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Every summer, I like to gather up a hearty handful of garden photos, to share in one long post. Today happens to be that very day. A day to share insights and tales, and pretty things too...
As you have heard one too many times, I love to garden. However, I am by no means a professional, or super fantastical gardener (I know many of you are). Like everything else in my life, I was drawn to gardening (at 19) and tried it by blindly jumping in. This goes for almost everything else in my life as well. If I am intrigued by something, I jump in.
I have to admit, I don't take classes for anything I have ever tried (hardheaded). I get anxious in a classroom. I don't know how I ever got through college sometimes. Although I did enjoy many of my classes, come to think of it.
One thing I do enjoy is reading books.
So, whenever I have been interested in something that I know nothing of, I try it, and then pick up some books to assist me along the way. But I am mostly a "wing it" kinda girl.
Concocting and inventing along the way, sometimes making my life more difficult.
The thing about gardening is that, over the years, I have planted many different seeds, and over the years, the seeds which have chosen to grow, are the ones I usually stick with...
(front yard below)
I decided to create this post, after receiving different e-mail questions about which seeds grow best, if container gardening works, how much water seeds need, etc.etc.
Of course, I live in the desert, and different climates make a world of difference in the garden.
Here in Southern Arizona it is hot in summer (over 100+ almost all summer). However, where I live is a very different climate from say Phoenix, or even Northern Arizona. Northern Arizona is much much cooler, and Phoenix is much hotter.
Here there is little rain, until monsoon season comes (now), and a snap of winter rains. (autumn and winter are wonderful here (little to no snow), but it does get into freezing temps sometimes in winter)
The summer sun is more than hot, but we do have a lot of huge shade trees.
The flowers that do the best for me, year after year are cosmos, marigolds, roses, hibiscus, black eyed susans, coreopsis, verbena, snapdragons, sunflowers, yarrow, morning glories, nasturtium, dahlias, a handful of assorted wild flowers, and last but not least, the ever kind zinnia.
The zinnias have been incredible this year.
I planted Stover brand zinnia seeds, both Lilliput and California Giants Mixed. Both in the ground, and in pots.
The results have been rather jaw-dropping.
Small tree like zinnia bushes (3-4 ft), that keep giving and giving and giving. So, as you can imagine, I highly recommend trying zinnias.
They like to be watered everyday, and every time you cut a bloom, a handful of others turn up to take their place.
When I lived at the city house, I tried to plant zinnias from small store bought plants. They never worked. Oh and, believe it or not, at the city house I had a beautiful ficus tree, and ferns, all of which freeze just 30 minutes away at the country house due to different elevation.
Anyhow, this year I planted a ton of zinnia seeds...
The color assortment has been amazing, with even some giant two toned zinnias...
The bees, hummingbirds and butterflies stop by for rests on the zinnias all day...
The thing is this...
When you find seeds that like to grow in your garden, you can then start delving into all the different kinds of flowers within that one kind.
Also, I tried a test.
I planted seeds in all of my pots this year.
I pulled out all the pots I had, in every different size.
All my pots are concrete or clay, and the seeds did wonderfully in pots. Something I didn't really expect, as I have always been an "in ground planter." But, because of the gophers and the bunnies, and the lizards, I tried pots.
It was a huge hit.
So, I hope you are inspired to plant in pots (if you don't already)...
It can be as rewarding as planting in ground.
Such a great thing to learn this year.
This year, my hibiscus is in ground. But at the city house, the hibiscus grows beautifully in a giant clay pot that is about 3 ft. tall, and 3 ft. in diameter at the opening.
The zinnias are doing excellent in the ridiculously hot sun all day.
I am really impressed by their resilience.
The lilliput zinnias below, burst up through our orange tree.
So many colors!
The other thing I have learned, is to plant seeds that I harvest each year. Last year I had 4 ft. tall marigolds and cosmos, so I made sure to harvest seeds.
This year I planted those harvested seeds, and got some amazing tall beautiful flowers. This is especially true of the cosmos and marigolds.
When I harvested the seeds last year, I mixed them all together, and I put them in an airtight glass jar. Then, I simply planted the seeds in spring.
The large white cosmos are from last year's harvested seeds.
I also have a huge respect for self seeding flowers...
You never know what you are going to get from last year. The best thing I ever did was plant a cottage seed mix in 2009. It has been the gift that keeps on giving. With evening primrose galore, and coreopsis, and more...
The original cosmos came from store bought seeds, however, these below are also from my own harvested seeds.
Now, here is the fun thing. Since cosmos do so well here, I decided to try different kinds of cosmos. In spring I planted Rose Bon Bon cosmos seeds, from Select Seeds. They are beautiful with a triple ruffle. Right now they are blooming all over the garden. They are super tall, and ever so pretty...
Such a delightful addition.
As for growing in pots...
I personally, overfilled (not good) some of my pots with seeds. I had a seed mixture of my own seeds, and plunked them in all of my pots. I also threw in a few seeds I bought. I thought the birds would get some of them, but they really didn't.
(my home-office courtyard below)
Very full.
