A Fanciful Twist

A Visit to Mombie's {Part 1}

I am sitting in my humble country abode, typing this, while eating the "natural" version of cheerios (thank you ML), with no milk.  Why?  I have no idea.  The fridge was cleaned out while I was gone.  You see, that is what happens when Mr. Mom stays home alone.  Things get all Willi Wonkified.

       

I bet you didn't even notice I was gone, with all that partying you did.  Oh the neighbors already told me.  They heard girls laughing, clanking glasses, shouting names like, Phyllis, Tiffany, Michelle, Melissa, Nancy, Jenn, Sadira, Christine, Sandra, Marjorie, Donna, Monica, Cassandra, Tara... Oh the list goes on and on.  But those are just the first batch to be in trouble :)  I want details of who is responsible for what ;)

          

As for me, I had a more than a lovely time on my wee voyage.  Too many things to bottle them all up in one blog post.  So, I am going to give you the R&R version in this post, Part 1.  And then, the fairytale, visit granny, witches, dances, etc. in Part 2.

My wee voyage was in the name of a Mother's Day visit.  But, I dare say, it turned out to be more like, a relaxing lovely visit for one long haired half spoiled girl :)  My parents are more than good hosts, and they really know how to make things fun and lovely...  So, here is a bit of what it was like...

      

I began the voyage South, to my parents home, which is about 2 hours from my country abode and 1 hour from my city abode.  Our part of Arizona is very strange.  There are some very desert like areas, and then some very green areas, as you can see above...  I took that from the car, hence the quality...

As you get closer to your destination, you cross some railroad tracks, and the sky turns pink and lovely :)

      

You have to follow an extra twisty extra vertigoey road as you get even closer...

      

And, when you look out your car window, this is what you might see.  Nothing  for miles...

      

My parents have a very long driveway with a gate at the bottom... In we go...  Ready for some fun??

      

Grab some ice and a nice cold drink, because, Dad is up to some wonderful business...

      

Yumm Yummm!

      

I arrived to platters full of shrimp and flakey bread with balsamic and olive oil...  While Dad made skewers for our evening out on the patio.  Oh the nights were divine.  Warm with a gentle cool breeze...

      

I went outside to watch the city lights begin to twinkle.  I have loved that ever since I was a little girl.  Watching the city lights come to life...  I think I shared some of this in my Christmas blog post though...

      

Mombie and Dad are so cute...  They were putting up lights and getting ready to have a lovely dinner for my sister and I.  My brother wouldn't arrive until the following day.  He was shooting a movie and or editing all night...

      

I took so many photos, I didn't know which ones to share.  I don't want to bore you to death...  But, I wish, I could have had a wild tea party for all of us on that very evening...  The weather was astounding.  And the way the sun set and the sky glowed in blue was picture perfect...

      

When monsoon season comes with the outrageous rains in summer, it is wonderful to be at my parents house, watching the down pour...  I can't wait...  Oh rain, please come soon!! 

As Dad cooked...

      

I couldn't help but savor every little morsel of the night...  Oh, how I would love to have a swimming pool at the country house...  Can we start a campaign to convice Mr. Lovee??  Will you help me? 

      

I have a ball and claw old fashioned bath tub in the yard at the country house... And, one summer, it was so hot, I filled it up with water and bags of ice, and just sat in there for hours...  It was marvelous, but a pool could be even better?

Oh, okay, back to one of the lovely evenings visiting my parents...  So, we had a lovely dinner in that magnificent weather... Lights glowing everywhere...

      

Trees intertwining above head, with lights. I just love stringing lights all about... It makes everything so dreamy at night...

      

      

Such a magical evening...  Sitting with my parents and sister... Chatting, laughing...  Beautiful music playing...

      

Oh, I also did Mammie's hair.  I am not a hairdresser.  But I do know how to cut and color and streak hair (with foils).  I have been playing dress ups since birth :)  and, at around 10, started with the more serious dress ups...  With scissors and such ;)  Mammie let me take a photo of her treasures, while her hair processed (it turned out so lovely)...

      

She is the funnest lady you will ever meet, that Mombie of mine.  She is so hilarious and fun and knowledgable and interesting...

So, there was tea & coffee and treats too...  But, we forgot to have a full blown tea party with her wonderful silver tea sets and such...  But we had this...

      

With this...

      

      

My beautiful and really amazing baker cousin, Marcela, made the phenomenal berry galette...  We enjoyed it in the garden... 

      

My sister made waffles for Mother's Day, they were delicious...

      

Mombie opened gifts...

      

We then scurried to get ready to go to my Grandma & Grandpa's house (Mammie's parents).  When I then realized, AHHH!!  I didn't have enough gifts...  So, my cousin Marcela and I raided Mombie's pantry, which is a whole other story in itself.. And found some lovely things...

