Earth Day Photo Challenge Prize

Imagine our surprise today when a little parcel arrived in the post for us.

We had forgotten all about the Earth Day Photo Challenge competition we had won on Hitty Girls.

Lots of goodies arrived especially for us.

Hitty Moana shows some of the lovely gardening books which will be a valuable resource.

Looks like Hitty Carol Faith has almost fallen asleep reading hers!

Hitty Natalie Rose couldn't be more delighted.  She has more seeds, gloves and row markers for her garden.

Best of all she received a little bonnet and bag which couldn't match her lovely dress and apron any more perfectly.

What a super surprise indeed.

Thank you so much Susan K. 

A Busy Monday

Rose Cottage was buzzing with activity today.

Hitty Mary Jean was helping Becassine tidy up the Boarding house when she found the two shells Hitty Helen R & M had found on Orewa Beach in New Zealand...they must have forgot to pack them so she packaged them up and they are now on their way to them.

Hitty Madge was admiring the purple rhododendrons

She also picked some purple flowers for the vase in their living room.

There, that looks pretty.

Hitty Phoebe is going to go and do some shopping and asks Hitty Moana and Hitty Rimu if they would like to come with her.

Hitty Joyful is busy in the tearoom.

Whilst out side the boys are playing, Hitty Carol Faith is doing what she does best and Hitty Natalie Rose is going to plant some seeds.

Apples & Elephants

Hitty Phoebe is keeping a close eye on the apples....she is looking forward to making some apple pies.

Elsewhere.... high jinks are happening...

as Hitty Mary Jean and Hitty Carol Faith prepare for the circus.

Becassine's New Kitchen & the Tea Room

Becassine has been busy working in her new 'modern' kitchen....

....gradually moving things into place and sorting out shelves.

She has been singing while she works, so pleased to have a place of her very own to work in, and one in which she can shut the door should she need to!

In the meantime Hitty Joyful has been busy in the Rose Cottage Tea Rooms

She does so love a full house!

Art & Books

Hitty Madge had her last art class for the year yesterday and finished two more pieces.

Heron in Flight

Sunset on the sea.

Meanwhile much excitement in the Hitty household when the arrival of the new Hitty Robertson book.  A group of girls gathered round the tree to listen to Hitty Joyful read it to them.//

Hitty Annabelle decided to really relax on the rocking chair.  Hitty Scary and Hitty Carol Faith reclined in a very relaxed manner on the easy chair and Hitty Leonarda who refuses to take off the new bonnet and apron for fear of someone else stealing  um, I mean borrowing it, sits next to Hitty Joyful so she can see all the fun pictures.

Hitty Joyful makes a good story reader, especially as she describes all the wonderful photos the book contains.

The Hittys at Rose Cottage would like to extend a very BIG THANK YOU to the Robertson Hittys for the delightful book.

They are currently working on a little thank you gift which will hopefully be making its way to your household next week.

Hitty Girls Winter Cloak/Cape Swap Gift sent and received

 The other day we received a lovely winter cape and muff set for the Winter Cloak/Cape Swap.  Our swap partner was Rochelle and we have heard that she has received the cloak we sent.

Hitty Carol Faith was the first to get to wear the lovely cloak and muff set that we received.  She was pleased it went so well with her Christmas Dress.

We wanted to make something classically British, and so made a tweed cloak with a little gingerbread button, seen here modelled by Hitty Thankful just before it was sent.

Christmas Peanut Fabric Swap & Christmas Dresses

Hitty Ethel was delighted when a little parcel arrived in the post the other day.

The Christmas 'peanut swap' had arrived....now she could get sewing some more Christmas dresses.

These are the fat quarters that we sent as part of the swap.  Everyone sent in two fat quarters and then these were cut into four and sent out as 'peanuts'.  

So her sewing machine was smoking today as she sewed up a storm

Nine dresses made and four to go!

Myself (Hitty Patience), Hitty Scary, Hitty Mary Jean and our guest Miss Hitty Perdita Mischievous are still awaiting theirs!