The good thing is that, all of the sunflowers below have already bloomed, and I got to put them in vases. There are giant sunflowers still around the garden (in ground). But these small to mid sized sunflowers worked great in vases. And, now that they are gone, the cosmos, calendula, bachelor's buttons, and hearts n'flowers that were also growing in the pots, are doing great...
The point is, pots work.
Oh and, I don't believe that some people can't grow anything. You just have to find the right plants/seeds for you, your climate, and figure out how to care for them best.
Before you know it, you'll have all sorts of goodies growing like crazy.
Pretty pretty!
So, pots are good.
I am now a huge planting in containers advocate.
Go for it!
A burst of color in pots is such a lovely treat...
I have had this very ivy growing in this pot for 7+ years, and it is going great. It is just a matter of making sure your plants get water, that they are pruned if need be, and that you check for bugs. Also, do research on the type of fertilizer your plants might need...
The reward is excellent.
Somehow, a yarrow seed got in one of my pots last year, and gifted me a nice little yarrow bush. From that bush last year, through wind and birds, yarrow has been dispersed all over my garden. It is pretty to look at. And, the pot it gifted itself in last year, was self seeded, and now bursting this year...
Planting seeds in pots is one of my new fave things. Oh and, I even tested some pumpkin seeds in pots. They are growing beautifully. I will take a photo and show you. For those of you in apartments, wanting to grow pumpkins? It is totally possible if you have a little patio.
(front yard below)
Pretty...
Mood enhancing...
Color bursts...
A true gift from nature...
With the power to lift the spirit, even when you feel gloomy.
I found a way to pull myself out of a bout of sadness at 19 years of age, by discovering the garden (and that I loved it). Playing with seeds and dirt keeps my brain healthy.
I keep gloomy feelings at bay by finding things that work for me. Like gardening, painting, playing piano & not having cable (and my beloved furry children). We all have things that will work for us. Finding them is the secret key ;)
Yes, I am having an epiphany. The garden keeps me sane.
Thank you garden!
;)
This is my favorite singing in the garden song. It is Mister's favorite song too (not really), teehee!
The tune is called Weep You no More Sad Fountains, and I listen to it daily as performed by the Crouch End Festival Chorus (it's on iTunes). If you can get your hands on it, it is quite lovely.
With that, I must say, see you soooooon!
Love, V
ps: Bracelet winners, selected by random number generator are.....
Soooo, after my Part I post of crafting yarn bracelets, I sort of felt bad (inherent guilt, I know). Why you ask? Because well, I know not everyone has 5,000 empty tape rolls. So, this morning I stole one of Mister Lovee's cereal boxes, and tested an idea...
As I was cutting up a box, I was marveling at how many bracelets you could really get out of one box. Depending on your size, you could probably have about 10. Isn't that fantastic?
Cut out cereal box strips to your desired width. Then, trim to fit whatever size wrist you would like, and wind some strong tape (I prefer packing tape, but masking will work too) around your seam. (overlap your seam a little bit)
I suggest using the inside matte cardboard side of your box, as your outside bracelet, rather than the glossy printed on side.
I suspected that if you started with a base of yarn wound around the cardboard, you would have a fairly sturdy bracelet to work with. It worked!
Of course, it isn't as firm as the tape rolls. But, in some curious way, I have to admit, I like the cereal boxes better, because they have this feel when you are done, of being mostly textile. Which I love.
Easy as pie.
And now, you don't have to scour the earth for empty tape rolls ;)
I have made two with this new base method so far...
Yes, I am addicted.
You knew I would spiral, didn't you?
;)
I decided to use up some scraps of ribbon and fabric that I had this time around...
Mister Lovee is crazy about these.
He can't believe that I am going to give these two away...
In fact...
You might get to own one...
Aren't these fun?
No glue, no mess.
Use up all your craft scraps, and...
You get something extra pretty and fun, and original too!
As for these two, leave me a howdy in the comment section, and I will choose two names in a couple of days, to gift these to. First name drawn will choose whichever one they want...
A little Friday fun. I will pick two names in a couple of days.
Also, do share if you make one. I can't wait to see. If you'd like, I'll share your creation here.
pss: I have had Bizarre Love Triangle in my head all summer. Teenage memories (thank goodness that the remaining members of Joy Division created New Order, as their songs were a huge part of my teens). In fact, Charlotte Martin does a beautiful cover of "Bizarre Love Triangle" that I listen to all the time. I picked it up on iTunes.
My evenings have been filled with yarn, and ribbons and fabric pieces these days. Crocheting, weaving, listening to audiobooks. All the yarn and fabric bits, combined with me always wearing my empty packing tape rolls when I am working on orders, led me to come up with an idea.
A simple, fun and pretty idea, that I had to share with you...
I am sure that if your are crafty, and/or crochet or knit, you might have that little bit of yarn left, that is too small of an amount to do anything much with. In fact, I have 1 and 2 yard pieces of some of my favorite yarn. Not enough to make a scarf, but just enough to roll into a little ball and save.
As I was packaging orders this week, and wearing an empty roll of packing tape, I thought, I should wrap these empty tape rolls with all those pretty yarns and fabrics I have leftover, and make bracelets. So, I painted a few empty tape rolls with one messy coat of acrylic paint...
