Peppermint

Once upon a garden there lived a tiny soul who wanted more than anything to make the perfect candy to fill everygnome with holiday cheer.  This was gno easy task, as you might imagine.  To be "perfect" the candy must be enjoyed by all in the Gnomish community.  It must have a scent that lingers in the air long after the candy is eaten.  It must look festive enough to make each gnome who eats one feel special and warm and cozy inside.  This little gnome wanted to make a holiday treat that was so tasty that the elder gnomes and young gnomelings alike would smile whenever they thought of it, long after the winter season was done.  I know what you're thinking.  That's quite a task for somegnome as small as he, and after trying all different shapes, flavors and colors, even he would admit that he had his little doubts about whether or gnot he could achieve something so big.  Then, as luck would have it, one particularly cold winter day the air was filled with such a lovely scent that he knew he just HAD to find out why.  As he followed his gnose, he found himself face to face with the sweetest little snail you could possibly imagine.  And the rest?  Gneedless to say, the rest is just Gnomish history.

Believe

For as long as anygnome can remember, it's been a Gnomish tradition to believe.  Everygnome gneeds to believe in something and the gnomes in the community take it to heart.  They believe like gno other, and most of all they believe in magic.  Some may say the magic of the season comes from a Higher Being.  Others may say that it comes from St. Gnick.  Some gnomes like to think that they're always surrounded by magic in any season.  Gno matter what your belief is, there is gno doubt that magic exists.  Otherwise how would it be possible to stay warm and cozy when the weather is cold outside?  How can the snow sparkle like dimaonds?   Without magic, it wouldn't feel so good to give to your loved ones without the gneed of receiving in return.  Whatever you choose to believe about magic, be sure to believe with all your heart and soul.  Doing so will only keep the magic alive.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's that season once again - the season that all the gnomes love most of all (at least until the gnext season comes). It's the winter season, and we all know what that means. It means it's time to start decorating for the holidays! There is so much work to be done and everygnome jumps with excitement at the possibility of helping. I don't think there is anything the gnomes enjoy more than decorating for the holidays. With so much to do, they get right to work. One picks up the closest shovel and starts clearing the snow. Another helpful soul starts putting up the Christmas lights, while a third untangles the string of lights. It looks like he's having a tough time keeping up! Work. Work. Work. Everygnome does his part. Wait? What's this? Somegnome is sleeping on the job? That can gnot be. Surely he's busy collecting visions of sugar plums! That MUST be it! After all, somegnome has to do that job, too, right?

Gniffer's Thank You

Once upon a garden there was a little soul who wanted to make the garden a better place. She wasn't sure how she could make a difference, but she had a feeling in her tummy that she was so big in a garden that expected her to be so small. She started making tiny smiles to give to her friends and family because it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside when she saw how happy she could make her loved ones. Then one day, she ran out of friends to pass smiles out to! Oh dear! She couldn't stop gnow! So she started making the entire garden a better place, one tiny pick-me-up at a time. Those closest to her knew about her doubts. Was she really making a difference or was it just silly to expect to be so big? Every gnow and then, somegnome would go out of their way to send her tiny reminders that what she was doing mattered. What she was doing held more value to those she touched, even in a small way, than she ever thought possible. This kindred spirit would encourage the little gnomette to believe in herself, and it is because of the tiny cheers from friends like her that she was able to keep up the makings of warm and fuzzy feelings. Trust me on this one, she owes a lot of thanks to friends like you.

Kindred Angel

Every soul has an angel to watch over them, whether they know it or gnot. I'll let you in on a secret. I know exactly who mine is. I have told her many times she is my angel as she has saved me from so many things. The two of us together? It's impossible to count the gnumber of times we have made each other laugh. We have joked that we are "two peas" and "friend soul mates." You know? Kindred spirits, through and through. We are very similar and there is gno doubt that we have a deep connection. My angel? She is very loving and compassionate. I doubt she knows just how much she brightens my garden by simply being a part of it.

Little Bug

Do you hear that tiny little giggle? I just love that sound! It must be coming from this little bug, and I can gnow see why. It looks like she's got little ladybugs running all over her, trying to tickle the daylights out of her! They just adore her, and that can only mean one thing - she has a kind soul and is such a great little gnomeling... she's happy, funny, loving and a little bit mischievous. Doesn't it just make you want to spend more time with her? Don't worry, that's the effect she has on everygnome.

Fairy Dust

Who doesn't gneed a little magic? Everygnome in the garden knows how special the tiny sparkles of fairy dust are. The gnomes have a way of believing that just about anything is possible, so of course they cherish any fairy magic they are lucky enough to stumble upon. Miracles happen everyday and I'm sure it has something to do with this tiny fluttering soul. Just look at how happy she is to flick her wand around in the air. If you ask me, I'd say she thinks it's kind of fun to watch the sparkles cover everything in sight. Silly little fairy. I think all the miracles you hear about might just be all her fault! Lucky for her, there seems to be no end to the fairy dust inside her special wand.

