A Fanciful Twist

Most Special Little Girl + Free Garden Gift Tags

It's a very special day, oh me, oh my!  A very special day indeed! It's the birthday of a little girl, a girl dearest to my heart...

 

 

I wish that I could have recreated her extra lovely chicken piñata (or is it a rooster?), but I have other tricks and treats up my sleeve.  Hot glued fingers and countless hours, making something scrumptious for that sweet little girl, whom I love and adore...

 

 

Of course for her, I would be willing to turn over the keys to my studio and more, plus all my treasures, because I love her so much - as I type this, I might cry.

 

I'll tell you a little bit about the ruffle dress wearing little lass, for she infused me with tales a plenty, and possibilities of wildest imaginations come true (and still does).

 

You know who that girl is, with the giant white cake?

 

 

The one, who's fiddlin' with her buttons, while her guests so patiently wait?

 

Why, that little girl is...

 

My Mom.

 

Mombie, Mommy, Mammie, Mom ~ that's her.

 

The most specialist girl in my life, it's true.

 

 

 

I had her all to myself for almost 6 years, when she brought other stinky babies into the mix, haha!  But that's okay, because life wouldn't be the same without my brother and sis.

 

 

 

It's me, then a sister, then a brother you see.

 

And Dad, of course.

 

Those are the characters that make up my little nucleus, my pot of solid gold. (I drew this as a silly christmas card, many years ago, of our family.  Alas, goodness knows what is on my head in the drawing, a hat I think ?)

 

 

 

It all starts with Mombie, Mommy, Mammie Mom, who is the queen of our family.

 

 

 

Bold and strong, and carefree too.

 

I love her more than words can say.

 

So, join me in cheering Hip Hip Hooooray, won't you please?

 

 

You see.....

 

She is 60 today.

 

She told me that, when she thought of the number 60 in the car the other day, she lost her breath and started to panic.

 

But I said, 60 rocks, and when you are 80, you will wish you were 60 ;)

 

But, that might not have been too comforting.  So if you are 60 or above, do tell her how lovely it is going to be, this age of 60, please oh please (lie, if it isn't, tee hee).  She visits here often, and will read your kind words...

 

 

By the way, she told me I could tell you her age, so I am not being rude.

 

I actually can't find any current photos of this girl-woman, to save my life, except for the back of her head, or the top of her head, or the side of her head, isn't that sad? 

 

 

So I must remedy that, and take many more photos, faster than fast. (of course, I have many photos that she would kill me about, if I posted, so I won't, haha)

 

 

 

When I look at the photos of her as a little girl, it yanks at my heart strings so much.  I am not sure why... 

 

 

 

Anyhow, I just love her.

 

Soooooo, I was putting together her gifts, and I decided to make some gift tags.  Then I needed a recipe card, to include with her peaches, so I drew some up...

 

I will attach this one to some sunflowers, a pumpkin, basil and other treats from my garden...

 

 

I think it is a lovely touch for my gifts below, don't you?

 

 

 

Then, I will attach this one to some baked goods...

 

 

 

Of course, then I needed a recipe card, go figure.  So I whipped this little guy up, and am about to jot down a recipe, to go with the basket of peaches I am gifting her....

 

 

 

A peach cobbler recipe for a basket of peaches, isn't that scrumptious? 

 

Mmmm, yumm. 

 

 

I also made a little stack of garden cards for her. 

 

Then I thought, why not share my garden gift tags with you?  For personal use, at your leisure.

 

So, I will.  All you have to do is....

 

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR A PRINTABLE PDF

 

 

Give the PDF a few seconds to open.

 

Easy as pie.

 

Well, I best finish decorating, and ungluing my fingers...

 

 

 

See you suuuuuuper soon.

 

 

♥,V

 

 

ps:  Random Things, 3 you say?

 

1)  I would rather eat real food than sweets, or preferably savory treats.

 

2)  I love to wash my face.

 

3)  I am mean when woken from a slumber or if I fall asleep on the couch, and am woken up.  Having to wake up and go to my bed annoys me to pieces.  Grouchy grouch.  And, I have to sleep at least 8 hours a night.  Once I fall asleep, the chances of me waking up are very slim.  I even slept through the huge early nineties earthquake in California, as the ocean waves splashed into my room.

Pleasant Little Day

There are several kinds of days that I love, however, there is one type of day, that I just adore.  Those are the days where I get to stay home all day, tucked into my room, cleaning, dusting (once in blue moon), listening to music, organizing trinkets and treasures, and simply being.

 

It's so super lovely to just get to be peaceful in your own space.  Folding laundry, tidying up drawers and taking a moment to appreciate the things that you love to surround yourself with...

 

Today I picked out some of my dried flowers to share with one of my beloved Madonna statues.  I love to create little shrines, and made her a new little shrine space today.  They bring me so much joy.  I am also adoring the shade the coral roses dried in.  A very dark brilliant pink...

 

I quite love lighting a candle or two, the warm glow is so lovely.  Do you enjoy candles?

 

I think that it is days like this, that also infuse the soul, and replenish my mind a bit.  It's like a tiny vacation.  Playing with pretty things, and bonding with your space.

To add to today's loveliness, it has been lightly raining, and deliciously overcast (a treat in sunny Arizona).  The storms are a reason you did not see me yesterday or earlier today.  The storm has been playing with my internet connection madly.  I hope I have success in posting this...

As for playing with trinkets - I like to move some of my things around, leave them in their new space for a while, then move them again.  Do you find yourself doing that too?  Part of collecting treasures is taking the time to enjoy them, and I do think that moving them around aids in the enjoyment factor.