      

To make lovely things...

      

And voila...  Lovely gifts indeed...

      

And guess what?  Mombie sewed up some little strawberries she saw on Martha, and attached my little Mother's Day cardlettes, which she printed off from a post down below...  Wasn't she a sweetie for doing that?  Love it!!

        

So, that was a bit of that...  Annnnnnd, there is more to come about the fairytale adventures at Grannies + treasures Grandpa Pedro had for me!!  I can't waiiiit, to share... Back with that in a few days. For now here are some teeny tiny treats...

      

Hope you had a little fun and I didn't bore you silly!!! I am so tired, I don't even know if I made sense...  See you soooooon!!  xoxo, V

Oh, Also, I spent hours indulging in family albums.  We have so many photos and home movies and such...  I took some photos of some photos.  Here I am, blissfully indulging ;)

      

And, being my silly self  (Looove Mombie's outfit, and that wallpaper! haha)...

          

Little Pleasures...

Thank you so much for all the Achooo Love!!!  I am feeling so much better.  I am still slightly recovering though, as I am still a bit wilty off and on...  But, truly!  How can anyone not feel better when nature is offering up these treasures in our garden? 

      

I am stunned at the beautiful flowers that grow in our very humble garden.  They bring me such peace and love.  I know, so sappy, but true!!  When I first found my way to the country home 8 years ago (Mr. Lovee had been here years before me), I used to collect buckets & baskets of roses, and make paths with their petals, all over the yard...  I used to make an especially full path of roses to our tree hanging bench in the yard...

I decided to run to my little diary I have kept for many years...  Since 2nd grade actually (not the same one of course :) And found this photo I took the first day Mr. Lovee put up this swing in our yard for me... And I painted it...  This is where I used to sprinkle hundreds of flower petals... (sadly that paint is gone, and now it looks different, but still lovely to us) 

        

As for the pink roses above.  These roses are 3 & 4 days old.  I love when the pink roses get browned edges...  We have a bush that puts out these pink cake like roses, that has a trunk like a tree.  There is also a giant bush that graces us with big nectarine colored roses, also with a giant trunk.  I am sure they were here for many years before we set foot.  The previous owners gave us such a huge gift (including fruit and nut trees).  I wonder if they miss their roses?

I also wonder if they would have ever guessed that their gardening/canning house would have another purpose.  Like a wee gallery/shop for me :)  Oh, and what is that I see?  A package on the front stoop? (you can always click on any photo to enlarge) 

      

My little space here (before it was my little space), used to have ceilings caving in, and was stuffed with hundreds of vintage frames (I love finding treasures like that).  Then Mr. Lovee agreed on my idea for a gallery/shop and voila.  6 years ago we put a new roof & ceiling in it, fixed wall damages, painted and just like that, I had a place to hang my work for Artist studio tours & private visits (that way I can have this little gallery/shop and keep my actual studio private, and have this other space to share with guests).  I just love charming. I don't need fancy or outrageous.  Charming works just beautifully for me...  And I do believe, with just a little love, anything can become charming...

As for that package there...  You can imagine my surprise, when I saw this lovely package waiting for me, with bits of vintage book pages on the box, here and there...

      

And a few magical words warning of the treasure I might find...

      

I knew who it was from right away, and I let out a true swoon!  The wonderful and talented artiste herself! Maker of magical treasures... Miss Sandra Evertson!! 

And I warn,  there is true magic in her fingertips.  Where else on earth would one find, flowers with wee faces...  Voices, born from the center of a tender flower...  Why, from Sandra Evertson, of course ;)

      

Now look closely at this treasure and you shall see...

      

Can you hear them?  Calling your name?  Whispering secrets...

      

      

And if you hide behind a wee white branch, you just might hear the little voices, chirping away...

      

Now, isn't that a lovely treasure to find waiting for you?  Thank you Miss Sandra!!  I just looove them!!

So, how'dya like them apples?  Here we were sitting over breakfast, contemplating how to amuse ourselves...

      

When all along, the day had its own plans for us... Ahh, how I love those wee little faces looking up at me...  Seems part of my life's path is to give a home to wee faces, doesn't it?  A lovely thing... I am tickled!

      

So, here is my simple little pleasure offering to you...

    

For being so extra lovely and nice to me...

      

Little pleasures, cut from my garden....

      

And, if you ever get to roam this strange land, be sure to wait for that perfect moment...  When you just might find a full grown pirate, swinging like a mad man from a tree swing...

          

We once invented a song, on that swing, that had some lyrics that sorta went like this... "And, when you are feeling, sad and blue, and life gets you down, and feels real cruel...  Remember I'll meet you here, because, One hundred and fifty percent happiness, comes from swinginnnnnnnnnnnng..."

