A Fanciful Twist

The Lovely Days of Spring...

These lovely little days upon us, so joyful and warm.

I am so happy to be able to peek in again.

If you have been by and found that my site would not load...

Well, the same thing happened to me, which is why I have not been by either.

There was a massive attack on Typepad (this blog's service).

So, it's been up and down regarding the site provider's stability.

I hope it's fixed now.

However, if you have been wondering what was up, that was the issue.

I took the forced days away to do all sorts of art, baking and flower arranging.

The days have been incredible in the garden.

Saturday was beyond delicious.

A little cloudy, then soft rain in pure sunshine for a couple of fleeting minutes.

Sun shower bliss.

Big fluffy white clouds, and diffused magical sun light.

The roses are coming in.

As are the strawberries.

Mix up some custard and make a tart.

That's what tugged at my heart.

I use this tart recipe every time, the dough just needs a little extra tablespoon or two of water.

Oh and, I use all butter, no shortening.

So, where it calls for shortening, just use butter if you'd like.

That beautiful afternoon sun light beckons while the oven does its work.

When the sun glimmers just so, you can see all manner of tiny flying creatures flutter about.

Catching sun on their wings.

I love, I mean love, that time of day.

My little brownie by my side.

Normally he is always my shadow.

But never open to photo ops.

I am getting tricky :-)

Hello tail.

Collecting petals and setting the table for Easter.

Bringing out my sugar eggs.

I wanted to do another sugar egg post, alas, the internet gremlins didn't allow it.

Here's my tutorial from last year though.

I get so excited about flowers in the garden.

I can hardly stand it.

I am waking up at 5 a.m. these days.

Running out to see what new little buds are happening out there.

Some are so perfect.

I know you are probably sick of me saying this.

But I just find flowers so astounding.

They take my breath away.

Such beyond word treasures from nature.

I know you agree and more than likely, feel the same way?

I can not choose what time of day I love more.

Early morning...

Or diffused light afternoons.

Those afternoons, bliss sigh.

I tiptoe through.

Friends gather in the front garden.

I pluck.

And sniff.

And run in to check on baking things.

Fur babes play in wildflower filled earth.

I collect.

I give bouquets to my sister, to Mister, to my dining table.

Over and over.

I love this spring.

All springs.

I saw some photos of autumn, and was reminded of its beauty.

I was taken by the thought, of how, once spring fades and summer moves in...

It gives you just enough heat and play and green to prepare for autumn.

To cause a yearning.

It's like, the season shifts just at right moment.

But for now, we swim in spring.

Lovely beautiful spring.

Evening spring.

Spring days, with all their newness and inspiration.

With skips and laughter under rose filled arbors.

With butterflies peeking in.

With cardinals chasing each other through the trees.

With sunflowers thinking about pushing through winter earth, that slowly becomes a memory.

These are the days.

The days we will look upon with fondness years from now.

We shan't miss them.

Or take them for granted.

Or wish for something else.

But instead, take a little time to absorb the right now.

The, this moment.

Yes, yes, this is what we should do.

Wouldn't you say?

 

I hope you had a lovely Easter.

I made all sorts of edibles.

It was a lovely time.

And now, off I go, to catch that enchanted afternoon light.

As it dances through leaves and trees, right into my front garden.

Don't you love that light?

 

Off, to hug my two handsome fur sons.

And to oversee Mister Lovee's shenanigans.

The kind where he climbs tall ladders, and ties a rope around his waist.

Whilst wielding around an electric saw through branches and air.

Tree trimming you see.

 

Why I think I can save him if he falls, I don't know?

But it makes me feel better to keep an eye out.

Also, he is bringing down last year's gourds that went way up high.

Yay!

 

Stay tuned for the next post.

I have the most exciting lil' visitor to share.

Who, might even take a trip to live at your pad.

Oooooo, he is so darling!

I can't wait!

(I really want him for myself, alas, he must voyage)

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

 ps:  I planted two apple trees, that do well in my region, last week.

I have wanted them for many years, I hope they flourish.

Do you have an apple tree?

I love apples.

Also, thanks for the allergy commiserating.

It only lasted a day, I think something I am not used to blew in with the windy days.

The pomegranate bush is full of blooms.

Something to look forward to for autumn.

 

pss:  Typepad is still working on some issues from the massive attack.  If you have issues visiting or leaving a comment, that's why, but hopefully in the next week all issues will be resolved.  It was a doozy, eek!

 

Metamorphosis...

There is something brewing.

A buzzing, a flutter, a burst of sun through the trees.

Is it rose buds, morphing into petals, opening wide?

Or petal edges drying in the sun?

It's something, but what?

Is it where fuchsia meets thorns?

I wonder in the garden.

Where everything looks different.

It's exciting, it's monumental and then...

Subtle.

The air is scented with fragrances so strong, you feel dizzy.

Jasmine and orange blossoms collide.

Smell that?

As sun goes down, and the wait for trees dripping in leaves continues...

I stroll.

What is it?

Do you know?

Who knows?

Anyone?

