One blustering winters night, when the trees folded over in a stormy gale
A young hare struggling to make her way, tripped on a tree root and fell forwards into a hole
Down and down she tumbled, into a dusty place of lost and ancient things
She landed with a bump on a large old book covered in moss and twine
Ever so slowly she opened the heavy cover and the pages began to flutter

Millions of tiny glowing stars burst from the book throwing back her long velvet ears
As she blinked her eyes against the brightest of golden lights spinning all around her
She could just make out the shape of a huge Snowbear walking towards her through the swirling light
He appeared like a glittering wish, a sweet dream half remembered
Sparkling frosted light and snowflakes fluttered behind him as he approached

His fur was the crispest white of snowy mountains and streaks of gold shimmed from within his skin
He looked at her with kind chestnut eyes that twinkled with honey gold flecks
“I am the guardian of the book” he softly spoke, “what do you seek little one”?
Shyly she lowered her eyes and shuffled her feet, “I wish for a friend” she whispered

His face broke into a glittering smile, “I have such wonderous sights to show you”
She took his paw which was wonderfully warm and gentle, and they flew into the book
Snowflakes and golden letters spun wildly past them as they tumbled through the pages
Out they burst under a dark velvet starry sky, floating down landing with a soft crunch on the snow
Little Hare gasped as she looked around at the beautiful world she found herself in

There were snow covered mountains and lakes, forests and ice castles in the distance
“Shall we take a ride”? asked Snowbear, scooping her up onto his glittering furry back
“Woohoo!” she cried as he took off from the ground and flew high, he actually flew!
They soared over the gleaming frozen lake and waved at penguins and sealions
As they swished through the tree tops she reached out and felt the tickle of the pine needles on her paw
She felt such warmth in her heart, she was on an adventure and she had her very own Snowbear!

To be continued……full story book coming soon

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Snow Bear and the Magic Book Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

As the first drift of snow begins to fall, the magic of Christmas draws near
The forest glistens and sparkles with everyone in festive cheer
With the ground covered in a frosty blanket of crunchy white snow
Little Hare scampers along leaving pawprints where she goes
As the smell of plum pudding and hot chocolate fills the air
Carefully carrying her gift she makes her way there
Her very dear friend she cannot wait to see
Mr Bear will be singing and trimming his tree
For no other she knows loves this season quite like he
Cracking chestnuts by the fire his face fills with glee!

But Bear is so sad when January finally comes around
Which is why she is excited by the gift she has found
Arriving at last she knocks on his tinsel covered door
“Ho Ho Ho”!! he cries running across the floor
“Merry Christmas little Hare, come in come in”!
I have fruitcake and games and carols for us to sing!
“Wonderful! Dear friend, but first, grant me my wish”
And with that she carefully hands him his very special gift
“Oh My”! says Mr Bear and has to sit down in surprise
Pulling back ribbon and glittery tissue Bear has tears in his eyes
For it’s a Christmas wonderland in a globe to enjoy all year round
Mr Bear is so emotional he just can’t make a sound
He grabs little Hare in the biggest of biggest Bear hugs
For Christmas is really, after all, all about LOVE…xxx

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Bear and the Hare in Winter Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

As the snow gently fell Squirrel and Hare pulled up their hoods
As they merrily made their way skipping through the woods
For this is the night they look forward to each year
It’s Mr Stags famous festive feast of good cheer!
The smell of spices and joyful carols they could hear
And also see fairy light lanterns flickering as they drew near
Garlands of bells and mistletoe hanging from every tree
Such delights through the windows they could now see
Badger and Fox were handing out wooden toys
To the children running around with such festive joy
Gleaming baubles and gingerbread, fir cones and stars
Tawney owl handing out jellied sweets from frosted jars
The table was bursting with juicy berries and golden pies
Oh, I hope our bellies will be bigger than our eyes!
And even though its chaos and the place will be in a muddle
The evening always ends with cosy fireside Christmas Cuddles xx

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Christmas Cuddles Wooden ForeverCard appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Little Bunny Binky awoke with a squeak
Finally, it was Christmas morning so no time to sleep
She hopped out of bed and there to receive
Was a gift of a fluffy slipper because she believed
It had something in there and a shiny red bow
She peeked in with her whiskers as far as they’d go
Her paws fell upon something soft and thick
And to her delight it was a scarf beautifully knit
Now she would be cosy from top to toe!
And with that she ran out to play in the snow

