Stone Hill Homestead

When I was a teenager I took a course in writing children’s literature. I’ve also collected children’s literature, especially in my teens and as a young mom.

Life moved on for me and I kind of lost track of that part of my life. Disconnected somehow.

But in my head there’s been percolating this idea of sharing my farm stories with kids. I just couldn’t figure out how to do it. I wanted the whimsy, the pictures that I had in my head, and I wanted to add the magic. But I am not an illustrator.

However, I do take pictures. One night last week I started playing with them. I made one, and another, and another. Jube says for a woman who hates AI I sure am enjoying playing with it. Yes, yes I am. I do not like technology. But here I am.

That night, Crispus was born. He lives in the barn.

The mouse knight made an appearance. We still haven’t found a name for him but I do know a little about him, and that’s yet to be told.

We discovered fairies.

This dear fairy. She was asleep in the daffodil when I picked it and was terrified when she woke.

We also discovered the Night Gardener. He is elderly man who prefers a nocturnal lifestyle and I oblige him. Look closely. He is working in the shadows.

Then Thursday struck and with it the Japanese beetles. The fairies and I had our moment and then declared war.

Crispus wasn’t willing to help with the battle but he showed up when he sensed free food. He ate three beetles and promptly puked. He spent the evening back in the barn feeling very poorly.

That evening I told the night gardener about our day, with concern about how the pesticide we ended up using would affect him. He was disgusted by my concern, feeling like I had insinuated that he was less than human. We saved the hollyhocks though.

The happiest thing in the garden that day was berry picking and with it, the discovery of the hedgehogs.

The hedgehogs seem to have a backstory. I have a pretty good idea of what that is. Frankly, I feel bad for the Mrs., but maybe it isn’t too late for Mr. Hedgehog to reform? The following is what I posted on Whatsapp yesterday.

This is a tree elf. Not to be confused with the night gardener. 

I still haven’t sprayed his tree. It needs it though. Tomorrow.

The following was tonight’s post. Zoom in and check out what Freyja puts up with in her barn.

All these things were shared on Whatsapp. But I realized that I would lose them because WhatsApp stories disappear forever. I thought about opening another Instagram account and posting there. But this space on my blog is just sitting here. So here we are. You’re welcome to follow along.

There will probably be more than just the whimsical journal here from time to time. Come along for the ride.

It’s time to show my kids the last post and see if they approve. They’re in on the fun–complete with arguing about characters, their abilities, and backstories. It’s kinda fun to finally know a fantasy story better than they do for a change.🐹🦔🌻