A Fanciful Twist

King Miles of the Santa Catalinas

I can hardly contain my joy and giddiness in getting to share the secret scrumptiousness regarding the newest member of our family.  Meet...

♥ Miles ♥

 

I can not contain myself.

I am madly in love.

He is funny and spunky and independent, and hilarious.

He is fearless, and playful, and LOVES his big brother.

 

And big brother loves him back, big time.

Matty (Matisse) thinks that Miles is his puppy.

:)

Matty accepted him as though they were brothers from birth.

They play and jump and tumble, and are hilarious.

I have video to share some time. 

A few months after we lost our precious Baby (a golden retriever), I started to hunt for a sibling for Matty.  But it always led to tears of missing her, and the unknown.  So I said a huge prayer, and whispered into the wind, that I was ready for a new furry baby, and to send me one when it was right.

We filled out adoption papers at rescue organizations.  But something didn't feel right (although we still want to rescue an older pup). So, we kept waiting.  And, I kept dreaming of a puppy.  I really had my heart set on a golden retriever, like Baby.

I woke up one day knowing, the day was near, for a new family member to enter our lives.

Then super unexpectedly, I found out about two baby golden retrievers available to adopt (a boy and a girl).  But, there was a couple in line before us, who would get first choice.  I secretly had fallen in love with the boy from a photo that was sent to me.

And then, the couple chose the little girl.

So, the last of the litter, was ours.

A boy pup.

The same way we got Matty, the last to be adopted. 

It seems that our boys were sort of chosen for us. 

Which I prefer, as I would have never been able to choose.

We made lists of names, but nothing suited him at all.

Miles wasn't even on our lists, until I just called it out (out of the blue), and it was the first name he responded to in two days.

Miles is a golden retriever, and I extra love how light and fluffy he is.  (his fur will get a bit darker as he gets older)

He is very young, just under 6 weeks, and gets sleepy quickly.  He can be tumbling around playing, and then find a spot and cuddle up.

These puppy times go so fast, I am devouring each moment... 

Miles is a little tough guy.  He grabs my nightgown hem and pulls on it, whilst growling at me.  He is very loveable, but doesn't like to be super babied.  He wants to run around like a big boy.

 

At night, he wakes up every two hours to go potty.  He does good at notifying me.

Today he slept for a four hour stretch, 3a.m. - 7 a.m. 

Yay for me :)

 

I love him so much, that I look forward to seeing him at 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. (And I especially love when we accidentally wake Matty, and he joins us)

Miles is a butterball of love. 

So fluffy, such a character already.

It is sooooo sweet to see Miles and Matty together...

We are so proud of Matty, and at how super well he is taking this.

Cuddly, cutie cutieeeeeee!

I can't even think of words to type right now. 

Other than squeals and delightments in high pitched baby talk :)

I made littles (what I called him before he had a name) a bed right by my bed, surrounded by soft washable rugs, potty training pads (newspapers too), and then I blocked him in.  I also blocked him from being able to go under the bed.  He loves his space.

 

Mammie gave Matty the fluffy bed for Christmas, and Matty didn't want it, but puppy loves it.  Only, now Matty cuddles up on it with puppy.  So funny the way that happens.

So, that is my secret.

My wondrous lil' no longer a secret.

A new baby, of the furry variety.

Beyond bliss (to me).

And, as I watch him sleep...

It is snowing in the desert.

Can you believe it? 

 

It's a good week to welcome our fluffy

King Miles of the Santa Catalinas

into our lives.

(Mister Lovee thought up the King and Santa Catalinas part, since we live at the base of the Santa Catalina mountains and all)

So, with that, I am off to cuddle my bundle of pure goodness, and my Matty love.

I am besotted.

Head over heels.

Madly in love.

(Mister Lovee is crazy in love too)

Oh and, I adore Matty so much, I didn't know how my heart was going to be able to love two, but it does, and quite naturally at that.

I am in a house of all boys, who would have thought?

 

 

ps:  Remember when we brought Matty home, here???  He grew up way too fast. Oh, I love this post here too.

Back from our Holiday Adventure

Heloooo there!  We are back from our little voyage out of town.  It was lovely and delightful, and so good to see my whole family.

The festivities were much like 2008 and 2009 and the years before that as well.  So, I won't bore you with endless photos.

But I will tell you this, we were greeted by a life-size metal angel with a porcelain face, that I wanted to kidnap :)

Alas, it's not like you can do that without being obvious.