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Bunny Slipper Wooden ForeverCard appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Through snow covered windows a festive and rather chaotic scene was unfolding
Blackberry Cottage had a new arrival, a bundle of fluff somewhat challenging
Ginger, a labradoodle puppy, was a giant mass of orange fluff and fuzz
Racing around the tiny cottage doing what only a puppy does
She got rather excited at seeing all the mysterious boxes coming out
Strings of lights and sparkly stars what was this all about?
She got under her daddy’s feet as the huge tree was dragged inside
Circling excitedly, she got too close to the fireplace burning her behind
“Ginger!” he cried, “sit still you crazy girl”, looking up at the rather splendid tree
Ruffling her ears, he put a sparkly star in her mouth “oh how beautiful it all will be”
He hoofed her up to the top where she gently placed the star pride of place
“I have a special job for you to do tonight” to put a smile on Mummies face
Handing her the end of the lights she circled the tree round and around
When it was covered the fairy lights switched on and twinkled like a jewelled crown
“Woof” she barked loudly and knocked over the mince pies and crackers
Laughing, he draped her neck in tinsel, it was having fun that mattered
When the glass baubles came out, she sat still like a good girl
Mesmerised by the glittering domes as they swirled and twirled
By evening the cottage was a cosy Christmas wonderland retreat
Snuggled by the fire with a chew Ginger waited for her Mummy to greet
As the key turned in the lock there were gasps of pleasure at the sight
Being welcomed home by loved ones on this Christmas Eve night
Ginger carefully carried over her present as she was trained to do
A special delivery Mummy with lots of love just for you!

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Special Delivery Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Denzel was a bit grumpy about Christmas but his Human loved it dearly
She always knitted him a smart winter jumper; a tradition done yearly
This year she caught a terrible cold and was forced to her bed before it was complete
Most upset she cried Christmas Eve until exhaustion took her finally to sleep
Resting by the fire Denzel reluctantly stretched his front legs and then the back
He heaved himself out of his comfy bed as his joints moaned and cracked
This called for reinforcements and he knew just who to see
He snuck out the back door and trotted round to number 3
He pawed at the window and up onto the windowsill jumped a large ginger cat
Molly opened the window and Denzel squeezed through so they could chat
He explained the situation and she quickly hatched a clever plan
Denzel followed her into the garage where she led him under a dusty van
There in an old carpet bag lived a huge family of little brown mice
Molly was too old for chasing things so they all loved her for being so nice
They were all too happy to help and, in a trice, they gathered wool and threads
they spread out different coloured wool and threaded onto the needle heads
As Denzel laid down, they worked so fast, clink- clink as they weaved in and out
The mice sang sweetly as a row of delicately stitched woolly snowmen appeared
When it was finished, they gathered up the wool with claps and cheers
Thanking them, Denzel went home yawning as he settled back by the fire
Next morning, he jumped on the bed showing off his rather splendid attire
Such shrieks of pleasure at this Christmas surprise filled his little heart full of joy
He was rewarded with a bowl full of plump juicy turkey for being such a thoughtful boy

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Dashing Jumper Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

A hushed blanket of sparkling white covers the whispering woods
The youngest of the animals are waking up to a surprise today
What wonder awaits them when they emerge from their comfy beds
For something magical blew through the night to come their way

A twitching nose emerges from a hole to explore the crisp morning air
“My goodness what’s this?” He exclaimed at the wonderous sight
Hare scampered past Badger then stopped; all he could do was stare
“It’s beautifully white and crunchy!!” And he jumped with all his might

Robin landed onto a branch above them and some of it fell down
“It’s falling into my ears, ouch its cold!” Laughed little hare
“It tickles my nose a bit”, said Badger looking all around
Stag stuck his tongue out to catch it, “its magic” he declared

“It’s chilly on my feathers” said Robin, “I’m not sure I can fly”
“It makes my whiskers tingle” laughed Fox, who had come to join them as well
They all stood in wonder looking up as it gently fell from the sky
Their first snow had enchanted them all with its wondrous wintery spell.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The First Snow Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

