The Wardrobe

 Hello everyone!

I came up with this story way back in March when we were in lockdown, and in some of the time I had I was doing some cleaning in my own room, especially my wardrobe. It inspired me to write a little story about Yvette Blackberry and her own wardrobe problems. Perhaps she is a little similar to me, haha!

One Saturday morning, Betty Blackberry, climbed the wooden stairs to her daughter's bedroom at the top of the old farmhouse. She was carrying a dress that she had just washed and ironed in preparation for Yvette to wear it to some dance in the village happening the next week. 

She made her way across the tidy room, noting with satisfaction the neatness that her teenage daughter was exhibiting. Everything seemed to be in place. 

Absentmindedly, she reached for the wardrobe door. It was an old piece of furniture, belonging to Betty's grandmother, made from walnut and crafted by the best carpenter in that time. The door heaved open rather reluctantly as she tugged. Betty caught one look at the mountain of stuff inside perched precariously...

...And slammed it shut behind her. 

"Yvette!" she yelled. "Yvette! Your wardrobe is a mess! It's so jam-packed I can't hang your dress up! Please tidy it!" She left the dress lying on Yvette's bed and left the room, returning to the rest of the washing. 

Yvette, meanwhile, who had heard her mother's every word but pretended not to hear, came up to her room and shut the door behind her. She sat on the bed and stared unhappily at the wardrobe. 

The truth was, she knew how bad the mess was inside as much as anyone. She had just always shoved whatever she didn't want in sight or had nowhere else to put in there. Who knew how many year's worth of stuff was piled up in there? She supposed that she had just always hoped that she could pretend that it wasn't there and wouldn't have to do anything about it. Now, she saw that would never win this battle. Especially not now that her mother knew. 

She walked across the room and lifted her hand to the door...

For a split second everything stayed suspended in one place. Yvette's hopes soared.

Then, like an avalanche it all gave way and fell with rumble and bang to the floor. 

"Oh my!" said her mother and sister Ingrid, who had suddenly appeared in her room to survey the chaotic scene. 

Yvette looked at it miserably once more. It was going to take forever to sort out this mountain of stuff!

Her mother bent down and picked up a duck toy on the edge of the pile. She looked at it nostalgically.

"I remember this toy! I bought it for you before you were even born. In those days the toy store had just opened and I went in there to browse and look at all the stock. I knew you would love it. And you did, didn't you?"

Yvette was still looking over all the objects when her mother returned with a big box. "Here you are, love. If there's anything you don't want to keep put it in here and we can give it away or find another use for it."

And so Yvette began the long process of sorting through all her old objects and belongings. The first thing she picked up was a rabbit toy. It had been given to her on her 6th birthday. Yvette smiled and put it in the 'keep' pile. 

Hanging on the wardrobe door was a pink hat. It was far too small for Yvette to wear now, but the sight of it brought back floods of memories.

Her mother gave a sigh when Yvette took it down. "Oh I remember that! You wore it on your very first trip to the beach! I've still got photos of you splashing in the waves in that hat..."

Yvette put it in the box and continued the cleanup. Some things she shuddered to remember. A science textbook was buried beneath her snorkelling mask. She was pleased about finding the mask but the textbook only made her remember the challenging homework she had had for science that year at school. I think I was meant to return this textbook to the school at the end of the year. She thought, knowing that it must have wound its way up in her wardrobe before slipping her mind completely. Oops...

Other things astounded her. She couldn't figure how she ended up with the menu of the village pizza shop amongst the pile of stuff...

And who knew what a ball of yarn was doing at the bottom of her wardrobe? Perhaps a long time ago she had been interested in knitting...? Yvette couldn't remember. It was like digging through memories. 

There were some scores, however. A perfect fitting pair of slippers was unearthed. Now I won't have to get cold feet every morning when I walk down the cold wooden stairs to the kitchen, she thought.

She was delighted to find the shawl that her grandmother had crocheted for her. She tried it on and fitted just right. It would go perfectly with her dress for the dance. 

"My first camera!" Yvette cried when she pulled out the little pink toy. Even from a young age she had loved photography. Now she had a proper one, but this one still had a special place in her heart as the first stepping stone to her hobby. 

Postcards from old friends that had moved away on gone on holiday, books from when she was at nursery... all sorts of things were hidden in her wardrobe.

"So that's where those sneakers got to!" she exclaimed. 

"Too bad they don't fit you anymore." Betty said. "You hardly wore them. Never mind, I'm sure we can find another owner for them."

For the next half hour Yvette pulled out even more stuff, with each item recalling the memories they brought. She was beginning to rather enjoy herself surprisingly. Perhaps cleaning wasn't as bad as she thought...

When her old recorder surfaced, Yvette laughed. When she was ten she had begun taking lessons for a few years and even played it in a couple of school concerts. 

There was no reason why she shouldn't be able to still play it. She held it to her lips and blew. Out came an undignified toot. "Well, perhaps I need to practice some more." she said to the others as they fell about laughing.

Something hanging behind Yvette's winter coat caught Ingrid's eye and she pulled it out, bursting out laughing. "You used to wear this?" 