"Oh Mom, how odd, your angel is strapped to the roof of my car.  How did that happen?"

See, doesn't work.

;)

My sister made her signature cookies, as did Mammie.  Then we had an amazing Christmas Eve dinner as we do every year, and the whole family got together.  It was simply bliss, to be with everyone, laughing and carrying on...

Oh, we laughed soooo much.  My cheeks are still sore from laughing.

The Christmas eve dinner Mammie prepared was out of this world scrumptious, and we enjoyed several more meals together over the holiday (until we couldn't even imagine fitting in one more morsel).

(Mom makes a spiral ham, scalloped potatoes to die for, an amazing salad with pears and nuts.  Plus a stuffed and rolled flank steak, that is sliced with stuffing in the center (unreal), and more.  I can't even remember right now...)

Then, we had our Christmas Day festivities (after our Santa gifts at home) at my Grandma and Grandpa's, as we have since I was born.  The whole family (extended too), gets together for tamales, menudo, oven toasted buttered Mexican bread and the most killer beans on the planet (and I don't even like beans that much).  Oh, plus oodles of desserts.

One of the bestest parts of the whole trip, were our "kids" - my sister's Douglas, and my Matty (Matisse).  They added so much fun and frolic to the whole adventure.  Matty did really really well, and is proving to be quite the good boy outside of the house (as well as at home).  Albeit, still reserved and suspicious of strangers.  Which I think shows quite good character on his part.

 

Matty and Douglas played and played.  I think Douglas got sick of Matty though, because Matty could play all day and all night, non-stop.  He loves to play and play and play, without rest.

There were so many doggie gifts, and two of the stuffed dogs you see above and below.  But of course, they both only wanted one.

Silly rascals. 

(Matty's fave gift is a pink elephant)

Matty isn't a huge dog, but he is very long, which makes him super tall when he walks on two feet (err paws).  He is rather good at it.  Sort of faun like, me thinks ;)

We came home to a chaotic house, superkalifragilistically fun tales yet to share (eeeeeeee!), and a winter storm headed our way.  Yikes.

We are enjoying citrus from our trees.  The oranges are like candy.  Candy I tell ya.  And, the lemons taste like oranges.  Curious.

So, that's the 411 around here.

Did you eat so much you could explode?

Boy, we sure did.

 We left our country house a mess from wrapping gifts and such.  We sort of just locked up a house of disaster, and went on a Christmas voyage.  Returning home to havoc was well, havoc, haha!

So, I have sorted out things pretty well, and, now our life is topsy turvy in other ways.

Good ways.

I will we back ever so soon, once I get my next tale in order.

So happy to be home, and here.

 

Love, V

 ♥

 

ps:  They say we might get snow.  Yes, snow.  Oh me, oh my!  We had snow year before last, I think?  But it melted by noon. 

♥ Happy Merry Jolly Holiday ♥

The most wonderful time of the year is in full swing.  Scrumptious edibles, twinkling lights, gift wrapping & a heavy dose of madness galore...

 

 

 

My days have been so packed full, that I could so use an extra week, how about you? 

But wait, how rude of me.  Come in, let me take your coat.  Do enter, through the looking glass, if you will.  It's the bestest way to enter a room, wouldn't you agree?

My to do list is getting smaller and smaller.  However, I still need some gifts.

I got all of my shipping for last minute orders done on Moday & I painted the giant manger backdrop for my beautiful hometown church (2 hours away), as it still had the backdrop I painted when I was 13.

I put up my "Christmas tree" a couple of weeks ago, and finally got to take some photos.  I was working in the studio one day, and I was thinking about getting a small tree, when I stopped what I was doing, and went outside...

I then pulled all the dry tomato vines off of a tomato trellis, flipped it upside down....

 

Wrapped some wire around the legs, to hold it in a cone shape...

And then, put all of my favorite ornaments on it.

I have to admit.

I have really enjoyed this pseudo tree, a lot. 

 

It's light and pretty, and let's me see all of my ornaments.

I have no idea what possessed me to do this.

But, it makes me happy.

The Dream Keeper was gifted a beautiful huge teal flower this week (from Mombie). 

Quite festive, me thinks.

Below is another through the mirror photo.  My tribute to Alice in Wonderland assemblage sculpture that I made for the Mad Tea Party 2010 is what I stare at, all lit up (with a little Christmas tree in the window), as I fall asleep...