Oh and, if you ever find an old shopping cart (mine was a bit topsy turvy and had a hard time standing up until we rigged it), it is perrrrfect for growing things you don't want the rabbits to get.  I gave it burlap bottoms and sides, and I grow lots of herbs in it...

Well, with that, I must bid adieu, until next time...  As, my paint beckons...

      

Life is lovely, embrace the tiny little things.  They make all the difference!!  See you soon, xoxo, V

Was it all just a dream? Or, is this the dream?

Do you ever wake up sometimes, after a long sleep and a hearty dose of inspirational dreaming, and decide you are going to change something in your life.  You groggily concoct a plan.  But, the plan is way too flighty for words, and has no structure to it?  You don't even have the faintest idea of how you will begin to bring this dreamy change into your life.  Yet, you are determined to get there, no matter what form of transportation it takes...  That is your firm decision before you even pop out of bed...

      

The dream could have been anything.  It could be real life things, like, you are going to change, quit, or alter, your job - and do what you love (or quit anything that is on your list to quit).  Or maybe, You are going to leave a relationship or even start a new or different one.  Or work on the one you already have :).  Perhaps you have decided that you are going to stand up for yourself.  Or, you are going to clean your house, organize your life.  You are going to get on a diet, do something with your hair, get a facial...  Or, you are going to delve deeper, on the gears inside your body...  Cleanse yourself, take care of yourself, nurture yourself.  Whatever it is...   

You wake up knowing there will be a change.  And, the only thing that is entirely palpable, are the lingering feelings those dreams brought you to.  To that perfect state of being.  That place you have been striving to get to, to find that ultimate thing called, Happiness.  In that "happiness package" lives everything you thought your life would be "when you grew up."  You know those thoughts that go like this, "when this happens or that happens, I will be happy.  Things will be better..."

And we think, maybe when I get to my very own Hollywood...   Maybe then, I will be happy...  I will begin to live... Hollllyyywoooodddd  Here I ccome...

        

You replay the dream a dozen times before you start your day.  And, your window of dreams actually seems like it is just within grasp...  Albeit not all that clear...

      

So you set out with a plan, still early in the day...  You empty the fridge, make your bed (not something that happens often here), or you proclaim to your family, "there will be change."  Whatever it is... You begin it...

The key to that place is different for all of us...

      

So, on a day just like this day...  When dreams linger and seem so real, they start to take on some sense of reality and shape...  We write a letter (that is my version at least).

           

Yes, this is a perfect beginning to going out and making those dreams come true.  We are just certain of it...

      

      

      

So, the letter is written and you must seal it and send it off.  In my case, I am telling Mr. Lovee that I am setting off to make some very important dreams come true & he need not worry about me...

          

Of course, the thing we forget is that noone else (but the hundreds of imaginary friends living in our head) will understand where this is coming from.  Why we feel such passion about it.  Such desperation to get there...

So, into the mailbox the letter to Mr. Lovee goes...

      

We hide and wait to see his reaction.  I know, sneaky...  He has no idea what is in store...

      

He thinks it might be a love note (I suspect).

      

      

      

He inspected the letter a bit.  And then, took another sip of coffee...  He put his hands over his face like he was crying (but, I am not fooled, I know he was faking and giggling underneath it all).  Then he asked, who is this from?  (oops, I forgot to sign it, but really, can't he guess?)

Still, nothing was stopping me, I was on a mission.  I had to get my Schwinn 3 wheel bike ready for the voyage.  The world looked pink and teal, it was 80's bliss ;)

      

Until of course, the record player scratching hault came barreling through.  The real world would not be cooperating with the dream changes easily.  A FLAT!! More than a flat...

      

I threw my hands up, and decided to go for a small walk.  The events of my dream were fading, as were the reasons I was off to make who knows what, come true... 

        

Things were feeling normal again.  And, as I walked, I started to notice that there was a teeny tiny miniature garden world of amazing life all around me. 

      

Growing in this desert...  All on their own, just enough to fulfill me.  Maybe this is the place my dream was leading me to.  Finding the tiny beauty right beneath my feet.  It was all simpler than I thought...

      

And, in all reality, am I really going to make my dreams come true, by riding my Schwinn to my very own version of Hollywood?? (Okay, maybe just for the day.  It could be a ride to the apple orchard without a cell phone.  Just a bit of  a freeing feeling, riding in the wind... What could it be fore you??)

          

And so this is what happens, we have these deep seeded feelings of dreams, our dreams.  Of how things can change or even be better.  Of what it will take for us to fill little voids...  To inspire our lives... 

