Winnie the Pooh Day! A.A. Milne & More!

"What day is it?" 
"It's today," squeaked Piglet. 
"My favorite day," said Pooh.

Today is Winnie the Pooh Day, and I've posted a recipe on my other blog DyingforChocolate for Honey Chocolate Pie. The reason January 18 was designated as Winnie the Pooh Day is that today is the birthday of A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, the "Bear of Very Little Brain,"who wrote Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. A.A. Milne studied mathematics at Cambridge, but began to write while still a student. After receiving his degree in 1903, he became a full-time writer, producing humorous pieces for Punch. He went on in 1906 to become assistant editor. He served in WWI, after which he became a successful playwright (original and adaptations), but he also wrote mysteries, perhaps the most famous, The Red House  Mystery (1922). Milne wrote 7 novels, 5 nonfiction books and 34 plays plus numerous stories and articles. His self-stated aim was to "write whatever he wished." In terms of children's books for which he is most remembered there were actually only two books that made up the Winnie the Pooh series, as well as two poetry collections: When We Were Young and Now We Are Six.

Here's one my favorite quotes from Winnie the Pooh:

"I'm scared," said Piglet.
"A story will help," said Pooh.
"How?"
"Don't you know? Stories make your heart grow."

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!

A.A. Milne's House at Pooh Corner for Sale

Christopher Robin Milne, the son of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne, grew up in this quaint brick mansion in the English countryside. Christopher Robin inspired the young boy of the same name in Milne's iconic children's stories and, so too did the bucolic setting of the family home serve as the backdrop.

Known as Cotchford Farm, and on the market for the first time in more than 40 years, the Grade II listed estate spans 9.5 acres of lawns, forest, and streams. The six-bedroom main house, the quintessential English country house if there ever was one, is listed for $3.22M.

The listing for 9.5-acre Cotchford Farm notes that the house was bought by A.A Milne in 1925 as a country retreat for himself, his wife and son, Christopher Robin. "It was here, amidst the beautiful Sussex countryside and surrounding woodland where the wonderful stories of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh came to life, now world famous childhood classics. The local area is now commonly referred to as 'Pooh Country' and places in the books such as the 500 acre wood, Galleons Lap, Poohsticks bridge and Pooh Corner are all based on nearby locations, where Christopher Robin used to visit with his bear 'Winnie The Pooh'."

A.A. Milne also wrote The Red House Mystery.

There's more to the Milne house than just Pooh, as it was also later owned by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, who reportedly died on the property.

Hat Tip: Dani at Blogbooktours