The inside is cute too.  I love finding little ornaments at thrift stores.  I found the one below (which is inside the Alice dollhouse) several years ago, and it always makes me smile... 

Last month I was at the pharmacy, and I saw this wee little guy below, and had to bring him home with me.  He sleeps on my pillow ;)

All the candy jars are full.  But, confession #1, I have not baked much at all this season.

I had a huge 700+ photo project I have been working on for my granny, and finished that, finally.  This week has been mad busy.  Anyhow, I was going to do some baking and candy orange peels yesterday, and really get into the spirit, when I got hit with a mad vertigo spell.  It lasted 18 hours.  It was rotten beyond describable (is that a word?).

I should have seen the signs for a couple of days (some of you know about me and vertigo).  But I had not had an episode in so long, that I didn't pay attention to the tell tale signs.  Then it hit me hard yesterday. Thankfully, I had my vertigo medication on hand, and took it right away.

I feel a bit back to normal now, and should be 100% for Christmas, thank heavens.

I rarely get sick (with colds etc.), so I find vertigo awfully stinky.

 

I came back to my happy world from the netherworld of spinning, to find little gifts left by Elfin Lovee, hidden around the house.  He said, that was his plan for gift giving this year.  Hiding things here and there.  And, I quite like his idea :)

 

I really can't think of anything that I need and want other than the ones I love to be healthy and happy.  I put a red bow on Matty, and called his papa in, and hollered, "Merry Christmas..."

Mister Pupster Matisse (aka Matty) is the gift that keeps on giving.

He hides under me.

He goes everywhere with me.

He sings Christmas Carols with me.

Awwwwr awwwwwwwrrrrr....

(I call him my little seal, when he puts his ears back like that)

And, he even throws in a howl or two for good measure.

(He is standing right by me, with his chin on my lap, and is trying to pull my hand off the keyboard so I can stop typing and play)

Anyhow, what was I saying?

Oh yes.

A happy healthy life is gift enough for me.

I want for nothing, but for everything to stay as it is for as long as it can.

Blue skies & fluffy clouds included.

Did I mention that, I love fur.

No, not fur coats :)

Fur babies.

I might get a second fur ball soon.  A sibling for Matty.

YAY!

We send our most heart filled happy holiday wishes to you and yours, from our desert land...

We must be on our way.

Wrapping to do...

(I got Matty some fun gifts, and a HUGE awesome gift for my little cousin Carolina)

Aaaaand, we might even brave some last minute shopping tonight, Mister and I. 

I made several green rice krispy treats the other day, and I dare say, you can't go wrong with rice krispy treats can you?  They are so yummy.  I might make a large batch tonight, for friends and family, depending on how I feel.

(I love shaping them)

So, with that I shall say....

From our cotton ball tree forest to yours...

Many many many warm of warmest holiday wishes, sent your way. 

Thank you for being a part of this place.  Even if I am stinky at e-mail sometimes, and at making visits, you and this place we get to meet at, means the world to me.

Never forget that. 

You make "here" what it is.

 

 

 

ps:  Every free printable gift tag and tutorial I have ever shared (like the gift tags below) can always be found in my right hand sidebar under Free Treats.  Just in case you need some last minute gift tags...

Here is the Printable PDF for the tags below

(give it a few seconds to open)

 

 
pss:  I almost forgot to share a fun December treat.  My art piece titled "The Curious Playroom, Land of Enchantment" was on the cover of Pop Rocket this month.  It is a publication in one of my favorite Arizona towns, Prescott.  There is an interview you can read right here  if you'd like...

 

See you sooooon.

May your days be Merry and Bright ♥

La Luna {a Winter Fiesta, of sorts}

I have a tiny adventure for you, on the cusp of where, Arizona nights meet the winter solstice...

You see, I was going to throw you a proper holiday party tonight.  You know, blinking reindeer earrings, garlands as a collar.  The whole bit.

But then, the moon turned up. 

Preparing itself to put on an eclipse show later..

And so, with la luna - encasing my thoughts...

I hired a hay ride (of the imaginary variety), to take you through my neck of the woods, on a beautiful winter evening journey in Southern Arizona. 

Where enchantment, like glowing flames, drips out of the sky... 

 

So, picture this.

It is 68' F as the sun sets.

The air is perfect.  Not humid, not dry.

It smells fresh, clean - but dashed with a hint of Mexican Moon... (ps:  Mister Lovee won me over when he handed me a cd of him and his band covering that tune)

Okay so...

You jump onto a horse drawn hay ride.

