Hitty and Penny

Greetings Again Dear Readers!

I have been most fortunate as far as outings lately! Today I was privileged to accompany my people into the fall forest once again! This time, however, a new friend tagged along. Her name is Penny. Penny is new to our household and this is her first outing ever. Quite exciting!

Penny is one of our furry friends. Unfortunately, Penny was not the only furry creature on the outing. I wouldn't call the other furry creature friendly, however, since she likes to EAT bears and dolls.

Penny and I managed to stay far away from the Dangerous Dog. We climbed a post to have a better view of the pond.

We were hoping for an outing on the lake, but there was not enough time to take the boat out this trip.

But, we still found plenty to do. Searching for the last of the little flowers before the first frost takes them away until spring......

Simply sitting and enjoying the fall day....

And, climbing to new heights before our trip was over!

The best part is, weather permitting, our people plan to bring a tent to camp out overnight here in the forest in two weeks time...and we get to come along for our very first camping trip!

Hitty Rowan

Rivendell Academy Becomes More Complete

Greetings Friends! It has been a busy couple of days! We finally found suitable wallpaper for Rivendell Academy and set to work putting it up. There is still work to be done, but I must say, we were all pleased with the results so far! Master Elrond's office is at long last becoming fit for an Elven Lord!

Ms. Merriweather finally has the "proper schoolroom" she has longed for quite awhile!

There is a corkboard to showcase, as Ms. Merriweather puts it, "Exemplary Student Achievements".....the students are working hard right now to be the first to have their work displayed.

Professor Arthur the Bear is in charge of the younger students, including his neice Miffy and his nephew Paddington. He tries hard to keep Nissa and Nim "in-line" as Ms. Merriweather would say, but it is rather hard making a fairy and a pixie sit still for lessons all day.

Mrs. Merriweather is in charge of the older student and keeps a sharp eye on them to make sure their is no "window gazing." It is rather tempting to peek out at the happenings in the valley outside!

After their lessons, the girls can retire to their new dormitory...I think it is quite a pleasant place for the girls to play or rest after a hard day's work.

Elrond and Celebrian have been busy preparing a room for the impending arrival of their grandaughter. Ms. Merriweather thinks the room is "a bit much" for a student's dormitory.
I don't know what could have possibly given her that idea...what, with chocolates, a velvet dress, and perfume awaiting....a "magic" phone to call home (the elves don't really use phones like we mortals do, but Celebrian and Elrond read that human teenagers are quite fond of the phone, so they decided their grandaughter should have something similiar)...
A lapdog.....
A doll companion with a dresser full of clothes....hmmmm....Ms. Merriweather might be correct...it is not your typical student dormitory! Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian might have gotten just a bit carried away. But, I think it is a room our soon to arrive Elven teenager will indeed enjoy.

Hopefully, she won't enjoy it so much it interferes with her studies!

Well, I will keep you updated on all the happenings of our household as they unfold, but that is all for today,

Yours Truly,

Hitty Rowan

Fall in the Mountains

Greetings Dear Friends! When last I wrote, it was summer. How quickly pass the days! Fall is in the air and my people, Mr. and Mrs. H., decided to take a trip into the mountains to catch a glimpse of the fall foliage.

On our way up to the mountains of the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, we stopped to look at a local dam. Fortunately, the usual torrent of water was turned off and we were able to venture closer than usual on this day.

But, I must admit, I was still a bit nervous when we climbed down the stairs that led to the water's edge.

It gave me a bit of a shudder to think of being swept away with the awesome force of the currents if the dam was turned on! Mrs. H. re-assured me that the sirens would sound if for some reason the dam was turned on. However, it was not scheduled to be on today.

Still, I was a bit relieved when we resumed our journey to the mountain park. We stopped at the site of the 1996 summer Olympics white water rafting center. Further on down the river, where the current was swift and the water deeper, we saw several rafters out enjoying the fall day. My people discussed returning to the park to try a bit of rafting themselves next summer. I do hope they provide me with a waterproof pouch during that event!

We hiked a bit on the mountain trails. I found a fetching new fall fashion along the way!

The hike was quite long and we all stopped to rest a bit. I found the perfect place to sit for a spell!

There were signs all around warning people to beware of black bears. However, the most fearsome thing we encountered were some rather large centipedes. I thought they were rather frightening enough, actually...especially when you are a small doll.

On the way down the mountain, we stopped by a lovely lake.

I didn't mind being close to the still waters of the lake! Much more relaxing than sitting at the edge of the waters below the dam. I did have one brief scare when Master H. wondered how far I would float, being made of wood. I was quite relieved when Mrs. H. informed him that if I were to set sail, he would be going in after me so he had best leave me right were I was. Master H. can be quite the joker sometimes...at least, I hope he was joking...

Later, we visited Mrs. H's. father. He works at a rock crusher far up in the hills were he grew up years ago. He took us to the top of the hill they are working on now.

The view was quite spectacular, although one had to be sure not to get to close to the edge of the ravine in order to avoid starting a rock slide.

