The Teddy Bears Picnic!

On warm afternoons, the Bear family takes afternoon tea on the terrace. Momma Rose sets the table with a nice cloth and her prettiest cups and saucers

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She hums softly at her work,

her pleasure evident as she

picks her favourite dishes from

the cabinet and takes out the cake.

Eldest daughter Wren helps carry supplies,

packing loaves of French bread carefully

into her little pink knapsack.

Poppa Will often works up an appetite by playing a game of cricket before joining his family at table…but this is family time now. He will have a chance to think about his winning ball as he does the washing up later while Momma Rose has a well-deserved rest.

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They have bread and butter to eat, a lovely cake,

and two kinds of fragrant tea. The children

drink ‘nursery’ tea, laced with lots of milk.

They are very, very careful to handle the china with care, and remember to use napkins to dab politely at their lips.

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Momma Rose always uses her English Roses teacup. It was a special gift from her mother and she treasures it.

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Momma can be counted on to play her cello for a while as the children fill their tummies. Her gentle music joins with the sound of birds tweeting and the wind whistling through the trees.

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Sunlight sparkes off the spotless
dishes and helps keep the tea toasty warm.
There is no need for a tea cozy.

Wren Bear is the family bookworm. Afternoon tea is an especially good occasion for a book as far as she is concerned.

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Poppa Will looks fondly at each of his girls in turn. What a lucky bear he considers himself to be!

As the afternoon moves on…and long shadows slant across the grass, Wren brings out her storybook and reads aloud in her best performing voice. Younger sister Ariel listens intently, but baby Jewel soon grows dozy in the sun and always misses the end of the story.



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When night falls at last, the sleepy family trundles up the stairs, sated with the treats of the afternoon and the pleasure of each other’s company. Momma Rose is the last one to fall asleep, taking a few quiet moments to count her blessings. Her loved ones all safe and tucked warmly into bed in their own cozy home…well, there is simply nothing better than that in the whole world, is there?
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xxooxx

Teddy Bear Contest

For me, the highlight of

concert season has become

the "Last Night of The

Proms" concert,

performed in Vancouver

by the VSO and the Bach Choir.

Part of the evening involves

a teddy bear contest. Dozens of people compete, from small children to old men.

This year's theme was "Best Dressed As A

Performer Bear". I found the perfect

outfit for my favourite furry friend,

complete with pearls,

matching Mary Janes

and a tiny cello.

To our great surprise, Rosie Bell and I won first prize and were awarded a glorious CD of choral music performed by the Vancouver Bach Choir. Miss Belle tried to curtsy in gratitude but her chubby bear legs are not made for that!

I loved having a chance to inject some whimsy into the everyday. It's back to real life now, but I can't wait to see what Miss Belle will choose to dress up in next year...

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