(Now, humor me for just a second, if you will)

Ottmar happens to be on the same hayride (of course ;).

Your shoulders start to move back and forth...

As he plays this...

Cheesy scenario?

But good, right?

The glow of the moon is astounding...

 

And then, you see where the hay ride is taking you....

Gypsy nights.

The lights glitter and glow, and you can't help but jump off the hayride and dance, right there under a sparkling tree...

You close your eyes under the moon, and sway...

 

La Luna plays...

 

December in Arizona.

Oh so yumm. 

Gypsies twirl, in their embroided skirts, throwing their heads up in laughter...

And you join in.

How can you not?

No one knows you here, break free ;) 

 

It's a Christmas party, in the gypsy garden, under the moon, in the desert...

 

Lights swirl...

Hair flows in the breeze...

You feel the music from the tips of your fingers, to the tips of your toes.

And the moon, oh the moon...

Are you a gypsy tonight?

Enchanted evenings.......

Happy Winter Solstice!

Now, back under the moon I go.

Hope to see you there!

Oh wait, I think I hear you now...

Oh how fabulous, what ever have you got on?

You are in full costume...

Do give me the details of your ensemble.

My goodness look at you, you're a vision ;)

 

 
 
 

Sparkly

It's getting mighty sparkly out there in the world, in the midst of holiday week madness, don'tcha think?  I love it, the chaos.  I mean, if you take a deep breath and say "c'est la vie," then it's kinda fun...?

 

I have been to the post once, and on my way back for one more "oodles of parcels" shipment.  Although, I am shipping every 24 hours or less, up until the 22nd (per my shop).

I am the gal in the post office that everyone dislikes (too many packages & holds up the line).  I can literally feel the eyeballs on me.  So, I just smile and make sure to be super organized, so I just get there and Jason slaps a price on everything, rings me up, and off I go.

Which is what I am about to do in 3 minutes.

So, here's the deal.

When I get back, it's party time.

You and me, blogstyle fiesta.

Okay?

 

You know what that means?

Anything is possible.

Internet + imagination + comfort of your own home.

=

Awesomeness party times.

Slippers included.

 

 

 

 

 

ps:  I do a lot of my shipping from home too, but sometimes, I love visiting our little post office, which is tiny and usually not that busy ;) 

 

Hola and Heloo!

Hi friendssssss!  I missed being here.  I have had the most crazy wacky outrageously busy week, and have been out and about running errands, more than ever (oddly, nothing Christmas related).  So I feel slightly out of the loop.  I so missed this lovely little world we share.

 

I am cleaning and painting today (my sis is coming for a visit in a couple of days, yay!), and so, I have to run and mind my chores. 

But, I have been meaning to tell you a story for ages and ages.

It was Holiday 2009.

My beloved friend Laura had sent homemade, beautiful chocolate covered caramels.

I ate one, they were mind blowingly splendiforous.

Then I put them in the middle of the dining table and went to make coffee.

A few minutes later, with a cup of hot coffee, I walked over to grab a confection, only to find that they were gone.  I yelled at Mister Lovee, telling him how rotten he was to not save me even a bite of one (he is known for such antics).

He looked at me quizzically.

It wasn't him who gobbled them.

We both knew what that meant.

So, we both looked for Matty.

(picture below is from today, while he was doing back flips)

 

Matty's face was covered in chocolate.

And, the pretty chocolate wrapping was by his side.

I went bonkers, because they tell you chocolate can kill dogs.

Which it can, but after doing some research and talking to the vet, it turns out it has to be more than he gobbled.

Phew.

But, he did get extra hyper.

:)

We learned our lesson.

No chocolate can be left unattended.

Here is the video I took December 2009, after Matty had eaten all of the chocolates, and we knew he would be okay.

(I love how he looks side to side when I say "and now look")

I love this crazy monkey.

He is my 24/7, partner in crime.

Aren't I super annoying?

I know, I know.

At least I am totally aware of it  ;)

 

This is him making faces at me :)

I guess I best be off.

More super soon.

I did a little holiday decor a couple weeks ago, and want to do more tonight.

Oh, and a cold front came in.

Monday it was a high of 85' F

Yesterday 63'F

Today, I am not sure, but there are big fluffy clouds in the sky, and snow on the mountains.

That's Southern Arizona for ya.

Love it.