The smell of fresh spiced gingerbread biscuits wafted through the woodland to Badgers hole
Excitedly he threw on a scarf and hopped out to join the cheerful crowd on a stroll
For today everyone would join in the festive fun for it only happens once a year
Today is the famous Mr Prickles Christmas Party of celebration and good cheer
A fragrant wreath of moss, pine cones and mistletoe adorn his little front door
“Knock Knock!” they all cried merrily as they heard his padded feet running across the floor
As he threw open the door, they all cheered and piled into the home at the base of a tree
As they looked around, they gasped in wonder at such wonderous sights they did see
Thousands of fairy lights twinkled all the way up inside the tree sparkling from every branch and twig
“It’s like being inside a star!” cried Squirrel as she suddenly spotted a bowl of frosted honey figs
As the animals all arrived, they were handed hot apple cider and the party got into full swing
Brown Hare cheerfully handed out hot bowls of wild chestnut stew and said “let the games begin!”
Blackbirds and robins tweeted merrily above singing carols as they played pin the tail on the deer
Badger couldn’t stop laughing as he removed all the toasted marshmallows stuck to Mr Deer’s rear
“Pull the cracker” cried Mr Prickles and as they pulled out his loose needles, he shouted BANG!
They told stories of the ancient forest and filled their bellies with delicious winter treats
The young foxes full of energy and sweets were still playing games like hide and seek
And so, into the night they all merrily danced and sang until the stars appeared
Old Barn Owl raised a glass and declared it another successful party to end the year!

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Mr Prickles Christmas Party Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Brown Hare was out searching for some tasty winter grass, as is snowed, overhead hundreds of birds fluttered past
He watched them with joy from the field where he sat, then spotted a distressed bird darting this way and that
My Dear little bird please tell me what is the matter? “I cant find a coat!” He cried through his chit and his chatter
For it is time to flock to the thrush family ball, where all Robins and Blackbirds and Nightingales call
They all have smart red coats but I cannot find mine, so upset was the bird in his eyes bright tears shined
With a smile Hare said gently it’s because you are young, once you are bigger you will grow the finest red one!
For you my dear friend are a Robin don’t you see? A sure sign of winter like the snow of the trees
You will drop your first feathers and this I can vow, then grow a splendid red chest of which to be proud!
With relief Robin knew he really did belong , and flew off to his family with his heart full of song

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Hare and the Robin Wooden Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Dylan was a shy and quiet little donkey, a bit different from the rest
His heart, however, was so enormously big that it filled out his fluffy chest
The farmer worried that he would be unable to safely do his daily chores
So, while the others did all the heavy work Dylan had to stay indoors
As Christmas Eve crept near it began to snow and poor Dylan’s sadness grew deep
Wishing he could just be useful in some way, he softly cried himself to sleep
But at this magical time of year things can happen and his wish was secretly heard
A messenger was sent from the North Pole in the form of a special little bird
Sweet beautiful bird song gently woke Dylan up the very next day
A little robin redbreast was sat staring at him in a bed of glistening golden hay
“I can help you” said the bird, “but from here you must now leave”
Dylan’s heart was brave and true, so he joyfully decided to believe
Robin led him through an overgrown hedgerow path guarded by a fox,
Dylan’s heart thumped as there stood a very old and faded red postal box
It was glittering strangely, tucked behind a wall of Ivy hidden from view
It was certainly magical and could only be found by those who truly knew
“Now remember your special wish” said Robin and Dylon closed his eyes
With a woosh a letter appeared in his mouth much to his surprise
“Post it through here” smiled the Robin “and your wish shall be granted “
As the letter dropped it glowed from inside for it was truly enchanted
When Christmas Eve arrived, the donkeys were worried Dylon was nowhere to be seen
Suddenly a distant tinkling of bells drew them to run out and look up to the night sky
Gasping they saw their beloved Dylon flying up high with the reindeer with a smile that beamed
His wish had come true, he was now the happiest of donkeys and bursting with pride
So never give up on your dreams, whatever they are, for you really never know
Someone just might be listening, someone to whom all your secret wishes go.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Donkey’s Wish Forever Card appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.