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Nikki Davidson-Bowman's avatar

Beautiful post. I love getting lost in the woods and somehow always find my way out again eventually. This reminded me of a favourite holiday to the east coast - Plymouth, Maine, Cape Cod etc and all the gorgeous autumn wreaths in houses and in shops. I’ve always regretted not buying one to bring back as there’s nothing as tasteful here. Maybe I need to make my own - I have the blank wreath already….

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JP Clark's avatar

Thank you so much. Yes, you should definitely make your own!

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Evoqua (E-voh-kah) - by Andie's avatar

Beautiful and heartfelt. Thankyou. I sometimes wonder how, as adults, we can keep hold of some of that childhood wonder. We have a very old, and perfectly shaped huge oak tree now named magi oak. Two chairs have been placed underneath, and it's where we go for a chatter whilst the dogs play in the fields, or where I go to give gratitude. Strangely there are only ever a few acorns from Magi ...and I've never really understood why. But he's utterly in my heart. This post was really emotional for me . Thankyou xx

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JP Clark's avatar

Andie thank you so much. It’s incredibly important to keep hold, or even reclaim some of that childlike wonder and joy. I was only thinking this morning that I’ve become a bit boring. I need to find my joy.

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Evoqua (E-voh-kah) - by Andie's avatar

In Ireland we did hours of driving. David downloaded a book called Still Life. Not my usual Christmas Romance Novel (obsessed since lockdown!) The beautiful words she uses, the glowing sentences transports you back to the 1930's onwards in Florence. The detail she captures brings such comfort, joy and nostalgia. Strangely even though I myself haven't lived those moments. Each day started with a drive...and the story we had downloaded...it really was a simple pleasure, that we noticed and acknowledged. We also recognised how busy our lives are, and we have fallen out of the habit of asking ourselves...what our pocketful of joy was ...each day. So, once again we have started to recognise again our moments of joy amongst the renovations, decisions,rain,mud and running 2 businesses. Day 3 ...and not yet a habit....but it's lovely doing it. Small steps....the joy is there...we just need to recognise it each day and acknowledge it (I've also started gratitude talking too!!).

You love...and are loved. A great start.

Oh yes...and your ever playful side is always bubbling. I forgot to say that I've never heard of autumn leaf angels...love it. I think a post of this would be marvelous!

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Mary Weiher's avatar

I was right there with you in the forest and now I'm going to make your cookies. Excellent jp. I agree tree are living and talk to us.

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JP Clark's avatar

So glad you enjoyed it Mary. 🍁🍁

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Mary Katherine's avatar

What a lovely piece that ticks all the boxes - nature, a story with a happy ending, lovely verbal imagery, a charming craft with instructions and a finished product you can enjoy for weeks, and a delicious recipe! You are so multi-talented, it's just not fair, JP!

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JP Clark's avatar

🤣 Thank you so very much. There’s a hell of a lot of things I can’t do, promise!

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Sophie van Gerwen's avatar

That wreath looks great JP. Loved reading this honey

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JP Clark's avatar

Ah, Sophie thank you! I was nervous posting something that was a bit out there, but so glad I did. Glad you liked it. X

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Do you know, I was reading this and from their very first mention, I was so hoping that you’d give us the recipe for those cookies?! So thank you for that although I don’t trust myself not to eat five of them in one go.

The imagination of childhood can be a beautiful place - I’ve just written the acknowledgments for my book and have credited all those teachers who let me go off on these flights of fancy and pretended to believe me even when my stories, which I insisted were the truth, were clearly untrue. I love writing because I love the tales and adventure my mind takes me down - and I love reading because I love the adventures of other people’s imaginations. Honestly, every single book, every story I read, I marvel at what has happened In somebody’s mind to make this story.

Thai is a VERY long way of saying that you took us right inside your childhood imagination here - the fantasy, the mystery, the tree people - all as clear as day. We were there with you!

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JP Clark's avatar

Well, that just made me a little teary Jo, thank you for such a heartfelt comment. I swear I’m going through the male menopause, if such a thing exists. My emotions are all over the shop! I’m very much looking forward to your new book. X

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Mark Diacono's avatar

I'm away for a few days JP, and have only one ingredient (bicarb) missing for those biscuits and if the village shop has it, I'm making these tomorrow. I'm glad you got unlost

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JP Clark's avatar

Omg Mark! 🤣 How did I miss that out? I was still writing and editing this late on Saturday, so that might explain it. I believe it’s a half a teaspoon of bicarb! Thank you sir! That’s why I’m not a chef/food writer!

