Paint, Puppies, Petals &...

Helooooooooo!!! 

Hello there! 

Loveliest greetings from my mad little world.

So many tales to tell, so busy I have been, running back and forth into town, to and fro.  Lovely weather, marvelous visits.  Catching up on oh so much.  And still, so much to do.  Isn't that always the case?

Come with me into my garden, and let's chat, shall we?

Things are getting squeal worthy exciting in my garden these days.

I went out of my way in autumn to plant all sorts of bulbs and tubers.

A few different types of ranunculus, freesia and more.

I also scattered multitudes of seeds, and planted a few bulbs that had already gotten a head start in a greenhouse.

And now, the magic begins...

(ranunculus)

It isn't always easy to do something 4 or 5 months ahead of time, and then sit and wait for results.  Like plan your next year's garden and do some planting.  The waiting can be so daunting, that sometimes we are moved to not try anything at all.

But, after the beautiful results last year  in the garden, I really was inspired to begin early, and be extra patient.

(ranunculus)

I have been working on so many paintings and dolls.  Some paintings I even started last year at this very time.  I used to be someone who whipped out a painting in one afternoon.  But now, I get so immersed in each piece, and in the details, that I can be so slow.  Slower than I ever could have imagined I would become.  It is so unlike me in so many ways. 

Or maybe, this is the new me, who knows?

It's odd.

Then again, I have my hands in so many pots.

It is so hard to be your own boss.

The discipline.

And then of course, I am so good at making myself feel guilty, it isn't funny.

But my sanity, my refuel, is truly in the fresh air watching things grow and working hard.

Putting my heart into it.

Feeling like in some way, I am helping the earth.

Somehow, even if by only a tiny smidgen, I am writing love notes to mother nature through my garden...

There are blooms on the apricot tree.

That beautiful scent of warm milk and sugar emanating from the blossoms.

That scent will always remind me of this time, this place...

There is also alyssum everywhere I turn.

It must have self seeded last year.

I love when birds and winds help carry seeds all around.

It has been beautiful and in bloom all winter.  Crawling down the paths, up the rose bushes.  Overflowing out of built in planters...

I went into town so many times this week.

I also went into too many antique stores and brought home too many treasures.

I had not been out shopping in ages.

I was being so good.

Alas, when the heart stirs and the treasures call my name - I go out to find them.  And almost always, the treasure I dreamt of the night before, is sitting there in an antique store, waiting for me.  Almost like it put a phone call into me the night before.  It is so weird.  And, happens all the time.  Weird weird weird.

We had a little cool snap for a day - which totally made my neighbor and I wacko because...

After too much shopping and too many errands, we spied a puppy sign.

And of course.

I had to call.

As you can imagine - there were 9 beautiful half full boxer, half unknown pups (I think lab really), plump and happy and gorgeous beyond words romping around.

And then-----

We most certainly had to have some.

How could we not?

I told my neighbor that her life would be totally incomplete without puppies.

She doesn't fall for that too much anymore, mostly because I tell her this everytime we find something wonderful that I think she should take home.

She is Harley's mama, the big rotti.

Alas, the puppies won her over on their own.

So, to fill my puppy void, she adopted two.

Yes two.

Her boy Harley accepted them right away.

Just like Matty did with Miles.

I think puppies just don't pose a threat sometimes.  Is that it?

Anyhow, I have been at her house ever since.

She even let me help her name them.

On the left, Jaxon - Jax.

On the right, Annabelle.

I am their fairy godmother.

They have white paws in back, white on their chinny chin chins, and white chests.

Oreos.

Perfect fluffertons.

There are 7 more.

Want one?

I took Mister Lovee over to our neighbors' to play with them, and see if he thought we needed a few.

I am still working on that one ;)

For now, we have seeds grown all big into beautiful arroyo lupines...

So very pretty, with more to come all over the yard.  I got the wildflower seeds that the arroyo lupine were in, in late summer/early fall online at American Meadows.  I think that is where I got some of my bulbs and tubers too.  I also love (great success) the tubers from White Flower Farm.