We wandered about the hills....finding some lovely flowers along the way.
The best part, however, was stopping by a pond far up the hillside....undisturbed except for the rare visitor. The beavers had been quite busy in the pond! We could see the little homes they had dug for themselves. After surveying their handiwork, I could quite see where the expression, "Busy as a beaver" comes from.
Overall, a lovely fall adventure!

Until Next Time,

Hitty Rowan

Rivendell Academy

My, my, my....I just CAN'T keep up with all the changes around here today! No sooner had we helped Elrond and Celebrian settle in their new home then another difficulty arose. In the form of a mischievous half-Elven little girl...Merilwen to be exact.

I was catching up on my journaling when Merilwen came into my study. She was not at all her usual rather boisterous self. In fact, she was practically dragging. I have never seen her so long in the face.

"Why, Merilwen, whatever is the matter?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing Hitty Rowan. I was just watching Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian move into their new home."

"Yes...it is rather exciting isn't it?" I remarked...hoping to see some of Merilwen's usual enthusiasm.

"I guess. I suppose....I suppose Elrond's grandaughter will be really happy there. " Merilwen hesitatingly replied.

"Yes, I am sure she will be happy. And, you can go visit all you like and you will be happy too." I did hope this would cheer Merilwen up.

"It isn't the same, though...." she began. At that moment, I was unfortunately distracted by Miss Hickory yelling about something in the kitchen she needed help with.

"Oh, Merilwen dear, I would love to talk later...perhaps for the moment you could go practice your piano lessons, or take a nap if you are tired."

"I guess so." Merilwen rather drearily replied. I really hated to leave her, but one doesn't ignore Miss Hickory when she yells about the kitchen.

I ran to tend to that matter, and Merilwen sulked off to practice piano.

She didn't practice very long, but soon made her way upstairs with her beloved doll Annabelle.

Merilwen sat on the bed sighing, then confided in her closest companion, "Annabelle, nothing here is really ours. It isn't really our home...this isn't my room...these aren't even my pillows. I know Hitty Rowan says it is our home just as much as hers, but...it's just...it's just...I miss how it used to be. You remember, when this was Miss Merriweather's academy. What good times we used to have! Me and Betsy, Nim and Nissa. I know Nim and Nissa live here too...but it isn't an academy. Sometimes I just hate all the changes. I know we companions just don't have as much room as we used to, but I miss the academy. There isn't an academy anywhere here anymore. I know Betsy comes to visit, but I wish she lived here. I know...I know Annabelle...there isn't room. I just can't helping wishing.....oh, never mind. There is no use in wishing."

Merilwen slunk downstairs again, where I found her in my office, staring at Elrond's new home.

"Oh, there you are Merilwen. I am so sorry about the interruption earlier. I was hoping you would be cheered up by now...but it looks like I was wrong. What is bothering you so much, my dear?"

Merilwen looked close to tears, and stammered out the feelings she had confided to Annabelle. I must admit, I felt my heart sink. All this time, with all the recent changes, poor Merilwen and Betsy, Nim and Nissa...all had been quite lost and overlooked. Yes, they had a home of sorts...but not the kind of home they needed. How could we have not realized the girls might even miss....school.

"Merilwen, have you told Miss Merriweather and Elrond how you feel?"

"No," the child choked out. "What can they do?"

"I...I don't know...but there might be a solution yet. Let's go speak with Ms. Merriweather. My heart almost broke as Merilwen spoke.

"Oh Miss Merriweather. I don't want to cause trouble...I really don't. I love Hitty Rowan and it is nice here...but I miss how it used to be so, so much! You know, when you and me and Master Elrond and Betsy and Nissa and Nim got to go places together and lived in the academy..we, we...were a family."

"Oh, my darling Merilwen," cried Ms. Merriweather. "We still ARE a family! We may not live in the same house anymore, or have an academy, but we see each other every day. And, you have lessons everyday with Betsy...."

"But, it's...just...not the same," Merilwen whispered in a small, dejected voice.

Ms. Merriweather sighed. "Oh Merilwen. My dear, dear Merilwen. I am afraid your Miss Merriweather doesn't have a solution for this dilemma."

"Do you think, maybe Master Elrond can help?" Merilwen whispered.

"I don't know, Merilwen." Ms. Merriweather sadly replied.

"Can I ask?" Merilwen said, a bit hopefully.

"Well, it never hurts to ask."

With that, Merilwen set off to Elrond's house.

Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian listened intently to the little girl.

They exchanged a long look.

"Merilwen," Master Elrond said gently, all the while looking at Celebrian, "I think we might be able to help."

Merilwen's face lit with joy, "You can????"

"I think we can," Celebrian smiled. "Why don't you go sit with Ms. Merriweather for a bit and let us discuss some things?"

Merilwen trotted off with a lighter heart. Elrond and Celebrian looked at each other for a long moment.

"Elrond," Celebrian began. "There is indeed much space here."

"Yes, there is, my dear. It is not exactly what we intended, though, is it?"

"No. But, you have to admit, it will be quite the adventure." Celebrian chuckled.

"Knowing Merilwen and our grandaughter...it will be indeed," Elrond replied, hiding a smile.

"Well, let the adventure begin," Celebrian laughed.