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Mark Diacono's avatar

JP, sorry, I’ve confused you - the bicarb is in the recipe…I’m the one without any while I’m away from home! Sorry to accidentally confuse you

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JP Clark's avatar

🤣🤣 I must have not had my glasses on! Either that, or I’m losing the plot! Just re-read your comment and it’s perfectly clear. Anyway, hope the shop had it!

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JP Clark's avatar

I’ve just checked! My mum recommends 1tsp of bicarb as in the recipe, which I did incorporate into the article! Thought I was going mad! Have I missed something?

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JP Clark's avatar

But with the bicarb, I can confirm that they are quite scrumptious! Let me know!

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Debbie's avatar

I could almost smell the earthy scent of those woods, beautiful writing JP xx

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JP Clark's avatar

I wish someone would invent smellovision!

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Debbie's avatar

😂

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Alison Orchard's avatar

Loved reading the story and also the wreath and recipe, JP. When I was 8 years old, I went AWOL with my 3 year old cousin, in Kew Gardens - in the Rhododendron dell. The family were frantic when they couldn't find us - but we were having fun. I was told off of course, when they finally found us. My cousin is a Professor of music and loves the outdoors. I take full credit for his initiation! XX

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JP Clark's avatar

So much fun to be had getting lost in nature. I hope he thanks you for his early start in life!

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Alison Orchard's avatar

Totally. I do have to remind him from time to time hahah X

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JP Clark's avatar

🤣👍🏻

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Karen Overton's avatar

Oh my JP, I thought I was reading a book and wanted to hear more! What happened when you were found? Did you Dad go mad..? Etc….! It could be a book I’d get lost in. Loved it. Your wreath I’ll have ago at and the cookies. ❤️

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JP Clark's avatar

Well, I cut it off at that point because that’s where it got quite serious. But, I do intend to continue the story for the book.

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Natasha Poliszczuk's avatar

You had me at Anne of Green Gables. What an evocative story. JP (layers upon layers, too - which I love). xx

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JP Clark's avatar

🍁🍁 Thank you for taking the time Natasha. X

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Lou B's avatar

Thanks JP, it may have taken an age to write/film but it does show and sharing is such fun for us! If this biblical rain ever stops I’m off foraging to collect and make an autumnal wreath to attach to our gate in the hope it will be ok up until the other wreath gets put up! Love a family recipe 😍 will try this next week. I make cakes/biscuits every month to take to the PT’s at the gym (counter intuitive I know!) so nice to have a recommended recipe that sounds (sort of!) healthy. Thanks

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JP Clark's avatar

Thank you Lou. Let me know if you liked the cookies.

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@nictorian_diaries Nic Ruben's avatar

Oh I was in the wood under the forest canopy with you ! Lovely descriptive piece JP . Great minds with the wreath I made one from our coppiced hazel this week ..drying nicely but you’ve given me a rusty orange inspo injection . You are a nature child xx I am too growing up next to a playground of an abandoned pre Victorian railway . You can imagine the rope swings and skelter runs in the snow down the embankments… tree houses , camps , always getting called home late ⏰ xxx

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JP Clark's avatar

That’s sounds magical Nic!

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Marion Cole's avatar

I’m so full of admiration JP. You are so very talented. Xx

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JP Clark's avatar

Marion thank you that’s very kind. Happy first day of autumn. 🍂

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Penny Albertella's avatar

Wow! So much to this! Brilliant!

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JP Clark's avatar

Thank you so much Penny

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Penny Albertella's avatar

I have a vine wreath somewhere in my garage which I made from the grape vines in our old cottage garden. I have a glue gun too!!

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JP Clark's avatar

I can’t wait to see what you create! When you’ve finished it please share it on our chat so we can see!

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Christine B Lewis's avatar

🥰Fantastic childhood story JP! 🫣I felt, like I was lost with you, anxieties took over me! You’re a great story teller! Were you grounded from the forest? I live in the forest as you know, I can’t imagine not foraging around!

… and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul! ~John Muir🌲🫶🏻🙋🏼‍♀️

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JP Clark's avatar

Love that quote Chriss. I have to say I’m rather envious of your forest home. Was I grounded? Fortunately, I avoided such a fate.

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Christine B Lewis's avatar

You and Mr.C will have to come visit! 🌲🏡😍🥰😘

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