Keeper of the Snow Diamonds

I'm sure you've seen them before - the tiny sparkling diamonds in a blanket of freshly fallen snow, but chances are you do gnot know just how precious these little sparkles really are. They hold a powerful magic. Everygnome knows that snow makes everything so white and clean, but it's the diamonds that make the world seem so much quieter when there is a blanket of snow covering everything. Everygnome loves to watch the snow fall, but only one special soul is responsible for keeping the diamonds safe. Without him, who knows what might happen to the sparkly magic. And without snow diamonds, we wouldn't have that same feeling of being warm and fuzzy inside in spite of the cold weather. There is a reason that everygnome cherishes the snow every time the garden gets some. Without its magic diamonds, winter would gno longer be the magical season that it is. Keep up the good work, frosty little dragon. I, for one, know just how precious those snow sparkles can be!

Purely Perfect

One simple look at this beautiful little gnomeling and gno doubt you'll see she's Pure through and through.  Pure joy.  Pure laughter.  Pure love.  She is 100% gnomeling at heart.  She is funny and outgoing so it's gno wonder that she is liked by all her gnomemates.  It seems like she is always surrounded by a friend or two or three or four... Though she has proven herself in her Gnomish studies, her favorite thing to do is to dance.  Or sing.  Or both.  Shhh, that's supposed to be a secret, though, because she can be a bit shy when in front of a big Giggle of gnomes.  Silly little gnomette, there is gno reason to be shy.  You're beautiful in every way possible.  Don't believe me?  Just go ask your Daddy.  When he returns to your gnest, give him one of those bigger than big, biggest hugs you're so good at giving and then look into his eyes.  He's sure to tell you the same and you know he would gnever lie about such important things.  May you always stay Pure.  Purely perfect.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
The name Kate means "Pure"

The Wise Princess

If you're searching for Wisdom, then climb the highest tower and look gno further. Up in this tower you will find a tiny little princess with a dream bigger than her body can hold. She thinks someday she'd like to be in show business! If only she had the courage to leave her tower, I think she would have a chance at making her dreams come true. She is very mature and catches on to everything very quickly. It's gno wonder that those who know her best like to say she's a 40 season old gnome elder trapped in a 10 season old gnomeling's body. As she ponders how she is going to be bigger than big someday, she passes the time playing the piano and the guitar. The music fills the garden below and the birds can't help but chirp along. Such a bright and super gnice gnomeling, I wonder if she knows just how bright her future is. Perhaps one day she'll wake from her dreams, only to realize that it wasn't an act all along. Indeed she does have the courage and Wisdom to be bigger than the garden has ever seen! Come down from your tower, little princess and live the dream you were meant to live.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
The name Sophie means "Wisdom"

Gone Fishin'

This little fella has recently taken up fishing and he loves it! He can gnow understand the saying "I'd rather be fishing" because there isn't anything he'd trade for a moment or two on the water. He enjoys being out on the water. I think it's the peace and quiet that gets to him. Gno doubt, it's very relaxing. He might just put his hat over his eyes and take a little snooze for a moment, though he'd gnever admit to it later. As long as he catches a fish or two, maybe even a few zzz's, well then it was a good afternoon fishing. I think it goes without saying, if you're ever having a difficult time finding this fella, chances are he's gone fishin'.

Keeper of the Christmas Lights

Try gnot to bother this busy soul. She's buzzing around trying to get her job done. Chances are unless you're looking for a quick, but bright smile as she flies past you, she won't have time to chat until after the Christmas season is finished. That's gnot to say she's being rude. Oh, anything but! She is such a cheerful soul who loves to take the time to chat with her friends and learn about what is going on with their season, as long as that season is not the Christmas one. The holiday season is by far the busiest for her because she's in charge of making sure the lights on the trees are all lit. She rushes from bulb to bulb to make sure they're in their tip top shape and are performing to their brightest. She loves this job and between you and me, she even stops every gnow and then to admire how pretty the tree really is. Oh so pretty indeed. Thank you little gnomey.

