Birthday Recap No. 1: Gnome sighting

Gnomes are elusive creatures, but sometimes on your birthday...they just might show up on your doorstep with a bouquet of purple flowers.           

If and when this happens to you, don't expect to catch them there on your stoop because by the time you see them, they're already inside.

You don't have to believe me, but you should. I'm speaking from experience...

 

The first thing you need to know is that it's hard to get a good picture of them. Remember: they are elusive.

The second thing you need to know is that they can easily injure their fingers while they're looking for hiding places. They have small fingers and the youngest gnomes haven't quite got the hang of protecting them from injury. Avoid making the gnome unhappy at all costs.

 

Third: Gnomes are mischievous...

 ...But also easily distracted by small items. 

And when you do finally get a good shot of their faces, they try to throw you off with a disguise.

 

 And blurry photos. Gnomes learned that from the Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster (mythical creatures have to stick together.)

It's a little known fact that the Sweedish gnomes love furniture and arranging it. I've even heard that they came up with feng shui (originally fergla seblot).

 It's their inquisitive nature that finally gets them caught...

...but they're so charming that you just can't sell them to the circus.

I must say, I'm extremely glad to have a guardian gnome who shows up at my house with his slightly taller guardian fairy.