 

My little vintage gold bag (clutch) above is a daily use staple for me.  I carry immediate necessities in it.  Library card, debit card and anything I need right away.  I also carry a giant wallet and a 40 lb. carpet bag (clutch and wallet ride inside the giant bag), but that's a tale for another day (maybe it's not thaaaat heavy - more like 20 lbs.).  I have been carrying the same huge carpet bag for a decade (you have seen it here before, I think?).  I just fall in love with things, and they become a part of me in a curious little way.  Do you have an item you have used for the past decade (or longer), daily?

One thing I miss from the city house are my perfume bottles.  Even if I only use the same signature scent -been using my scent since I was 14, and never tell a soul, soory ;) - I still love perfumes and perfume bottles.  Too much scent gives me a headache, but a light breeze infused with a tinge of scent is quite yummy to me...

On these, cleaning of the little room days, I love to figure out ways in which to organize jewels and trinkets.  Recently I picked up what looks like a cast iron fireplace surround (at Sue and Jerry's).  It had some places where I could tie lace across, and so it seemed a perfect place to hang earrings and such from.

 

The tip about lace is that, it is perfect to dangle earrings from, because you can simply weave baubles (like earrings) through the lace, and they hold safely...

I will weave a few more earrings through the lace after I visit with you, and vacuum (something I like to do almost everyday). 

A day to just be, is cherished indeed.

  

Actually, I do believe that I am off to snuggle in my red chair, read a little, and simply sit and watch candles flicker.  I will vacuum tomorrow ;)

Yes yes, that sounds like the perfect thing.

That and, playing dress up with my wee boy...

;)

I think that scarf is totally him, don't you?

 

♥ ,V

 

 

ps:  Eye spy, with my little eye.

 

 

Twins who have decided to stay and grow!

 

 

Growing fast too...

 

pps:  3 random things.

 

1) I have never plucked my eyebrows or altered them in any way.

ps to #1:  Pictures of me freak me out.

 

2)  When I am really stressed I can slip into a catatonic space of nail biting.

 

3)  I can spook myself silly, on a whim.  Reason to not watch scary movies :)

 

4 - extra one -  I LOVE the two fat ladies, and Mister and I watch this episode at the 3:38 mark (over and over), just to see Clarissa's face at the pony remark.  Hilarious.

Treasures from the Vine & Little Gardening Truths

One of my greatest endeavors = this year's garden.

 

I am smitten, and yet, I feel like somehow it is slipping through my fingers, and I am not basking in it enough.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's sort of like being the hostess of a busy party?  Mister Lovee suggested this to be the case, and I quite agree.

I do stand and admire it, and attempt to soak it all in.  I feel a bit in a state of shock, at the beautiful magnitude of it all (for me it's a lush garden, but maybe not so lush compared to those of you in a cooler and wetter climate). 

The giant sunflowers, the pumpkins, oh the pumpkins.  I have lived with the vast desire to grow pumpkins for years and years.  It seems like a dream to me in a way.  So many years of trying, and this time it worked.

 

The key.

Plant early, early, early.

I water twice a day.  I only fertilized the soil (organically) twice in 5 months.  No bug spray, nada, nothing to save me from the gophers except for me having the idea to push shishkabob skewers and popsicle sticks into the ground, all around my plant roots, to make it harder for gophers to get to them.  It worked, for a while.

 

If you know how I use tape - imagine how many popsicle sticks are in my ground :)

I used metal bars too (pushed into the ground, like the skewers and popsicle sticks, around my plant roots), and hit the bars many times a day with a large hammer, to make noise in the ground in an attempt to deter gophers.

I also started digging my planting area depth a bit extra, and lining the underground with chicken wire, as gophers eat your plants from underground.  Wow - what a job that was.  Alas, the early plantings were not in chicken wire. (btw, the rabbits have been aggressive too, eating most of my dahlias & much more)

 

Still, the stinky gophers attacked many times.  Oh and, I think I told you this, but my first planting of about 500 seeds were growing beautifully, and then were gone from one morning to the next (gophers and birds), so I had to plant everything again, way back in early March.  The goal is not to give up and keep forging ahead...

Recently I woke up to dead vines, that had two beautiful flourishing baby pumpkins on them (pumpkins unharmed, phew - vines, not so lucky).  Attacked by gophers over night.

 

I can't bring myself to kill the gophers, so I just try to protect my plants (next year I will plant above ground or figure out something better than plunking seeds right into the bare ground).  But, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that, I have woken up every morning with gopher fear.  I don't much like finding gopher holes and mounds, and missing 3 foot plants and healthy vines.

 

Yucky business I tell ya.  But, oh well, what can you do?  Just be happy for what survived, I say.

And, I am.

My gardening is like, super naked organic gardening.  So, I think I did okay.  I am pleased with the fruits of it.

 

Actually, I am greatly pleased. 

Okay, okay, I confess, I am obnoxiously over zealously thrilled with my garden.  Although it has been a ton of work, it has been totally worth it.

:)

  

Over 3oo packets of seeds, and most of the vegetable seed packs were some I found in my old desk, from 2004-2006, expired, yet they grew (I also planted new seeds).  I did all of my planting the last week in February and the first week in March.  We have the option to drain our washing machine into the garden, and so we did.  That, and 4-6 hours of tending the garden a day on my part, is what has helped the garden survive the summer heat, and the animals.

What an incredible experience.  Growing things.

 

I feel like I have not even begun to share photos of the garden, and all the varieties of flowers.  I will try to work on it, if you are interested that is?