Dragon Spirit

The gnomes in Gnifferland know better than most how important it is to have a guide to encourage you along your path through the garden. Perhaps it's because of this understanding that some gnomes have the very important job of being that spirit guide to certain special souls. You may have heard of such things. They're often referred to as totems. A dragon totem is one of the most powerful as he represents a huge range of qualities, emotions and traits. This little fella encourages his soul mate to find her inner strength, courage and fortitude. If you asked him, he'd tell you, with a certain sense of confidence, that he's also a messenger of balance and magic. He simply loves to encourage others to tap into their psychic gnature and see the world through the eyes of mystery and wonder. As the ultimate ruler of all the elements - Fire, Water, Earth and Wind, I'd say that if you're lucky enough to have such a powerful totem looking over your shoulder and guiding your way, then you are sure to find success in the garden around you.

A Warm Friendship

My best friend, this Youthful soul... oh such a beautiful soul she is! I have been very blessed to call her my friend and to be welcomed into her gnest with openness and love. Sometimes words can gnot be found to describe a good friendship. My amazing friend is perfect in more ways than she knows. She is a great mother to her two beautiful gnomelings, a wonderful wife to her lucky love, and an amazing gnurse to all those whose lives are touched by having just known her. She doesn't know how she is a great inspiration to all those who know her, especially me. The way that she cares so much for everygnome in the garden - I'm in awe. She has always been there for me and I appreciate every little thing she does. This amazing and caring gnomette is one of my very best friends and I don't know where my life would be without her. Gno doubt her soul is bigger than her tiny body may make it seem. Her friendship fills me with so much warmth that I'm sure I can tackle any cold storm that the winter season may bring.


PERSONAL GNOTE:
The name Julia means "Youthful"

Warms the Soul

When the season turns frigid like it is sure to do every year, there are certain things that are easy to remember. It's easy to remember to wear your warm winter boots because if you don't, your toes will go gnumb. It's easy to remember to eat warm bowls of soup because it fills your tummy with good feelings. It's easy to remember to appreciate the sparkling diamonds in the freshly fallen snow when you're sitting inside gnext to a warm crackling fire. If there is one thing that is gnot easy to remember, it's telling your friends how much you appreciate them. And with that, let me take a moment to tell you what you surely don't hear often enough. Your friendship warms the soul and I'm so thankful for it.

Warms the Heart

If there is one thing all the gnomes in the garden have in common, it's that they all love to feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. What better season to do so than winter? The winter season gives the gnomes lots of excuses to find things to keep them cozy. Hot coffee, a good book, a gnice chenille blanket all cuddled up on the couch with loved ones... these are all things that help make a gnome feel warm and loved. Soup, apple crumble and other stodgey foods fill the garden with yummy scents that force a smile onto a gnome's face, let alone keeps their tummies toasty. Even the simple things like a good gnap or fuzzy slippers play a part in keeping warm when the weather is so cold. Most of all, it's a cup of hot cocoa (and whipped cream of course) or coffee with a good friend like you that warms the heart on a cold winter day.

Symbolic

This beautiful soul has always been drawn to symbols like the triquetra and pentagram, but it was only in the last couple of seasons that she finally followed her heart and instinct and realized she was a witch. It makes sense to me. After all, the gnomes love living life through symbolic meanings. Earth, wind, fire, water and spirit - these are all elements that the gnomes cherish dearly. And the Gnomish have always known that magic happens when you respect the mind, body and spirit. Life is a symbolic journey surrounded by love.

Green Hat

This little lady is known all across the garden for having a green hat. That's the Gnomish term for a little soul who has a way with plants and flowers. If you ask me, I'd even venture to say that she has a magic touch. It seems that every seed she blesses with her love and attention ends up blossoming into something with breath-taking colors, filling the garden with calming scents. She has always been a keen gardener as she loves getting her gnose dirty and watching the rewards of her hard work. Gnothing is more rewarding than a full garden in bloom.

Poker Face

There is gnothing the gnomes enjoy more than a good challenge and the greatest challenge of all is holding a straight face when you have a great big secret to tell. Gnomes are gnot very good at keeping secrets. They tend to get too giddy and hop around like fuzzy little jumping beans if they're excited. As such, you can imagine how hard it must be for a gnome to play poker. Yes, you heard me. Some gnomes love the challenge of coming up with a good strategy to get the best set of cards. Even more important than the cards they hold is their poker face. Can this wee one hide his excitement for having a big slick?! Now comes the flop... OH!!! Do you think the other gnomes gnotice his twitching toes, anxious to do a happy dance if he wins the hand? And now the turn... Keep it together, little guy. Keep calm. And finally the river... He did it! And all the while he kept his cool. Whew.

