SCOUT: “Hullo Paddy!”
PADDY: “Oh, hullo Scout!”
SCOUT: “Do you know what today is, Paddy?”
PADDY: “Yes I do, Scout! It’s Friday.”
SCOUT: “Well yes… yes it is, but do you know what else it is today?”
PADDY: “Hhhmmm…” *Ponders.* “Well, Daddy is going to get his hair done today.”
SCOUT: “No! No! No, Paddy! Something else! Something very important! Something… something very special!”
PADDY: “Well it isn’t your birthday yet, Scout.”
SCOUT: “No, it’s not that either, Paddy!”
PADDY: “Then I give up! What is today as well as being Friday and the day that Daddy gets his hair done?”
SCOUT: “It’s Saint Valentine’s Day, Paddy!” *Jumps for joy.* “A day full of fun and laughter and love!”
PADDY: “Oh my! Why so it is, Scout! Oh well done, remembering that it is Saint Valentine’s Day!”
SCOUT: “Thank you, Paddy!” *Smiles.* “And, I have something I need to ask you, Paddy.”
PADDY: “And what is that. Scout?”
SCOUT: *Pulls out a Saint Valentine’s Day card with a bear on it from behind his back.* “Paddy? Paddy will you be my valentine today?”
PADDY: “Oh Scout!” *Puts paw to mouth.* “But Scout, Saint Valentine’s Day cards are supposed to be anonymous. You aren’t supposed to know who they are from.”
SCOUT: “Yes, Daddy told me that too, Paddy. However, you know I’m a tred setter, so I’m starting a new Saint Valentine’s Day trend: Saint Valentine’s Day cards where you know who they are from! I think you deserve to know how much I love you, Paddy! You always take such good care of me!”
PADDY: “Oh thank you, Scout! I’m so flattered.”
SCOUT: “Do you know what I think, Paddy?”
PADDY: “No. What do you think, Scout?”
SCOUT: “I think, and wish, that everyone finds out how much they are loved today, Paddy! That’s what Saint Valentine’s Day should be all about. Don’t you agree, paddy?”
PADDY: “I do, Scout! I think that is a very good idea!”
SCOUT: “So, will you be my valentine then, paddy?”
PADDY: *Blushes pink beneath plush fur.* “Well, I don’t know what to say!”
SCOUT: “Hopefully you will say ‘yes’, Paddy!” *Hopeful.*
PADDY: “Well of course I will say ‘yes’, dear Scout! Thank you!”
SCOUT: “Hoorah!” *jumps up and down with delight.* “That’s good, because I love you, Paddy! I love you very, very much!” *Gives Paddy a big little bear hug and a snuffly kiss.*
PADDY: “Well, I love you too, Scout, very, very much!” *Gives Scout a big little bear hug and a snuffly kiss in return.* “Do you know what I think, Scout?”
SCOUT: “Bo Paddy!” *Shakes head seriously.* “What do you think?”
PADDY: “I think we should wish all our Flickr friends and followers a happy Saint Valentine’s Day.”
SCOUT: “Oh good idea, Paddy! Happy Saint Valentine’s Day everybody and everybear!”
PADDY: “Whether you celebrate with flowers, chocolates, Saint Valentine’s Day Cards or simply an expression of love, I hope all of our Flickr friends and followers have a wonderful Saint Valentine’s Day. I’m sending you all lots of love, big little bear hugs and snuffly kisses!”
SCOUT: “And so am I!” *Giggles and smiles.*
For anyone who follows my photostream, you might be aware I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some wonderfully artistic and creative friends. This includes my very dear friend Maria who creates some truly beautiful and amazing cards from recycled paper and cardboard. She created this bear themed Saint Valentine’s Day card for me to give this year, and I feel very honoured indeed. If you want to see more of Maria’s work, visit her Instagram page at: www.instagram.com/daisyandme33/?hl=en
This beautiful Willow Pattern nursery tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1920s. It features four cups and saucers as well as a tea pot, coffee pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated with the Willow Pattern in blue, just like the life-size equivalent. It has two sister sets: a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set that I was given as a gift some years ago by a close friend who knows I collect nursery ware and children’s tea sets and a faerie tale set from the 1930s Shell China Company faerie tale tea set that I have built up from various sellers over time.
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.