And indeed the adventure did begin. We all helped Miss Merriweather, Merilwen, Betsy, Nim, and Nissa move into their new home.

And The Rivendell Academy began....what an adventure it will be!

Especially if it is anything like the past academy adventures:

http://merilwensmusings.blogspot.com/

Hitty Rowan

A New Home...re-established

It seems just yesterday my household was helping our Elven neighbors establish their household. Wait a moment....it was just yesterday...and our neighbors have already moved their household! The small cabinet was rather cramped for companions the size of our neighbors. They could get by, but it was rather crowded for them, especially with a teenager to arrive soon.

So, I went about scouting out potential spaces with more room for our neighbors. I was extremely lucky to find something available right in my own neighborhood! Our neighbors were in the rather remote wilds of the Dining Room, far removed from other companion households.

Now, they are in the more civilized Bedroom Neighborhood. In fact, we can see them from our house, which is most exciting! Of course, our person had to move some of her things out of the house to accomodate our neighbors, but we all must do what is best for everyone concerned. And, us companions voted this was best. There being only one of our person, and many of us, she unfortunately loses on most issues we vote on.
Besides, her and Husband have the use of the top of the new home, which is enough space for them. Our neighbors are only taking up residence in the basement of the armoire. Our people only used the armoire basement to store items not used much anyway, so they shouldn't really be too inconvenienced.

Now the Elves have three nice size rooms. The fourth potential room is not big enough for the Elves to stand up in, so we allowed our person to store her books in there for now. Although, some of us shorter companions might eventually like to move in that space so we warned our person to perhaps be looking for other spaces for her books.

For now, we simply moved most of the Elves' furniture into what will be Master Elrond's office. We are looking for new furniture for his office on E-bay as we speak. We will soon be putting suitable wallpaper in the office too.

This will be Elrond's grandaughter's room. We will also need to paper and furnish it appropriately. We already found her a desk on e-bay (we companions DO love e-bay). We have our eye on a bed, closet, and new couch.
The last room will be the Hall of Fire. We envision a large fireplace surrounded with chairs and cushions where all us companions in the neighborhood can gather and visit. Of course that will also require new furniture and such. We know our person won't mind accommodating us with more e-bay shopping. After all, everyone in the household must be comfortable.

So, we are indeed busy around here!

Hitty Rowan

A New Household is Established

Today my friends and I plan to begin helping our neighors establish a new household. We are forever rearranging spaces around here it seems. Our neighbors are a bit unusual. Not in a bad way, mind you...they are Elves and quite wonderfully unusual. Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian have been shifted from one house to another as guests for quite awhile. Now, they will have their own household in the small cabinet in the dining room. It will have three levels. We really do have our work cut out for us. For now, we simply moved Master Elrond's desk and Lady Celebrian's sofa into Master Elrond's office. He used to have more furniture, but our person temporarily packed it away when households were being rearranged. Unfortunately, she does not remember WHERE she stowed it. At least our resident Elves each have a place to sit until the rest of their belongings can be found

Our next steps are to help Master Elrond work on the walls. The Elves would like a castle type setting, so we will have to do some stonework. Lady Celebrian will be working on embroidering tapestrys for the walls. Most of us are rather inclined to assist Lady Celebrian. I will have to keep all of you updated on our progress. We must finish the house by December. That is when Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian's great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandaughter will arrive. With Elves being immortal, they tend to have great...great...great, etc. relatives. She is a teenager, and a bit headstrong from what we understand. We just hope she does not turn the new household upside down!

Hitty Rowan

Back Home at Last

Greetings Dear Friends!

My, my....I feel like it has been forever since I last wrote! I suppose because there have been so many changes since then. So much has happened with the wedding excitement and Fiance (now my person's husband) joining our household! I won't bore you with the details, else I would be up all night telling about it all. Let us just say the wedding was a wonderous day and then we danced the night away!

The next day, we headed to the beach!!! I fear I am not in any pictures. For some reason, my person was quite distracted and didn't pay me much mind during the honeymoon. No matter. At least I got to tag along and quite enjoyed seeing the ocean from my place in my person's beach bag, even if I did not get out much.

The ocean was quite turbulant, due to a passing storm. In fact, my people only got to actually swim in it the first day of our vacation. The beach was closed to swimming the rest of our stay.

My people at least enjoyed wading in the surf, even if they couldn't swim in the ocean. Well, until a jelly fish washed around my person's ankles. Now, I have heard my person let out quite a shriek at the sight of a spider. But, even I must admit I have heard nothing like the terrified shrieking strains of , "JELLYFISH!!! JELLYFISH!!!" as my person made a mad dash out of the water. A bit embarrasing, actually, but I don't suppose I would want to be stung by one either. Although, being made of wood, I suppose it wouldn't affect me much.

The jellyfish were everywhere, even on the sand. So, I likely wouldn't have got many photo opportunities even had my person been so inclined, since after seeing them all over the beach she seldom moved off the beach blanket again.

No matter. We found other things to do...like visiting the nearby Naval museum.

We saw all sorts of interesting things there....

And I even brought back my own plane...Not to mention my own boat along with my own piece of the beach...

And best of all, good memories to share with friends!
Hitty Rowan