As soon as they dried, I started wrapping them.
I instantly felt an addiction coming on...
Of course, once I got started, I wanted to use lots of different textile loves. I thought this was just perfect due to no glue, no mess, easy and yay.
A great crafty gift too. Holiday summer making. Something I always want to do, and don't.
I figured out that wrapping each bracelet in 24 inch increments works really well. So, I cut a piece of about 24" yarn, tied it to the roll, leaving a first end, and then wrapped the yarn around. I did this until I had about a 2" end left, and then tied that end to my first end. I repeated that until I had wrapped the whole roll.
I left the ties on the outside, which made tassels in a way. I liked it, especially since I planned on tying all sorts of yarn to the bracelet once my initial wrapping was complete.
As soon as I wrapped the whole bracelet in teal yarn, I took bits of other fave yarns, and tied them wherever I wanted. I didn't want a uniform look. I wanted a sort of mermaid seaweed look...
Easy, and so fun!
It's almost too fun, I am so hooked now it isn't even funny.
I think, making usable things, with recycled materials no less, is beyond fulfilling. Especially when you make something you can gift or wear yourself.
I decided to make a super soft red one. I was going to make it sort of gypsy. I still want to sew little coins and bits and baubles to it.
Super soft.
Yummy!
I wrapped other colors and textures of yarn around it. It is so cozy to wear too.
Like I said, I can't wait to sew all sorts of baubles on to the red one. I think that will look super fun, don't you?
As I was winding yarn around the red bracelet, I felt a Marie Antoinette inspired piece coming on. With lace and such...
I am making another one with fabric strips. Seriously though, you will get hooked on this if you try it. It is way fun. Imagine all the things you can add to these? The ideas are endless...
As I was in a mind explosion of thoughts, I had the best idea yet, for me at least.
You see, I have bunches of brooches that I rarely wear, but love. I have some really special antique ones, that I sometimes pin on a necklace or charm bracelet. Since, we can't always wear a coat or sweater in Arizona.
However, the bestest thing about these bracelets is that, since you have wrapped them with yarn or fabric, you now have a place to attach your brooches onto.
I would put in a tiny needle & thread stitch or two, just so your brooch doesn't open and get lost. But other than that, I think this has hooked me even more...
I pulled out my favorite antique brooches, and I thnk that they worked really lovely on these...
I didn't even intend to make bracelets that went perfectly with brooches I had. It just worked out that way. These are some of my favorite brooches, that I would never part with, and always want to use more...
And now I will. Do you have brooches you would like to use this way as well?
I am really excited.
I am inspired to make some of these, of course, not using my very beloved brooches, but other trinkets and treasures, for Christmas gifts.
I can't wait to wear this one...
The other thing I like, is to push my bracelets up high on my arm. And these work in that manner also.
I am really looking forward to making more of these with all of my extra yarn and ribbons. And plus, getting to wear my brooches to boot. That makes me extra happy.
I have been evening crocheting a lot lately (before bed), listening to really good audiobooks that I purchase on Itunes, and feeling the spirit of the holiday season urging me to make some gifts now, so that the season doesn't slap me in the face, in the height of it.
The thing is, I am one of those people that loves to be in the moment of the season I am in. I get a smidge annoyed when I see all the Christmas items in the shops in August. Yet, as I get older, time goes faster, and I suppose I should try to get organized during these hot summer days. Plus, being in the art/retail/wholesale world, you almost have to be prepared for autumn in May. In fact, I had an autumn inspired deadline 2 months ago, and a holiday/winter inspired deadline this month. And, I did enjoy it.
But, what really shocks me is that it is the end of July.
Can you believe it?
I decided a while back to just succumb to age and time, and all that. But, it still goes by shockingly fast. Doesn't it?
I just love grabbing a great big wooden bowl, and heading out to the garden to collect edibles. It is super fun + fulfilling. I am constantly amazed at the colors and flavors that nature produces. There is so much in life, that is so easy to take for granted, until you are somehow involved in the making of it...
The pumpkins, tomatoes, fresno chilies, jalapenos, and cucumbers in this photo above (oh and some of the basil), are growing in a vegetable garden in the front yard, under a big huge mesquite tree, where my swing hangs.
However...
The beautiful lettuce comes from a special place, way out back, in my garden...
Protected and safe...
A place you will often find me, working away, covered in dirt...
My enclosed vegetable garden...
It is getting so lush and full. The second my eyes open, I look out my window, where I see this garden, and Baby's grave. It's the first thing I must look at every morning. I swing out of bed, and whip open my curtains...
Wait, actually, these days while I am in deep slumber, Miles comes to my door, howls and scratches (bad, but he is so cute, what can I do?) at my door (then I look out my window). I sleepily scramble to my door, letting him in, and we crawl under my covers for a couple more minutes. He rolls on his back, and makes growly happy noises. I hug him tight. Matty comes in through the studio, jumps on us both for a second, and takes off. Miles Stays.
As for the enclosed garden...
Everyone is planted too close, but they seem to be okay with it, as they are all so happy...