  

♥ ,V

 

 

ps:  Oops, maybe it was February (Valentine's) that Matty ate Laura's chocolates? and not December?  Either way, the story still stands.  Even though the date may be wrong, haha

 

Through the Trees {a painting}

How to tell you about this place?  This place called, Through the Trees...

 

A place I hold in the depths of my imagination.  A place I long to escape to.  A place so magical and enchanted, that only in dreams, can we venture there...

About 7 years ago, I had a certain dream.  In this dream, I saw the most beautiful cloud filled sky, illuminated by lights glowing in the distance.

There was a full moon, and the stars almost winked when they twinkled.

 

I saw a hill, covered in trees.

And, in this dream, the leaves fell off of the trees in one fell swoop, and fluttered away like birds.

Coming from beyond the trees, way in the distance, I could hear music and laughter.

I could hear a carousel, and the crackling of popcorn.

I could almost smell cotton candy.

I closed my eyes, and I saw the most magical place ever.

A place I can not describe.

It was like a carnival village, or even an old fashioned fair...

Everything sparkled and glowed.

I felt the purest childlike happiness in my heart.

The happiness made me feel like I could fly.

People were in costume, and it seemed like it could have been 100 years ago, or longer.

There were little pastry shops and candy stands, bursting with goodness.

Old fashioned treats and song everywhere.

Masks and dance.

Jugglers and magicians.

A puppeteer and his incredible theater.

It was so enchanting, that I can not find the words to describe it all.

But perhaps, you know of this place as well?

Now, in this dream I speak of, as I stood looking through the tree grove -

I saw two people emerge, who had been at the magical place beyond the trees...

 

They seemed to be dressed up, maybe even in costume.

 

And the only sign, telling me they had been there,

was the lollipop carried by the lass, and the balloon carried by the lad.

 

They had been there.

To that place.

And I knew, they held delightment filled secrets, gathered...

 

Through the Trees...

 

I started this piece in my mind, years ago.  But it wasn't until this past summer that I began sketching and painting it.

Through the Trees will be a series.

 

A place I would like to visit often.

And, who knows who else we might spot, coming back from their adventures...?

 

Through the Trees (16" x 20")

is now available

in my shop.

 

 

 

ps:  My brother and I have been working on music for this series for several months.  He moved to LA and is super busy filming.  He actually finished a small piece to it early on, but we plan to work more on it in the coming weeks.  Here are some snippets of songs  he has composed for some of my work.  (we are also working on a cd, so we can share some of our music in 2011, with new songs by both him and I) 

Golden Leaves

Every morning, the sun peeks over the mountains, and sends flickers of light through the windows...

I wake up, just as the sun peers over.

I put on something warm, or simply grab a blanket, and go outside with Matty.

It is a groggy walk around our yard, on that first lap.

 Our property is enclosed by either a fence or a wall on all 4 sides.  Giving Matty a sort of biosphere to live in.  He runs around, almost always on the same route.  It's his world, this little plot of land.

We start out in front, through the corridor of trees...

He runs ahead, and I look around, seeing what I can see. 

Marching on slowly, in my slippers. 

Waking up, whilst walking...

Sometimes, I get dressed to run around the yard myself.  But other times, Matty is so impatient, I just hop out in my pj's and grab a throw, running out for the first morning jaunt. 

And so, it was on this golden leaf morning, as we whipped around to the back yard, that I realized how delighted I was that I ran outside quickly with Matty, in two flannel nightgowns and grey slippers.  No tennis shoes, no running around garb.

No time to waste.

Nature beckoned us.

It was quiet.

The sun was cresting over the mountain.

Our beloved huge apricot tree, had almost lost all of its leaves...

Leaving behind...

 A golden ocean.

I had a song in my head.

I hummed it softly.

Making sure, to close my eyes...

Creating a memory of the brisk morning air, the sun's luminous rays -

and, the golden sea of leaves....

Our weather is ever so curious in Arizona. 

It froze a couple weeks ago, only to warm up into the mid 70's (F) for the last week.  And, just to make sure it fits its name (or what I call it), A Bizarre Arizona...

It will be 81' F today.

In December.

Fancy that wackiness...  :)

I have a long "to do" list this week, so I best get some coffee brewing and get to work.  Are you extra busy too?  I bet you are.  Up to anything delicious? 

 

  

ps:  I need to throw you all a party.  Some of you lil' rascals remembered my b-day on Decemeber 11th.  I was sort of being quiet about it because I felt guilty being all me me meeeee, all the time :)  But it was a gloriously lovely day, and I had a little birthday party dinner with my Mom and Dad and Mister Lovee.  There were oodles of flowers and balloons, and it was plain wonderful.  Thank you for sending me birthday wishes, faaaaank U!