My calendula officionalis (below) reseeded itself like mad this winter, and now the large flowers are popping up just everywhere.  In unexpected places.

This is what I adore and was hoping for, for years and years...

That point where your garden is full of flowers and seeds, and they spread themselves about.  I just love petal surprises!

I am so eager to see what comes with warmer weather.  But also, I want to savor this winter season in full.  Such a conundrum!

I'll be crying in summer when the air is so hot it singes your body.

Sooooo...

I just can't believe it is Wednesday.

In my mind it is Monday.

I feel too guilty to cut the ranunculus for vases right now...

But, when some of my others start blooming too, I won't be able to resist.  There are about 12 other plants right about to explode.  Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

And the hundreds, more like thousands, of poppy seeds I sprinkled in November are getting to be pretty hearty plants.

But for now, it's all about ranunculus... 

Those tender specimens that inspire me so.

I know flowers can be so boooooooore-ing sometimes.

But, I just had to share.

Now, I need to somehow straighten out my upside down and inside out week of madness.

How the heck are youuuu????

I hope perfectly lovely.

Do you have any wonderful stories to tell me?

Let's see, do I have any??????

hmmmm....

Let me think.

Tell me one, and you might jog my memory....?

 

Looooove, V

 

 

Comments

[Kim]

Vanessa:

I have so many great memories of my mom and her rununculas stories! She said when her mom planted them, you could sit and watch the gophers pull them down into the ground. Don't know if that's true or not...but evidentally, during The Great Depression in the Ozarks, that's what my mom and her siblings did for fun in the Springtime...they watched gophers steal their mom's rununculus!

Are those Lupines of yours the same thing as a "Texas Bluebonnet"? If so, we have those all over the roadways here in So. California. I just love them.

Thanks for sharing your garden and the cute puppies. I needed to see and read something inspiring and uplifting. When things are dark around my life, I always know that I can come here and feel a bit of sunshine and inspiration.

xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World

[Teresa Cleveland Wendel]

Five inches of snow last night, but on a bright day last week, I pulled the covers off my flowerbeds--all those protective, moldering leaves--to see what might lie beneath them. And yes! The bulbs are emerging.

[Magickwryds]

I am coddling sweet little baby lettuces in the kitchen this month- they are sooo precious! And they have little herb-cousins of Borage, Chamomile and Chervil on the counter beside them in an egg-carton seedling incubator- they are getting to be big-baby-seedlings, soon will need their own beds! Oh- aren't plants the most perfect babies at this time of year? Bring 'em inside to smooch and swoon over all day long! lol.

[Sarah]

Hi Vanessa,
As always your garden is beautiful, but it is the puppies that have grabbed my heart today! So sweet and ready for life and adventure!
x

[Lisa]

No stories of my own, but I sure do enjoy me some puppy pictures! So glad two have found a good home - I've heard that black dogs (and cats) especially have a hard time finding homes. They are lucky to have you as their fairy god-mum.

Thanks for sharing your flowers - Since I don't have a garden of my own, I can live vicariously through your photos.

[Jessica]

V,

We have this lovely knarled up drooping tree in our side yard and I have no idea how it got there! Haha but It is just starting to bloom and it is super beautiful now, on this delightfully gray, rainy day. Just a few little white petals are adorning the branches, and the bottom of the tree has bright green patches of moss circling it. Sigh. It is a delicious sight. Don't you love the rain? Especially after a dry spell. I am glad that your garden is blooming and full! What kind of adventures did you go on whilst frolicing through the antique shops?? :)

xoxo Jess

[stacy]

The ranunculus is redonkulous.
Sorry...it had to be said.

Lovelovelove those puppies. I ran to the corner gas station tonight and there was a couple selling puppies. We, of course, had to go see. Cutest little balls of fur...
The best part was their sign~~~
PUPPIES FOR SALE...BLESSED BY ST. FRANCIS
It makes me want one even more.

[somepinkflowers]

oh
oh

those little
pups
are MOST ----> squeal worthy!

indeed!

♥

PS--
LOVE when flowers seed themselves!
they are telling you
they LIKE your yard
and
have moved in
on
their
own...