I have thousands of photos, and just need to go through them all...

I got a huge break this past week and weekend.  We got rain.

Beautiful skies dropped buckets of rain.

We got to wade in it (it was a lot of water), and play hooky from having to water for 2 days.

 

The peach tree is puddling on the ground with the weight from the rain and the ripening fruit...

 

I found a beautiful peach cobbler recipe in Victoria Magazine (Victoria Classics ~ Special Issue~ Rooms of Bliss 2010).  I can not wait to try it.  A few more days for the peaches, and I will be baking... Yippee!

 

But, the moment I have been waiting to share, came right after the rain this weekend...

When our big baby, was ready to come inside (squeal, snort, skip, cackle).

Punkin' Love, oh punkin' LOVE!

I kissed it.

I hugged it.

I put it next to Mister Lovee while he slept, to surprise him.

My beloved, large, baby punkin' head...

 

I am so glad that so many folks told me there was no way I was going to grow pumpkins. (none of you of course)

You know why?

Because, I believe that every time someone says something negative to you, 10 good things happen to you.  So therefore, I grew pumpkins...

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

I am tickled orange!

 

Small, medium or large...

I love them all the same.

 

And, if we are lucky, there are more interesting squash loves on the way...

 

But for now.

My Family's Portrait.........

Aren't they handsome?

Pinch me.

Did they really grow?

Oh yes, they did, they did, they did! Hoooray!

I must confess, this whole thing has me feeling positively WITCHY!

 

Bwahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

I have to go, cackle calling.  Must polish broom, on the double!
 
 

♥ ,V

 

ps:  Click below to read the 3 random things for today ;)

Snapshots (and a mish mosh of tales) from a Week in Time

Where did the week go?  Can someone kindly tell me, because time keeps on slippin' slippin', into the clouds, it seems.  Between tending my garden and painting, I am in some odd time warp.  Lost, on the other side of the looking glass...

Come on in for a spell, and I'll share some snapshots from this week.  I can't tell you how hard it is to decide on what photos to share, since I take a thousand a day it seems... 

Flutter in through the trees, and pick out a cozy branch, won'tcha?

 

I'll start with something purely tropical, since some of my friends don't want to hear a word about autumn ;)

 

So, here's how this part of the tale goes.

Oh wait, I have to preface it with this........ 

Now, first of all, imagine you are in a place where it is 120' F in the sun, and oddly (out of the ordinary) super humid, since monsoon storms are supposed to be rolling in, and clouds are packed with moisture.

 

If you can't imagine what that sort of heat feels like, imagine putting on 3 pairs of leggings, jeans (which are super tight over those leggings, and yuckily uncomfortable, to where you can't breathe or sit). 

Also put on 6 tank tops, and two wool sweaters over them.  Then put on your long wool winter coat, a scarf, earmuffs, and then wrap your whole head in a long wool blanket.  Then, put on 3 pairs of socks and a pair of Uggs.

Now, go outside (it's summer) and lay in the sun in that outfit.  Then try to do things, like pull weeds.  Oh, but remember, the air is thick, so you sort of have to moon walk.  And, I don't mean the dance move, I mean literally moon walk, slowly, through thick air.

That's Southern Arizona in summer :)

Anyhow, it was hot like that, when we went to sleep one day this past week.

In the morning, it was still a bit hot and muggy (it is normally drier than dry here), but I could feel a cool breeze moving in.  Interesting I thought.  I did some yard work, and then, as I have been doing all summer -I jumped into my outdoor bliss, hidden amongst trees and curtains...

This delicious place, always takes me to a far away land...

 

So, I hopped in.

If I could only convey, what it is like in the outdoor shower...

 

If you have ever bathed under the trees, with the light glimmering through the leaves, then you know what I am talking about.

In a word?

Heaven.

So there I am, looking up through the trees, imagining I am in paradise, when thunder roars through the sky, and the temperature starts to drop.  Oh what a treat!  3 months of heat makes you a bit nutty.

Thunder in the morning is odd, because monsoon rains typically only visit in the afternoon.

The clouds become thick as can be...

 

More thunder.

And then, it starts to rain.

A peaceful tropical sort of rain.  I mean, really tropical.

I squealed out loud.

Twice...

 

I am certain I heard Christopher Cross.

Absolutely certain.

It was awesome to be out there in the rain, under the trees.

I am tucking that one away for the memories, for certain.

 

Oh oh, and what about visiting the chickens around the bend and finding these?

Beauties!! 

Not only that, while picking up our eggs, we ran into someone with homemade corn tortillas, still hot, right off the griddle.

We had an awesome breakfast that morning.

Eggs, avocados, fresh salsa, hot corn tortillas...

YUMM!

Aren't these eggs just precious???

The blue ones are itty bitty.

My partner in crime and I have had one heck of a lovely of a week...

Everyday he trusts me more, and gives me more and more love.  He has always given love on his terms, but truly only on his terms, with a huge amount of personal space issues.  But, that has changed like 180' (okay maybe more like 120', but still).  I think he was badly treated where he lived, plus he was the runt that no one wanted.  No one but me that is.  I took him in a heart beat.  9 months of endless love later, he is morphing...

Wonderful, what love can do.

 

Ohhh, remember when we got him??  Oh preciousness!  I love fur babies.  I sort of want a sheep and some little pigs and chickens too.

Dancing and howling.  We howl in unison.  I LOVE IT!