Can you spot the carnation elfin puppy face? 

Faintingly cute! Just like the beloved gifter ;)

And thanks to Mombie for the 2 dozen mini cheesecakes, for her cheesecake daughter.  EEEEks.  I ran some over to my lovely neighbor, in my pj's.  But I fear, I might gobble the rest with the help of mister.  Must send some to Yodi (who I miss) ;) 

pss:  Update: I shared 16 of my mini cheesecakes with friends.  Hooray!

Elves, Cakeheads, Elfin Houses + a Girl with a Cake

Heloo there, here I am (Friday night), in case you were looking at adopting a wee one.  It took me all day to finish up the tiny faces, photograph them, and get them ready to find homes.  As soon as I post this, I will begin the task of loading babes into my shop.  Friday night, eeks ;)

 

I know, this is such a slow process.  Which is usually why I don't say anything until the last minute ;)  Alas, I thought I would finish sooner.

Did I mention that Mice and Birdling Mama's have entered my life?

With their babies...

 

Also cakeheads, to sweeten the day...

 

I also have a painting to share that I have been working on, for well, a long time.

I started it on that day in late spring, when I took my studio outside.

 

And then, I put her away.  Not for any reason really, life just got busy.

 

I picked her back up a couple weeks ago, and finished her. 

 

She has comforted me so.

With her bee...

 

Her Butterfly...

 

And her cake...

I am simply calling this piece.

The Party.

Because, for some reason, I think that this lass makes a party out of every single day...

 

So, those are some of the faces you will see if you pop on over to my shop tonight.

Also, here is a little roll up of all the faces that will be available.

 

Here is the link to my shop

:)

 

Off I go...

 

 

 

ps: Friday night - I am adding them one by one, so if you happen to be here tonight, they will be going in rather slow ;)

UPDATE:  It is Saturday morning, and all the babes have been adopted.  Thank heavens, as they were all so nervous, wondering about who would get to fly off before the holidays :)  Thank you over the moon in circles, for everyone who was here last night (and early this morning too).  What a fun whirlwind of good vibes you all shared with me!  Love, V

Little Faces

Little Faces will hit the shop later today (evening).  I can't wait to share them! 

 

I'll be back in a few hours with pictures and creatures, before I pop them into my shop. 

Long time coming, these cuties, I tell ya ;)

(Is this the shortest post ever?  Who am I? tee hee)

 

 

Holiday Decor & a Proper Thank you

First of all, I wanted to say, thank you.  Thank you for being you, for sharing your heart's turmoils and delights.  Thank you for being so supportive and caring.  I think we all agree that even in the depths of a rotten day, things can turn bright and lovely.

 

It is so important for us to let our friends (and all loved ones for that matter) feel what they need to feel.  I think it is just as good to cry, as it is to laugh. 

As we all know by now, life is full of ups and downs.  I personally don't like downs, who does?  And I try to make good out of yuck, as quickly as possible (like the other day I was all fixed up the very same day).  But when stinky things happen, they happen, and everyone dusts themselves off at a different pace.  Which is a-okay in my book.

I also think that it's good to talk about things, when we feel like it.

So, what a treat, that we get to meet here, and chat.  And tell life secrets from time to time.

I am just finishing up some wee faces, and should "so not" be here right now.

But, I had to share my thoughts.

Annnnnd......

Because I couldn't resist, I had to throw in some -

Sparkly decor...

 

It is soooo super sparkly in person, but the photos do it no justice.

I am officially holiday inspired.

I intend to make Nigella's Christmas cake this year.  Although, sometimes I watch her make this, simply for amusement.  I think I shared it before?

(teddy bear noses, eeeeeeeeeeee!)

Okay, off I skeddaddle. 

You are lovely!

I will back back sooner than ever, I hope ;)

 

 

 

ps:  Here is a link for "do it yourself" mixed spice

An Odd Little Day

It was a no good, super duper awful morning today.  Ever had one of those?  It was not a life threatening morning, which almost makes anything else trivial really.  But, I would say, it was gasp worthy rotten.  I drove home in tears.  I arrived to hugs from Mister, as well as outrageous hugs and loves from Matty.  

All whilst a tiny hummingbird looked on.

 

Things go down so funny in my little world sometimes.