      

My opinion is that nothing in the world we attain, will fill those little gaps, those little voids...  Nothing we buy or atttempt to possess or own or do...  They might mask the voids, but they do not fill the voids.  And even if we do mask them, after a while, the voids will turn up again...  Harsher than before.  With a vengeance...

      

I learned this one day, after a horrible break-up (many many years ago).  I stopped after much insanity, realizing I had to get over it.  The pain seemed unbearable...  And I sat down with myself, talked to myself, and asked myself, honestly, what would make me happy at that moment?  What could I do right then at that minute?  Who was I?  What did I like to do?  I was 20 years old.  And right at that moment, I got in my car and went for a drive... (by the way, many years later when my aunt died, I realized that pain I was feeling during that break-up long ago, was the feeling of loss, not just getting over a break-up, but actual loss)

      

It took me to a plant nursery.  I started gardening that day.  In a tiny piece of soil, where I have even managed to grow a couple of trees that are very tall & strong now, and make me so proud...  Sitting outside and breathing, that is what I began doing...  But most importantly, I was planting my own little garden, in my heart and in my soul, that I could have no matter what, that was safe, without voids.  And, when my little plants and herbs started to grow, gaps filled in, more and more...  But, it really came down to "what are the things I like to do, that make me happy..."

I had been painting since I was 13 years old.  But, in the madness of life, I had been doing it less and less.  So, I also started painting again, more than ever...  The painting and the gardening pulled me out of my sadness by my bootstraps... (back then, when I was 20 years old) 

             

I stopped asking myself, "what was expected of me,"  and started asking myself, what do I want to do that will get me through today.  A book, a walk...  A good movie...  I think, we don't have to change our lives dramatically all of the time, we just have to absorb the good things around us that we are missing...  Even just 20 minutes of it everyday, can refuel the soul...  Helping little voids not feel so vast...

      

What I learned through my painting and gardening at 20 years old, when I was asking myself who I was and what do I like to do, was incredbile.  It released me, and it also changed my life forever.  All the things I thought I was working towards.  All the things everyone else around me was striving to attain, were down a different path...  Not my path though...

      

What I am trying to say is, little bits of happiness are around us all of the time.  I am not talking about knock you down sublime happiness (which might in fact find you too ;).  But I am talking about, lovely little things that brighten the day, and bring a tender feeling.  They help us live in the now, and not later, when we are waiting for things to change... 

Little bits of happiness are tiny teeny little weeds giving off purple flowers.  Little bits of happiness are free.  They do not cost money.  They won't come when you are thinner or smarter, or richer.  Those things might make you feel a bit better,  but you won't enjoy them without first finding that which is waiting to be discovered within you.

             

It is you, who you are, standing alone.  Not with your children, or husband, or significant other, or with your parents even.  I know, many of you understand this, and know the importance of this.  But for me, it is what my life revolves around.  Everyday, I find that little safe place in me that is so familiar, I grasp it, and then go about my day...  It is who I am.  It is the one true thing I carry with me, in me.

          

Possessions, finding someone to love, huge goals, all those things are fine and good, but are we looking for them to them to fix us?  Because, what they really should be doing is meerly enhancing our life...

          

I don't even know why I am on this wave :)  I guess, a walk amongst nature, compelled me to share these things that I find  invaluable, and that changed my path. 

Of course, I have to come clean and say, everything isn't perfect in my world.  I have desires for bettering myself,  I have dreams of a tidy house. Of my very own nanny, to follow me around, pick-up after me, serve me tea & treats, take me on outings :).  You know, maybe my very own Mary Poppins???

But today, I am just fine and happy....

      

I would just love for you to share with me, how you find peace and happiness?  Share any tips you might have... Ways in which you have found bits and pieces of yourself.  That which brings you closer to that sense of calm.

Well, sadly I must be off...  I am working on 10 million things.  I feel so busy lately... But, I do enjoy it!!! Oh and, the party at Enchanted Cliff Manor has a message for you...

        

Some of the characters are off on voyages to new homes...  But, you can still find a character or two, waiting for a home in my shop....

In the next blog post, I will post the winner of the "teeny tiny tea party" attire!!!  And, I will say, it has not been easy choosing!!!

See you sooon!! xo, V

One last thought...  I think this is what Spring brings, the desire to break free, wash away the winter, to reflect.  And to make room for new leaves...

           

Reflecting on, Precious Little Things...

Do you learn and change from everything that happens to you?  Good and bad, simple and complicated? Do you reflect & immerse yourself, or do you cooly move on?  So many questions before I even say...

      

I am throwing a lovely sunny, warm-morning tea party.  Let's enjoy ourselves and chat, shall we?  Okay then...

Often, while driving in my car, down the highway, the Santa Catalina Mountains, beautiful and hovering, I think about how I am constantly learning and growing.  Changing, and reflecting. 