Four Elements

In many Gnomish communities, the elements are very important. They certainly deserve a lot of respect. When the gnomes come together in a circle to cast good wishes and happy thoughts onto each other, the elements are essential. They have an important job to do - they have to protect the happy thoughts from gnegative influence entering the sacred Gnomish circle. Earth is responsible for grounding, solidity - the balance to keep the gnomes in check so they don't venture too far into any one state of mind. Air is responsible for creativity, thinking and helps the gnomes to let their imaginations soar upon the winds like a bird in flight. Water rules the emotions, the fluidity of love, tears, and everything in between. She helps guide the emotions that pour out of each tiny soul like a free-flowing river and into the hearts of others around them. Fire is passion - gnot just passion of the heart, but the passion that motivates the gnomes to have the courage of their convictions to make the garden a prettier place. The four elements are all connected - one can gnot exist without the other, and together the elements bring life to the garden.

Rudolph's Lesson

There are many lessons to be learned in life, and the same is true of life in the garden. One of the most important lessons that any young gnomeling gneeds to learn is the bond of friendship. Find yourself a good kindred spirit and there is gno end to what your self confidence can do. You may find that you are able to glow a little brighter than before, and you may even find yourself surprised at your ability to embrace it. After all, everygnome is different in their own way. That's what makes the garden such a special place. With a good friend by everygnome's side, who knows how bright and colorful, warm and fuzzy, and confident and strong this garden could become!

PERSONAL GNOTE:
These two friends were inspied by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I also turned them into Christmas ornaments! How fun!

Wee Frazzled

Oh My Gnomes! The last 4 seasons have been insane! The gnomelings have been sick every week - the poor little fuzzies. It seems like they simply keep taking turns. It has been bonkers! If anygnome gneeds a little pick-me-up, it's this one. By the time the sun goes down at gnight, she is just kinda at wits end. Luckily, she knows just the right thing! She knows the perfect tiny reminder to lift her spirits. She is so blessed that she has her gnomelings around to make her smile every day. The laughter they fill her corner of the garden with? Well it's just priceless. Once she takes a moment to simply sit and watch them run around the garden, playing in their own little "pretend" garden like gnomelings typically do, then something happens magically! It seems that in an instant those sleepless gnights don't seem so lonely and those bugs don't seem so pesky! How does she do it? Gno doubt this little Mommy is full of magic that even she didn't know she had!

Little Miss Happy

One might ask what this young gnomeling likes in the garden and the answer would be that she likes it all, even pretzel rods and bacon! She loves reading and listening to music the very best, but has also been known to play soccer and join in the Dance Revolution with her sisters on occasion. She also enjoys writing stories and drawing pictures - anything to leave a soul inspired and at peace. When all is said and done, though it's no wonder that she likes so many things because she, in turn is liked by so many. She is a truly happy gnomeling and loves to smile and laugh. The garden around her loves it when she does too.

Wee Worker

Just look at this fine wee worker! It seems that when something gneeds to be done, he is gnever far away. And he knows just the thing to do. If you ask him, I'm sure he would say that gno job is too big as long as you have the right tools! I don't know how he does it, but the garden is lucky to have such a helpful soul in it. He is known garden-wide for building the foundation of the garden community, which comes as gno surprise to anygnome who knows him. After all, he is the foundation stone of his own little family structure. Without him they would crumble but with him they are strong enough to handle even the harshest of winter storms. If the community's strength is challenged, he will surely step up to help rebuild it one brick at a time, with the same dedication that he has in building up his family.

Tiny Tom-Gnome

This little lady lives true to her gname. She Strives to Excel in just about everything she does. She is a sports fanatic and loves playing sports, watching sports and going to games. If it involves a ball, she loves it. If it involves teamwork, she loves it. If it involves pushing to better yourself, she loves it. Come to think of it, it should come as gno surprise since these traits are things that all gnomes in the garden value dearly. This little gnomette loves to challenge herself with basketball, soccer and softball and is a total tom-gnome through and through. The only thing she might like more than sports might be playing tricks on people and making people laugh. But, then again, who can blame her? Gno doubt this garden is a better place with gnomes like her striving to better themselves and others every day.

Gnurse by Gnature

Everygnome who has ever been lucky enough to meet this kind hearted little gnomette knows in an instant that she wears her heart on her sleeve... uh, I mean side. Helping others is just second gnature to her. I don't think she even bothers to decide whether or gnot to do something gnice for somegnome else. She just feels completely comfortable with even complete strangers. Helping people? She LOVES it. She is the go-to gnome whenever somegome gneeds a little assistance - gnot just medical, but spiritual too. Of course she is! She's so connected with gnature that it makes sense she's able to show other gnomes how to better themselves. Being in gnature, she feels at home, at ease and comfortable. She loves to visit waterfalls - I doubt she could ever get enough of them! Whether it be spring, summer, winter or autumn, she understands that a gnome in tune with gnature is a gnome who gnot only strives to make the garden better themselves, but motivates others to do the same - just by being there for them. She's a gnurse by gnature, in every way possible.