You will never guess what happened in the desert.
Come into my garden and I shall show you...
You see, on Saturday night it was raining raining raining (something that had not happened here in ages). I awoke to very strong rain sounds at 3:34 a.m.
Miles and Matty went outside for a couple of minutes. We came back in and I crawled back into bed and read 2 fairytales. Just as I finished the last story, the strong rain became silent in one haunting fell swoop.
As I dozed off, I dreamt it was snowing.
In my heart, I knew it was snowing.
I awoke at 6 a.m. and a fairy tugged on my nightgown hem, whispering, "It snowed, it snowed...."
I looked out my window.
I jumped on my bed and looked out of my higher window too, and I screamed!
Matty jumped on my bed with me and I said, "Oh Matty Matty, you will never guess what I am going to show you, it is sooooooo good, soooo gooooooddd, oh Matty!!!"
I promptly got dressed in layers and layers, thick socks and those rubber boots my Mom gave me for Christmas (Thank you Mom!).
A winter wonderland awaited my giddy soul, as I had not seen snow since February of 2009, or was it 2008?
And so, I opened the front door.
Matty ran so fast (as he normally does), that he literally flew off the porch because of the ice and snow, and landed standing on his feet 3 stairs down. Then he looked at the snow wide-eyed and promptly tip-toed back to the porch.
It's okay, I told him.
It's snow.
And then, just like that, he and Miles ran off the porch like maniacs.
They LOVED it!
But I...
I knew of the silent enchantment that snow brings.
And how you have to stand in it, and absorb it like a friend you have not seen for a very long time, who will quickly be gone with the first ray of sun.
Such incredible silence and beauty.
The gypsy garden was sublime.
Like a storybook setting....
Snow makes everything so very dreamy.
I walked around, closing my eyes to memorize the brisk air, the silence, the crunching of the snow under my feet....
It was magical.
No doubt about it...
Just typing these words and looking at these photos feels like it never happened, and my heart longs for it again...
Isn't snow like frosting on a cake?
It is so pure and fresh, and beautiful...
And to think, it was early summer weather just a week ago. I told you it was a bizarre place I live in ;)
The best part was that the snow was magnificent in texture. Light and fluffy, and and, one other word that does not exist....
Something like, magnificadeliciousically perfect.
What a treat from nature.
A gift.
I have so many pup photos and video.
They just had a blast. A real blast I tell ya...
My wolf loved it.
(Matisse, otherwise known as Matty)
He ran around and around the property, ever so quickly, we just watched him zip by.
And, my fluffkin baby loved it too.
He is a hoot!
Soccer anyone?
He was soaked in the end, and didn't care. He was in snow bliss.
As the snow fell off the trees, warning me it would be gone soon, I thought about Baby. And for a second, I felt her, in that beautiful snow kingdom...
(I have a short video of her and I in the snow many years ago, and she loved it too)
I took off my gloves.
I sunk my hands into the cold snow, memorizing the feeling.
And then, I made her a gift...
I placed a snow heart on her grave...
And, I shed a tender tear.
But only because I love her, and miss her.
Still and always.
It was a wondrous snow dream, of the real variety.
Simply wondrous...
ps: I baked and cooked so much this lovely weekend, it was unbelievable. We ended our Sunday with incredibly touching Dean Spanley, and very full bellies......
pss: It snowed yesterday, and today it will be 72'F and tomorrow 79' F. Silly weather! That's about 26.1'C? ;)
How beautiful the snow is. My husband and daughter have never seen snow! They say they would never handle the cold. They don't know what they're missing! Hugs and kisses to your furry sons! Have a lovely week! :)
Posted by: Miss Lori | February 28, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Oh, Vanessa, such a wonderful surprise to find this post. Everything is so breathtakingly beautiful. So many beautiful shapes for the snow to rest on in your magical land.
Oh my goodness, the part about Baby--I didn't see it coming. It caught me off guard, and I just cried. Tears-running-down-my-face cried. That snowy white heart was just a beautifully touching ending to your very sweet post.
Posted by: Linda Diane | February 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Beautiful pictures -- I love the snow heart. So glad to have found your blog!
Posted by: Nadia | February 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM
What a gorgeous sight through your camera, Vanessa! It does look magical the way you show it. Me, I am glad that our snow has been melting with the rain and I am ready to welcome some warmer temps!