Yvette glared at her sister fiercely. "Oh, be quiet. I only did ballet for half a year and then I got sick of it."

"Stop bickering you two." Betty said. "I'll wash this dress and then we can take it back to the ballet school. I think Jane Appleblossom buys back the secondhand dresses and then sells them on. And yes, Ingrid, your sister did do ballet. She looked very nice."

At last the only thing left was Yvette's winter coat, which could stay in there till she needed it again next winter, and two piles of stuff on the floor, the one to the right the keepers, and the other stuff to give away... 

It was later that afternoon and Yvette was satisfied that her wardrobe was now presentable.

She pulled the handle. It swung open freely...

And it is clean! All that work paid off after all!

***

It was a couple of weeks later and Yvette was resting on a bench on one corner of the village square, on her way to Jane Appleblossom's ballet school to drop off the dress and shoes. It wasn't far from the square to Jane's place but it had been quite a walk from Blackberry Farm into the village. The farm was fairly isolated. 

Her mother had told her that Jane bought back the second-hand dresses cheaply. It wouldn't give a huge amount of money, but it would be enough to buy Yvette a couple of new films for her camera. 

She sat on, dreaming about all the potential things she could photograph with the extra films. The riverbanks were always ripe with prospective subjects. Perhaps this time she would be able to capture that magnificent dragonfly she had seen while out rowing last time...

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice from a seat nearby. Yvette looked across. A young mother was sitting on the bench with her child. Yvette didn't know either of their names as she listened to them. 

"I'm sorry darling." the mother was saying. "You know that I'd love to be able to give you the things you want. But I'm afraid we just don't have enough money to afford the dress and the shoes you'd need. Perhaps you could do ballet in a year or so..." Her voice sounded tearful. 

Yvette watched as she touched her daughter's cheek and gave a sniff. "I'm sorry..." she said again. 

For a second the new camera films flashed in Yvette's head. Then she slid off the bench, picked up the bag and walked over to them. 

"Excuse me, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I couldn't help overhearing." The mother's face turned red and Yvette continued on quickly. "I have a ballet uniform, dress and shoes, right here that I have no need for anymore. It may be a little big, but the dress could be altered-and the shoes too can be adjusted. I'd like to give it to you." She gave her warmest smile.

"Really?! Oh thank you! Thank you so much!"

The mother leapt off the seat and hugged Yvette. 

"Really, I don't know how to thank you." she wiped a tear from her eye. "Cottontail has been asking about doing ballet for years and it was awful having to deny her that just because we couldn't afford the uniform." 

She turned to her daughter. "Come on love, let's go enroll you in ballet classes!"

Yvette watched them skip off together, hand in hand, knowing full well now that she could easily live without those extra films that selling that dress would have supplied. 

She turned around to head for home, smiling to herself as she went. 

Be kind. It may take only one moment but it will mean the world to someone else. 

A 'Spring' Update!

 Hello everyone! I hope you are all safe and well!

I am aware that for some it is still summer where you live, but it's beginning to feel very much like Spring here, and the feeling is most welcome! We do officially have one more month of winter to endure in Bluebell Oaks, but as Bob Blackberry says, 'The trees and flowers don't bother about the labels of months and specified times; they'll bloom when they know the time is right!' 

Which is why I wanted to share a few photos of the Cottontail family making the most of the clear blue skies and warm afternoon, even if it is a little early to declare Spring. I felt I was well overdue an update from Bluebell Oaks!  

It has been such a long time since Primrose wore her straw hat! But with the sun was so warm this afternoon, her mother, Sorrel, insisted she wear it. 

The most exciting thing happening outside in the garden is all the growth and blooms of flowers. The bluebells have awoken from the depths of the ground!

There is a wonderful aroma filling Primrose and Parsley's noses; so sweet, the sort of fragrance you want to sniff all day. It's coming from these beautiful Daphne flowers.

And these pansies have bravely poked up their lovely faces too!

Basil and Sorrel are enjoying some quiet time down the meadow. 

"Here you are love, a wildflower for my own flower."

"A daisy! My favourite! Thank you!" 

When Basil first fell in love with Sorrel back when they were scarcely little more than teenagers, he was so poor he could never afford to buy her the bouquets of fancy flowers and roses that others bought for their sweethearts, so he resorted in despair to giving her bunches of daisies that he picked near the roadsides. Thankfully, Sorrel always said that she loved his wildflowers more than any store-bought roses. All the same, Basil vowed to himself that, someday, if he were lucky enough to marry Sorrel, he would somehow give her the most beautiful and exotic flowers one could imagine. And here they are, fifteen years on, as the proud owners of the Village Florist and flower farm. 

But wildflowers still have a special place in Sorrel's heart, even amongst all her roses, tulips, orchids and petunias that she tends everyday. 

It's just as well his parents are distracted, because Chive is enjoying some much anticipated exploring. Some of which, may be a little dangerous.

"The king of the castle!"

Be careful up there Chive!

Poor Parsley is still stuck at the bottom!

They've also discovered a very interesting hole! 

