A beautiful, crisp autumn day today! First chance I've had all weekend to play... I love this time of year, even though I'll miss the warmer weather and my fresh herbs. Today's plan is to finish on some labeling, pack up a small order and make a batch of my lavender eucalyptus soaps. I'll have the house to myself for a couple of hours today. Now I'm off to put more seed in the feeders. Keep thinking I hear rustling in the woods because of all the leaves... sounds like little footsteps... it's not mid summer, but I've always loved this Rackham illustration of Puck and a Fairy. I'm leaving little gifts for my faerie friends around the woodland to entice them to stay.
~ Alms in Autumn ~
by Rose Fyleman (1877-1957)
Spindle-wood, spindle-wood, will you lend me, pray,
A little flaming lantern to light me on my way?
The fairy folk have vanished from the meadow and the glen,
And I would fain go seeking till I find them once again;
Lend me now a lantern that I may bear a light
To show the hidden pathway in the darkness of the night.
Ash tree, ash tree, throw me, if you please,
Throw me down a slender bunch of russet-gold keys;
I fear the gates of fairyland may all be shut fast;
Give me of your magic keys that I may get past;
I’ll tie them to my girdle, that as I go along
My heart may find a comfort in their tiny tinkling song.
Holy bush, holly bush, help me in my task,
A pocket full of berries is all the alms I ask;
A pocket full of berries to thread in glowing strands
(I would not go a-visiting with nothing in my hands);
So fine will be the rosy chains, so gay, so glossy bright,
They’ll set the realms of fairyland a-dancing with delight.
Spindle-wood, spindle-wood, will you lend me, pray,
A little flaming lantern to light me on my way?
The fairy folk have vanished from the meadow and the glen,
And I would fain go seeking till I find them once again;
Lend me now a lantern that I may bear a light
To show the hidden pathway in the darkness of the night.
Ash tree, ash tree, throw me, if you please,
Throw me down a slender bunch of russet-gold keys;
I fear the gates of fairyland may all be shut fast;
Give me of your magic keys that I may get past;
I’ll tie them to my girdle, that as I go along
My heart may find a comfort in their tiny tinkling song.
Holy bush, holly bush, help me in my task,
A pocket full of berries is all the alms I ask;
A pocket full of berries to thread in glowing strands
(I would not go a-visiting with nothing in my hands);
So fine will be the rosy chains, so gay, so glossy bright,
They’ll set the realms of fairyland a-dancing with delight.
I do love this sweet fairy poem!
And here is a glimpse of my Woodland Faerie Cakes, just poured and cooling. Topped with little pink rosebuds, anise and a sprinkle of faerie dust! I'll pop these out of the molds, package them and maybe even get them in the shop today :) These are soy wax tarts that smell sooo wonderful! Surely they'll entice my faerie friends to stay the winter.
Enjoy your weekend all!
Hi Piper~
It's so nice to find you here! Rackham, Peter Rabbit, old houses and wildflowers~ so many of my very favorite things. :)
I loved that song! It's "The Grinding Grain" by Mighty Squirrel. http://www.myspace.com/mightysquirrelmusic
Posted by: Kristina Layton | November 10, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Have not visited your blog in a while. Love the Fairy Cakes. I harvested many wild rose buds this year. Please say a prayer for my little fairy woodland ecosystem as it is at risk from 500 kilovolt power lines.
Many Blessings,
Erin
Posted by: Erin Grover | November 11, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Dear Piper,
Thank You for the nice message. I found so many wonderful sites to visit on your blog. You are truly walking the right path. Have a wonderful weekend,
Erin
Posted by: Erin Grover | November 13, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Those lovely, pale, toadstools are so beautiful and I can almost smell the fragrance of the pine needles..how I miss that.
xox Rella
Posted by: Rella | January 10, 2010 at 05:23 PM