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expression | February 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM
wow seeing your garden covered in snow is very whimsical indeed. the arbour looks like it wants to be danced under. what a fun treat that you dont have it for months and months, must make it easier to appreciate!
Its no wonder you are having snow, we had a crazy hot day yesterday where you go for a drive just to fell some wind swirling around your body.
much love and fun for your special racally boys and special hugs to baby in the sky
mmm tea and baking and snow, sounds perfect ... ohh and a dvd too
xxx
sheree
Posted by: ravenmoonmagic | February 28, 2011 at 11:20 AM
gorgeous pictures. What a treat that must have been for you. Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: foo | February 28, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Same thing happened in Toronto. yesterday morning we woke up to winter wonderland! :D I have pics too. I will soon upload them. But in the desert? WOWZA! :D Here its common and we get it a lot so I bet it was so magical for you! :D Wonderful! :D
Posted by: maria | February 28, 2011 at 01:09 PM
It is all so beautiful with its dreamy pink glow.
Love to you as I have tears to.
Cori
Posted by: Cori G. | February 28, 2011 at 01:36 PM
the real miracles knock your door over and over ..what an envy life huhh ^______^ ...happy day vanesssa <3<3<3 LOVE ya
Posted by: Thanya Aynaht Ratnaphong | February 28, 2011 at 01:57 PM
how amazing for you..... the boys look as though they are having the times of their lives. piccys are sumptuous as always. absolute magic. keep warm. hugs olive xxx
Posted by: Olive Appleby | February 28, 2011 at 01:59 PM
I peeked out the window at about six in the morning and I could see a little skiff of snow on the tops of our cars and the patio table, but by the time a got up for real it was all melted. I could still see snow on the mountains though. I figured you must have gotten some, but I never imagined it to be that much! And your photos make it look absolutely stunningly beautiful! They almost make me miss winter back home....almost, but not quite because I love ever so much living here in sunny Arizona where it is snowy one day and 70 the next ;)
Posted by: Alia | February 28, 2011 at 02:55 PM
I'm simply BLOWN AWAY by the pictures you took! They are splendid, I don't actually have words for them.
Shed a little tear with the gift you made for Baby too ;')
Posted by: devil mood | February 28, 2011 at 03:01 PM
THAT gave me sheer wonderment and happiness and delight and little snail trails. THANKS...for sharing as only YOU can.
Soooooo beautiful.
Posted by: Victoria Sayer | February 28, 2011 at 03:09 PM
That is truly beautiful and a lovely story.
Not so beautiful here in Minnesota ;-)
Suz
Posted by: Katsui Jewelry | February 28, 2011 at 03:22 PM
What a wonderful day to treasure. x
Posted by: karen | February 28, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I understand a bit more now how snow can be like magic to others :) :) :) Perhaps I would like it too - if it only appeared very briefly and I could have summer again almost immediately! Can't stand any more of this winter - and still 2 more months to go. Alas, I shall not be depressing on your blog. This really was a beautiful post.
Posted by: Maria-Thérèse | February 28, 2011 at 03:51 PM
living here in sunny brisbane, snow is not going to happen any time soon and i guess that is the same for you in your desert town. but it seems miracles do happen and i should never say never :) i kept thinking that you were playing with photoshop and tricking us...thank you for such gorgeous pics of your little piece of paradise.
xxxxrosey
Posted by: ittybittyandpretty | February 28, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Thank you for sharing the magic of snow.
This time of year I often forget how much I enjoyed the first snow of winter.
Posted by: dogsmom | February 28, 2011 at 05:23 PM
We've had some very strange weather just outside of Phoenix lately, but no Snow yet... but we can see it on some of the higher surrounding Mountains! Your Garden looks enchanting blanketed in Snow.
Dawn... The Bohemian
Posted by: Bohemian Valhalla | February 28, 2011 at 05:30 PM
Beautiful. And what a wonderful dream.
Your weather sounds about as crazy as ours. One Wed. we were outside in shorts, by Friday night it was snowy, windy, thundering and lightning and we ended up with over 20 in of snow.
I hope our winter is over. But now we are getting winds, storms, trees down all over etc. Nothing beautiful in all that.