"This could be our secret hideaway, Parsley!" Chive said. "No one would find us when we come here to play!"

Parsley is not so sure. He learnt about insects this week at nursery, and he thinks those white threads in the dark hole look suspiciously like spider web! I fear he may be right!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I appreciate every one of you that reads my blog and I love hearing from you in the comments! : )

A New Home for the Buckleys-Part Two

At last, after 10 months of renovations and moving, the Buckley family are nicely settled in their new home! Today they would like to give you a tour! (if you want to read part one of the story, you can find it here)
                                                             

It was Mrs Buckley who first came up with the name for the new house. When she suggested it to me, I was slightly hesitant, because it's quite a mouthful. But I think the name is fitting; it matches the pretty blue colour of the roof and ties in also with how the house was forgotten about for years.
So welcome to Forget-Me-Not Cottage!

"Hello there!" Heath was just having a game of soccer with the children but he will be happy to show you inside!

The Buckleys have cleaned up the old abandoned house alot since they bought it, and now it feels much more homely. "Please come in."

The first room you enter upon arrival is the living room. Meadow and Heath did the wallpapering themselves to save cost.

Here in the corner is a painting that Meadow bought when she was at the Summer Market a few months ago. She thought she would splash out a little because it would look perfect in their living room, and she wanted to help support the artist-a young rabbit she had never met before, by the name of Briar Wildwood.

Now that she is in her new home, Meadow finally has the kitchen she always wanted. It is so large and spacious compared to the one in their old house!

Originally, I was unsure about using this wallpaper in the kitchen. The rest of the house was already decorated in floral paper, and I didn't want to go too florally. But I actually really love this wallpaper; I think it blends so well with the house's colours and creamy paint.

Today Meadow is going to make a pavlova as a special treat for dessert. It is simple and inexpensive recipe, consisting of mainly egg whites and caster sugar, and whipped cream to serve, but it feeds her large family.

Here we have a downstairs view:

Straight upstairs, we find the bunk beds that the children, Maria and Freddy, share.
Their beds aren't usually this tidy, but their mother made them make them in preparation for the visit.
"People will be looking at our house," she told them, "I don't want them to think we live like wild animals!"

Across from the children's bunks is where Meadow and Heath sleep.

Meadow loves sleeping right by the balcony. She has always dreamed of living in a house with a balcony, and it was one of the features that attracted her to this house.

But of course, the main thing she loved was the nursery. In their old home, the babies were having to use the attic as a nursery. But now, they have a whole room to themselves.

Meadow decided the nursery walls were abit plain so she decided to try her hand at painting the pictures that were already carved on the walls to make them stand out more.

She is grateful for the nursery more than ever right now. That's because there has been an unexpected new addition to the family since they moved in. There she is, lying in her crib by her big sister Rose. She was supposed to be having her afternoon nap, but young Lavender Fern Buckley is proving to be a very uncooperative sleeper.

All Meadow's other five children were quite well-behaved and peaceful babies, but Lavender is something else entirely. Every since she was born, she's had that naughty glint in her eye that makes Meadow wonder what her youngest will be like in a few years. Something tells her she is going to be a handful-she already is!

Somehow though, she uses her cuteness to make up for all the long nights and stubborn behaviour she exhibits.
"Coo," she said innocently as her photo was taken.

At least having the nursery is a bit of a relief to Meadow. The babies can play happily by themselves for hours.

Oscar loves the blocks. He is going to build the biggest tower!

On the other side of the room is the shelf where Meadow likes to store all the baby things. Blankets, milk powder, toys, bottles-somehow the nursery never seems to be tidy!

Sometimes she likes to go out on the balcony to have some fresh air and enjoy the views of their somewhat still slightly overgrown garden.

"Mummy!"
Oscar loves his little balcony too.

An upstairs view:

Another benefit of Forget-Me-Not Cottage is its big garden. The children spend lots of time playing out there. Mr Buckley took the opportunity to start their own vegetable garden and he is loving teaching his children about growing, tending, and harvesting plants.
Heath kept a small garden as a boy but when he married Meadow and became a father other things took over in his life and he had little time to spare for hobbies. Just last week, though, they harvested their first pumpkin and Meadow made a delicious pumpkin pie following her friend Velvette Honeyfur's recipe, and the radishes look as though they are about ready. Heath believes it is never too late to rekindle green thumbs.
He thinks next Spring they will expand the veggie garden and perhaps he will even plant a few fruit trees too. He is sure Bob Blackberry will be able to offer him some advice.

Everyone smile!

Thanks for reading! 

Happy Easter from Bluebell Oaks!

Hello friends!
I hope you are all keeping safe and well! Here in New Zealand we are all in lockdown and thankfully the virus hasn't hit us too severely yet. Even though this can be a strange time, I think it can be a great oppurtunity, for myself at least, to just slow down in life and be still for once. I'm usually stressed or fretting about something, whether assignments, tests, or just general busy routine life, but this has been a chance for me to have some peace, even amongst everything going on right now.

For now, have a wonderful Easter! Have fun and eat some yummy chocolates!
Love and best wishes from all the villagers of Bluebell Oaks!