Hello Beastie friends! I hope you all had a spooktacular Hallowe’en! We’ve been busily stitching away here in Beastie Towers, so it’s lucky for you that Paddy and Plunkett have been in touch… Otherwise you would have been treated to a series of pictures of me at my craft table today. After their recent adventures in the most northerly parts of Northern Ireland, the lads tell me that they have been taking advantage of the latest lockdown and having a quiet October at home.
Unfortunately, they have also been spending quite a lot of time on the internet, and they are now suffering from the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out).
“Awww, Plunkett! Look at all the fun they’re having down in Dublin! I want to go out and collect colourful leaves in the park with Autumn Beastie!”
Like a lot of humans, Paddy is feeling the pinch of these antisocial times. But isn’t it lucky that Plunkett has an answer for everything?
“I know where we can find some colourful leaves. Come on, Paddy!”
“Taaa-DAAAAAAH!”
Paddy is unimpressed.
“Huh. Bit green, aren’t they?”
“Only for the moment, Paddy. For this to work, we’ll need to climb the tree where these came from…”
“… And wait for a bit. That’s it, straight ahead.”
Let’s get climbing! And look, it seems that Plunkett is not wrong…
… As the leaves had turned vibrant red before he’d even finished climbing up to where Paddy was sitting among the branches!
“How’s that for Autumn colour, Paddy? I think our work here is done!”
And with that, Plunkett started to clamber back down to ground level.
It’s a pretty spectacular display of colour though, isn’t it?
And now Paddy can scoop up giant pawfuls of red leaves, and give Autumn Beasties everywhere a run for their money. Nice hat, Paddy!
I still haven’t figured out why Beasties love Autumn leaves so much, but hey, at least they’re happy!
And I know we’re into a new month now, but did you have a colourful October? Be sure to share your many-hued Fall (or Spring) stories with us in the comments!
“I’m going in for a closer look – give me a leg up, will you?”
Poor Plunkett! He didn’t think “leg up” meant “I’m going to stand on your head”.
“Lovely! Hey, Plunkett – we could fry these up in batter like they do in fancy restaurants!”
“Hmmm, better leave that for a bit. But I’m STARVING now!”
“Oh, that’s a beauty! Stand back, Plunkett – I’ll take it from here.”
“HEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAVE!”
“Nice one – a successful first harvest, Plunkett! Now, let’s get it to the kitchen.”
“Y’okay back there, Plunkett?”
Aha! Looks like they’ve hopped on the gardening bandwagon and are getting into growing their own veggies.
“Check it out, Plunkett! Sustainable jewellery!”
“… Like this. Now, courgettes grow quickly – you might want to stand back a bit!”
“I think we’re going to need a bigger pot, Plunkett!”
The plant looks much happier in its new home, doesn’t it? Plenty of space there to spread out its roots and keep on growing!
“Ah, it’s a bit early for that yet, Paddy. But if you look veeeery closely…”
“… You can see the first flowers starting to appear under the leaves. We won’t have long to wait!”
Hey there Cookie Beastie! Where did you spring from?
I do love a good cactus, and it seems Beasties are no different. That said, it’s pretty hard to relax with all those prickles around… How about we find somewhere else to put our paws up for a minute?
Can there be any better place to spend a tea break?
Um, you might have to put the cookie down if you’re to make any headway with those weights.
… And look, I’ve finally caught up with them – in the vegetable garden!
Meanwhile, Plunkett is checking out his rhubarb for signs of life. Hmmm, looks like we could almost have an early harvest soon!
But, pleasant as the thought of hot summer days spent munching juicy raspberries may be, that’s not going to fill any Beastie bellies today! And the first rumblings of Paddy’s stomach add a sudden note of urgency to this vegetable garden foray… What can the boys find to eat right now? Surely there has to be something better on the menu than parsley and baby rhubarb stew?
Hurray for kale! Super tasty, and super good for you… And very much in season, even right now! YUM!
But then Paddy popped up, and suggested that it might be nice to take a wander outside.
Turns out he’s pretty persuasive.
… Although some of these places are easier to get to than others.
Still, if it’s winter colour you’re after, this cheerful display of berries certainly fits the bill!
The view’s not bad either. Look how green everything is!
And when the boys spotted some long grass on the other side of the hedge, they knew exactly what to do next…
There’s always time for a quick game of hide and seek!