      

I don't like complications in my life.  I don't like ill will.  I don't like grudges and negativity.  Does anyone?  I live in my own little world.  I protect my heart and myself.   I learned in my late teens, how I don't like to feel and situations I don't want to be in.  I went through all the waves of angst and such.  It took many years in my twenties to master avoiding such spaces (not fully mastered yet, but worlds better). 

      

You know those spaces right?  Such as, not being respected by someone you give your heart to.  Or, having mean friends who fill your head with gunk.  Who want to see you fail.  Who are never happy for you.  Ugh, I think most of us have felt some of that in some way.  So, hopefully, you learn to see the signs, and remove such things from your life.

Sometimes, you have to get burned, many many times, to find your way.  I know I have.  And, probably still will.  Only now, I will detect it sooner and move away from it...

I have also learned though, the sweetness of life is not what I thought it was.  The sweetness of life is all around us, at every moment.  It is not miles away, at some place we have to strive to get to, through jobs and money, through relationships and places.

        

It sits safe and sound, within our hearts.  In our little souls.  Waiting for us to see it.  To feel it.  To grasp our own slices of it.  It even sits in precious memories, ones from the past and ones to be made...

Where am I going with this?  Well, I tell ya, just when I least expect, I keep learning and growing.  Lessons a plenty.  I think the biggest lesson in my life now, after love and a sense of inner peace, is letting go & loss.

I am not good with those things, as I am sure most of us are not.  Loss of the ones I love (the most difficult), loss of material possessions, loss of control... 

        

Over the years, I have been forced, kicking and screaming, to lose control.  Control of what?  Control of life.  Control of random things that happen (like computers and bursting water pipes).  There are just some things you can't control.  And, you know what?  There is nothing you can do about it.  Nothing.  And better yet, it is okay.  And, there will be some way to resolve any matter.  Maybe not how you wanted it to go, but still, some way...

Now, you might not understand my issue with the loss of control thing.  Not to the extent I am describing.  You see, I am the oldest child, raised from day one, to speak up, speak loud.  Be assertive, be strong.  Be in control of your surroundings.  Make your path, make your own destiny.  And, I will say, all of that is great, but I think I took it too seriously.  In my mostly, type A personality way.  If you know what I mean? 

What type personality are you? 

      

You know, the fact of the matter is, you really are not in control of anything.  Even though you think you are.  And, things happen, there are hiccups, and there is nothing you can do to prevent some of them.  But, most importantly, it is okay.  Things can be remedied.  And, even though, you have to react to things at first, which may be BY kicking and screaming in a grocery store parking lot ;) You have to take a deep breath afterwards.  And, as Mombie says, compartmentalize.

I am "learning" to take deep breaths.  To walk away from things and come back to them later.  I am not very good at that.  I want immediate results, I want things to begin the resolving process "immediately if not sooner" (I got that from my dad).

I put myself on unnecessary schedules.  I am my own dictator regime.  Yet over the last couple of years, I have been letting up.  And you know what?  It feels sooooo good.

Last March I took somewhat of a break from my very own dictatorship and hectic business life.  It has been an amazing year.  And, the little curve balls thrown my way are helping me.  They truly are.  Annoying as they may be, they are creating a patience in me I never had.  Ever.

And, they are making me love life even more.  I love sitting outside, sipping tea or coffee, feeling the breeze on my face, closing my eyes.  And tapping into the swell of memories and thoughts in my heart.  I shed happy tears, and sometimes nostalgic ones. 

And, you know what, everything is just fine...  I feel the butterflies fluttering in me, when I think of how lucky I am, to be living here, safe and sound, and a free person.  Compared to everything happening all over the world that is bad, nothing is wrong...  Nothing.

      

This afternoon, I was listening to NPR, and this show came on.  Try to listen to it if you can, it was good.  It touched me just at that moment.  You know how that can happen sometimes? 

The song they played (does it bring up any memories in you?), reminded me of being at the carnival as a young young girl, with my Aunt Denise and her friends.  It also reminded me of my uncles with their huge frizzy 1970's hair.  It reminded me of being at the river on Easter as a young kid.  With my uncles, aunts, cousins and parents. Listening to 60's and 70's music.  Lots of music, all the time.  And lots of music talk.  They would sit around, reflecting, chatting.  Us kids (me and my cousins) would be pretending we were mermaids in the river water.  Having the time of our lives.  Eating watermelon... 

Life was less complicated...  Or so it seems, as I relive the moments in some of my heart of hearts most beloved childhood memories. 

My siblings and I grew up in totally different worlds.  Technology had not taken over back then.  It was barely creeping in.  And, today, the river of my childhood memories has been condemned as being polluted.  I shake my head in disbelief... 