  I called my mom, and she commiserated.  In only the way a mom can. 

Then I called my sister.  She rocked with her words, and made me feel a lot better. 

Then my dad called me, and in his superhero way, patched up my spirit. 

I crawled into my bed and pulled the covers over my head.

Then Lovee and Matty jumped into my bed with me, and of course, we cried for Baby.  Because that is what we do, especially when we feel mashed up and rotten.  We miss her. Then the three of us hugged, Matty, Mister and me.

Mom called again.  Making everything extra better.

Then my sister sent me an incredible quote.

And, my dad called again, and I cried, telling him how lucky I am to have them all.

He agreed, that I was lucky.

:)

And I realized...

Nothing matters more than love and people who care about you (who you care about too).

I knew that already.

But, don't you love how the universe shows you what matters most?

Even if it does it in the most astonishing fashion?

Gives me chills.

 I went outside, and guess who was still hanging around?

I asked him if he wouldn't mind waiting while I grabbed my camera?

In I ran, and back out again...

As I started snapping photos, he turned his head around and looked at me ever so curiously.

 

And then, he totally hammed it up.

I felt his kindness.

No really, I did. 

And I lost myself, in that moment... 

With turquoise and cobalt metallic feathers, and a beak.

 

On this funny, odd little rotten day...

That turned out to be, a-okay, in a round about way.

 

Have you had yourself a rotten little day lately?

Severely rotten?  Only a tinge rotten?

I'll tell you what, let's make a list, and I'll turn it into night sky fire-light sparkles, while I roast marshmallows.

You have a free sounding board, starting now :)

Whatta ya say?

Mine had to do with a freaky weird car incident, and a piece of art getting mashed up.

 

Now your turn....

 

 

 

ps:  Thank goodness for subscriptions, the US postal service and mailboxes.  A break, in the sun, with a magazine, is just what I need.

 

Circus Magic {an original art piece}

Every evening as day faded into night, she would spread her magic, gracefully sprinkling it over the old time circus...

That which would occur, as the glowing twinkles of magic landed, could only be left to our wildest imagination, and tales of lore.

 

Wide-eyed children peered up, mouths agape.  Such mesmerized hopeful believers (and secretly, so were their parents).

The lovely ballerina soared through clouds and stars...

And, the sky danced with the faint sound of a pipe organ in the distance, playing the most curiously delightful tune... 

 

It was as though a silence came over the crowd when she appeared.  Each person hoping for a dusting of magical light.... 

It was said that, when it was time for folks to venture home, their paths glowed with golden starlight.  And, they merrily skipped along, carrying enough memories to last night after night...

 

Circus Magic

An original art piece

16" x 20" x 1.5"

Which can be found in my shop, right here...

 

I will be back very soon, as I have a tiny pocket of fun things to share.

 

 

 

ps:  Oodles of thanks to Amalia k for such a lovely blog post write up.  A wonderful lil' surprise indeed.

The Cream Puff {a tale}

I realize that after this blog post, many of you might be so apalled, that you may consider never speaking to me again.  Turning your face, at the mere thought of Vanessa and her wicked ways...

But I beg of you, please trust me.

I mean no harm.

Really really, it's all in good fun.

It's just that, I've been charmed.

Charmed by sweetness.

Cuteness too.

 

Charmed by a cream puff.

Oh yes, it's true.

And who of you, can sit and point, and laugh at my plunging into such fluffy delight?

When I know that, on some level, in some place in time, at some point in your life...

You have loved a cream puff too. 

 

Perhaps the cream puff you once loved, wasn't in the form of a confection...

But perhaps it was an actual lad or lass?

You know, the one with the smile, and the twinkly eyes.

The one that made your heart go flippity-flooop with madness soup.

The one you should have never allowed yourself to be charmed by...

But, how could you resist?

 

Then again, maybe your cream puff experience was good?

I actually have had good and bad ones, myself.

Who knows, maybe you live with a delectable cream puff now? (I live with 2)

:)

All I am saying is this.

Plunge.

Once or twice in life.

Just plunge.

But this time, make it an easy, sure to be happy choice.

Simply jump into your car, and drive to your local bakery.

Or walk, or pedal, or skate there!

 But go.

:)

(Can you tell I don't want to be in this all alone?)

Skoot, c'mon.

Thanks to Mister Lovee, and his gift of two of these, for a lovely tea party guest and me...

 Her and I both plunged.

(She had hers for dinner, I had mine the next morning)

Will you?