(We call my Dad and howl to him on speaker phone)

 

I want to do a post about all the things I have learned about puppies, in order to help others.  When I first got Matty he had so many quirks, and I had buckets of questions.  Questions that I now have answers to, that I think might be beneficial to others.  What do you think?  Shall we do a post where all of us who have fur babies post any words of wisdom we are willing to share?

9 months of smothering Matty with love (and major learning curves for all of us), and his little heart is telling him to let go, to have no fear.  He follows me around, every step, every move.  He has changed a lot since he lost Baby.  He needs us more.

I am happy to have him need me.  I am happy to love him and kiss him until he lets me know, the fun is over, and he takes off.  He is so funny!

Plus, he only likes to play his games, and gets annoyed when I want to play Jane Austen Lives...

 

One day he will set the table for tea.

I just know it.

:)

I'll tell you one more funny Matty story, since he is 80% of my life these days. (please don't get annoyed with my over zealous puppy love, tee hee - oh and, don't even remind me that he is not a puppy anymore, I am so not accepting yet, haha!)

So, here is the deal.

Rabbits are everywhere, but they are almost too fast for Matty.  And let me tell you, he is faster than fast (you should see him run, it blows my mind).  But they can escape out the gates, and Matty can't get past the gates.

Anyhow, I was watching him the other day as he took his stuffed rabbit (he beyond adores stuffed animals), and placed it in the bushes where real rabbits normally hide.

 

Then, he did the funniest thing.  He ran back to the bushes and caught it.

That's his scary face :)

 

Yep, he planted his stuffed rabbit, and then pretended to catch it.  Is that genius or what?

 

Silly...

 

Cutie...

 

PIE!

 

My Dad says I have turned into one of those crazy pet owners.  And I said, "who has pets?  Oh, you mean fur babies?"  And he says,"OH FOR HEAVEN SAKES! Your Crrrrrazy..." 

Isn't that funny?

OH!  I almost forgot to tell you.

There were fairies in the property next door 2 mornings ago.

 

Those are not light orbs.  They are not reflections.  They were real fluttering creatures.

Plain and simple.

 

Believe me or not.

They were there, and it was AMAZING!

Also, I was gardening and could feel something on my shoulder, going down my arm.

Guess what it was?

Why, it was a wee caterpillar.

How sweet!

 

I took him back to the cilantro, on the double...

 

In more frivolous, but quite lovely news.  Mister Lovee, gifter of all matter of lovely accoutrements and treasures, gifted me an antique cameo a few days ago.

Isn't that touching?  I cherish anything he gives me. 

I am positively in love with my cameo...

I wanted to wear my new to me cameo with a different pin he gave me years ago, of a tiny coral rose.  I went to the box to get the coral rose, and the box was empty.  OH NO! 

For a week, I have been maniacally searching for the tiny rose, as it should have been in the box (I have only worn it once, in Winter).  But I am about to give up.  As things only turn up in my world when I stop looking.  Plus, my house looks like trolls and wart hogs live in it.  Messy...

For now I am not worrying (just hoping the little rose pin turns up), and I am adoring my antique cameo, and taking extra care that leprechauns don't snatch it up.

As I was photographing my cameo, I had this deep desire for a real dress-up fest.  Of the most wickedly silly and satisfying variety.

 

I all but missed the Mad Tea Party, which makes me so sad.  And, I have not gone out on the town in a long time...

Please please, grab my hand and pull me into the fantastical world of dress-up.

Won't you?

 

I've started with a few bracelets, stacked almost to my elbows.

You lead the way.

Hasn't this been a nutty babble filled post?

And, I haven't even had coffee or candy.

Maybe I have cabin fever?

I am itching to keep working on some art pieces, so I best be off.

I can't show you much, or I will ruin the sharing when I complete them...

 

Isn't that a silly snippet?

Okay okay, I promise I am leaving now ;)

Have a super awesome weekend!!!

 

♥ ,V

 

ps:  So, shall we still do the three random things?

 

Okay let's see.

 

1) This song makes me smile from ear to ear. (Note to Cori, tell me please, what does this song makes you want to do? That I might want to do too?)

 

2)  I am utterly sad I missed the Mad Tea Party festivities, because I could so use a Mad Tea Party right now.  I have been peeking into other's parties (totally gob-smacked by the way, you guys are INCREDIBLE!), and wishing I could have been there.  Alas, it was not possible at the time...

 

3)  We never eat pasta.  Maybe once a year.  Or Rice.  Isn't that odd?  I am not a huge pasta fan.  Although, as I get older, I like it more.

 

I guess that's all folks.

 

Oh, you say you want another more interesting random thing?

 

Hmmm.  I can touch my toes to my head. SCARY! ;)

 

Adios for now...

An Unexpected Guest...

She was minding her own business, digging in the dirt in a white cotton dress covered in muddy paw prints, and flecked with golden droplets from a ripe orange she had enjoyed moments earlier...

There she was, amongst worms and a shovel, checking on every growing creature, when for no reason, she stood up, and walked as though she had a specific place to go...

 

She headed towards the enclosed secret garden, as if in a daydream.  Just then, she sort of snapped out of her trance.  Glancing around, wondering why she was standing there.

"What was I going to do?"  she asked herself.

That's when she caught a glimpse of it...

 

Surrounded by green hearts...

 

Twisting around garden mates...

She was entranced by something blue, beckoning her to come closer.

Blue petals.

Blue Love.

She gasped.

Memories flooded her entire being...

You see, when Baby was first diagnosed with the illness that took her way too quickly, an incredible soul sent a care package.  A care package to make everyone feel better.  A care package packed with joy. (thank you sweet soul, thank you thank you thank you for your kindness, and the seeds)

In this care package were treats for the furry babies, treats for human child-adults, and 3 packages of flower seeds.