You see, it all began in April. I decided to make an enclosed garden, way out back by the giant apricot tree. Where decades ago, the previous owners had an asparagus patch.
I had already planted some corn and such, in block rows. Then the rabbits came and ate it all. And the birds pulled up all of my other sprouts.
So, I was more determined to have an enclosed space.
We had this perfect area (still out back by the apricot tree), where we kept compost soil for 10+ years (we compost everyday). I asked Mister Lovee if he thought it would be a good idea for me to put in a vegetable garden there. He said yes, and so I bought waffle wire (it's called carpenters cloth), dug up the soil a couple of feet down, put down the wire, and started to put the soil back.
Then, Mister Lovee saw all the hard work I was doing, and he got involved. Pretty soon, it became this huge project, he put in a door, and a chicken wire roof & walls (6 ft tall in the center). I was thrilled!
I planted a vine in front, and painted a sign post white, for a vegetable garden sign I was painting. Then Mister put the sign post in the ground for me.
(photo of the enclosed garden in progress below)
Needless to say...
I was extra happy with the outcome. I was now able to grow vegetables, without losing them all to critters. (Well, I did lose all my onions to gophers, as they found a way in underground, through a tiny space that had no waffle wire, but everything else was safe.)
The summer romaine lettuce has grown big and huge, and we have enough lettuce to have salad three times a day all summer. (although we have to eat it sooner than that)
We LOVE salads, and are really enjoying the lettuce.
I bring some in everyday, and make a great big bowl of goodness...
The sweet corn is getting mighty tall.
I didn't intend to grow corn inside, it just turned out that way after the rabbits kept eating the sprouts.
It just started to tassel, and now I am biting my nails, hoping the silks turn up soon. (the tassels pollinate the silks, creating the corn)
I grew cucumbers for the first time this year. I planted the seeds a hair too early before spring, as we had one more freeze right before spring, and the cucumber sprouts froze a bit. But they came back stronger than ever, and are gifting some rustically precious cucumbers...
Miles will eat almost anything. Well, maybe anything actually. Matty is very picky, and doesn't eat very much. Unless it is meaty. He loves meat.
Miles begs for grapefruit, and odd things like that.
He thinks this bowl of goodness is his dinner ;)
Mmmm, freshness....
My grandpa will eat those fresno chilies without a flinch. But then again, he loves the worms at the bottom of the tequila bottles and things like that too. He is tough.
The basil is sweet and tender, and...
I have made 8 jars of pesto this summer already. I have eaten so much of it, I am going to start growing leaves out of my ears. I gifted some to our friend Dick. He loves my cooking (or at least he acts like it). This makes him a very enjoyable guest, as I love getting him to eat things I make. (he said the carrot cake from Mister's birthday was beyond sinful and outrageously delicious. Don't you love feeding people like that? I do.)
Miam miam...
Since you know I am garden addicted, I was almost afraid to share my secret vegetable garden. But, now you know. The secret's out.
I can't wait to see what other treats show their faces, as there is much more growing in there...
I am...
Oh so very content.
And, a tinge tired :)
Don't tell anyone though, and I'll give you a tiny punkin'...
(If I could only learn how to nap, darn -snaps fingers-)
There is a massive storm hitting. I have been trying to post all day, but my Internet has been off and on.
(eeeeks, rain water being pushed under my office door by the wind, must run)
Today I had a face slap moment. I realized (whilst in the height of watering), that I am so immersed in the keeping green alive and all other chores of summer, that summer just might have passed me by, if I hadn't caught myself. Phew!
Everyday, I do my garden chores (as you have heard ten million times by now). As of now, there are ten areas I water and check. It's a lot. It is hot. You might have wondered, why does she do this??? Doesn't she have anything else to do?
Why yes'm, I sure do. Gulp gulp.
But the thing is, I can't help myself. I am sort of addicted in this odd way.
I just love the garden. It is out of my control. I HAVE to do it (this thing called gardening). Something about an itch in my soul, or one of those insane things that make us do the things we do.
Everyday I put on one of my hats.
No hat, no me outside.
(I have two faves)
Then I double up on crisp cotton Eileen West's, and off I go...
Not the most proper wardrobe, I suppose.
But, I do add one of Mister Lovee's shirts to go out to the mailbox, or to greet a guest. I don't go farther than that in said attire. No worries. (Oh wait, I do run down the street to my neighbor's cottage from time to time)
If a close friend comes over, I hand her a thin crisp cotton gown of mine, to throw on. One of my friends questioned my attire from time to time, until she came over to play in the garden, and I let her put one on.
Then she kept saying, oh oh, this is great. This is great! It's so great!
Keeps you cool, and is pretty too!
Yes I know.
I am no fool.
Well, at least not when it comes to avoiding heat stroke.
click.
On days when I am feeling extra wilty (after to do list), I hide out here.
I fear, my shenanigans continue from season to season..
Have you ever had a bath or shower in the garden?
With birds flying around you, and leaves glistening in the sun?
I dunno, but somehow the soap and shampoo makes it curiously different from a swimming pool.
It is mighty glorious.
Trust me.
I told Lovee that, being out there with the birds and the music, and the whole bit, is sort of borderline almost ridiculously too good. So good that, it's silly good.
