A Very Special Little House ...

Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved the little doll’s house (a milliner’s) that belonged to his grandma.  He dreamt of having a little house of his own but he didn’t want a dollies house.  Doll’s houses were for little girls who dream in pink, dress in pink and talk pink.  He wanted a boy’s house.  And so, just before Christmas, Grandma (the Interior Designer) and Grandpa (the Builder) built and decorated a very special house and on Christmas day the little boy received this …

The Boot House, home of Mouse & Son (Cobblers).  A very talented cobbler indeed with customers who travel from far and wide, respected by countryfolk and gentry.

… with a workshop.  There are lots of boots, mended and waiting to be collected.  See the little workbench and the tool box – there are teeny weeny tools in there.  Mouse is at the bench working on the next pair of boots – a beautiful chestnut brown leather pair owned by a very fine gent who drives a Bentley and has a passion for game pie.  He pays very handsomely, for he recognises the fine workmanship of Mr Mouse and he sometimes even tips him with a slice of his favourite pie.

…. and the bathroom – on Sunday after a long, hard week Mr Mouse relaxes in the tub, followed my Mrs M and children one, two and three.  He scrubs up very well apart from his poor, sore paws.  His eyesight is not all that good you see and he does have a habit of missing the sole and hammering his poor little paws instead of the shoe.

… the parlour and kitchen, where Mrs M does like to entertain.   Some of the ladies say she has illusions of grandeur (but they are not real friends), not like Mrs D who comes to sit and embroider in front of the range whilst they eat little fancies and talk of the latest in mousewear and domestic gadgets.  Mrs D founds a cat’s whisker last week – she has embroidered the most exquisite little evening bag with beads and a tassel .. and what of the cat’s whisker? Well, the handle of course - fancy that!

… the bedroom.  See that bed – made by Mr Mouse’s very own hands (in the days when they weren’t so sore).  The marital bed; a wedding present to his dear wife, who he loves as much today as he did when they very first met.  He spotted her at the market with a beautiful purple cabbage in her basket (he has always loved cabbage soup) and it was love at first sight.

This is all true, please believe every word … for the little boy told me so.  Oh … and they all lived happily ever after.

The neighbours ... but that's another story!

The Boot House - photographed by permission of my little man.