A Fanciful Twist

Somerset Holidays and Celebrations Magazine + Christmas Art

Looks like the time has come for sugar plum fairies to peek in...

Wishes and sparkles a plenty, are finding their way.

Twinkling lights and happy music.

Jingle bells and sparkly snow!

Sparkly everything!

Andddddd!

Time for Somerset Holidays and Celebrations magazine,

Plus lots of inspiration in those pages.

Two of my new Christmas pieces were featured in this year's issue...

And are now available in my art shop.

Sugar Plum Fairies make the world a better place, don't they though?

With wishes and sparkles, oh yes!

I just like saying wishes and sparkles.

How about you?

 

The Magic of Christmas

16" x 20"

And a sweet little fur too.

Twinkling trees...

In a world of light seafoam tealish blue and pink.

Happy candy colors.

Tis' true.

Stars and clouds, and...

Wait, there is a Christmas Tea Party too!!

10" x 10"

All fancy schmancy, and oodles of fun!

And of course, sparkly too.

What is Christmas without some serious sparkle, I ask?

 

Both pieces are now available,

 in my shop, right here.

 

Also, I put up a wee tree last night.

And, I have to say, I deserve a tree decorating award.

For, worst tree decorator ever, that is ;)

I stink at it.

It's kind of hard, I think?

I kept calling my mom.

She is the bestest tree decorator, ever.

And makes a whole thing of it.

I am off to meet her now, as she has some Christmas treats for me.

YAY!

I'll snazzle up my own display, and take more photos.

Have you started decorating?

I think my decor is going to have a spring flair, since it is warm here.

And I am typing this in hot sun and flip flops.

You would think I was in the Bahamas.

Last year it was much colder here.

Now...

I just need an ocean.

Oh, lovely ocean......

White sand.....

Dreams.

 

Love, V

 

 

ps:  There was the most jaw dropping pink and lavender sky full moon the other night...

Swwwwooooooooooon!

 

Into the Groove...

Getting back into the groove after the holidays is always weird and foggy and intense, isn't it?

Or is it just me?

All this busy busy, long days, late nights of making and baking.

And for me, packaging and making art and jewelry too.

Shipping, post office visits.

More baking.

Staying up 4-5 hours past my regular bedtime.

Hosting.

Clean-up.

And then, busy Sunday, busy Monday and Tuesday creeps up.

I decided on Sunday that we needed a great big green salad.

There is an abundance of arugula in the veggie garden.

And tomatoes that were green are turning red.

As, we have had tank top days, still.

Cool nights, but very warm in the sun days, that make happy tomatoes.

I also needed to decompress.

I had been going non stop for 2 weeks or more.

So, I went foraging in my own yard.

A break, a breather, a slow walk.

On the hunt for little nature treasures.

I collected pine cones.

I planted a pine tree here about 10 years ago.

And it is massive now.

Like 12, 14 feet? Maybe more?

In fact, it was the first Christmas tree Lovee and I shared.

It's finally gifting lots of pine cones.

It was tiny when I planted it.

About a foot tall.

Then, I went around our little path,

through the shrubs and trees, and collected some quince.

A few decorative berries.

Some pretty peach leaves.

I stood by the nasturtium patch and nibbled those wasabi like leaves that I love.

Nabbed some for dinner.

Then I went and inspected the Live Oak tree I planted 3 years ago.

I started screaming with glee.

Practically hyperventilating.

Mister Lovee was like, what what what's wrong????

He was over there, messing with the peach tree or something...

And I just kept jumping around sing-screaming,

 I can't believe it, I can't believe it!!!

(Don't forget, I am very easy to please)

Mister Lovee ran over, looked up and said,

Well, I'll be Darned...

I live in the desert.

Not the woods.

Not the forest.

Hello acorns!

(Although, I can see a forest in the mountains from my house. I live at the base of said mountains, and believe it or not, folks even ski up in Mount Lemmon)

So you see, acorns on a tree I planted myself?

Well...

Makes me extra heart happy!!!

With a little help from Mister Lovee...

My little acorn collection is growing.

I got about 2 handfuls.

We'll use our tall ladder to get the rest.

Yay.

Yay!