 

You should know that, I saved half of my cream puff for Mister Lovee. (that's love)

It was light and custard filled, and crisp, and yumms.

Not too sweet either, just like I like.

But now, I have to go run around my yard. (maybe not)

Oddly, I feel less guilty than I should.

That must be my rottenness shining through.

But I do, have to get back to work...

 

It's funny how the painting door holds a memory of the piece I just worked on.  That is, until I start a new one...

 

 

♥

 

 Lalalalalove, V

 

ps:  Do you have a cream puff tale, you are bursting to share?  Oh, DO tell ;) 

pss:  Isn't it funny, when you decide not to eat something yummy, but instead just take one bite.  And then, you go back for another bite, and then another, in a short time frame...  Until the whole thing is gone?

psss:  That was my first real cream puff ;)

Going on a Voyage?

As Matty and I took a break in the gypsy wagon today, I thought, we should really go on a voyage.  You know, a dream trip somewhere...

 

Matty wasn't convinced.  He just sulked.

I said -

Awe, c'mon Matty, let's get out of town...

Pack up our stuff and go anywhere.

 

But Matty was like...

Why do we have to go anywhere?

 I love home.

I smiled and said....

 

I have the best idea.

We will go on the voyage of all voyages.

A voyage where we get to sleep in our own beds.

Where we can have, and eat and buy anything we want because...

It's a voyage in our minds.

He perked up.

Albeit, just a little, as he was still skeptical.

That's just the kind of guy he is :)

Then I thought about how silly it was of me, to be dreaming about a pretend vacation.

So, I expunged the thought.

But just as quickly as I expunged it, I grabbed it, and dragged it back.

And I thought...

Really, if I could go anywhere (all expenses paid, plus spending money), where would I go?

I don't know.

?

I really don't know.

Where would you go?

Do you know?

Would it be to the forest or the sea?  On a sail boat?  In a tee-pee?  To the east or to the west?  Across the ocean?  Oh my, oh me?  I don't know....  For some odd & totally random reason, natural pools of hot springs keep popping into my head.  So odd.

 

Oh where, oh where, oh where would you go?

 

♥ ,V

 

Welcome December

Early morning brings a glimmer of light through the windows.  It's the same every morning.  A puppy stands by her bedside, making squeaky noises until she ever so slightly opens her covers and he jumps in.  They cuddle.  It's the warmest place on earth, cuddled up next to her furry child.

This was the same girl who was appalled in years past, at folks cuddling in bed with their furry creatures.  Wait, strike that, this wasn't the same girl.

This was a different girl.  A fur embracing girl.

 

So, in that bed, human her and furry he...

 

Cuddled, under a roof, in a love shackling.

She whispered to him about Santa visiting soon, and the meaning of Christmas.  His daddy could explain Hanukkah later :)

As she told him this tale, she thought about all the things about life she wanted to tell him.  Things he couldn't possibly know.  Like about Santa, and tooth fairies, and Easter bunnies, and and, leprechauns.

She realized she had lifetimes of tales to tell him.

She almost got overwhelmed with the realization of it all, but she quickly calmed herself...

Simply sticking to the tale of old Saint Nick for now, on this very beloved first day of December. 

 

He looked at her, this furry boy, his head slightly cocked to one side in amazement as she told her tale.  She knew he understood.  In some way, he understood. 

And so they made a pact, to bake cookies and candy orange peels, and paint and make elves, while waiting ever so impatiently for Christmas morn at Granny and Grampy's house. 

 

Him and her, she and he.

 

What a nice day to welcome December...

 

My favorite month.

The month I was born in.

The month when everyone goes crazy cutting out snowflakes and making gingerbread.  Readying for family visits and all that the holiday season brings...

I am almost done with a handful of little faces, and on my way to keep working along ;)

See you super soon! 

 

 

 
ps:  Often I forget about older posts, however, this morning I enjoyed looking at holiday 2008, here at AFT.  Can't wait to get snowflake cutting.

pss:  It is cold here, can you believe it? 17'F in the morning, with no humidity.  Just dry cold.  I know it might not be cold to you, but it is to us.  We had a cold snap that brought in the freezing temps, turning most of my garden brown and crispy.  But that's okay.  It has me dreaming about what to plant in spring, along with what seeds to plant now.

psss:  We watched and loved The Pillars of the Earth, have you seen it?  Great cast.  We watched the whole series in two nights on Netflix.  We got a tad addicted :)