Heloooooo!
It is so nice to be back. I hurt my eyeball real bad, and was out of commission for a few days. So great to be able to blink again. Some giant rock popped into my eye and scratched it deeply. Anyhow, that is behind me, just a little discomfort left.
I am sooooo glad to be back, you have no idea.
I have plunged into full holiday mode.
I am having a very old fashioned Christmas, with all fresh mini trees and greens this year.
I have been picking roses, and stealing ivy and orange tree cuttings from the garden. Plus, berries from my pyracanthas, love them.
Have you ever mashed up an orange tree leaf and sniffed? Oh my, loveliness!
I have also been making orange and clove pomanders. They make the house smell exquisite. I simply take an orange and make holes (random or in a design, try words too) all over my orange with a metal shish kabob skewer. Then I push whole cloves into skewer holes. Easy, and more worth it, than just about anything I can think of...
I have placed fresh christmas garlands all over my house, adding to the glorious scents. I love the weepy feel of the fresh cedar garland...
You will never guess why I am so in the holiday mood?
It snowed.
The mountains are white, and I got a little snow on a very cold day at my house. I was running errands in gloves and a wool coat, with the holiday music station on. It was unreal.
I know, many of you get full effect holidays, but this is rare for us, a huge treat in Southern Arizona!
We do get snow on the mountains, throughout winter, but rarely at home. Maybe every couple years in February, if we are lucky.
It has been icy lovely every morning...
Powdered with ice crystals...
And, frozen water everywhere.
Poor squirrelie.
I didn't like the packaging for all of the fresh trees in my house, so I wrapped them in brown paper and tied them with a burlap ribbon...
I can't wait to plant all my new trees.
I only buy the kinds you can plant, and I have lots of spaces to plant them for privacy, which is a double bonus I think.
The first little tree I had here 10 years ago with Mister Lovee was planted and grew to massive heights.
So, it will be fun to see how big the guy below gets in a few years...
For now, he is making me ever so delighted, mmm, smell that?
I packed the house with candy canes...
I was only going to put lights on the tree that I placed on the dining table below, but some mini teal and pink vintage balls begged to be tossed in...
I think I will tie a bow on top -
It so feels like an old fashioned Christmas to me...
Complete with ginger cake, which I shared with my very special visitors, Mom and Dad. I forgot to take a photo pre-nibbled...
We all kept warm, and swooned at the snowy mountains...
It is a lovely little life. Ain't it? In its simplest form especially, I find.
♥
As for new Shop Treats, I am so excited to share....
I'll start with new cards -
Circus Magic...
Skelly Love - the back is fun too!
Tea Party...
And, an exciting extra large (5" x 7") card version of
Through The Trees...
Of course, my "Afancifultwist.com" watermark does not appear on any of the actual cards.
These are so delicious in person. They are commercial quality and the color turned out great. I always hold my breath in color lot fear when I open the boxes ;)
They are yumms!
I also popped a 13 card holiday assortment into the shop -
And, last but not least...
New Prints, hoooray!
Marie Antoinette, Star Girl, Magical Halloween Village and Enchanted Circus...
Enchanted Circus (bottom right) is a new painting, that I had not gotten to share with you yet. The original has sold, and whenever originals are sold, I offer canvas prints for sale, right here in my shopling, click ;)
Well, I am extra happy to be back, and blinking again.
I hope you are doing just lovely! Fill me in on your goings on, won'tcha?
I love hearing!
Err, reading ;)
Love, V
PS:
Oh oh, almost forgot, name for the snowflake giftie....
And the name chosen randomly, wonderful Chris at Parabolic Muse!!
Yay!
