Fairy Light + Bakelite

Well, hello there, how do you do?  (that would be Mister Lovee's greeting to you, in his very deep voice)

But, since you've got me typing here, I'll say ~

Hoooooola!  Hellooooooooo, Bonjour!

Doesn't that 3 tone zinnia up there make you just want to jump so high you bonk your head on the ceiling and faint?  Oh wait, maybe that's only my personal way of thinking ;)

Of course, I wouldn't want to literally bonk my head and faint.

You know that, right?

(there are a handful of those red/pink zinnias right now, yumm!)

The thing is, the witches wanted me to share that beauty with you, as a thanks for being so excited about the Halloween party.  They are beyond delighted!

 

And, quite busily cooking up all sorts of goodness!

In the meantime, you and I have chapters and chapters of catching up to do.  What with me having guests all last week, and then the Halloween party announcement this week, why, I have hundreds of photos and tales I simply have not shared.  But, maybe I shouldn't bore you with them.

Did I tell you about the fairy light?

 

Before I get carried away with that, let's catch up a little.

What have we been up to?  Oh so many things, I can't think.

Let'se see....

I have been painting up a storm (canvas and furniture).  I made 2 pumpkin cheescakes (with my own punkin babies) last week, which I shared with all manner of friends, and not one photo.  So sad.

 

Still getting up early every single day to tend my garden for a few hours.

 

Beautiful mornings, garden flourishing with lower temps.  Everything getting crazy tall! (still in the upper 90's but not 100's)

I took a photograph of the angle below, that you have seen before, so you could see how tall the zinnias are.  Almost 5 feet tall, gifting endless vases of flowers every day, never once whining about the heat.  I simply did not know that they would do so well.  I am totally gobsmacked...

 

A friend brought us a mountain of manure from her miniature goats, for the garden.  Isn't that the sweetest?  I mean really, collecting it and delivering it.  I gave her half a cheesecake.  But then we talked so much, I was certain it had turned into a cheesecake smoothie.

Mister Lovee and I have had the bestest evenings, putting up purple lights, and laughing (plus ooing and aahing) at all my bins of halloween treasures.  Which I might add, I went and picked up at the city house (I used to throw lots of decadent witches parties).  And then, went on to load my car, full until bursting, with every thing in my storage room at the city house.  So many treasures re-found.  I feel like I basically closed the door on city life, and plunged full time into country life 4 years ago (well really 10 years ago, but living here super full time 4-5 years ago).  So, now, refinding my treasures, that are all slowly coming to the country, is super delightful.  I am doing it all myself, little by little.

I don't know what is wrong with me, when I am super busy I always take on 5,000 more projects.  And curiously, am more effective at getting them done.  I decided I wanted to clean out all my drawers, paint furniture in my room, and organize some of my bakelite (and a handful of random bangles) differently.......

I wanted to stack it up.  So I could see some of it...

 

I went searching for something that just had to work as a bangle stacker....

I found a hat stand, and pulled the head off so I could use the pole stand alone.  Then I found one of those "measuring stick skirt marker thingamajigs attached to a stand," in my sewing nook.

 

Perfect I thought...

So, here are 4 stands of bangles.  The only two that are working for me are the front center and front left, that I already used for bangles.  One is a victorian letter holder with birds, the other a candle holder.  But the other two tall ones, front right and back center, hmmmm....

Topsy turvyness, not working for me. 

So, now I get to put them all back where they originally went, lined up in a drawer.  Don't you love wasting time on such nonsense?  At least I got to play a little dress up, and put them all on (not at the same time, of course).....

So, now, I am back to cleaning drawers.

I have to admit...

I have become not very good at keeping my life in sparkling tidy order.  I don't like filth, so toilets and sinks and floors are always clean and scrubbed.  But as far as tidiness.  I am failing.

And, I don't care.

I think it is because, I know how it looks clean, so, yarn and jewelry and shoes and all sorts of random thing strewn about feels cozy to me.  That is until someone wants to come over, and I freak out.  Because, how can you explain to someone how nice things look when they are tidy, when they are not?

I am ruined for life because of Olga.  I just have to face it.

When I was growing up, the housekeeper/nanny lady, Olga, used to follow me around (then Letty, then Luz, then Theresa then, oh I don't know, I tormented so many of them they quit, but Olga stayed around a long time.  She would quit and then come back, from the time I was 4 years old until college, and she followed me there too).  Cleaning up after every step.  Olga was a whirlwind.  I made a mess and before I knew it, it was polished to sparkling heights and put back.  She left everything feeling cool and lemon fresh clean.  Oh and Theresa, getting me dressed to the nines in literally, 1 minute, as a boy came calling at the front door.