Seeds that the girl planted while Baby sat by her side.  She didn't hesitate in planting them. 

The very day they arrived, she took the seeds, walked into the enclosed garden area, and planted the seeds in the left side nook. 

Then she added the seed parcel to her rather large collection of planted seed envelopes...

Then she forgot about them.

Tucked in her memories, was the day that Baby sat by her, loving her, while she planted those seeds.

She looked down in disbelief.

 

She was so certain, that she knew every in and out of her garden.

So, how she wondered, did a morning glory vine grow, without her noticing?

She ran like a mad woman, in search of Mister Lovee, reminding him of the care package and the seeds, as she pulled his arm, urging him to walk faster.

She dragged him into the enclosed garden, then stopped, and pointed down.

They held hands, looking down, quite wide-eyed.

You see, at that moment they both knew that Baby had just visited them.

Tears plunked...

plunked...

plunked down...

Happy Tears.

They didn't feel blue. 

They felt blue.

Beautiful blue.

Comforting blue.

A gift.

 

A gift indeed.

Isn't that incredible? The way things happen?

Amazing....... 

Don't you love when things like that happen? 

When you find something as such, and it feels like the universe is smiling down at you, and giggling?

I am speechless.

I miss my girl.

I miss her so much...

 

I told Mister Lovee that, I feel like I am missing a little piece of myself.

I do too, he said.

Thanks to beautiful and lovely Theresa, and this beyond touching locket she made, I can carry Baby with me.

And I do...

 

I clutch my locket to my heart, and sob.

 

Then, I feel better.

Then I sob again.

Then I feel peace and joy.

And then, another day, my heart breaks with thoughts.

Then I piece my heart back together.

And then it breaks again.

But then, I find a blue flower, and a basket of memories.

 

And I know, that everything is okay.   

Thank you blue flower, for finding me today.  For helping to heal my heart, and for allowing me to share you with my friends...

 

♥ ,V

 

ps:  I had a thought.  Perhaps, just for fun, after every post I'll share a couple random thoughts or things.  What do you think?

 

Okay good, I am glad you don't mind.  I think I will share 3 random things for today...

 

Here it goes.

 

First, have I told you lately that I am madly in love? 

 

What would I be doing without him during this heart healing time?  I just don't know... (ps: he has healed beautifully from his little surgery, and was a good patient, oh the tales!!)

 

 

 

The girl who loathed pet hair (or hair of any kind really), and any disturbance to her home, has been chiseled away over the years.  Yep.  She's so in love, she embraces every part of this kind of love, fur hair and all.  A huge deal for a girl like me.  I tell ya.  Love.  It makes you blind to Crrrraaazy Things.

 

Second random thing. 

I love Barbara Streisand.  I listen to this on repeat all the time.

Oh oh another tale ~ Once, when I was a young teen and I had a real bad accident that restricted me to my bed, I saw this live on some pay per view thing and went bonkers I loved it so much.  Funny no?  For a 13 (or so) year old?

Last random thing for today.

I picked up some magazines that I am still enjoying two weeks later...

 

Here's a peek inside...

  

Last random tid-bit.  I tried to get here for 2 days in a row and was held back by all manner of things, including one of the hugest monsoon storms ever.  Wowsa.  We never get rain, so when we do, the year's rain comes down in a matter of 1-4 hours.  It is wild.  Monsoon madness indeed.

Oh wait, did you see this incredible wee cottage? My sis sent this to me on 6/25,  and I meant to share it but forgot, click here to read more... And click here for even more photos...

 

Okay, I am going now... ;)

See you sooooooooooon! 

Little Orange Thoughts and You (+ radio tid-bits)

I have a question for you, important it seems.  Not important like, life changing or anything.  But maybe important like, mood changing?  Perhaps it's important in the fanciful I love magic sort of way? 

So, here it goes.

What does this image evoke at first glance?

 

Anything?  Come on, something, a little butterfly excitement in your tummy maybe?

Memories of autumn perhaps?

Fresh crisp evenings?

Magic in the air?

Pumpkin pie, and witches flight?

I'll tell you what it evokes in me, if you'd like?

I think, costumes, and golden leaves.

Striped stockings and crooked shoes.

The warm sweet scent of cinnamon and pumpkin.

Evenings in the garden, candles through Jack-O-Lantern smiles.

Feeling 5 years old, and squealing at the moon with glee.

Oh yes, that and more, is what curly cues on pumpkins evoke in me...

 

Do you feel it?

Memories of autumns past?

Oh please please say you do ;)

Witch's breeze and cauldron's bubble, night time sparkles and spells are mumbled...

I love the enchantment and inspiration of October Dreams.

Can you feel it?

 

I know what you are thinking.

"Is she nutzz?  It's mid-summer for goodness' sake..."

But, my garden is gifting babes of autumn lore, and I am tumbling head first into fantasy and pumpkin love smores.

And while I gather seeds, for next year's planting season...

 

I think about fall, and how it's really not that far away.

Autumn and the holidays alike, soar in so quickly that, I think I shall prepare early this year.  Like, now.  It comes in an instant, and leaves in the blink of an eye. I don't want to miss a drop.

And, I dare say, Mister Pumpkin (from last year) is itching for a new head. 

 

I mean, who are we to complain about wrinkles we acquire over dozens of years, when Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin look like this in a matter of months (or less)?

 

And, I do believe that their wrinkles add a bit of charming character, don't you think?

