Gypsy Magic...

Under the canopying trees, in a garden that I have decided is enchanted, my Gypsy dreams come to life...  Of course, the word Gypsy is formally used to describe a people (Romany).  However, we have grown to use it more commonly to describe their way of life, their dress, their music...

      

I have had a tiny teensy taste of the world of a traveler.  For five days now, I have been living in a little out door home, under the twinkling stars, where owls visit and birds sing...  I think I even thought I might be living in Carnivale.  Although they were not Gypsies, but circus travelers...

      

It has been utterly dreamy living outside for a few days.  I am grateful for warm days and incredible cool blissful Arizona nights... For the first time, I am embracing a warm November...

      

Would you like to visit me?  Peek into the little world that tickles me so?

       

Come in through the striped curtain...

        

Perhaps, if you were a bird, you could fly up into the trees and peek down...

 

What would you think?  What might you catch a glimpse of?

    

Well, since the sun is going down, and I suspect you are not a winged creature, I shall invite you in, to sit and have a sip of something warm...

    

Take a seat.  I will call my handsome Gypsy Gentleman in to play us a tune on his guitar...

 

I can't even describe how magical I found it to be outside, living under the trees...  In a cozy little space, that I created all on my own...

A wild idea in fact...  Something I dreamt up to do on all Hallow's Eve.  It turned out to be so lovely, I kept it around.  And quite honestly, I am not ready to come inside...

In the morning, I open my eyes, the air slightly brisk and so clean, you can breathe it in, and get a jolt of freshness, infused by the mint growing all around...

   

I reflect on life.  On simply being.  On happiness.  On purging anything from my life that brings me the faintest negativity.  And, I revel in the joy of the moment... 

 

I recall all the people who have called me Gitana (Gypsy in Spanish, pronounced Hee-tan-a) throughout my life.  I giggle to myself...  I think it was all the coins and dangles I wore, and wear...  Perhaps it was the billowing skirts.  Who knows?  Then I remember a verse to a song...  It makes me sway my shoulders and snap my fingers in rhythm, as I look up through the trees...

I listened to that song in cassette form, in my cabriolet, back in the day,  until it got wobbly and could no longer be played...  Through the warm air and desert hills... Driving faster than I should have been...  Top down, hair flowing in the wind...  Memories...

I then decided I had better get up, and see what outdoor living mornings have to offer. 

(I get oodles of e-mails asking me where I found my quilt below, so I wanted to let you know, it is from India.  It is made from hundreds of antique saris.  I am not sure where one might find one like it?)

    

I was prepared...

    

Laundry?  Wood Chopping??

       

No way!  Hee hee  ;)  I am going back into my cozy lil' platform bed (which I built myself, mind you), and taking with me,  books and drawing accoutrements... 

I am reading a lovely book titled "Letter's of a Woman Homesteader."  I find myself alone often, and since I can remember, I have been taking on huge tasks on my own.  Building things, moving things, etc...  Although, nothing I have ever done or endured even comes close to the life of Elinore Pruitt Stewart.  I am enjoying the book enormously.  And admiring her so much, working hard, living off the land and finding comfort in solitude... 

I love that.  I will let you know what I think when I am done reading it...

        

So, as I read, the laundry line dances in the breeze, causing me to lose myself in a day dream...

         

I cheat, and run inside for coffee  ;) 

      

Then it is dress up time...

         

    

And now to work...  

         

Perhaps, I should also get to that laundry? 

   

Now, here's the tricky part...  Because I cheated a bit, on outdoor living...  On Halloween when I built this little room to surprise Mr. Lovee, I also brought out an old television and DVD player ;).  So we could watch spooky movies.  And, I have to say, it got a lil' scary out there.  He did his part by picking up Chinese food.  It was the best Halloween I had ever had.  We opted out on costumes and dancing, and it turned out just delightful (we always dance at home, so we didn't miss out in that area)...

    

So, if you need to find me, look out in the garden.  I have some botancial studies to catch up on...

        

But before I go, as promised, today we talk about giveaways and the voyages they will be making....

   

From left to right.  The mermaid skeleton musician is going to live with Melissa .  The painted skull in the middle is going to live with Lori Anderson, annnnd the palmistry hand is going to live with Miss Chris!!  YAY for you lovelies!!  E-mail me your addresses please!! 

All, and I mean all giveaways, are being packaged today and shipped off this week.  I was adding and adding to the Halloween giveaway, and making the treats less Halloweenie.  So those are on their way too!!

I also must tackle my outdoor Gypsy Theater, which is a mess. 