First Day of Camp Piney Woods - The Leaders Arrive

The four camp leaders are ready to set up camp with the other campers due to arrive later today.

There has been a slight change to the leaders

I (Htty Patience) am currently still busy with the Miss Happiness and Miss Flower project so Hitty Moana has stepped in to take over the leadership of my cabin...Cabin Kokako

Hitty Madge is our overall camp leader and also the leader of Cabin Tui

Hitty Annabelle is still leader of Cabin Pukeko and Hitty Carol Faith the leader of Cabin Fantail

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Hitty Madge checks to see if they all have their sleeping bags.

Hitty Carol Faith remembers the camp flag.  They also have some books, a couple of deck chairs and a couple of rugs.

They are hoping the camp fire and cooking equipment has already been delivered....

The Tea Room and the Inaugural Meeting of the UK Hitty Girls.

Hitty Joyful, with the help of Hitty Granny Estelle,  has been busy doing a stock take of teacups and plates she has for the Tea Room she is hoping to open.  It seems that there are some missing and no where near enough at this stage...of course there is also the problem of no table and chairs either.  Still she has got a cash register!

Later on that day we discuss the upcoming Inaugural meeting of the UK Hitty Girls that is going to be taking place tomorrow. 

We are quite worried about whether or not to take Hitty Carol Faith along with us...concerned about her 'fainting' episodes.  Hitty Joyful points out that is it is only fair that we ask if she would like to come.

We gather as a group, to ask Hitty Carol Faith how she feels and if she is up to a day at the seaside.

Oh my!  She is rather surprised to be asked.

"Oh I would be delighted,"  she tells us as she stands up with dignity that surprised most of us.

Later on we assemble in the Japanese Courtyard all changed into what we have decided to wear on our day out tomorrow.  Sensible Hitty Joyful has her sun hat on.  

A WIP Challenge - 1st Finish

Over on the Hitty Girls group there is a a 'Finish WIP Challenge for May' going on.  We have rather a few WIP in the pipeline and finally finished one today.

Now this is what it looked like - it is going to be a braided rug believe it or not.  Unfortunately we discovered that we have lost the instructions and as such decided to undo what we had done, and machine sew the braids together instead of hand sew them.  It was easier on the hands and also enabled it to like flatter.  However, in the process we misplaced the purple braid!  Oh well, never mind.  Of course it was found once the rug was finished.

Hitty Moana, Becassine, the new girl, Hitty Carol Faith and Hitty Annabelle admire the new rug. 

Yes it will do quite nicely.

Hitty Joyful comes up with a wonderful idea...

Hitty Joyful gathers us all together this afternoon for an announcement.

I have this fantastic idea!  She tells us all.  We listen with anticipation wondering what her wonderful idea will be.

I'm going to open a Hitty Girls tea room.  It is going to be just wonderful!  We will offer cream teas, cakes and all sorts of little sandwiches.  What do you think?  She asks us bubbling over with excitement.

Ever practical Hitty Carol Faith asks her where the tea room will be and does she have a building or 'room' in mind.

Oh of course I do!  I have seen just the property that will be absolutely perfect!  Hitty Joy excitedly announces.

She continues to tell us all about her plans, and it is not hard to be excited with and for her.

With such bubbly enthusiasm it will be a fine tea-room indeed.

She promises to take us to see the prospective property in the next day or so.

Spring is in the air

That's right, spring is in the air and we have all changed into some spring/summer dresses....although actually it feels a little cooler today than it did yesterday.

Anka and Hitty Joy are going to take the dog Rufus for a walk.

Hitty Moana and myself are discussing the next book group.

Granny Hitty Estelle and Becassine Terese are trying to decide what to have for dinner and Hitty Ethel and her cousin Hitty Annabelle are having a cup of tea and a chat together.

The children Miles and Brittany have just cleaned out the rabbit

Hitty Carol Faith and Hitty Cherry Jude are enjoy a spot of time in the sunshine trying to soak up some Vitamin D