Of French Gnomes and Elfen Friends

At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, I'll admit at the top that I don't go in much for garden gnomes.  True, a gnome played a major role in one of my favorite French films, Amelie, which, incidentally, has a soundtrack that's so wonderful it coaxed a smile out of me even after I discovered that the 2 cups of sugar sitting on the kitchen counter belonged to the cake that was already in the oven!  (Note to self: Don't talk on the phone and bake at the same time.)

That's Audrey "Amelie" Tatou up there with her gnome (thank you Miramax).  Cute, I know, but not cute enough to make a gnome-lover out of me.  Even after the celebrated designer, Philippe Starck, whose work I love, created a family of garden gnomes (here's one)

I still wasn't about to make a place for a gnome in my garden, my home or my heart.

But it turns out that my little corner of Connecticut must be a hotbed of anonymous gnomial activity because, unseen, unheard and uninvited, the gnomes turned up.

I mean, take a look at this - it's what I found in my garden earlier this summer, just after returning from Paris

Pretty fabulous, isn't it?  And obviously the work of gnomes, right?  Who else would do such a thing?

Then yesterday, Michael and I pulled up to the house and, as I always do, I jumped out of the car and went directly to the garden.  Here's what I found

To you, this might look like an ordinary scarecrow.  But to me, it looks precisely like a mini female edition of Abner, the scarecrow who lives up the block.  Could Abner have wandered down and bequeathed me his firstborn?  I don't think so.  It's got to be the gnomes at work again.

Next thing I know, the ghost of Christmas past will be hovering over the garden.

If this keeps up, I might just start believing in the tooth fairy.  In the meantime, I'll keep believing in the adorableness of my friends.

Comments

[Katie B.]

Months later, I want to thank you. After reading this entry, I added the Amelie soundtrack to my holiday wish list (and received it!) I loved the movie, but never gave the soundtrack a thought. I listened to it last night, as I puttered around in the kitchen, and I found it to be so so enchanting. I swear you can taste it in the lemon curd!! Thank you for such a great recommendation! (O, and my mom LOVED the signed copy of Baking, too!!)

[Carol]

I haven't been keeping up with your blog, so decided to sign on while nursing baby James, and to my amazement, I discovered in your most recent gnome entry that you don't believe in the tooth fairy? I never imagined you were such a skeptic! Especially after my son Charlie's assessment of you: "Mom, Dorie is just like a little kid in a grown-up's body, know what I mean?"

[radish]

Aw, that's very sweet. Our little garden is on our patio of a 6th floor apartment in the city and I fear gnomes can't climb buildings that high :) The welcome back message is very sweet, and as for the 'first born' that is quite an honor!!

[nicole]

V. cute! And, I adore the 'Amelie' soundrack, too -- and it's a perfect backdrop for baking.

[Rona]

I think gnomes are cute. Not sure I'd put one in my garden (if I had one) but maybe the front lawn. LOL. Looks like your mystery gnomes are taking great care of you and the garden. They are indeed special friends.
I also love the film Amelie. Audrey Tatou is an amazing actress. I don't have the soundtrack yet but it's on my list now. Hope the music helps with my faux pas in the kitchen. I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Cake was in the oven looking so pretty and as I was cleaning up I found a cup of sugar on the counter. So much for mis en place. No phone, no wine next time! How did your cake turn out? Was it edible?

[brilynn]

Ha! What a cute story, and what mischievious friends you have!

[xsquared]

Hello Dorie! De-lurking (love your blog!) because if you don't like gnomes, you just might like this:
http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=14503.

I loved Amelie, and never thought to look for the soundtrack - thank you for the suggestion!

[Vida]

How can you mentioned the "C" word (Christmas) in October.... Now that I have said that the penny drops and it occurs to me that October is only one month away from November which in turn is one month away from the "D" word December... Wow when I put it like that, it's only a day away really, isn't it???? Better get ready... Vida x x x

[breadchick]

Oh Dorie! I am so glad I am not the only person who has messed up a baked good while listening to the Amelie soundtrack (mine was the baking soda in cookies). It is one of my favourite cds to listen to while puttering in the kitchen. What wonderful "gnomes" you have in your part of Connecticut!! Do you rent them out?

[Casey]

What tasteful and charming gnomes you know. And I think it's great fun to leave garden surprises. When my daughter was in the hospital, having just delivered her first child, I stopped by the garden center and bought blue hydrangeas in full bloom. On her front porch, she had three lovely terra cotta pots, filled with hydrangeas long past their prime. I substituted the blooming plants and crept away. When she got home the next day she called and, laughing, said: "Mom, did you stop by the house and give my hydrangeas a big dose of magic?"