Posted by: Renee | February 28, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Oh..my it was so beautiful. I loved seeing the dogs playing in the snow. Only my Violet likes the snow. Your snow was so beautiful. We've had snow three times this year and it was a strange snow each time...it did not stick to the trees. I think it was too cold to stick. We had lots of it but it wasn't as pretty as snows in the past. I loved that you made a snow heart for your baby. Yes, you never forget pet loves of the past. Oh...if only they could live as long as parrots.
Posted by: Nita@ModVintageLife | February 28, 2011 at 07:39 PM
You are such an inspiration. I look so forward to all of your enchanting posts...but I rarely comment...I can't imagine you have time to read all of the comments you receive!...Today, however, I feel like I just need to thank you. Thank you for your inspiration! You truly have made an impact on so many! ....especially me!
xo
Posted by: Melissa | February 28, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Your snow heart totally melted my heart <333 How very sweet and touching!!
Posted by: Tami | February 28, 2011 at 08:59 PM
Oh, what a blissful fairy land! What magical delight! I can almost feel the brisk feel of the snow from your photos...and the crunchy feeling under foot. You truly had a snow fairy land...what fun!
Dogs are so silly when they see snow! They want to eat it and it is so cold but they will crunch it anyway. I think they go just as nuts as we do when snow arrives. We had snow in January of 2001...it was a very rare event for the Central Valley in California.
It snowed for tweleve hours and the snow lasted for a couple of days. And yes, that silence that happens when it is snowing is fantastic!
I love all of your photos!
Glad you had a magical day!
kiss, kiss, hug, hug
Miss Teresa
Posted by: Teresa in California | February 28, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Oohh, it's so pretty with all that snow!! :)
Posted by: Silvia | March 01, 2011 at 01:24 AM
Oh, lucky you! The snow in your gypsy garden is pure magic! Most Narnia-esque x
Posted by: Tina | March 01, 2011 at 04:04 AM
It's refreshing to see snow as magical since we've had an excess of the wonder! I live in MA but I am heading to Arizona to visit a girlfriend for our annual art vacation tomorrow. I had really wanted to go to Las Vegas for Art & Soul, but she really doesn't care much for paper, journals, painting and things gracefully aged. She does have a glass studio, but I'll need a fix, too. She's in Desert Mountain (beautiful, but gated!) in Scottsdale. Any tips for places to feed my soul? Would Mesa be too far? Again, thanks for your sharing -- and your help. ------donna
Posted by: donna | March 01, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Thanks for this wonderful tale!
I have recently felt the pain of losing my fur babies (both at once and very suddenly) but as I read back over your lovely tales I feel a little better as I know that it will get easier an they will always be in my heart ! the snow looks absolutley fantastic I have never had the gift of snow as I live in sub-tropical Australia!
I am going to show these photos to my girls in the morning I know they will just love it !
thanks again !!
Posted by: Beth | March 01, 2011 at 06:12 AM
what magic!!! "don't you wish we could roll around in it like dogs!" tee hee Your fairy gypsy gardens look positively like a scene out of 'Little Women'!!!
OH! And I saw Dean Spanley last year and it made me weep big tears....so lovely!!! I knew then you would love it ,too!!!
♥
Happy March Miss!!
Posted by: marjorie | March 01, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Simply wondrous indeed..amazing photos and settings..
Baby knows you are thinking of her, as she of you.
Posted by: Miss Linda | March 01, 2011 at 07:58 AM
get out!
SNOW!
:-0
i am over here working on my tan
already,
for Pete's sake...
seriously!
:-)
{{ deep inside
i am green
with envy
over
your good fortune }}
Posted by: somepinkflowers | March 01, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Thank you for sharing these beautiful "winter-wonderland" pictures.
Your story was such a treat to read.
Posted by: April Cole | March 01, 2011 at 11:20 AM
These are really wonderful winter impressions! It looks like our winter here in Germany ... Simply incredible! :) Your dogs and you seem to have had a lot of fun.
Posted by: Alexandra | March 01, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Gorgeous pictures! I am glad you enjoyed your snow.
Me? Here? I am longing for it to melt and go away forever....
...or at least until next year.
We got 18 inches on Friday and it was just painful.