Those times were so good...  They remind me of how I had no cares in the world. 

Things were fresh and alive.  But wait, they still are.  Only different... It is all a matter of perception.  I am sure, I will reflect on today in 25 years, with the same love and nostalgia...  And, I will probably still be learning...

But for now, I remind myself and remind you, that you are wonderful.  You have the sweetness of life inside of you.  Noone can take that away, unless you willingly give it up... 

         

We should say...  I affirm, that I will paint my world with color.  I will continue to create.  I will take deep breaths...

    

I will love and cherish, and take care of me.  I am the only person on earth, who can make that promise to me, and mean it...

      

There you have it.  Lots of thoughts...  On this sunny bright warm day...

      

See you soon!!  Love, V

(I am profoundly thankful for having exceptional parents who swoop in and are there for me for anything, like angels, without me even having to ask.  Amazing.  Mombie reads this, so thank you more than words can express, for the tremendous love, Mom and Dad.)

Tales from the Edge of...

Boy do I have a tale.  I very very true tale.  It is a tale you have heard time and time again, from other people.  People you have heard it has happened to, and those you know, that it has happened to.  It is a tale we take for granted.  Or at least, I did...

      

This tale is about moles, and worms, and icky yucky horrible monsters that have altering infections & sadly, live in cyber-world.  Creations, not of nature, but of people, who want to harm anyone, with no rhyme or reason.  The infectious ones can not be zapped with sprays and powders.  No rodent repelent.  Oh no.  They are vile horrid things. And, they found me.  (the drawing below is about cleaning out a refrigerator.  Although, I think it does beautifully in this explanation as well)

      

We (meaning me, myself and I) did all we could when we first came home with a shiny new computer friend.  The one that would bring me to you and you to me.  So we could frolick and play.  We got advice.  Installed the latest technology in spyware, ad-ware, search & destroy-ware, and on and on.  Anti-horrid things this, and anti-infect my computer things that.  And still...  We got zapped.  Derailed.  Illegal errors poured out of my ears, and then, the worst...

      

They got me & all my characters.  We held on for our little cyber-lives...

      

On Monday at 11:30 a.m.  I visited a lovely person, who led me to another, lovely person.  All people who would never cause harm.  Alas, on entering the link to the second person, my computer started popping up black screens.  It was massive amounts of jibberish, happening fast.  Before I knew it, my computer had been taken over.  (I don't know if viruses link to people's blogs or what...  It may just have been a coincidence it happened at that moment)

The night before this happened, I had a huge thought to back-up my computer.  I didn't do it.  I had every Virus protector under the sun.  I took it for granted.  I also took for granted that I had a virus.  I thought it could be fixed by my computer pro.

I had not backed up my files for many months.  Isn't that dumb?  What was I thinking?  I know.  I am beside myself.  I tried to save everything I could.  All the things that make up my beloved little shop. 

I have been in high stress mode, with little sleep since Monday.  I didn't freak out until today.  When Mr. Lovee lent me his computer.  Which had some glitches too.  And meant, I wouldn't be up and running soon.  But, here I finally am...

The news?  We will be having a computer funeral for my dear little friend that got me this far.  He is ruined beyond repair.  I spent 4.5 long hours securing a new friend yesterday.  Not the road I wanted to take.  But, I couldn't choose my road this time.  We await his arrival.  We will welcome him warmly...

I don't know why people create viruses?  What is the point?  Who knows.  All I know, and all I can tell you is...

Back up all of your files.  Back them up now.  Back them up often.  When I realized my computer was going under, I backed up all I could before it was ablaze.  Make sure you update your virus protection all of the time.  Please, learn from me.  This has been awful.  It has been a nightmare, really.

      

But, today it was clear, that the shop will survive.  Thank goodness.  It has been a turmoilous 3 days.  This means, we saved most of the prints.  Luckily postcards are created elsewhere.  So, with that, we will make it...

Hundreds of  little faces looking to me for anwers....

      

You know, I don't like to complain much.  I always try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I try to take deep breaths, realizing that some things don't matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Everytime something trivial or bad happens, I think of my family and those I love.  I think of the good things.  Yes, I freak out a bit.  You can imagine that I can do that, right?  You know how I am in touch with 5 year old Vanessa?  Well, she comes in handy in freak out moments too.

But, loosing your entire computer (to a malicious virus) when you are running an online business, is certain to make anyone, sad, angry and left feeling a bit abused.  I kind of feel like someone broke into my house, to tell you the truth...

No, it is not the end of the world.  But, it ain't easy getting through it...

I am behind in the promised shop update, and in everything right now.  But, hopefully, things will get clearer in a few days...