(I was always, from the time I can remember, in trouble for getting paint everywhere, because no one could get dry paint off of anything, not even Olga with her wire brush)

But what do you do, when you are all growed up, and you realize Olga is not with you?

(MOM, call Olga!!)

 

When you chose dirt and paint and fur, and love, and music and more love, in a love shack no less, because that is what filled your soul to bursting?

I fell in love in the quaint simple country, and stayed.

Dirt, gardens, too much to keep up, too much to do.

Too much junk and too many "treasures."

And, I wouldn't trade it for anything ever ever ever ever ever.

Living on this little parcel of earth, with these boys (and once a fur lass), and the trees and the mountains and my full heart, is the only place I have ever felt so complete in my whole life.

So, untidiness it is.  It's not that untidy, is it?

haha!

And that's that.

See, easy.

Decided, done.

:)

And, now that this post has spiraled into nothing that I had planned.  I want to share the fairy light. 

(Sometime I will share more childhood stories that would make you turn pale, about how I dressed up and hid, and scared the housekeepers into oblivion.  Or, how I lived on the roof dressed in a wig when my parents went out of town.  Or, how I "borrowed" my mom's enormous boat like, white Lincoln town car when they were out of town (they had taken away my car keys), and went cruising around town like all the kids did, and went to the Mexican fiestas.  And how I was always grounded.  Oh, maybe another time.  We should all share a story from our youth, yes yes!  Soon, let's do that!)

But for now, I am a much wiser, less less less less party girl version of myself (I love parties now too, but now I like the ones where tea and cakes are served, and you go to bed early.  Not the ones where you are at the height of discotheque dancing at 2 a.m.). 

I still feel 17 in my step, but those tales feel light years away.

And, I like that.  Memories to love and giggle about.

But the nowness, so much better.

These days I am deeply enamoured by fairy light...

Oh such fairy light.

My calm soul, wanting silence and solitude, loves the trickling in of the daily fairy light....

Through the trees, over the roof.

If you happen to be standing there at just the right moment, you get struck with the blinding glow....

 

And then, as it begins to fade away, it leaves the perfect amount of shadow, to view the flowers at their best....

(zinnia)

(3rd giant dahlia below, with 17 more buds, can you believe it?)

 

Light that does not wash them away with its strength, and yet, not darkened by evening.  Just a perfect combo of light and shadow...

(roses)

 

 

A play of light and shadow, that lasts about 5 minutes...

Just enough light, to fill your swoon cup up, until tomorrow...

 

Oh, how the garden is coming to life, with a huge wave of happiness now that the temps have dropped a bit.  The evenings are glorious.  I take a light sheet out to the garden chaise and read magazines.  (btw, has anyone noticed how the October decor magazines have no hint of fall, not one pumpkin in them?  Am I missing something?)

It's heaven out there.  Watching nature flutter by...

 

Time to finish the drawer and room job, and get to painting for the day.

Much love!

 

Comments

[Tara Bradford]

Beautiful flowers and surroundings, my friend. Quite the impressive collection of Bakelite bracelets you have! Am really missing you and hope we can chat soon. Love to you and Mr. L. xoxox

[Kim / Gerushia's New World]

Vanessa:

I love these meandering posts....stories that take me from your garden to your childhood in a snap. Delicious photos to peer into ~ fairy light that takes me to another time, helps me dream and gives me hope on a day that's not been so great.

Thank you for always uplifting my spirits when I'm down.

xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World

[lisa skiles]

Love love the bakelite. But the flowers and fairy light - oh my.
Lisa

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

It is always a treat to come here and see what fairy lusciousness you are up to, Miss V! I love those Bakelite towers! That is treasure girl! I think that they make the most amazing display that way. Put them back! They deserve to be shown off. And The Lost Boys... yum. That movie had it all for me as a teenage girl. The garden is more terrific than I recall, I am sure that it is more than goat poop that brings it to life. Pixie dust perhaps? Such a treat to check in with you! Enjoy the day, sweet friend!
Erin

[Carrie]

I must say Miss Vanessa....no matter what is happening in my little world, I come here and I sit and read your posts and I just oggle the pretty pictures and it always.. and I do mean always puts a dreamy smile on my face and re~charges me!!!

****************Thank you*****************

[A Fanciful Twist]

Lovely Erin, well, I have not tried to goat poop yet ;) Hahaaa!
But I will in the new beds in the back, and we shall see how it goes ;)
Dare I say, out front it is just water and soil. So, you are right, it
MUST be the fairies. So, the Bakelite is still there.... you think I
should leave it? It looks mighty wonky, like it is going to topple over,
haha! Okay, I will leave it for a wee while ;) And wear a couple
pieces each day with you in mind ;) Love, V

[A Fanciful Twist]

Beautiful Tara, we must chat soon, I so agree!! I have not talked to
you since Paris. Sigh....