I look at cactus pads framed in blooms reminding me of Frida Kahlo.

Flowers and bees will make fruit.

As tiny grapes turn up.

I sniff, I wonder.

I go from anxious to calm.

From curious to alert.

It's a change.

Some kind of change.

Down the steps, up the steps.

Something feels odd and interesting and different?

Is it spring?

Is it me, is it you?

Is it the weather, the time, the years??

What?

And then I start to understand.

It seems clearer.

I hide, and stroll, and think.

Think too much?

Think too little?

I look up, I look down.

I admire that bluest sky.

And then...

I get it.

A little.

A lot.

Not so much.

Maybe.

The bees in the pittosporum sound like an engine at work..

Do they know?

Or...

What if??

What if it's seeing things through someone else's eyes?

 

I don't know what it is.

But I am sure it is some sort of metamorphosis.

I feel a change in the wind.

It's been tapping on my shoulder the last month or two.

In the core of my soul.

Do you feel it too?

 

I am starting to embrace it.

I think I have felt it before.

Yes, I have felt it before.

Journeys in life.

But it has been so long, I almost forgot what it felt like.

 

Everything looks different.

Have you ever woken up one day and realized...

Too much has happened to stay the same.

Or turn your back on it?

Life has taken you on journeys so vast.

You just aren't the same.

And maybe it's good?

 

You try to understand.

This change.

 

But then you realize...

 

That, it's only at the moment that you let go...

Plunge over a cliff, off a tree, into the deepest lagoon...

That you trust and jump...

That you take deep yogi breaths, and sit legs crossed in the dirt...

 

That you say, okay, I give in.

 

Here, have control.

 

That it all begins to make sense?

 

That it doesn't seem scary, but instead, exciting.

 

We grow.

We change.

Growing pains?

Growing gifts?

Growing brain and soul?

 

I don't know.

 

I don't know.

 

Do you?

 

All I know is...

I feel something brewing.

 

Nothing is the same.

Or is it?

Or do we just see it differently.

 

Do you feel it?

Is life trying to tell you something?

 

One thing I know for sure.

It's in the moment that you go with it, and stop fighting...

That a huge peace comes over you.

And it all looks good.

 

I guess, we never stop growing up.

 Seasons change.

And so do we.

Maybe I changed long ago and am barely noticing it?

 

But it's interesting.

I am waiting for what is to come.

 

Is it happening to you as well?

What do you see?  What do you feel?

 

I kind of want to dance and sing more.

And climb really tall hills.

Maybe not mountains, but hills would be okay.

And swim in hidden waterfalls.

I love doing that.

And laugh laugh laugh.

My sister and I have had some serious laughs lately.

So much laughing I had to scream from belly laughter pain.

You see...

We got a hoola hoop.

Does that say it all? 

 

Today is blog post number 1001.

 

Maybe the message is hidden in the questions.

What if this metamorphosis is the acceptance of change?

Woe, that's heavy, haha!

 

I kind of feel like it's about being able to throw your hands up in the air and say, big deal, oh well, c'est la vie!! 

(and really mean it)

 

 

Love, V

 

 

 

 

 

To the Gypsy Garden... {& giveaway winner}

When my sister suggested it was time for evening cocktail hour...

I knew it was time indeed.

Time to bring back those gypsy garden evenings for the season.

Music, candles...

Light the lanterns in the trees.

Trees just beginning to get their leaves.

You know, it wasn't until I got into my thirties that I have really felt like I belonged in Southern Arizona.

Looking back, I know now that I always have.

That I am a real part of this place in the depth of my being.

And that I identify with it madly.

But I didn't really embrace it as kid, as I do now.

I thought it was mysterious and fascinating, and I loved collecting crystals and peeking in old mines and ghost towns.

But I always thought, when I grow up I will go somewhere else.

But then I didn't want to really, when it came time.

And I am so glad I stayed.

Actually, those early road trips around our state with Mister Lovee really caused me to fall in love with Arizona, in a real way.

It's so wonderful to live in a sunny warm place, even if summers are really hot.

It's a dry heat that is manageable.

Not too many mosquitoes.

I rarely see a snake except for a gopher snake going into gopher holes once or twice a summer.

(knock on wood)

The winters are mild.

The mountains are glorious.

People are casual and smiling most of the time.

It's a tinge New Agey, I think at least.

And arty too, and interesting.

New age is a vibe I love and feel.

Even if it's totally 90's of me to love New Age ;)

Did you know that Northern Arizona is super forest like and chilly?

Not all of Arizona is a desert, like here in Southern Arizona.

Even here, the mountains I see from my garden are forest like and get snow.

Where desert meets forest.

I live at a bit higher elevation, about an hour from downtown Tucson, which is why it seems greener.

And cooler.

Do I sound like an Arizona infomercial??

Hahaa!

I always thought I was meant to be a California girl.

Living there half years most of my childhood.

But now I know...

I am not.

I am an Arizona desert girl.

Under mesquite trees, on gypsy nights, I know it for sure.

I can't imagine living any other place.

And sooooo.

Point is, before I ramble on and on...