For now, take a peek at some of my walls if you'd like.  The lovely Marilyn of Pulp Sushi is on to something so fun.  She is featuring people's walls...  What do you have hanging on your walls???

          

Thank you for being a part of my world here, at A Fanciful Twist.  This whole place & all of you mean more to me, than I can express. 

See you soon! Vanessa

I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me... {Mouse tales, Delicious treats & Give-away results}

So, I waited until the wee hours, the actual strike of midnight to do my Valentine post.  I loooooove Valentine's Day.  It is soooo fun.  It is my favorite ME day.  Even when I didn't have love on this day, I still had fun, and did wonderful things...

This Valentine's day, I would like to share a touching little story with you.  I know you will like it, I just know it.  Why do I know?  Well, it has to do with Wee Mouse Boy...  Remember him?  His life has taken the most lovely turn.  Funny how things happen when you least expect...

      

You see, after sailing the Woodland Seas, Wee Mouse boy decided that since the real estate market was sluggish, it might be a great time to buy.  He hoped to be able to get a smokin' deal on a little house.  You know, nothing toooo huge, but something that was charming, and needed a little tender loving care... 

He found the perfect little place, right outside the Fungi Forest.  He was having a grand ole time one day, fixing the roof, when he heard a sweet girl voice singing a high pitched tune...

        

He looked up and what did he see?

      

But, a lovely little mouse girl, riding her bike down his path, headed straight towards his house.  She was carrying a book, perhaps selling encyclopedias?

Oh, she was an adorable creature, she looked like she was glowing.  Only, as she turned onto the bend in the road, Mouse Boy noticed, she was in for trouble.  She had not seen the giant furry animal, lurking in the midst...

      

She was just toodling along, humming her tune...  Mouse Boy almost fell off the roof, trying to warn her that there was a giant fur creature, about to...

      

About to decide to plunk down, on the path, right where mouse girl was riding her bike...

      

The furry creature knocked her over.  And, in a fit of fear, she froze, just thrown on the ground, not able to move an inch... 

      

It seemed the furry creature hadn't even noticed her.  Mouse Boy hollered, "Don't worry, I'll save you..."

He pounced on the furry mass.  The problem was, the creature thought it was a game... 

      

The furry pooch meant no real harm.  She just wanted to play...  Mouse Boy quickly realized this, but, he wanted to impress the Mouse Girl, peeking up at them...  She was dusting herself off while Mouse Boy tried to show off...

      

Mouse Girl wasn't really interested in Mouse Boy's antics.  She just wanted to try to sell him some books, and be on her way...  She had gotten back on her bike and was riding away, when Mouse Boy called out, "Come back, what are you selling?"

      

Hmmm, she was a little leary of Mouse Boy.  She was greatful though, he did try to help her, but then the extra Macho Mouse stuff, just made her think he was a silly fool.  Still, she had to thank him for being helpful to her, things could have turned out worse, and he did almost fall off of the roof trying to help her...

So she rode her bike up to his house, but as she jumped off, she noticed something was terribly wrong with her bike.  It fell over, looking like something had happened to the tire... Mouse Boy exclaimed, "I'll fix it,"  with a very mischevious grin...

      

But as he tried to lift up the bike, he fell flat on his face.  This led Mouse Girl into a mad giggle...

      

She liked him so much more, when he was being himself.  She thought he was cute when he fell over.  He quickly got up and invited her into his house, putting her bike on the porch...

      

She smiled politely, and said "I would rather not, can we just sit outside."  She had been taught in her book selling seminars, that no matter how nice a person was, she should not go into their home if she did not know them.  Good advice, even if Mouse Boy is harmless and all...

Mouse Boy thought to himself, and then realized she was just being cautious.  So, he dragged his sofa outside, so they could sit and chat.  But, you know how the story goes, Mouse Boy was already smitten...  The love bug had bitten him. It was too late...

      

As they chatted, Mouse Girl found herself being fascinated by Mouse Boys tales of adventure.  Sailing the Woodland Seas, escaping a witches curse...  Mouse girl then noticed, Mouse Boy had lost a perfect white glove in his fight with the dog.  So, she scurried around looking for it.  She found it, and offered to put it on for him...

      

When their hands touched, that was it, both of them were feeling the love bugs...  They had fallen instantly in mouse love...  She realized, he was a full on Duckie.  Her sister had told her that to find true love, she would have to close her eyes, and change her idea of what the perfect mouse was.  But mostly, she was to be open to the Duckies of the world, many of them held the key to true love (and to treating a girl like a queen).

The sun was going down, and Mouse Boy had a brilliant idea!  Why not take Mouse Girl on a sunset sail of the winds in the Woodland Sea?  She pondered, and then agreed...  After-all, her heart was a flutter for Mouse Boy as well...

