eyed. I am looking forward to seeing the book.

ann said...

I am so impressed. What a wonderful adventure. You must be simply overcome with emotions reading all of the lovely messages. Snow! Ha. You always get so much more than we do. We get what's left over at the end of storm.

Fat Dormouse said...

How wonderful! I'm sorry I had to cry off and not get involved. But it's lovely to see the fun that the Boys had.

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