That my sis suggested a cocktail hour.

Hinting that there was a bottle of champagne in my fridge.

Who knows how long it had been there by the way.

So, she cracked it open.

Meddled it with fresh mint from the garden.

Gave me minty lime soda with just a splash of champagne.

Which I must say, I feel ever so slightly hungover today, but I can't be so it must be in my head.

Not after a thimble full of champagne, me thinks.

What a a glorious night.

The climbing roses are exploding over the lil' gallery too, on the west side of the garden.

Over by the gypsy wagon and the wisteria gazebo thingamabob.

Perfect for frolicking under slight moonlight.

Sipping away....

Cuddling under warm fuzzy blankets and old sparkly quilts.

We absconded with Mister Lovee's current transistor radio.

Of which I have gifted him about 7 in our time, only to have them drop in buckets of water and such.

He listens to NPR all day long especially on weekends, and carries that radio while doing yard work and such, which is why the radios meet their demise so often.

We listened to the radio, rolling through stations over and over.

Stevie Nicks came on and I twirled around, which made the pups excited and then everyone was kicking up dirt.

It got real chilly later in the evening.

I cuddled up into my sister with Douglas (her min pin) and Matty on my toes.

And when my sis was ready to go embroider the night away, I swapped her for Mister Lovee.

Who had been watching his show.

So chilly by 10 p.m.

But bewitching.

We found it hard to pry ourselves away.

But then took comfort in the fact that we always have tomorrow.

As gypsy nights are here to stay.

For now.

Oh oh oh, these glorious days of Arizona spring.

Where lanterns sway, and if you listen just so, the moon will share a secret or two.

I closed my eyes and found inspirations for paintings tugging at my skirt.

Paint me, paint me...

Whispered the moon.

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  The tote and bunting winner from the previous post is.....

#21

Sandra Sheets, hoooray you won!

Please email me your snail mail address, yay!!

 

From Old Patio Umbrella to Colorful Garden Goodness!

It's about time we had some serious fun, don't you think?

I have been cutting scraps, tying knots and standing on a ladder conjuring some up.

Of the "colorful garden contraption" variety, that is.

Happiness for an old tattered garden umbrella.

And colorful happiness for me and the garden too.

How on earth did this all begin you ask?

Well, truth be told, I got sick of seeing my 3 old umbrellas sitting by the workshop.

Looking majorly pitiful.

Bare bones.

And honestly, I was about to throw them out because I couldn't find proper covers for them.

As the old covers had long turned to dust.

Plus the wood was getting all ruined.

I have had them for about 12 years, so they had a long life right?

However...

I had an idea brewing.

 In my mind, I saw a colorful garden contraption.

Yep, that's the proper name for it me thinks ;)

So, I took stacks of scrap fabric and ribbons and tied them on to each naked umbrella arm.

I started from top to bottom, arm by arm, like you see below.

(make sure you tie on the ribbon + scraps when the umbrella is open and not closed)

I tried 2 other methods, because at first I intended to actually make a new umbrella out of scraps.

But it didn't look as festive, so then I started just tying on the fabric and it worked good.

Then I strung up an über long felt ball garland, and tied it around...

To create...

This!

My sad old umbrella skeleton is now a super happy colorful garden contraption, hoooray!

If you could see it in person, it's extra fun.

Mainly because each arm is covered, and you see the whole happy 3-d thing..

It adds a much needed fresh spring spark to my garden world.

(My sis put up the dream banner, what perfect colors without intending)

It looks great against that super blue sky, don't you think?

I wasn't careful with each piece of fabric being the same length.

They were about 9" - 12" long, and no more than 3" wide.

I wasn't careful with the color scheme either.

I just went crazy fabric times on the whole thing.

And because, as you know, I am a lover of felt balls, remember here?

I decided to use some of my stash as a garland.

See how easy it was to take this sad thing below...

And turn it into this crazy happy colorful garden contraption?

Also, I painted the wooden part white, after I had tied it all up.

I had not even thought about it before, but then thought, white would make the color pop more.

So, if you try this at home, paint first :)

And, as I said before, make sure you tie and garland the umbrella up while it is open at your desired level.

That way it is easy to close and open as you see below.

We soooo needed something extra bright and happy while we wait for trees to get leaves.

Although I have to admit...

This wild colorful thing is making me Mad Tea Party crazed.

Longing for this year's event already.

 

Now, if you have an old sad patio umbrella skeleton in your garden...

I highly recommend this project.

Talk about junk to treasure.

That is, if you think gobs of colorful scraps tied together makes treasure ;)

 

Fun fun, in fact, you can even keep it inside it's so pretty.

And just keep adding things to it.

How fun would that be???

 

Okay, off I go for now.

See you soon.

 

Love, V

 

 

ps:  To be honest...

I think this creation was born from me singing this for so many days in a row.

Heck, if I could spend the rest of my days making Willi Wonka garden umbrellas, I might say yes.

 By the by, have you heard the arrangement for Jackie Evancho's version?

It's so beautiful, the instruments in that intro.... oh my...