        

My friend Dino and I made grand purchases to build our own Gypsy Wagon 2+ years ago, that would sit in this area, and we would make it open up into a puppet theater...  Well, more like a Marionette Theater...

Dino was a master Marionette maker, and he also, used to have a toy store that was like Gepetto's magical workshop.  This was in the late 70's I think...  Anyhow, he makes beautiful wooden toys and such...  Wouldn't they have been fun in an out door theater?? 

I think we had visions of little faces looking up at us like this, while we performed...

 

Alas, he moved, and the gypsy theater is turning into weeds...  But it is a good dream to hold on to...  And I have all that beautiful filigree wood & architectural salvage... 

Needless to say, I could go on and on forever.  So I will zip it and be off... 

I will leave you with a video full of beautiful vintage Gypsy photographs ...  Oh and if you like documentaries, you will enjoy a movie called Gypsy Caravan.   I happily saw it on repeat a couple of months ago...

See you soooon!!  ♥, V

ps:  Although quite romantic, my outdoor living has brought me into a whole new world of fragrance.  I am thinking of creating a love potion scent, perhaps titled "Dirt No. 5"  hee hee.  Or maybe even Tree bark No.12 ?  Mesquite leaves & Mud No. 7 ?  Anyone?  If I were famous, someone would buy them... haha!

      

pss:  A beautiful e-mail I just received about this post, made me think of something I wanted to share...

I almost felt downright guilty yesterday, lounging all day, drawing and enjoying the room outside, on a Monday no less...  Then I remembered what my Dad said, when I was in awful jobs I hated that were gut wrenching...  He would say, you are just paying your dues.. One day it won't be like this...

And you know, that day, that "one day" my Dad talked about, was yesterday...  ;)  

 

(photo of children:  Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1963, Paris France)

Comments

[Fawndear]

Love your posts, pictures (both actual and written)Everything!
I so want to build my own outdoor fantasy room but Alas, tis raining and cold. Does it count that I danced in the rain. My own outdoor room will have to wait until next spring!
Thank you for keeping imagination alive.

[erinsings]

what a lovely nook! One day I would like to marry a forest and i think I will make a nest like yours so that i could be closer to him when i sleep and still have my pretty things around me. ingenious!

[shiborigirl]

I seem to recall that the term "gypsy" came from Egyptians who wandered north. That little factoid resonates somewhere in the neglected recess of my little brain.

I enjoyed seeing your campsite - looks like bliss to me!

xoxo,

Kate

[susan twigge]

wonderful

[susan twigge]

reminded me of staying with my daughter in a bender...in shropshire uk... theres something magical about living outdoors x

[Emily]

Oh my. How I love your stories and adventures. If I didn't have a baby and 2 kids who would whine about being scared outside I would follow your lead and try a few nights outside. What fun!!!

[rochambeau]

Love this post VV!
Happy Election day you Gypsie!
xox
Constance

[vanessa]

Your gypsy abode is so amazing!! I wish I could do the same but I don't have a backyard at the moment, save for one scary fire escape. Someday..

[ylva]

that's just lovely! i guess it never rains in arizona... we would be floating around on that platform bed if i tried this here *envious*. i wanna be your neighbour! everytime life seems a bit dull, i and the kids would just pop in for a visit and things would be just lovely again :).

[Deborah]

Ahhhhhh...I understand now...you are not simply a Magical Muse - You are an Enchantress.

[Lorrie]

What a charming hideaway you've created. So full of character and color. It reminds me of the camping scenes in Out of Africa, or a Victoria magazine spread. Utterly Delightful!

Lorrie

[Gabriela Delworth]

Hello,

Pequena gitanita...:o)Asi que de Carnivale...
Always wonderful stuff to see in your magical place Miss. Vanessa...

~ Gabriela ~

[Jenny]

Wow! How beautiful and romantic! Enjoy for the rest of us in the cold and wet right now!

[Susan]

Ahhh, I was then, and am now, the Gypsy in the family. Flowing clothes and jangly jewelry. That's me. Our style goes by lots of names...hippy, bogo, gypsy, but whatever you call it, it is still a fun way to be. Take care and congrats to your winners.

[Kris]

What a wonderful adventure. In the summer when we were kids, we use to camp out in tents over at our friends homes. We always had so much fun. As we grew older, the boys use to camp out not to far away but just enough to scare the pants off us!!!

Congrats to the winners!!!

Kris

[Wonders Never Cease]

What a magical night!
I love your gypsy chambre!
Becky

[Jorgelina]

Love your posts!!!
Es un placer leer tus historias y hacer volar la imaginacion...
Una bella historia gitana,.
Adorable!!!