Perhaps we should see our own as such?  Maybe I am totally off my rocker, but I sort of like my little wrinkles.  Am I insane?  Oh wait, don't answer that.... ;)

Well, I best go get ready to be on the Artistically Speaking radio show, as I feel a wave of anxiety coming on.  Please don't divorce me if I sound like a troll.  Okay?  Pinky promise?

If you tune in, and don't hear me, it's that I fainted and I am waiting for some smelling salts ;)

 

I'm Joking.........

On a more serious note -

About the radio show...

You can listen to it on-line.  It will be on Today at 3:30 Arizona time, and 6:30 east coast time.

Here is the link of where to listen...

I will be interviewed by Rebecca E. Parson of Creative Compass, and Lyna Farkas.

FUN!

Sooo, off I go to get calm and organize seeds, while chat time arrives.

 

See you super duper sooooon!

 

♥ ,V

 

ps:  The show is over, YAY!!  However, you can listen to the show any time by visiting Artistically Speaking, and scrolling down to the list of previous shows.  Thank you all who joined in.  I wish I could have seen the live chat.  But, I wish even more that you all were at my house after the show, because I was so relieved for it to be over (although I did have fun after my nerves subsided), that I was beyond ready to party!!  ;) 

Muches of LOVE ~ V

 

pps:  PLEASE SLAP ME for saying definitely so often.  I didn't even know that word was in my vocabulary, ohhh jeeeez ;)

Summer Daze {+ Blog Talk Radio & Me}

It is hot.  Very very hot.  Although, for the first time - in a long time, the summer heat hasn't felt that bad.  (Okay, yesterday's heat is forcing me to take back that statement)

 

 

 

I am on super duper little dog duty. 

 

Watching stitches. 

 

Painting, while he sleeps under my feet.

 

 

Making sure there is no licking involved.

 

Applying medicine every few hours.

 

I have been Matty's butler for 5 days now.

 

2 more to go.

 

 

 

Time seems to stop, in the height of heat, in the middle of summer, while I play nanny.

 

 

 

I could put the cone around his neck, to keep him from licking (although he has been very good - btw - he got neutered).  But I think to myself, life goes by so fast.  Always busy busy busy.

 

Why not just be?

 

I mean, if I have the opportunity, to just be.  To just breathe. 

 

Why not just watch him heal?

 

 

And so, I decided that was just what I would do beginning last Friday.

 

So, here we are.

 

Me and my little dog.

 

Attached at the hip. 

 

On the swing, on a short walk, in the house, watching each other.

 

Then I think, this is what Mom's do (Mom's rock).  When Baby was ill, I didn't mind hand feeding her for 1 hour.  Getting full of mud to help her.  I didn't mind stopping everything I was doing to be there for her.  She needed me, and I didn't think twice about letting her need me.

 

And now, little Matty needs me.  I don't mind that my mind is exploding with creativity and I want to turn up my music, and paint.

 

I love him.

 

Love wins.

 

 

We swing. 

 

Well, I swing, and he stands with his feet in his pool watching me, watch him. 

 

He never sits in the water, so I don't have to worry about his stitches.

 

 I  blow bubbles into the sky...

 

Dreaming... 

 

 

 

Feeling like we are in a slow cook oven.

 

Feeling dizzy.

 

It is supposed to be around 107' F.

 

It feels more like the temperature reads in the sun...

 

 

 

Popsicles.

 

 

 

Back and forth, swinging in thick air...

 

 

 

Feeling woozy...

 

 

 

Watching a quail looking down at me through a tree.

 

Trying to take her picture...

 

Dropping camera, getting bonked on the head while it takes a picture, then catching it before it hits the ground, phew...

 

 

 

All the while, Quail gal watches...

 

 

 

I make myself more than dizzy, in the heat, hanging upside down, looking at her, while I swing. 

 

Quail, tree, quail tree, quail tree, is all I see....

 

 

Hello Quail. 

 

 

Life, in a bubble, in time...

 

 

However, our outside fun is short lived, as the air conditioning beckons us back inside.

 

I suppose I best go finish my chores.  We have a nice house-guest.  Me and a house full of boys, of the furry and human variety.  Odd indeed.  At least they all sing and play guitar.  Sans the furry one, that is.

 

I know I shared the video below 2+ years ago, but, the tune does go with my hot summer on the swing feelings today (plus, I heart Dustin O'Halloran)...

How do you keep cool in summer?  I have been making giant jars of lemonade. But good lemonade, not sour non-fun lemonade.  And, I always hose myself off about 10 times a day if I am outside (or jump in my outdoor shower/tub).  I was a swimmer my whole life and I adore the water (I always had a pool, alas, no pool in the country), so I am itching for a swim like you wouldn't believe.  Mister said we could build a pool out here, but it wouldn't be ready until fall or later.  We'll see...

That, and he might make me dig it myself ;)

Oh oh, I almost forgot... 

Before I go sneak in some painting time, which I am hysterically itching for, I wanted to tell you that...

Sunday I will be on Blog Talk Radio.  Interviewed on a fun show called Artistically Speaking.  And, from what I hear, you can possibly join a chat room and ask questions, or call in.  Isn't that scary as heck? ;)

Here are all the details.

It should be mad fun!

Will you join me?

I'll send you the most gigantikist dessert from anywhere in the world, your choice (of the imaginary variety, of course, but still), if you join me.

I promise ;)

 

Mmmm, hot fudge, brownies, vanilla frosting, cherry bites, sprinkles...
 
 

I know you want a bite.  Don't you?