Posted by: Erin | March 01, 2011 at 06:53 PM
Oh now that is like Narnia over there! You captured some twinkly gorgeous shots of your place too...so very pretty.
To think the previous post spoke of spring in the air...then snow...then back to spring again! I can imagine your pups really loving that snow. It is so much fun for dogs. When our Sylvia was a puppy she loved walking in the snow. In fact she got her nickname "Slippy" because she'd bumscoot along the ice like Bambi!!! She's been the Slip ever since.
Enjoy it all, whatever nature brings you!
p.s. Cleaning & organizing is in the air...it is the year of the Rabbit...things are getting done! We are ditching all the stuff that has been holding us back.
:)
Yay for us!!
Posted by: gillian | March 01, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Amazing Photos V, so glad your pups got to frolic in some snow this year! You made me want snow again, even though I swear I'm ready for spring ;)
Jamie :)
Posted by: A Forest Frolic | March 01, 2011 at 09:21 PM
You have captured a winter wonderland!
It was awesome to watch your Matty and Miles reaction to there new playground in the snow.
Love lives on Vanessa. I have always felt that the new furry member(Miles)was sent by your angel fury (Baby) to help you to carry on. I too have been there with my furry ones.
Just Saying! Hope you don't mind. Thank you for such lovely pictures and sharing your day with us.
Posted by: Kelly | March 01, 2011 at 09:34 PM
A winter fairy land with fairy dust to spare! Beautiful!
Posted by: Tiffany | March 02, 2011 at 07:44 AM
Only YOUR world could make snow look this wondrous and magical!!!
enjoy!
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | March 02, 2011 at 11:36 AM
We woke up to snow recently for the first time where we live now. It was the first time my son had seen snow. The kids threw snowballs. I took pictures. It is truly wondrous for us who are not used to it. Your photos are so lovely!
Posted by: Sara | March 02, 2011 at 03:23 PM
What a beautful and touching story. I love that you made the snowheart.
Posted by: Micki | March 02, 2011 at 06:37 PM
You make a snowfall so magical. I am glad you and your furry ones enjoyed it. Lovely photos.
Posted by: Kelly Jeanette | March 02, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Oh Vanessa - I am SOOO happy for you! You got some SNOW!!!! xoxoxo And look at the pure bliss on the faces of your furry babies. I am thrilled that you woke to an enchanting world of white (there is nothing more beautiful than to awake to the still beauty of freshly fallen snow). You brought a tear to my eye - I know Baby is playing too in the snow and watching over all of her family. Thank you for sharing your magic! xoxoxo Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | March 02, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Oh snow!!! :) Beautiful pictiues of your sparkly welcome guest, though she didn't stay long! The boys look like they loved it and I'm sure Baby was right there with them.
Dean Spanley is one of my very favourite films, Peter O'Toole is so wonderful in it.
Posted by: Melanie | March 02, 2011 at 09:13 PM
I just rediscovered the password to my blog, and was catching up on all my old favorites...yours is just as wonderful as I remember!! Your stories are so brilliant, and I could decorate my whole house with your photographs!!
Posted by: Colleen | March 03, 2011 at 09:30 AM
WOW! You took some amazing photos! What a beautiful snow! It looks like a fairyland! ♥♥♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | March 03, 2011 at 06:35 PM
What a magical wonderland!! <3
Your photos are absolutely breathtaking!
I do love the snow heart you made for Baby - so beautiful
x
Posted by: Cheray | March 03, 2011 at 07:20 PM
So magical! The same thing happened here last year, when it snowed on the first day of spring. Mother Nature has a funny sense of humor, doesn't she?!
xo, Andrea
Posted by: Andrea at Opulent Cottage | March 04, 2011 at 11:47 AM
what a beautiful post vanessa, I really hope you enjoyed the (heavy) sprinkling of snow!In fact, I know you did! ;) We got a huge amount over here in England during December and it truly was magical the countryside near where I live looked like Narnia :) x
Posted by: olivia | March 04, 2011 at 12:29 PM
How my heart sings when snow falls or just at the mere sight of it on the ground! Snow is my Yoga; I have more Zen moments in the falling snow than at any other time. Such pretty pictures! So glad you were given such a precious gift!
Posted by: Jo | March 04, 2011 at 06:09 PM