[Maria-Thérèse]

Magical!!!

[Linda Lilly Cottage]

Oh gorgeous girl, inspirational as always to dress up and live for today...I might just have to be a Gypsy girl today, I am sure my children would love such a surprise to come home to....I am on to it...just as soon as I go back and look at your wonderful pictures again. I would buy your perfume by the way, only the more floral ones mind you, I have tried dirt and it really doesn't do much for me, but then I have the same problem with Chanel.
Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage.

[Martha]

Beautiful outdoor world you have created...what a happy life to live ouside with the trees. Too bad it has to end...or does it?!
Wonderful and inspiring post (again)...thanks, Vanessa!

[Meredith]

SO beautiful! I live in Arizona too and my husband and I slept outside once...moved a twin bed outside on our apartment balcony, which was well shaded by a tree. We brought out the tv too and called for pizza. If was great waking up and seeing the branches swaying. You make me want to do it again! Except now we have kids!

Thanks!
Mere

[Shell]

I love your Gypsy wonderland. So beautiful and romantic. You should still do your Gypsy Theater with some of you doll creations. It would be a blast. Have a beautiful night underneath the stars.

[devil mood]

This is a truly wonderful post, probably my favourite of yours ever and that is saying a LOT!
Thank you!

[Trish]

Have I mentioned before that I am indeed jealous of the life you lead? Such a dream for me... Thank you for sharing a slice of your life. It gives me hope...

[Lay Hoon]

THis is really a beautiful long post ! I love it .

[Laura]

Only in Arizona - love Tucson to pieces! Beautiful setting, and nice that the luxuries of home are nearby (bathroom)! If you were to have that same magical area here in Kentucky, you would wake up to mosquito bites and sneezing from allergies! LOL!

[robbie jones]

haha....love this one...pine needle tea No. 5....hehe
oh, to have warm weather all year....(jealous!)
love, love, love the quilt!!! ...the close up is my fav pic...
have fun....enjoy!

[kellyjeanette]

I love your romantic view of life. I enjoy your blog so very much, and send many warm blessings to you and Mr Lovee. You are an angel and inspire me every time I read your blog.
Thank you:)

[robin dudley-howes]

This is fantastic. I think we can all relate to that gypsy spirit. Your blog is a very fun place to visit.
robin

[*~KRiSTa~*]

I love all things gypsy, beautiful post!

Where did you get that gorgeous gypsy queen bedspread? (If you don't mind me asking)
I adore it!!

Sweet dreams under those sparkling stars,

~Krista

[AwtemNymf]

How Enchanting! I could fall asleep there.... let the laundry do itself *giggles*
Thanks for sharing this magikal post!
*sprinkle sprinkle*
*leaves you faerie dust*
~A~

[Sandra]

Ooooh How I love this post! What a beautiful outdoor room and you deserve to while away your day(s) out there. I love how you are so desrciptive, I feel as if I can smell the mint in the air...enjoy Ms Gypsy! Most of all thanks for sharing.

[waterrose]

oohhhh what a wonderful, colorful, blissful room! I can imagine sleeping outdoors like that with tons of quilts and snuggling deep into the covers. Just remember you don't get just one of those days in life....you get many because you create them.

[Carrie West]

Oh my dear gypsy soul, you have brought a little hint of a tear to my eye. It's such magic, your little world. I'm so glad that you share so much of it! When I visit you, all of my "real world" problems vanish, in a blink of an eye!!! So thank you!!!!!
And, congrats to those lucky winners!!!!!~

I must go back to wallow in those gorgous pictures!!!

[flyinamber]

beautiful adventure..your gipsy room looks just perfect..
we had a beautiful october here,hope november will be also sunny and warm..hugs!

[sarah]

What a lovely world you've created for yourself. It's just so beautifully romantic- I am in awe!

[i cant sew]

carnivale scared the living bejeebas out of me, i watched it through the cracks of my fingers sometimes.... but i loooooveeeed it! i hope they make a sequel series. do you remember the email i sent you about me and able to tell when babies are coming? well it has happened again, i am about to post about it so when you get a chance swing by and read about my amazing talent!!xx rosey
http://agapanthasandgoldsworthy.blogspot.com/

[carolyn]

Wow love your outdoor room and that bedspread is just gorgeous. Couldn't do it here of course, well not in Nov if we didn't freeze to death we would probably drown or get double pneumonia.

[Marjorie]

Oh my!! Now I'm resisting the urge to drag all my furniture into the woods and create a little woodland living room.....but I think I would be far to cold at night!! In any case it would not be half as magical as your gypsy dwelling!!