I make sure to have my dandy lil' radio with me, tuned to 690 a.m.
Nothing like vintage tunes, while bathing in the garden.
The last time I was in there, I was overjoyed with this and this.
Splash splash!
And fresh treats too!
Golden sun...
Baths for everyone!
Tomatoes, parsley, chives, basil, peppers, chilies, pumpkins, cucumbers, evening primrose and a volunteer black eyed susan...
Ripening up...
So many tomato vines this year, all planted from tiny seeds.
Tomato delights, here we come.
(I have grown to love tomatoes, by growing them in my garden. I still don't like wooly warm restaurant tomatoes. They freak me out.)
Can't wait to start collecting.
Although, I must confess. I ate lots of little cherry tomatoes straight off the vine over the last month, and then devoured a huge red ripe one, with Mister Lovee, under the moon light...
I don't know about other gardeners, but for me, there comes a point where I start to feel a tinge overwhelmed, when the days get way hot and long. And then, when the veggies and fruits and flowers start to show up, all of those feelings pass. Then, you are so happy you forged on...
(Are you growing anything? Are you addicted too?)
We're all happy.
Waving to you madly, from our desert jungle!!!
Love, Vanessa
and Matty
and Miles
and the birds
and the bees
and Lovee too.
ps: You have to see this kitchen in a cupboard link, that my sis sent me. (something is wrong with the link off and on, but here are the photos by Culshaw Bell) By the by, here is an updated link to the company that carries these, right here.
pss: Funny tale-
Every morning I have to delete spammers that have left comments in my blog posts. Sometimes they choose blog posts that are years old to post comments at, and sometimes, they are really funny (but mostly just annoying).
So, today, I received this one on a Paper Garland Tutorial blog post...
" I will always care about the content of your hair. Thank you!"
(Left by some drug company)
Hahahaheheheee!
I can't get over it.
It is so funny.
Why, I love to carry around possums and lady bugs and nests and baby turtles in my hair. What are the contents of your hair these days?? Pray tell? I myself, will always care about the content of YOUR hair too, dear friends! hahaheheee!
I suppose, it is safe to say that this tale began 30 years ago, but, I won't go back that far. I'll go back to 10 years ago, where a girl met a door, at an antique store...
So, at many of your very kind requests, here goes the tale...
It all began with a green screen door that I procured from an antique dealer. I simply fell in love with it, plus, it came with the story of being taken off of an old farmhouse that was being torn down in Texas. So, as you can imagine, I was sold.
Now I had a beautiful green door.
A door that I dreamt would one day go on some sort of building that would be part of my future. I didn't know what or when. Why or how. The door was all I needed to keep my hopes and imagination alive.
Fast forward, years later, to early March of 2011. Mister Lovee and I were (and are, as you know) knee deep in a handful of largish projects. Both of us, so alike in many ways. Starting several things at once. Ideas fluttering about.
So, what was one more project, really?
In the midst of hammers and ladders, and an open space in our garden, I mentioned how great it would be for a little building to live right next to our mining camp area...
Then I went on to say, you know, these are just ramblings of thoughts and dreams, but I would love a wee cottage. A play house of sorts, but for a growed up girl.
With a pitched roof and such.
Then I said, of course, this is just a little dream I am sharing. It doesn't have to happen. Just food for thought...
The next day, I found Mister Lovee doing his fabulous drawings, bringing a girly cottage to life, on paper (I love these drawings he whips up when he is going to build me something).
Did I ever mention that he is an amazing artist, and can draw just about anything? He has lots of secrets, that one. Also, whilst veering on the topic of Mister Lovee, did you know that he dresses himself up for my parties, and is quite the well rounded fanciful character? He has tons of whimsy, and is, dare I say, much more adventurous than I. So, when you think it is me egging him on in all of our madness, it is often quite the opposite. It's more like, him egging me on. Go figure ;)
Anyhow, where was I?
Oh yes, so he drew up a cottage, and asked me if this was something I really wanted, because, he could make it come true.
Of course, I squealed yes.
(We always had playhouses growing up, and I love them so, who doesn't?)
He called up a master builder friend, who had recently worked on some of our other projects, and asked him if he would jump into a lil' cottage building. (he's been on This Old House, the television show, and more)
The builder extraordinaire said yes.
And so, the little cottage began...
Mister Lovee helped him build...
(that's our builder below)
It was March.
All of our other big projects got bumped down the list...
The cottage itself was built rather quickly...
It was fascinating to watch...
Mister surprised me with a metal roof. I think it's simply peachy!
After it was built, the inside called for insulation, drywall, caulking, etc.
The details in building are quite time consuming.
There were coats and coats of paint (huge endeavor), and then Mister Lovee finished putting the front porch on. (he also built trims for all of my windows, and more)
Oh, and then, what proved to be a huge task! Putting the white pickett fence up. I had three vintage pieces I got at my friend's shop. Then we purchased new pieces and painted them, to finish it off. Mister had to anchor it into cement holes, and on and on...
But it was all well worth it, totally and completely.