[Birdie]

Good evening Dear Vanessa,
The flowers all look so lovely. Thank you for sharing. I found some "new to me" poppy seeds so I look forward to seeing if they like the south. My story is that I've been busy building raised beds to put in my sloping garden area. Building the beds was easy but now the hard work of leveling them on the slope has begun.
Have you seen the early spring issue of Country Gardens yet? It is truly a must see!

[Sam]

Sweet puppies and beautiful flowers - what more could you ask for http://www.flickr.com/photos/resinangels/5156619231/

Sam x

[Andrea]

Flowers are positively one of THE MOST exciting things I can think of....Oh! And fresh fruit from the farmers market,swimming in the ocean,Nancy Leeman books,the smell of citrus blossoms...I could go on and on!
~Andrea~

[Prudence Puddleduck]

Is this a place on this EARTH? You make everything appear so wonderful, as it should.
Lupin's take for ever to grow...yours are beautiful...You brighten up my day with your glorious place in this world..thank you
♥Debi

[Leslie Cohoon]

Miss Vanessa, I miss you so much when I don't see a post from you! I just can't tell you how much of a pick me up you are! Thank you always for sharing your world! So positive. So peaceful. So happy. So lovely! Thank you oodles and bunches! I can't wait to show my girlies the pic's of the puppies! We still have to visit the video of Matties(sp?) birthday party that you had for him! The girl's just belly laugh!
Have a fabulous day!

[Roselie]

Oh my, the puppies are sooo cute! And your garden looks so lovely, I wish my own (in the house I say half my time) was that gorgeous! And flowers are not boring I 'm glad you shared!

[Carolee Clark]

Oh I think you sooooooo need at least one of those adorable puppies! Just look at those faces...What will you name him/her?

Teehee...

♥ Carolee

[Miss Linda]

Not only Miss Vanessa, does your garden grow, so does your family. Beautiful family. Now let's try to take a family photo with all of you. Thank you so much for sharing.

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Linda, well, I have not expanded my family, yet ;) But I
am the fairy godmother two the two pups across the street. In fact - I
should go see them now ;))))) I fear - we mightnt be the family portrait
type, tee heeee ;)

[Nathalie Gagnon]

So....what treasures did you buy? Another boat, a dollhouse.....? Do tell! Love the flowers- we are buried in snow. March has certainly come in like a roaring lion! Enjoy those sunny skies!
Nathalie

[Chris]

I love ranunculus!! And your photos are so pretty. The lupines! And the puppies!

[Teresa in California]

Hello fairy godmother of Jax and Annabelle! Oh! They are soooo adorable! So glad your neighbor wanted to keep them. I love smelling puppies breath. Maybe I am crazy, but there is something 'earthy' and charming about their breath. Anwyway, I love your glorious flowers too. It seems you were just planting them, and here is it the first of March!
I know you will let us know if you decide to adopt any of the puppies.
I love to go antiquing! I always find something I don't really need, but I always kick myself if I don't buy it!
XO
Miss Teresa

[Retta]

Keep working on your Mr. Lovee...how can he not cave in? Puppies have a way of making one's heart melt...do they not? In the meantime...enjoy your new neighbors.
Reading your posts are so delightful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden pictures...they give me solace as I look out my windows and see a six inch blanket of snow covering mine.
I'm looking forward to seeing the newest "art"ifact creations that you've been working on; as well as your recent purchases. I'm sure you will cleverly use them as eye candy in future posts...there's no doubt in my mind :)

[marjorie]

Oh!! Your garden!!! SWOOOON! :) I have never planted or seen any ranunculus....they are dreamy beyond words; like wee fairy tutus, are they not!!? SO dainty and frilly! We used to always have tons of alyssum about the garden when I was growing up.....the scent is heavenly!! Sigh....I'm aching for a garden! Hopefully we might find a little house of our own soon (starting to look) and then I get to digging in the dirt again!! Hooray! Wishing you a splendid new March-time Dearie!!!!!!!
Much love and merry little tea times from my neck of the forest!!

