I am thrilled that here on Enchanted Folk we have reached our second birthday, Drew and I feel deeply honoured that this special place has gathered so many beautiful souls making friends and showing kindness and care like nowhere else I know of on the net. It is a real privilege to be on here each day, checking on everybody, reading such wonderful blogs and witnessing the encouragement and hope so freely offered and given. This unique community has blessed me more than I can say, and even inspired our very own magazine! Faezine is a constant delight to collate and publish and spreads our gentle spirit even further afield... I am so proud of all the fascinating columns by EF members, and even personally trying to rise to the challenge of documenting a nature-packed year in the life of a mad Cotswold mother *grin* I am deeply grateful to all those involved in this EF project, especially as many have been here with us since EF began! We're looking forward to the Autumn issue of Faezine as this season seems to have especially inspired our contributors!

Thank you from our hearts for all your precious time and energy here on Enchanted Folk dear members, and for all the lovely comments and Magical Mischiefs which truly make my day ((hugs)) A lot has happened within the EF community over the past two years, much like in our own family which always feels like a natural extension of this blessed place - the ups and downs of life, mourning the loss of dear friends, rejoicing in precious new births and continuing the legacy of living in the magic as we go about our everyday lives. I enjoy welcoming the brave newbies, seeing folk celebrating the happy times and still finding comfort in shared, sometimes sad moments. I am honoured by your patience when life's commitments and responsibilities keep me from answering emails and messages as quickly as I'd like, and am constantly uplifted and heartened by all that transpires here (finding it hard to express my gratitude without becoming tearful) Many of you sweet folk have often restored my faith in human nature and I find the energy to continue as a result, you have created and sustained a magical haven and have my heart.

We especially thank those of you who have generously donated to the running of this site. When we first began EF in 2007 there weren’t many other social networking sites out there and finding a platform to use was quite a task. Over the past couple of years this site has cost us more than twelve hundred dollars to rent and we are therefore extremely grateful for any help given, especially as we try to keep EF an uncommercial place of refuge as far as is possible. There now seem to be many free platforms available, but we are still in two minds about moving due to the upheaval for everyone and all the wonderful content already on here. If you have any thoughts on this, please message Drew as we continue to welcome your comments and suggestions.

In the UK we are celebrating EF’s second anniversary by attending the Northwest Merry Meet on Monday the 21^st of September 2009. To be held in Cheshire and very kindly hosted by Louise, this will be a special opportunity to enjoy the Autumn Equinox in the company of kindred spirits as we raise our cups of tea to all our enchanted friends around the globe… I hope that wherever you are on that day, you will be able to do the same and know that we are thinking of you too. For any of you able to attend the Northwest Merry Meet in person, please contact Louise who will give you directions and details. There is also information on Louise’s blog and of course on the UK Merry Meet Group  As usual, this informal gathering is just for fun and we are very grateful to our dear friend for delightfully treating us to an enchanted Tea Party at her home after our afternoon adventures, yay *big smiles*

Hoping to see some of you lovelies on the 21^st, wishing my beloved Enchanted Folk a very Happy second Birthday and offering our appreciation as always for your treasured friendship,

Thank you for living in the magic with us,

Be and Drew

Enchanted Greetings dear friends,

I thought it might be appropriate to share with you the little piece I wrote for one of my Uniting Kingdoms sections in Faerie Magazine, as it explains why we chose this particular venue for our forthcoming annual EF midsummer Merry Meet…
 
I am privileged to say that my Grandmother inspired one of my favourite pastimes. I was lucky enough to be close to my Nana who was on this earth for a hundred years! Like all quintessentially English women of that age, she was elegant, well mannered and a real lady all her life. I learnt a lot about good old-fashioned customs from this special soul who had been brought up by Victorian parents in a very different world from today. Through watching my Grandnana (named by my boys, her great grandsons) set table in the afternoons at four o’clock, I learnt the art, grace and sheer delight of formal High Tea. Bone China tea sets, tiny teaspoons, antique silver sugar tongs, little cucumber sandwiches (without crusts of course) dainty fancies on a layered cake-plate with paper doilies, and a sherry Trifle to finish! All lovingly served on an embroidered heirloom, a freshly pressed white linen tablecloth with matching napkins, each held for us in our own ring. In the centre of this table of anticipation, there was always a crystal vase of colourful fresh and fragrant flowers from my beloved Gramps’ prolific, well-tended and gorgeous garden. Gramps spent much of his retirement growing Nana’s favourite blooms especially for her to cut and arrange indoors, possibly one of the secrets to their sixty-year marriage *smiles*

Therefore, earlier on this year we went to the nearby City of Bath, a place I adore visiting, and treated ourselves to the famous Afternoon Tea at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House (near to the glorious Bath Abbey and well-known Roman Baths) on what used to be known as Lilliput Alley. Sally Lunn’s Tea House is Bath’s oldest building dating from 1482, and you can still see the original baking ovens in the museum there among the excavated Roman and Medieval foundations. It is an enchanting narrow house with ancient wooden winding stairs, low-beamed ceilings and pretty decor. The charming waitresses served us the most delicious fare imaginable with a large pot of piping hot tea, together with their traditional Bath Buns (still a secret recipe from 1680, a very popular delicacy in Georgian England) accompanied by strawberry conserve and some scrumptious west country clotted cream, the perfect combination.

Our family were all so impressed that we were inspired to arrange to have our annual UK Enchanted Folk midsummer Merry Meet there on Saturday 20th June 09. We have a special room booked for us at 1.30pm and there are details on the EF Group members.enchantedfolk.com/ukmerrymeet where you can also ask any questions you may have.
All are warmly invited to join us at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House in the beautiful city of Bath for delicious Cream Teas with Bath Buns (under £6 per head inc. tea!) in a truly enchanted teashop  www.sallylunns.co.uk  Drew and I would be delighted to have your company on this inexpensive informal, lighthearted and fun time out for the family.

(I do realise as I write this that many of our very special friends across the oceans sadly won't be able to make this meet. Please know dear ones that we will be holding you in our hearts as we gather together sincerely wishing you were with us ~ maybe one day... and not forgetting that there are other lovely EF Merry Meet Groups too of course ;o)

There is still something about mid-afternoons that inspires me to pop the kettle on and make a cup of tea, and as I do so I raise my cup in our Grandnana’s honour and to the treasured memory of both my dear Nana and Gramps. Happy memories indeed.
 
Keep living in the magic ~ we look forward to maybe seeing some of you soon…
Be

Okay, back to work on the new summer issue of our EF Faezine, even more of a joy to collate than the Spring edition which I loved! faezine.com is free to subscribe to and I am honoured to present this amazing gift from our special community.