(I won't even tell you the tale of the tiny upper window space (under the V), built to fit an antique stained glass window that I achingly splurged on, which arrived in pieces. The antique, English glass architectural salvage window company, which prides itself on being the best, was very difficult to work with. They kept me going in circles about the insurance and uploading my photos to the insurance claim site (I had to take the window to the post office 2 times, and they would not accept the claim placed by the seller). I never got my money back, or the window fixed. By the time I found out the window company was really not going to help me, it was too late to leave feedback. Finally, when I couldn't take it anymore, I decided to just accept the loss of the stained glass window, and leave it all to karma to iron everything out. I mean, really, aren't there greater things in life to worry about? Yes indeed. So, proverbially speaking, I let the window saga go.
But then, dun dun dun...
We had a new window made from scratch (to fit the space) by a local company, which took 3 weeks (then we found out that the window building company lost the window, and had to remake it). Oh my goodness, it was a nightmare. One of those weird things, that goes on and on, giving us so much pointless grief. Silly window people. But, I have to say, I like the simple window that is up there even more. And, I guess I did tell you the whole tale in the end, haha! As they say, no pain, no gain. Isn't it funny how there is always some funny glitch in building? In this case, the tiny window.)
Oh oh, I must share this bit of real goodness...
Mister Lovee did something super lovely, as a surprise for me. He took the same pattern from my old green screen door, and used it to create wooden accents (drawn and cut by him). He placed a "V" on one of the accents.
He made the 2nd wooden accent to go over my front porch window. I am still so touched at that. He is so nice. Isn't he?
Thank you LOVEE!!!
And, as you have probably figured out, my old green door found all those years ago, now had a home...
On a little cottage, in a little garden, in Arizona....
With thoughts of what others had seen when they looked out this door, once upon a time...
As for other tid-bits...
I think that the corrugated metal roofs are charming. Such a good idea, and I extra love the sound of raindrops on metal...
(By the way, my antique shutters came from the nicest seller, who packaged them perfectly! Capitol Salvage)
One of the first things I did was, plant a plum tree, next to where a fruit tree that Baby used to love lived. (It was killed by bugs living inside of it, but we kept the trunk in place as a memory)
And so, after all of that, you are going to want to wring my neck when I tell you...
No inside photos yet...
WHY you ask?
Because well, the truth is...
It simply is not done.
It is insulated and drywalled.
The a/c is in.
But, there is still a part two to this tale.
And honestly, Mister Lovee has worked so hard, and the hours he has spent on this are unreal. So, I am not being pushy. The inside will happen in its own time.
But I can tell you this, it will be a girly hideout space, just for fun and relaxation. Maybe I can even have my sister stay over in it from time to time? We'll see ;)
I know what will go in it, and how I envision it.
But, we'll see what happens when I finally get to put things inside.
So, the little cottage journey continues...
(Along with other projects I will love to share one day)
Part II to come, before I am 89, I hope ;)
See you soon!
Love, V
ps: Have you seen the July/August 2011 issue of House Beautiful?
It is really fun. It talks about the Tiny House Movement, and decorating in small spaces... (love this kitchen)
I took a few photos for you to peek at...
I am sure you have noticed all the talk about tiny houses over the last couple of years? It seems it just got more explosive. Some folks actually live in some of these tiny houses. I wonder if I could live in my tiny cottage? What would I do with all my stuff? haha! I guess that is the point. Minimizing.... hmm...
I dunno.
I once got rid of all my stuff, in a minimalist fit, and often regret it when I think about all my serious treasures, and paintings, that I gave away to Good Will. I guess I am not ready for that again ;)
If you are into tiny houses, this is a really fun issue...
So, as you well know, the legend says something like, "gifts shall be bestowed upon whomsoever takes it upon thyself, to crown a scarecrow with a fresh pumpkin head, on all hallow's eve..."
The legend does state this, does it not?
(okay, so maybe I just made that up)
But here's the deal.
If you look upon pumpkin babies as gifts, then putting a fresh pumpkin head on your scarecrow in autumn (and not cleaning the seeds out very well), may or may not lead to a self seeded pumpkin vine in late spring/summer. Not common around here, due to lack of rain fall. However, if the seed happens to fall, get covered by dirt, aaaaaand, there is irrigation nearby.
Then, this might happen all on its own. A gift indeed!
And it did!
Right at the foot of the scarecrow, behind and almost under the hay bale, not one, but 3 vines self seeded (with the help of irrigation water going to the surrounding pecan trees).
Of course I was thrilled.
Maybe too thrilled. But who really cares? There isn't a cap on how excited you can be about pumpkins, is there?
Anyhow...
The punkin' babe growing on the hay bale still needs some time.
BUT!
The punkin' babe growing behind the scarecrow, is ready.
There are oodles of pumpkins that I planted, growing in many places.
However, there is something sort of enchanted, about the ones gifted by the Pumpkin King. Wouldn't you say?
So, here he is.
My first pumpkin baby of the year, cut off the vine.
Complete with curls.
I am besotted.
To me, pumpkins are very special.
Of course, they are as special as anything else that grows.
But, I guess, I have a tender spot for them in my heart.
Meanwhile, many of the hand planted babes are coming along....
