Wanna learn a foreign language?

 

Stuck in a rut talking in English all the time? Baffled at how to tackle the daunting task of speaking something else? Not sure where to begin?

Why not start by learning the word “gnome” in every language?! Gotta start somewhere, right? And what could be more useful?

Names for Gnomes in Various Languages

English……………………………………………………….Gnome

Irish……………………………………………………………Gnome

Mexico………………………………………………………..Gnomo

Flemish……………………………………………Kleinmanneken

Dutch ………………………………………………………Kabouter

German …………………………………………Heinzelmannchen

Norwegian…………………………….. Tomte or Nisse

Swedish ………………………….Tomtenisse or Nisse

Danish ………………………………………………………….Nisse

Polish……………………………………….. Gnom

Finnish………………………………………………. Tonttu

Russian …………………….Domovoi Djedoesjka

Serbo …………………………………………………………..Kepec

Croatian……………………………………………………….Patuljak

Bulgarian………………………………………….. Djudje

Czechoslovakian…………………………….. Skritek

Hungarian……………………………………… Mano

I have reached enlightenment because I can say “gnome” in 27 languages.” ~ Paula Abdul

Your friendly neighborhood gnome librarian,
The Quick Brown Fox, The Gnome

Have YOU Made Your Gnomers’ Day (December 1, 2012) Reservations Yet?

 

I know you’ve all already marked your calendars, but just a reminder…..our national holiday, World Gnomers’ Day is quickly approaching!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST, 2012!!!!!!!!!

We just received our tickets today for the 36th Annual Festival of the Gnomes in Joliet, Illinois!

Sent to gnomes from gnomes. Just the way it should be. This world-renown festival will feature a live show, gift shop, craft-making areas, raffles, artwork, music, AND SO MUCH MORE!

We’re so excited that we think you should join us! Tickets may be reserved by calling the park office at 815-724-3760 or e-mailing [email protected].

Not sure what Gnomers’ Day is all about? This special day was created to honor collectors of gnomes. Well, duh. This totally informative article gives some great tips about how to prepare for the upcoming holiday:  

To prepare for December 1st and Gnomers’ Day …

  • Plan to have coffee with other collectors or even friends who are not collectors. How could anyone not enjoy your Gnomes and a special get-together on such a special day?
  • Place Gnomes on your dining tables, and think about moving others around a bit. They like a change of scene, too. Spruce up those needing a gently-wiped face and hands.
  • Send a copy of this write-up to the editors of your local newspapers. They may be willing to mention the day if enticed by the colorful heading!
  • If you have a Gnome-shaped cookie cutter, bake cookies. Bake a cake and decorate it with a Gnome design. Use a Gnome cookie cutter to press the shape onto the cake’s top, then fill in the shape with icings. (A cake pan maker was been asked to consider making a Gnome; no response yet.)
  • If you’ve saved Gnome pictures and cards (like most of us), frame some for year-round pleasure. It doesn’t matter if they have a holiday theme, because Gnomes are never out of season.

Not gonna be around Joliet, Illinois on December 1st? No sweat! There’s plenty of other options for you to celebrate with us in spirit! Here’s a few suggestions:

Get ready, get set, and go celebrate us!
Speak No Gnome, The Gnome

I’m Baaaaaaaack From the Desert!!!!!!!!

 

Hola gnome neighbors!

As of about 2am this morning, I have arrived back to The Gnome Abode from my journey to Death Valley. There was a brief stint in Vegas, but I’m undecided as to whether those travel details will be released.

As you may have guessed from the lack of blog posts, there was zero phone or interweb reception out there in the desert, so I have lots to tell you all!

However, for now I must sleep off this pesky hangover and organize my amazing photograph collection from the trip.

In the meantime, I’ll just say that the “hottest and driest place in North America” was cold and rainy during my stay there. WTF?!

Until I’m more coherent….
Pablo The Desert Gnome

Later, bitches! I’m Goin’ to Death Valley!

 

Move over, Zookwinkle. Step aside, Sheldon. There’s still fairness in The Gnome Abode!

I, Pablo The Gnome (along with my trusty Runny Babbit), have been selected by random lottery to join Gnomeplaya and Gnomecow on a magical journey to Death Valley!

We depart this evening and rumor has it that our flight is delayed. I’ve never been on a plane before. So I can only assume that “delayed” means that everything is working A-OK!

We’re flying into Vegas….for one night and one night only. I was relieved to learn that Happy Go Lucky The Monkey is coming along on this trip as well. You see, Happy was born in Vegas….he was “won” by Gnomeplaya at a carnival game involving tossing balls into buckets at Circus Circus. So he should be able to show me a good time this evening.

Then tomorrow, we’re off to the desert for loads of backpacking, hiking, camping, and dehydration! I have no idea what to expect, but since I’ve never had the honor of being a “travel gnome” before, I’m stoked! Runny Babbit is too!

We’ll try to send back an occasional picture or two to share on the blog.

Wish me luck!

Goodbye kisses,
Pablo, the latest and greatest traveling gnome

How I Found Two Dates in a Corn Maze

 

Hey ya’ll! I recon you’ve been hearing about me. Apparently, they don’t see too many lady gnomes around here and I’m the newest lady of the bunch.

I’m Lurleen and I was named after a famous county singer. I’m an aspiring country singer too but more than I love country music, I LOVE PUMPKINS!

I’m the eldest lady gnome in The Gnome Abode and it’s getting rough for these old bones of mine to stand all days like those young whippersnappers do. I picked up these here pumpkins back in ’86 and haven’t stood up from them since!

To welcome me to the clan, my new friends at The Abode invited me to go to a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. I figured why not? That’s right up my alley!

My poor knees wouldn’t let me walk around the corn maze so I just positioned myself in the middle of it so everyone could walk by me to hear my music and introduce themselves.

How sweet my music must have been because all the boys were stopping by to say hello! What a lovely confidence booster for an aging gal like myself!

A nice young lad named Boris Periwinkle asked me to go fishing the next morning. The thought of catching fish made me squeamish, but for the sake of making new friends, I agreed to the date.

Although he didn’t catch a gosh dern thing, he was quite the gentleman. He held his little lantern up for me to see under the pier and complimented me on my dark skin tone.

Much to my surprise, not only gnomes were at this corn maze. There were also monkeys! I never knew that gnomes and monkeys lived so closely together, but I guess I still have a lot to learn around here.

One of the monkeys, whose name was Peso, was particularly charming. He didn’t really speak English well, but then again, I always was a sucker an accent!

Peso invited me to a nearby brewery for dinner the next evening. I’d never been to a brewery before, but the kids around here seem to think they’re all the rage. We went to Mickey Finn’s Brewery and I was completely overwhelmed by how many beers there were!

You see, I’ve never been a big drinker. My momma always said that nonsense was for the menfolk. But when in Rome…

My favorite beer was the Pineapple Express. Pineapple beer! Who knew such existed?!

Peso described the beer as hoppy, with citris and floral overtones. Apparently, this monkey knows his beer. I just thought it was yummy! Peso didn’t tell me it was a 10% alcohol beer! Apparently, that’s a lot! I felt really dizzy. It was a weird feeling.

Have I ever been drunk before? Oh goodness no! Surely, this isn’t what “drunk” feels like is it? There’s a lot of hype about “drunk”. I always figured there was more to it.

Both Boris and Peso were very nice boys and they treated me like a lady. If either of them should call again, I will likely welcome a second date.

Your sweet lil’ ole’ granny type,
Lurleen Lumpkin Sitting on a Pumpkin, The Gnome

PS – I’m trying to book a show so I can play my songs for all of you. Does anyone know of a good venue?