I used to collect bakelite like a mad woman. There is some I have yet
to get out. Now I am happy I collected it when I was younger for
sure. Love you!! ~ Vanessa

[A Fanciful Twist]

Carrie, darling Carrie, hi there sweet you! I am so glad you like the
pretty pictures and that they make you happy. They take me so long to take
and edit, and when they are liked it makes it so worth it I tell you!!
Looove, V

[somepinkflowers]

oh
oh

you
KNOW how
i love
it when
you
show
that
pink~ish red
velvet chair!

*sigh*

even draped in
Everyday Thingies
this chair is a throne,
indeed!

{{ it is still
in the 90s
here
in north-east florida, too,

d*rn it!}}

[Sharleen Parker]

Vanessa!!! I love your blog, I love your artistic eye, and I love that you love Lost Boys... LOL! One of my favorite Halloween time movies.. You have made me even more excited for autumn, which is peeking it's head around the corner here, teasing us in the Pacific Northwest.. And another reason I'm excited is this new discovery I want to share with you... Have you heard of Il Volo? They are starting their first tour in the US, and I think you might just fall in love with them and thier music. Please check this out, and see what you think! They are wonderfully talented and fun!

www.ilvolomusic.com

[Varie]

Love to read your posts! You are an inspiration indeed. Lovely Fairy light pics, very angelic. blessed be.

[Sharleen Parker]

Ooops, meant to say thank you again for all the inspiration and cheer you have given me and many others in the last several years! Have a cozy and lovely weekend, and I'll see you on the interwebs!! (Webs, get it, Halloween reference!! LOL! ;-)

[Miss Linda]

All your posts are awesome. I love to read them they make me think.. You have a wonderful way with words, art, photography and gardening. I know that when you go and sit by your gardens and read, tinker, water and such, they are listening to you. They love what you do for them. They are happy.
Hope you have a great evening whatever you do.

[Nathalie Gagnon]

LOVE the bangles!!! I keep mine in a rounded apothecary jar. I think you caught some shining fairies in your photographs....

[Jackie]

Missy V, regarding the goat poop! Make sure it is aged (like over 6 months old) or it will burn the "shit" (pardon the pun) out of everything in your garden! Poop has to be aged before it can be used. Any poop; cow, chicken, horse, goat and my favorite bat shit! Please keep this in mind before using it. The Poop Lady (and I ought to know!)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Jackie, you rock! I was not going to use it until Spring.
Well actually, I am going to put it in the beds and turn it with good compost
soil, and then let it sit over winter. Does that sound like the right
thing to do? Or should i leave it in a heap until spring??? Thanks
for your tips!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Sharleen, can you believe that Lost Boys videois a VHS TAPE!?!
haha! It was way back in my drawer so I watched it as I cleaned my
roomand painted one of my dressing tables. The soundtrack is
excellent! You are soooo delightful! Thanks for
that!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh yes, Varie, you are right. I had not noticed the angelicness.....
I see it now. Thanks for pointing that out :)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Linda, you are always so lovely! Oh I hope the faeries are
there, knowing i love them ;)

[Jackie]

Turning it over in to the soil and letting it decay through the winter, those little organisms in the soil will have a field day with all that poop and if they party all winter long, having a gay old time, they will reward you in the spring with what I like to call "black gold" TPL

[A Fanciful Twist]

Jackie, I am so on it!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[Jessica]

Oh my goodness gracious, Vanessa! I am captivated by your beautiful flowers (did I mention you have inspired me to have a flower garden when I grow up? And to also have my future hubby build me a little cottage like the one you have?) and I absolutely LOVE the fact that I am not the only one whose room is a bit of a mess when it comes to the organization department :)

;)))

So yes, thank you for boosting my spirits! Can't wait for the Halloween party....I am super duper excited! If it wasn't for the volleyball tournament this weekend I would soooo be starting my Alice costume with my mom, but noooo....I have to go to the tournament. Pooey. Oh well, I mean, I do love volleyball but I love Alice just a hair more :)

Sorry, I'm rambling again! Whoops, seems to be happening quite a bit lately. Anyway, enjoy cleaning your drawers and preparing for autumn! (I can't believe it's the last day of summer! And I am soooo glad it's over! I mean, I do love the summer holiday, but hate the heat. Maybe I should move to Monteray or something, where it's always cool.)

Hugs and hexes!!!!