I finished up my little garden gathering with a big bowl filled with zinnia, cosmos and marigold seeds.

(I saved some for you Alia!! ;)

As the sun went down, I went in the house and made some Shepherd's pie with our Thanksgiving leftovers.  It's soooo yumm.

And then, I made some quince jam, with the quince from our volunteer tree.

It was beyond awesome, nice and hot, on buttered toasted french bread.

And just like that, time marches on.

I am in a bit of time shock that Halloween and Thanksgiving are behind us.

Mainly because it is so warm here still.

It is still summer in a way.

Which is nice, but hard for holiday reality.

Although, I would rather be in the warm sun than freezing under blankets somewhere.

Unless I was warm under the blankets.

And that would be okay too.

:)

But shivering cold is the pits.

So...

Okay wait, I'll stop there.

I see the weather babble could continue eternally.

Haha!!

 See you all sooooon!

Love, V

 

 

 

Shop Sales & a Giveaway

Oh my! sale time came at me so fast.

I was up sooo late, after 1 a.m.

We all ate so much we could not move.

We laughed so much we cried.

We sang.

We told stories.

It was grand.

And now,

SALE TIME!!

Kim of Gerushia's New World (one of our beloved sponsors), is having a sale the 23rd-26th

And bonus...

She is also giving away a $50 gift certificate to her shop.

Right here, right now, just leave a comment to enter.

Can you believe it?

A giveaway, plus a sale, which you can apply to your gift certificate if you win.

Wooo hooo!

  

 

ps: Thanksgiving wrap-up...

Miles Birthday. Loved his big horse.

 Awesome eats.

I cooked so much, and my friend brought some fresh/raw homemade cran-orange relish, homemade lemon meringue pie (with her own lemons) and salad.

There was...

Turkey that fell off the bone, brown sugar candied yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing chock full of delicious veggies, green bean casserole, oven baked croissants, fresh cranberry orange rind relish, herb vinaigrette salad, 5 pies (lemon meringue, traditional pumpkin, pumpkin cheesecake), dessert wine, and so much more I can't recall now.

What did you munch???

Are you so tired today?

Phew.

Full full full bellies.

 

Refreshing pomegranate seeds after a long night of fun.

Hit the spot.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too ♥

 

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving madness (of the good variety) is in full force around here...

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I am almost certain you are in the throws of the same madness.

I have been baking like crazy.

Doing all my vegetable chopping for tomorrow.

Roasting homegrown Fairytale pumpkins.

Pureeing them.

Draining them.

(love this sort of pumpkin ritual)

Baking with them.

Getting all my ducks in order for tomorrow.

I am throwing a tiny bash.

With a handful of special friends.

I am so excited to see some of my dear friends.

My friend Joyce and I have been e-mailing each other like mad.

All excited to get together.

This is my 3rd year hosting my own Thanksgiving, and I really love it.

Having people you enjoy over at your home.

Good food, good friends, laughing, sharing tales.

So excited.

Plus, it forces you to clean your house.

Bonus.

Dusting.

Music.

Pre-holiday fun.

Warm house.

Oven working away.

Amazing scents.

Taking some last treats from the garden.

As autumn creeps in.

Still trying in the desert land, to find its way to us.

It will be 79'F tomorrow.

The yellowing ground is slowly creeping in to the vegetable garden out back.

It's been so warm.

We had 1 little freeze, but covered things.

Although some things did crisp up.

Others are hanging on, still.

Birds chirping.

Matty chasing them around.

A huge surge of tomatoes happened in early autumn, but as nights are chilly, I have decided to start using green tomatoes, just in case they don't ripen.

There were about 150 green tomatoes out there.

I boiled some with yellow chilies, and made a green tomato salsa.

(with onions, garlic, olive oil and a tinge of white vinegar + salt)

I drizzled it over baked tilapia, with some avocado.

Lemon.

Yumm.

Then, I used the green tomato salsa as a base for black/kidney bean soup.

Yumm.

I gifted some for fried green tomatoes, and we still have oodles plus.

It's an autumnal treat really.

Before the cold snap hit for one night last week, I brought in two wagons of gourd love.

Some are still hanging around out there, but they have climbed into the trees too high, and will have to fall out.