Almost ready...
I am so glad that I planted a couple extra pumpkin patches later (the first ones were planted in March).
So, hopefully, there will be more babies popping up over the next couple of months.
Vines are growing up trees, curling into the bark, crawling over everything, flowering in all sorts of places...
I love where vines meet other growing delights, like English Lavender...
Rather perfect timing, all this pumpkin stuff. (I'll take more pictures to share, of the proper pumpkin patches etc.)
I have had some Halloween projects, and must finish up this year's greeting cards too.
So, rain and orange round babies, sure do help to inspire.
(It is all around great, and the cabin in the woods is beyond words)
(sorry, wobbly photographs I took, straight off the television)
And, since I am on the topic of movies that inspire.
One I watch every so often, although super sad, is Cold Mountain.
Yes yes, I know, everyone jokes me that I am like Ruby. funny. haha.
But, what I want to say is....
The part where the old woman in the woods saves Inman? (love her)
First of all, her house/wagon is music to my senses, but the little bells on her goats make me want to faint from joy. It makes me crazy with love, that little fairy bell on goatlings.
Isn't her wagon shackling wonderful?
Also....
I want a goat, but we can't get one.
It will eat us out of house and home, not to mention, garden!
:)
OH, how I want one!!
And a teacup piggy or ten, too.
Well, I best be on my way...
Here's something pretty for you, from my garden...
In keeping with this orangey post...
Tea Roses.
See you sooner than soon!
Love, V
ps: We had a massive monsoon raintstorm last evening. You can't imagine the amount of rain that falls in mere minutes. It was grand! Miles and Matty go all out in the mud and water factor. You should have seen them, my goodnessssss.
Flowers that taste like garlic, but are not garlic, delicious! My neighbor gave me a huge hunk of the plant in spring, and I separated it into several places and now have oodles of it everywhere. The boys loved the tale of edible garlic flavored sweet flowers. A hit!
It drizzled while I slept too.
I know some of you get lots of rain, and long for sun.
But, 100+ degree sun for months without rain, is really intense. It makes me feel for the troops out in the heat, in all their gear. Makes me feel for them so.
I can tell you one thing, the earth is buzzing with happiness today...
There are so many bees and beautiful bugs doing their jobs, it's astounding. Poor little guys needed a cup full of water too ;)
I have 5 hearty pumpkin patch areas, and two are younger than the main patches (main patch was planted in March), so there are a whole flurry of squash blossoms today in the newer patches. Must run out and pick some as soon as the bees have collected their pollen...
I love this big furry black bee.
Is he a bee?
I am not sure.
Maybe not.
But he is so cute, and follows me around the garden. Or at least, I like to think he does...
He is filling his belly up... Miam Miam!
I wonder if he scares the little bees. He is dinosaur sized compared to the other bees.
The morning after a good rain...
Which means, for the 1st time in 5 months, I didn't have to water.
I planned to sleep in.
But, of course, I was up with the sun.
And now, I am off to clean up the mud of lovely paws, left as a memory of the puddles.
4th of July weekend is in full swing, summer is enveloping us completely, and here I am playing with food coloring...
I had huge plans for blue rice krispy treats, for the 4th of July.
I told Mammie and she was like, "blooaaaakh, why?"
Haha! Good question.
I ended up with screaming teal.
(I love teal though)
I thought they would be fun.
They are still good, so that is all the counts, ain't it?
(Mammie thinks they are pretty in the end)
:)
As for summer edibles...
We have been enjoying so many squash blossoms this summer.
I have several pumpkin patches, which I planted at slightly different times.
So the waves of squash blossoms have been beyond delightful for eatin'.
I have spent several hours, every morning since March 1st, tending my garden.
The work is so worth it.
There really is nothing like harvesting edibles from your own patch of earth.
This weekend we will eat the very last of the spinach.
If you like spinach, I have to tell you, do try growing some next year if you haven't already. The spinach is soft and buttery good, with not one bit of grit like we find in store bought spinach.
We have enjoyed bowls and bowls of spinach over the weeks...
I wish I could share some with you.
I find myself harvesting goodies for lunch, and enjoying each moment of it. So much so, that I am planning a winter vegetable garden. As I don't want to say good-bye to garden eats.
One thing I love to do is invent light fresh salad dressings with tons of flavor. I adore salads, do you? One of my fave salad concoctions contains spinach, squash blossoms, peas, garbanzo beans, artichoke hearts, avocados, hearts of palm, paper thin sweet onions, and a splash of homemade honey lemon garlic parsley vinegar olive-oil dressing.
Mouth watering!
I also love to eat nasturtium.
The leaves are peppery and delightful.
You can see them mixed in with pumpkin leaves below...
Garden treats...
So Sweet!
Here is a peek into one of my little enclosed vegetable garden spaces. I have others I will share later, but this one has been shady, for things like spinach and cabbage and Japanese radishes, and more...
Garden fresh, isn't it?
It's super organic around here. I don't use any bug spray or anything. I fear I am losing most of my corn to ants. We are having a massive ant epidemic this year. I have oodles of ant bites. Darn things ;)
But the good news, no gophers got to this yummy stuff. Why? In April I pulled out a few feet of dirt and did the whole waffle wire & rock barrier thing. Then put all the soil over that.