Okay, off I go, must check on furry boy.

I will share more details about call in and live chat for Sunday, as I find out.

Warmest!!

 

♥ ,V

 

ps:  My friend Dick (Mister's life-long friend and band mate) just popped over to give me a gift.  The New Sting Symphonicities CD, out today (yesterday when I wrote this).  If you love symphony + Sting, the subtle intro to Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, will give you chills - the whole song has a romantic film feel.  I have been listening to it as I type.  Oh oh and, Englishman in New York, swooon!  I am really enjoying it.

Of Sunflowers and Butterfly Flutters {for you}

It was an easy decision you see...

 

To see a great big, giant, huge sunflower bloom (oh, and tiny ones too), and say...

Mister Sunflower, you comfort me so... 

And, you remind me of the one I love... 

So, I will grow you in memory of Baby, and to comfort me, and to cast your smile upon the earth.

 

So, I have a plan, for these astoundingly huge sunflower trees, or so they seem to me...  

 

Mister Lovee is 5 ft ,11 inches. (those are shadows on his back ;)

And, yes I will be in trouble for that photograph posted.  But I wanted you to see, how huge the sunflowers are. Especially the extra tall one, in full bloom.

How did they get so huge I ask?  The stalks are mind blowing.

Some even have lots of blooms....

 

 

 

Amazing, what a seed can produce.  Isn't it?  I sort of walk around the yard in shock.  I made my parents come up and take a look.  And, ooooo and aaaaah, with me. 

So, I have a plan that I am really excited about.

And it quite includes you, in thought and spirit, that is.

But, before I tell you, let me take you on my rounds with me, so you can see that which fills my heart - and keeps me busy and healing...

Let's go to the other side of the giant oleanders, in the main front yard, and check on growing things, shall we?

Around the oleanders, and around the bench Mister put up for me the first weekend we spent in the country together (he engraved our love initials on the back.  I fell head over heels, and never left).

 

We come upon a pumpkin vine, and my herby shopping cart.

 

Surrounding the shopping cart, in the ground, are onions, tomatoes, carrots, parsley, corn and all sorts of herbs.  I used burlap and soil, in my shopping cart, and it has grown herbs beautifully, for 5 years now, in case you want to try it.

 

The basil in the ground (below) is growing in abundance.  The dill and cilantro are doing really well surrounding the basil.  Wish I could give you some through the screen...

 

But, just look at what is growing on that pumpkin vine I showed you above...

Squeal!

My first pumpkins of my life.

I am in shock actually.  I can't believe they grew, oh blessed be!

Now, let's see if they survive the creatures who want to gobble them up.

Across the way, from the shopping cart planter and the pumpkin vine surrounding it, is my bigger pumpkin vine area.

A little pumpkin patch, if you will...

 

There are birdhouse gourds and squash growing in there too, amongst the pumpkins.  Next time, I won't put them so close, although, I guess I don't mind the cross pollination, since I am only doing this for fun. And, the pumpkins are already growing and the gourds are barely being pollinated.

Would you like to take a close peek?  Please say yes ;)  

Let me bore you to death, won't you?

Oh yay!  I hoped you would say yes.

Look closer, won't you?

 

Halloween.  Can you feel it?  

3 months, or so.

Oh oh, and look over there...

Oh, and did you peek in there?

 

 

Oh, and maybe that one got pollinated too?

I help them when I can, but the bees are doing a good job...

 

Oh and another one...

 

Okay, I promise not to show you a photo of every single growing thing, but it is exciting, isn't it?

I'll tell you what, on this side of the garden, there have been huge growing sunflowers also, which make my not so secret plan possible...

Let's finish our rounds, and I shall spill the beans.

Back to the other side of the big oleanders, past the gypsy garden and the garden bath...

Oh look, more pumpkins from the seeds inside of store bought pumpkins, that I plopped into the ground.  Isn't that fun?  My store bought pumpkins lasted until late Spring, did yours?

Up the tree they go...

Oh, and sky high cosmos, from seed too.  Aren't they peaceful little guys?

Oh and, I have no idea what these white flowers are.  They looked like pearls at first, then opened into tiny pretty little things... 

And, from that same box of cottage seed I told you about a few posts ago, oodles of Black-Eyed Susans... 

And so, amongst all the hard work and watering and heat heat heat in my garden, there is goodness to share.

Because...

There is a sunflower waiting for you.

  

 

A sunflower that grew while Baby was amongst us. 

A sunflower that looked upon our little home.

A sunflower that has many beautiful seeds, ready to be planted...

Last year, I planted sunflowers at this time (it is very warm here until early November), and they lasted through fall.

So, for you...

I shall plant a grove of sunflowers.

Sunflowers for luck.

Sunflowers for love.

Sunflowers to heal the soul.

Sunflowers, in thanks.

 A sunflower for each of you who has been so kind and supportive during this healing time, and shared such tender words.  They aid me so, when those deep sad pangs visit.

Sunflowers, to warm your heart in thought. 

Just know that somewhere, in a bizarre Arizona, there is a sunflower growing with your name on it.  Filled with all the goodness it can muster, and more.

Let's watch them grow, and heck, you might even spot yours and name it ;)

Today I dropped little Matty off, for a little surgical procedure.  6 a.m. getting ready, and me, tossing and turning last night.  I am one restless furry mammie.  But, thinking about sunflowers, which I will start to plant this weekend, with you in mind, sounds like the perfect thing - yes yes indeed...

(phone rings)

Time to go pick up our wee boy from the animal hospital.