      

It was the most romantic evening ever recorded in Mouse history.  I mean, come one, two mice, on a boat, sunset...  And then a sliver of the moon peeked out, and the perfect clouds picked up the little boat, and sailed them around the skies in the most breathtaking flight...

      

So, that is the story of how two mice met, and spent the most lovely unexpected Valentine's day together...  You never know, what might be headed right down your path...  How do ya like them apples?

Now, this year, I give special Valentines, to all the Duckies of the world! I have to say, I adore Duckie boys.  I am one girl, who realized that the so called "cool guys," just weren't for me.  I actually have a Duckie in my life, who happened to look just like Duckie, when he was much younger!!  Extra hugs for all the Duckies out there!!  Gotta Love em!! (FYI, the actual cool guys are the Duckies, if only girls would realize this sooner)

Today my sister said, I wish Pretty in Pink had a different ending, where Andy ends up with Duckie.  Me toooo!! Then again, it's just a movie, no need for me to get all weird over it...  Hee hee, moving right along....

Before I announce the winner of the OWOH give-away, I want to share, another giveaway.  Yes, another one.  I am going to draw one name from this blog post to send a super duper fun Valentiney gift to.  It is going to be a surprise menagerie of treats.. Including some of these edibles (plus the recipe)...  WE might be noticing several give-aways here after all the treasures I found in my move, that need new homes.  What do you think about that idea?

      

I am going to stay up all night making hundreds of these treats.  People in my world wait all year just to get their hands on a couple!!  They are yummmmmyyy!!! 

And, now, the results of One World - One Heart...  What an amazing experience this was!!  Miss Lisa is an incredible soul, and she created a magical thing, she did she did...  She will leave the links to everyone who participated up for a long time.  So, I intend to make lots of vists to everyone I couldn't get to in time for the drawing!! FUN!!

      

I used the random number generator.  I did go back and count one by one, as some comments were posted twice.  I wanted the perfect accurate numbers.  And the winner of all those lovley prizes :) is,  Suzy Q!!!  Suzy Q!!  You Won!!!!  This is my first time meeting Miss Suzy, and by the looks of her icy photos, she could use some pink yummy treasures!!

Thank you to all of the lovely visitors to A Fanciful Twist, who participated in the OWOH giveaway!!  I hope to visit all of you over the next few months!!  I wish everyone could have won a treasure, alas, it is not possible...  But, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your stopping in, truly I do!!!!

Now, if you are reading this, try to take a moment to stand up, shake all about, and do a little dance!!  Happy Happy Valentine's day!!!  Off to bake I go...  xoxo

Strawberry Tales, forever (pretend a little song sparkles by)

Am I giddy and doing little jigs?  Yes, yes, I am, I am!  I am back in my little world (studio, country, loooove).  I am almost totally moved back into the city house.  I have 75% of things unpacked from my giant strawberry suitcase...

        

My goal was to be back to the country by Monday.  And, hurray, I got back last night at 11:45 p.m.  There are still things that I must tend to.  Almost 15 years of billions of treasures, were really, way too much for one girl to handle.  However, I took your advice.  Many many things will stay bubble wrapped and in containers.  I got rid of mounds of things.  It was so easy, once I got overwhelmed, the things I really didn't want hit the donation pile at rapid speeds....

I just listened to my inner goddess.  She wants me to be freer.  To let go of unnecessary things.  I put my hand in hers and followed...

      

Funny enough, many many years ago, I went through this clearing process, and got rid of many items.  But, I guess they just crept in on me again.  Your comments were completely amazing, about the getting rid of things.  And, truly, I kept repeating, it doesn't matter what it cost, if I don't love it, it's outta here.  And, it worked!  It really worked.   Maybe it worked too well, oops :) 

But, my major loves, they are staying...

      

I never realized how hard it is having a country house and a city house.  And, dare I say, when I woke up this morning (in the country) to the sound of beautiful chirping birds, and sparkly rays of sun bouncing off my bedroom walls, it felt like heaven.  Much better than the sounds of insane dogs barking like mad and ambulances and police cars, in the city.

I don't know, seems to me like I am on a strange but wonderful little changing path.  Even driving to the country last night, I felt a little leary of the city, and I actually had butterflies in my stomach.  Could things have changed this much for me?  It is so strange and so emotional.  But, a good thing indeed.

I am so in love with my 30's right now.  I love the changes and the feelings and the peace.  The openmindedness.  Love it all!  I don't think these feelings are specific to any age.  I just happen to be finding them now, and embracing them...

I have been working on this huge crocheted blanket for about 3-4 years.  It is so funny, when I was half way through, I stopped, feeling that I just wasn't into the brightness of the colors I chose any more...