Success!
So much to learn. Life is never ending learning, isn't it?
No matter what age we are, there is always something new to learn. So grand!
With that, I want to say, happy safe and lovely 4th of July!!!
This 4th of July has me being very introspective. Lots of thoughts bopping around.
I mostly can't help thinking about how lucky we are here in America (as well as in other countries). What a good life we can have, and how we don't have to worry about most of the things that 3rd world countries face.
And then, I start to think about how we should take time to appreciate all the things that we have in life. Not the things we don't have. How if we let go of what we think we should have, and who we think we should be, and just embrace who we are and what we have, life takes on a beautiful perspective.
I was thinking yesterday, about how much negativity there is out there. For example, when reading articles online, the comment sections baffle me. Full of hatred and criticism. (opinions are good, but they don't have to be chock full of negativity, do they?)
Are we really that kind of people?
Hateful and judgmental??
Why not stop the petty negativity?
Be content with our lives, just as they are, before life passes us by.
Appreciate one another, and what it took to make America what it is today.
So, on the eve of this independence day, I say, we should embrace the good, and try not to find the negativity in things. Instead, search for the positive. It's not that hard to find.
We should realize how lucky we really are, open our eyes, and really realize it.
I love my country.
Nothing in life is perfect.
But maybe the greatest realization is that, things are perfect in their own way, and we are drowning in so much pettiness, that we can't see that everything is perfect, just as it is.
pss: A tip on squash blossoms. When the pumpkin vine is fairly young, you will get oodles of male squash blossoms, before you ever see a female blossom (link that shows the differences between male and female, right here). This is the time to enjoy eating your squash blossoms, when there are only males on the vine. This is because, you don't want to eat the males when there are femles too, or you won't get any babies :)
Thank you ever so so so so sooooooo much for a deliciously magical Mad Tea Party!
I had so much fun. I visited all the parties by last Sunday evening, and was simply blown away by everyone's parties. Everyone really had the Mad Tea Party mood in full wonderland enchantment swing.
I was delighted at each visit.
How can I thank you enough for joining in?
I'll tell you what, I am already inspired for jumping into my ship of dreams, and thinking about what we can conjure up for our Halloween party!
Parties always seem far away, but then all of a sudden it is a week before the event, and we sit there wondering where the time has gone.
Isn't it so true?
So this weekend, I am going to keep setting a special tea place for myself, and keep the party mood alive with ideas bubbling for fall.
I feel a little bit of the Halloween haunting mood trying to pull my toes. I really should pay attention. Mombie and I always talk about how we should do so much in summer for fall and Christmas. As the holiday crunch always seems so intense from September to December.
Still, when it is so hot here, and I am sipping iced tea in my garden tub, listening to vintage songs, really living summer to the fullest, I have a hard time thinking about the holiday season.
Although, just typing the word fall, made me get butterflies in my stomach......
I don't know about you, but I have had a very busy week. Running here and there, doing 5,000 projects at home. Moving huge furniture to and fro.
I am in this massive house and garden mode these days, just loving here, in this moment in time. Which Mister Lovee and I admit, is a lovely time in life. One for the memory vaults.
I also promise to tell you about my new cottage. The building months, how I will use it as a little hideaway, how it came to be, and how there are still more big projects going on in the garden. If you care to know, that is.
Goodness knows, you might be totally bored by me, and not want to hear any of it.
However, it is better than me coming here everyday and chatting about my dreams from the night before. I do that to my Mister. He seems to be very interested. I mean, he keeps perfectly quiet while I talk and talk. Oh wait, he sleeps through it ;)
haha!
Don't worry, I won't go down that path, hehe!
For tonight, I have a plan.
Mister Lovee brought me some delicious books this week (he always brings me thrifted treasures that I adore). Some excellent art books came to me, via he, and I am going to curl up, and be a perfectly despicable girl (a term I use often for myself).......
With no guilt about jumping into a fluffy bed (hang on to your tiara), jammied to the nines, and turning pages, whilst sipping lemon iced tea... yumm!
I can't wait to share another frocked Mad Tea event with you next year!!
Keep the lace and ruffles handy!
And thank you again, for a beyond wonderful Mad Tea Party season, 2011!!
Much love from all of us over here at A Fanciful Twist!!!
xoxo
ps: The winners (selected by random number generator) for an 8" x 10" print from, my shop, are numbers 194 & 36. That's Linda Diane, and Renee!! Hooray hooooray! Do please e-mail me with your choices.
Happy Happy, Joy Joy!
pss: Floomplink means thank you in Gnome. I promise. A gnome told me. I didn't just invent it. No really ;)
psss: I will leave the Mad Tea Partiers list, in my left hand sidebar, for several more days.
♥ ABOUT ♥
Hello, my name is Vanessa Valencia and I am an artist living in a lovely part of Arizona. I make all kinds of art, from painting to clay sculpting. I love tending my gardens and cuddling my dogs. This blog is about art, lifestyle, gardening, cooking, crafting & every single little magical thing in between ♥