No time to spell check or edit, forgive the typos please ;)

Love, from our tiny house to you.

 

♥ ,V

 

 

ps:  With help from a random number generator, the lovely Jenny Woolf book winners are, Snap from Twisty Lane , and Sylvia from Anaboo Creations.  Hip hip hooray!  Send me your snail mail, gals ;)

Thank Goodness

Thank goodness for you and your beautiful notes, of which I read and felt every single letter, word and sentence.  Each one helping me begin my healing, holding my hand.  Thank you for sharing with me that you understand my feelings, which in turn shows me that I understand yours. 

Is there a phrase greater than thank you?

 

If so, that is what I feel...

You can't imagine how your kind words have helped me.  I have thought about them, in the garden, prompting all sorts of thankfulness.

A week of thinking and healing, and being, leads me to this...

 

I have in my heart you see, Thank Goodness-es a plenty.

For, as I meander through my garden, I think, thank goodness I planted all those seeds in early spring.

And that they slowly grew...

 

Because, the morning after we lost our girl, I couldn't get myself out of bed.  It was 9 a.m. and I knew that my plants had needed me since 5.  So, I slowly, with that heavy sort of heart, got out of bed...

And, in the garden, I found blooms open - waiting...

 

I looked down at a new fresh poppy and thought, "how did this happen?"

It felt like, things had happened so quickly.  Love, time, 10 years, in one blink, poof.

One minute Baby was with us running and playing, then all of a sudden she had a tumor growing rapidly up her nasal passage way, and around her left eye.  Making it hard to breathe, swallow, and lastly, making her unable to see...

It seemed, surreal.

I felt so sad.  I was upset, that a precious creature could be faced with such an ordeal.

We cried.

Loud, like children.

We cried with heart wrenching abandon.

I thought I saw her twice.

And then, sunflowers that had been growing for months, started to show their faces...

 

That's when I realized she was still here.

I saw her, I see her.  In my heart of course.  In my mind's eye.

The sunflowers whisper, everything is going to be okay.

 

And, their big blond leaves, remind me of my girl... 

With those thoughts, I kept doing my garden chores.

3 little pumpkin patches live in my garden, in different places.

A pumpkin patch.

That was one of the dreams the dogs and I made this summer.  We made dreams of grass, and towering sunflowers and pumpkins, and corn, and more...

Big dreams in the garden, I kept chanting, while planting seed after seed. 

While furry children, were constantly by my side.

 

I wasn't given high hopes from reasonable people around me, about what my garden could produce in our hot and dry climate.

 

Thank goodness, that I don't listen to reason.

:)

 

My friend Dick came over a couple of weeks ago, and I bored him with the ins and outs of my garden.  He asked me what I was going for?  He wondered if I was trying to grow a certain amount of pumpkins, or grow one a certain size?

 

And I said, quite honestly, I am just happy that we have gotten this far. 

 

Thankfulness.

I am so thankful that I got to know Baby, that I met her that day at the yard sale.

I am thankful for every morsel of tiny goodness.

I am thankful that my perception of life changed in my twenties, and that I embrace simplicity.

Because really, it is all too easy to drown, in this life, in this world. 

But if we think simply, we can live beautifully.

I can drown in complexities of sorrow.

Or, I can be happy with my experiences, and yes, mourn for their passing, but relish in the fact that they happened.

Plain and simple.

I'll leave the complexities to someone else...

 

Do I sound corny?

Sometimes I think I sound so corny.  I am a realistic person, and I know it is so much easier to be sarcastic and angry, than happy and silly and glad.

 But, I guess as you get older, silly, happy and glad, along with corny and sappy, get so much easier, and win over sarcastic and angry any ole day.  And bonus, you stop caring if it makes you cool or lame, to be happy and delighted (and corny).

Through happy and peaceful thoughts, little by little, I am healing. 

I am feeling uplifted, thanks to your words, my garden and choices.

Choosing to embrace all that is good.

Of course, I get huge pangs of sadness.  So I feel, and I cry.

Loss is such a yucky feeling.

But then, I remind myself of all the good.

And, I hug Mister and cuddle this one to no end...

 

And then, I feel a little better.

Over the last couple of days I have been enjoying the taunting monsoon skies...

 

Who gift droplets to my giant sunflowers...

 

 

 

 

 

Thank goodness for the rabbit who dropped the yellow squash he was "borrowing..."

It was yumm. 

Thank goodness for ripening peaches...

And sweet corn, oh my, yes indeed!

 

 

 

Oh, it was soooooo good.

Sweet delectable corn, thank goodness you grew!

(from oodles of 6 year old expired seeds, that I found in a drawer)

 

And, thank goodness to cactus flowers too...

 

In my garden, I start to heal, with its ups and down and all arounds.  Good things happen, and bad things happen...

 

Gophers happen. 

But the good, does out-weight the bad.

In life, and in the garden, you don't have to lose all hope.

Hearts heal in time...

I am open to love and loss, and feeling and healing.  I am open to crying and screaming, and laughing and squealing.  I am open to ups and downs and all arounds.

And most of all, I am open to believing.

 

And not always listening to reason.

 

I am ever so thankful for time and healing, and for having faith.

Wow, life is quite a ride and journey, and I am glad that we get to share it in snippets, right here.  You with me, and me with you.

 

 ♥,V

 

ps:  I will draw names for the Mad Tea Party book giveaway, and share a sunflower idea I have, in my next post.

pss:  I forgot to say that in the last few evenings, when I am out watering, I feel a strange feeling that someone is watching me.  Thank goodness, I discovered who who it was...