Jessica
A Woodland Fantasy

[Sharleen Parker]

Thank you, Vanessa, your sweet words made me smile bunches!! I do have that same VHS tape.. don't even think my VCR works any more, but I can't part with that. My daughter and I, and even my husband, although he won't admit it, used to have all the lines in that memorized! So funny. Love to you again...and ... think Italian .. "O Sole Mio"... hint, hint!

[Jenn]

Slightly messy and scattered rooms are the most beautiful kind. My best friend in the world is the type who needs EVERYTHING in it's place, and a speck of dust is the most offensive thing to her. That is certainly no way to live! Let the coziness prevail! Haha, blessings and love Vanessa, have a beautiful first day of Autumn, though I am fairly certain it is still very hot in your neck of the woods.

[Renee]

Your flowers are beautiful as always. We've had rain and lower temps too so the flowers are looking better.

I like having my "stuff" nearby.

I have a bit of time tomorrow so thought I would search for my boxes of autumn and Halloween. I think I know where I put them:)

I had to laugh at your being grounded-I was always grounded as a teen. I think I've had a stubborn streak and a will to do what I wanted all my life.

[Leslie]

Oh never mind me...I am just here strolling through your garden sipping a cup of...chai tea....enjoying all the bountiful beauty, saying hello to the butterflies. As I look at all the fun photos it is a bit like playing I spy....imagine my delight and seeing The Lost Boys, a favorite of mine! I remember buying the soundtrack when it came out too! I still love the music from it. Oh, and don't pick up a thing, let all your treasures and goodies fall where they fall, there is nothing as wonderful as being surrounded by the things you love. Once a friend stopped by, a new friend, who stepped inside and asked if she could help me pick up the house...I had no idea what she was talking about......

[stacy]

!. The dahlia is the most ridiculously beautiful thing I've seen in quite a while.
2. The Lost Boys...*sigh*...I could still listen to I Still Believe, with the muscled up saxaphone player, over and over and over...
3. I love the idea of sharing a story from way back.
4. Give Miles big smooches for me.

[A Fanciful Twist]

Jenn, I will always remember that you shared the most refreshing
insight... scattered rooms are the most beautiful kind I love
that!!!!!!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Renee, I think I will search through all my bins tooooooo, bwahahaaa!
;) See you in the heaps of halloween goodies!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh Leslie, I thought I saw you in my garden this morning ;) I saw the
flicker of your nightgown hem go around the corner, and I said, uuups!
Thats lovely Leslie ;) OH mY! Asking to help you tidy up,
haha. I hate that! Dont you? I have to laugh. If I
could get over my ego, I would say, ya sure, go for it, hahahaa ;)
Clean away, and while you are at it, do you iron? tee
heee!

[A Fanciful Twist]

Stacy!! Heloo ;)

1) I have to agree. I got the Dahlia tuber (aka root) at
Whiteflowerfarm.com It changed, it starts pinkish orange, and then turns
pink, and then yellow orange, and then salmon pink and rose pink. So
interesting, the shades. It is a massive huge flower.

2) I totally agree about I Still Believe. I also love Beauty
has her Way (not by him). He was Tina Turners sax guy before he went
solo, what was his name..... oh....Tim Cappello right? yes yes!! Oh
my! haha!

3) we must share stories asap!

4) Miles would want to go home with you. He loves the world and
will gladly snuggle pie with you ;)

[Alia]

I think a little bit of messiness is okay! You are right, it is kind of cozy to have a few things spread around as long as it is clean (unfortunately I have trouble with the clean part as well as the messy party....maybe I need an Olga in my life!)

Your garden is lovelier than ever! My pumpkin plant is doing well and I think a few little pumpkins are starting to grow, hooray! Hopefully they will make it to full grown pumpkins. Thanks for the inspiration.

<3 alia

[Queenie Believe]

My swoon cup runneth over. I'm a big time lover of flowers and your garden with its fairy light is awesome!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden with us.
Have a great day

[Elaine L.]

You sound so much like me. I get started doing something and get a huge burst of energy and tackle multiple projects.

I identify with the clutter, that's my problem, too. I'm actually considering getting a housekeeper, now that I am retired, so that I can spend more time living an organized life and having time for fun projects.

~elaine~

[Theresa]

What a gorgeous post, Vanessa!!!! :) That faerie light is remarkable. I love when it mysteriously shows up in photos. They are always watching, I think, and when they are happy they shine their light in unsuspecting ways. I think they loved your flowers and so they spread a little magic. ;) xoxo

[Charlene]

I NEED OLGA!!!!!!!! I love tidy & orderly... I just don't do it well. I do have help once a month but, I mess up more than I want to admit. Your post made me chuckle. I need to get my Fall goodies out of storage too. Love it when it's finished but, have gotten to NOT love doing it. HUGS!
Charlene