At Christmas time we long for snow that sparkles and glistens
Looking to the Christmas Eve night sky for sleigh bells we listen
It’s an enchanting time for dreaming and making magical wishes
I believe in all the elves, mince pies, mistletoe and reindeer kisses

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

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Mr Snuffles loved to be in the kitchen where he didn’t miss a thing
From his spot on the windowsill, he watched as Lily started to sing
It was her baking day today which he enjoyed most immensely
As she weighed out all her ingredients, he watched her intensely
Her rolling pin glided up and down over the pastry growing nice and flat
Little puffs of flour billowed in the air dusting this and that
He leaned in close to get a better look wiggling his little pink nose
He sniffed some flour which made him sneeze blowing the flour from his toes
She filled the pastry parcels with juicy currents and spice
Carefully she glazed them and they were into the oven in a trice
From the fridge a bag rustled and Mr Snuffles ears pricked up
She carried a bag of fat round green balls; he couldn’t believe his luck!
It was only September but could it really be his favourite snack?
He started hopping through the flour and slid down her back
He pulled at her apron strings excitedly with his long teeth
She nearly tripped over him as he bounded round her feet
She tipped a good serving of sprouts into a bowl and set it on the floor
Glancing at the golden pastries gently rising through the oven door
Smiling at him happily munching his treat as she put away the butter
Its never too early for sprouts he thought as he settled down to his supper

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Chester was hiding quietly in the bread basket out of sight
Everyone was finishing their Christmas dinner he had to time this right
The table was piled high with so many culinary delights
Hopping with excitement he had never seen such a sight

As soon as they left, he scampered past the crackers
Running past party hats his little feet went like the clappers
Tasting gravy and trimmings he sampled each delicious plate
Such a feast this was there was no time to wait

He nibbled handfuls of salad from a bowl decorated with holly
After devouring some juicy sprouts, he then spotted the broccoli
His fluffy bum then accidently pushed over a glass of red claret
In his utter excitement to get to the honey glazed carrots

He let couldn’t help but let out a “week-week” of screeches
For there was a plate stacked high of juicy ripe peaches
After guzzling the delicious fruit, he eyed the grand prize
It was a Christmas pudding that made his eyes grow wide

His mouth filled with deliciously plump fruits and spices
He signed with pleasure each bite so sweet and nice
His belly stretched contentedly from all he was devouring
But he always knew to leave a bit of room for pudding

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

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Between the ancient roots of an old oak tree
Nestled in a bed of moss and copper-coloured leaves
Lays a little hedgehog as snuggled warm as can be
The cold winter wind whistles as he softly sleeps

As the inky midnight sky twinkles with a thousand stars
Silver frost creeps silently over the fields and hedgerows
The frosty moon hangs quietly watching from afar
Soundly asleep he twitches his feet and tiny nose

He is dreaming of a magically white Christmas
A joyful day of feasting to be enjoyed by all
The majestic barn owl glides silently past overhead
As little hedgehog sleeps on delicate snowflakes being to fall..

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

The post Dreaming of a White Christmas Coaster 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

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Sofie is a very cheeky girl
And rather clever for a mouse
She tiptoes down the quiet corridors
Undiscovered within the country house

Her favourite time of year has finally arrived
The freshly baked gingerbread wafts down the hall
The tree is hung with pretty baubles and twinkling lights
A smell that’s irresistible to the resident mice

As the house falls silent, Sofie looks all around
Scampering towards the treat her feet make no sound
She has her eye on her most desired prize
The giant orange ball reflecting in her glassy black eyes

Swinging wildly from branches to steal the treat
She reaches with all her might for something sweet
With a final swing she captures her treasure
Tapped and unwrapped she enjoys the chocolatey pleasure

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

The post All I Want for Christmas Coaster appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

There is a sprinkle of magic in the frosty air tonight, for this is Christmas Eve
Woodland folk gather together with good cheer because they firmly believe
Each year on this night there is a special visitor from up above
Spreading happy tidings, delivering gifts with jolly laughter and love

Snowflakes gently begin to fall as they gaze up eagerly at the stars
Everyone closes their eyes and makes a special wish from their hearts
In the distance there is a soft jingling sound and the robin excitedly tweets
Here he comes! It’s the winter wonderland sleigh bearing lots of yummy treats

With a sudden woosh across the sky the glittering sleigh bursts into view
Presents drop into the trees where the owls catch the crying “twit twoo”
The reindeers jingle their bells waving to the animals cheering down below
Flying high on their magical dust which make their antlers glow

A feast the animals will now enjoy of wild mushroom stew and cranberry pies
Hugging each other goodnight they stretch, yawn and hibernate with contented sighs
As they huddle together knowing the greatest gift is having each other near
A Christmas lullaby is softly sung to welcome in a Happy New Year

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

The post Christmas Magic Coaster appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

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! x

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

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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.

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The winter hare always has to be so cunning and clever
He scampers about in the open despite the awful chilly weather
For precious food becomes sparse when the temperature drops
Shimmering snow covers the fields and there are no more farmers crops
As a wise and mystical creature, the hare will always survive
Chewing moss and hunting for berries they dig and they dive
As glittering snowflakes softly fall and land on his wet nose
The shining moon above watches over him wherever he goes
As others silently hibernate, the hare travels all winter long
But soon it will be spring and the birds will burst into sweet song
The harshness of winter will be a distant memory for the hare
As sunshine returns bringing an abundance of food to share
Refreshed and relaxed he will be sipping fresh water from the lake
Remembering his long days chasing berries and snowflakes

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

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