[Alia]

I heart ranunculus! Sorry I don't have any stories to share, all mine are of the boring school/work variety lately. I can't wait for the semester to be over so I can actually have time for fun things again! Hopefully I will have a bit of time to plant my new garden before then!

[BobbypinBandit]

Sister! Your garden always makes me jealous. I planted some ranunculus bulbs in the flower pots on my stoop... let's hope they grow.

Those pups are darling! JUst darling! I want to hug them forever!

[Jorgelina]

Tu jardin es hermoso,ya se siente la primavera.
Besos

[Kelly]

Hello Vanessa, you’re Ranunculas ROCK!!!! Lovin the Lupine too!
I will go buy mine at Home Depot or Lowe’s just after seeing yours cuz, I fear that if I plant now I would have to wait tooo long! Yikes, I am whinny! I did get an assortment of other seeds to plant. I will be more patient for those, I hope! My freesias from last year are close to blooming! ANTICIPATION!
I have a question Miss V! Do u have any jackeranda trees in Fanciful land? I have wanted to get one for years now. I just love the flowers they bloom, reminding me of a lilac bush and yet we can grow them in the desert!
Have a fun time with the pups, they sure are adorable!!!! <3 & ;)

[Annalee]

I'm pretty sure that none of us will ever tire of looking at your flower, garden or puppy pictures! =D
Those two little fur babies are just beyond adorable... I so badly want one! Oh well... after I'm done with school in two years & have a house... with a yard... and a fence. ^-^
Then I shall have puppies! =D
Have a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

[Nan]

I just love your flowers and your dog tales.. :) I live vicariously through your puppy stories. I have only my one sweet girl at home now and am trying to convince Handsome Man that she is lonely with only a cat to play with... I have pinned your gorgeous orange flower to my pinterest board. I hope that is ok...if not i will remove it. thanks for a lovely morning read! Nan

[A Fanciful Twist]

Beautiful Kim, I am so happy that when times are not so bright and shiny,
you can come take a break in my virtual garden ;) You are such a beloved
gal!!! Also - yep, that is gophers for you. However, knock on wood,
a lovely blog friend (known as TPL)told me that putting dog poop in the
holes you are plantingwill keep gophers away. And, oh I am afraid to
even type this but--- it has worked over the last year. Now I wont even
consider planting anything without the stinky stuff ;) I go out
collecting it. I know, awful visual ;)

Oh oh, your Texas Blue Bonnet is a cousin, I hear, to my arroyo
lupine. The arroyo lupine in my garden are just impressing me so
much. I really didnt have any expectations of the wild flower seeds I
tell ya. But, these arroyo lupine are about 2 feet tall. Very
impressive for wildflowers, me thinks ;)))

Much love to you sweet Kim ;)

[emile]

flowers... boring? never! never ever, i say. in fact, miss V, your garden is a feast, a'least for little me. like a princess locked away in this generic box of an apartment, surrounded merely by pencil trees and grass clipped close to the cement, i spend an unfortunate amount of time pining for a plot of land to nurture and cultivate delicious bursts of color and fragrance and softness and magic upon. (sigh!) your adventures keep my heart aloft so that i might not sink too deeply into despair before my daydreams wriggle into reality. that is to say, thank you for this dreamy blog. ♥
(and those puppies! truly, they are too adorable. it must take a lot of willpower for your Lovee to resist!)

[Julia Walsh]

I love your garden pics, and overflowing paint pics.

[Theresa]

Your garden is ALWAYS a glory to behold!!!! Such magic resides there. :) The colors and the different flowers make my heart sing. And then there are the puppies...oh how CUTE they are!!!!! How can Mister Lovee resist???? I so wish I could add more to our family, but alas we cannot. Thanks for sharing the photos of these two sweet furry babies!!!! And a hearty congrats to your friend for adopting them!

[Furniture in Monterrey]

Hello fairy godmother of Jax and Annabelle! Oh! They are soooo adorable! So glad your neighbor wanted to keep them. I love smelling puppies breath. Maybe I am crazy, but there is something 'earthy' and charming about their breath. Anwyway, I love your glorious flowers too. It seems you were just planting them, and here is it the first of March!

[Furniture in Monterrey]

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