Your lovely, and this post was a beautiful way to start my day!! I also love what your Dad said! He is most wise, methinks! :)

[Jen r sanctuary arts at home]

Great pictures!

[OohLaLaura]

Oh, Vanessa-

What a fantabulous outdoors room! I, also, am fond of sneaking outside to make 'special places'. We are also having a lovely, warm November worthy of nights under the stars.

That quilt! Good grief....straight from MotherQueenGypsy herself? DO TELL where that bit of heaven came from. It's great! I'm making a velvet quilt right now, which feels so squishy and comforting, but I'm coveting all the sparkles on your comforter/quilt.

Scary movies scare me TOO much these days. The older I get, the more of a weenie I turn into. "The Ring" kept me up all night---yeee ikes! What did you watch? I like old, schmucky cheesey classics like black and white Dracula and Bride of Frankenstein and The Birds.

I think a perfect love potion for the season would smell of cedar and burning leaves and rich, moist earth as dark as chocolate cake, and a smidge of apples. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

[Cassandra]

What an incredible little hideaway! There's even a bed and decorations, which is really impressive. It's been so long since I've slept outside, and even then it wasn't as open as your gypsy nook. Glad it's been a lovely experience for you *high five*

[Melissa]

Muse above all other Muses,

You're welcome to my backyard anytime, Oh Amazing Goddess of Blogging! I bow to your wit, creativity, courage (for sleeping outside - I would be a lil nervous here in PA because of the bugs), and above all ability to DO 'NOTHING' BUT ENJOY BEING ALIVE TODAY! Oh, so totally ~YAY YOU!~

About the term Gypsy: I had a boyfriend, Alexandru, who was directly from Romania. He drank a bottle of wine from my fridge once that belonged to my friend John. Well, John said, "Tell that Gypsie to get his own wine." John was more travelled than I and said it purely in jest, knowing full well what an insult it would be to Alex. But since I was out of the loop on that one, I told Alex what was said...he was not happy. I personally still think it was funny. :)

I'm very moved by the wisdom your Dad shared with you. I'm so thrilled for you that those days have arrived. AND that there will be many, many more to come.

Also, great-big-grate-full-ness for the magickal musical mermaid that will be coming to live with me! Oh I love her! Thanks so much Vanessa!

~Gyp-sea-ness~
Melissa

[sadira]

How simply enchanting. I have always wanted a little gypsy wagon...which is why I think I'm attracted to Airstreams (oh suuuure...) I'll bet this is just the perfect time to be outside there...here? It would be a little freezy!!

[Ann-Denise Anderson]

Miss "V"
You make me smile....:) It's so tucsonian!
~HUgs, Ann-Denise

[Chris]

Oh, I'm so EXCITED!! I won what I wanted most! Thank you so much.

I love that room you built. I LOVE it. This is just how I'd love to spend a week or two... In any case, I also think I've read that book about the woman homesteader! Although I don't recognize the cover...

Looking forward... ! And thank you so much.
I'm emailing my address to you.

[Denise]

Another Magical and Enchanting post!

[Tricia]

Your dad sounds like an amazing man Miss V! Great advice indeed! I guess we've all had our share of gut-wrenching jobs! Unfortunately I have to look for a part-time one now...Boo. My hubby is going back to school for 2 years as a male nurse. He's gonna have to take care of me later on, cos after two years in a stupid job, I'll be a basketcase...hehe. I've been lucky for a few years not having to work outside the home, and I LOOOOOVVVVE IT! BooHoo for me!
Anyhoo, I think you're bed spread is so fab, as well as the whole outdoor bedroom scheme!! Who else but you would think of such a wonderful way of living!!!
Btw, i like the Tree Bark No.12 scent idea the best!!!
That photo is from my year 1963! And it's my BDay on Saturday! I can't wait for birthday cake!!! Will send you a virtual slice my dear friend!!

[Happy]

How wonderful. This brought back fond memories of my childhood and backyard "tents," blankets on the clothes lines, and friends who shared them with me. Boys in one yard, girls in another, midnight raids to the other side. I love the idea of doing this as a so-called adult. If I could be sure of a dry spell, I'd try it, but it's been raining here for two days. Maybe not now. But I might have fun planning for the future. Thanks for sharing.

[Abbie]

Oh, Vanessa,
What an absolutely marvelous space for you! (and your sweetie) Grand things get thunked by those who think in such magical places. :) thank you for letting us relax and enjoy it with you. I'm starting to think I need to create such a space for myself and my children for next summer. (It is below freezing here now at night.. a wee bit too brisk!)
xoxo~
Abbie