Beautiful sunsets.

Miles in autumn light.

His human dad is holding a treat.

Hence the intense face.

Pecans in our pecan trees.

Picking them with my Matty, handsome helper.

Little piles.

Delicious pecans.

Our last pomegranate of the season.

Wisteria on the front porch is turning, and looks so festive and pretty.

And then.

Just like that, over the last few days, the pecan trees turned golden.

As the peach tree follows...

So pretty.

Changing leaves.

Everyone who sings and plays an instrument will bring theirs tomorrow.

Guitars.

Piano.

My sister is horrified that Lovee lets me use his microphone and one of his amps.

:)

The pumpkin cheesecakes are cooling.

As are the traditional pumpkin pies.

The edges of the pumpkin cheesecakes always get too dark, even if I cover them.

But it doesn't change the flavor at all.

Delicious.

Sinful.

I have my dishes out, ready to set the long table.

Mister Lovee's grandparents' table.

I found it tucked into one of our sheds a couple years ago, and was thrilled.

I brought it in the house right away.

It's very mid-century, maple colored wood.

All handmade, beautifully.

With extender leaves.

Which we always leave open.

It touches me, to use this table.

The big turkey is thawed.

I can't wait to put it in the oven in the a.m.

Taking today to make and bake let me really soak in the taste of the season.

 

I am always so very thankful.

A special day to be extra thankful, bonus.

 

The most special thing about this Thanksgiving?

My baby is turning 2.

Born November 22, 2010

To Chief and Daisy.

Adopted by us when he was 5 weeks old.

 

King Miles of the Santa Catalinas.

 

I love Miles and Matty so much.

So so so so so so much.

Miles has brought us such joy.

Words can not describe my love for this fur.

I turned around yesterday, and saw him sleeping with his hedgehog facing me like that.

You should have seen me.

Quietly and frantically scrambling, trying to get my camera together.

Remember him here?

Oh, my heart.

This morning Lovee and I watched some home movies of baby Miles.

Miles and Matty wrestled in the background.

Miles would stop every so often and look at himself on the screen.

Perplexed and interested.

He was such a beautiful round baby.

And such a nice and loving big baby.

Thankfulness abound.

Thank you for being here.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I wish you the most glorious day.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Love,

Vanessa, Mister Lovee, Matty and Miles

 

 

 

Vanessa Valencia {Jewelry}

Time to plunge into jewels!!

Yes, it's true!

It's official.

My jewelry is now available on-line.

Phew, I never thought I would say that.

But, it's true, it's true!

After years of folks asking me, what's up with the jewels?

Customers wondering if there was an on-line venue?

And regular calls from my mom (who is my best model), telling me people ask her every time she is wearing my jewelry creations, where they can get some of their own on the internet.

There is a place.

Right here.

www.VanessaValencia.Etsy.Com

And...

If you are interested in a tale of jewels?

Here's a lil' story...

Let's see.

My jewelry adventures began around 1992.

I had several pieces of fine jewelry that I didn't love anymore, so I took them all apart and made one great piece.

People would walk up to me while I was out and about, and ask me where I got it.

I promptly became inspired, and started into jewelry making madness.

There are huge gem and mineral shows in Arizona.

So I started going to shows, learning about stones and gems.

And wearing even more jewelry, which I already did a lot of.

Only because I love it.

Love.

Passionately.

In every job I have been in, some male co-worker always calls my gypsy.

Folks comment on my clanking charms and such.

And then, they want some of their own.

:)

All those years ago, I plunged in the biggest way ever.

Buying tools, so many tools.

Endless beads, stones, silver, brass, copper, gold.

Vintage, new, Czech, Venetian, German...

Crystals!

Investing my whole savings account, many times over, at the bewitching gem shows.

I did huge jewelry shows showcasing my pieces.

Tables and tables of velvet displays, towering acrylic displays.

Mannequins.

So many mannequins.

(and mannequin make-overs)

Sculptural necks, display cases, lighting, credit card machines.

Packaging, boxes and sachets, and neverending information.

Knowledge.

Always learning.

And making, making, making jewelry at all hours.

Shows all over the place.

Renting spaces, folks hosting shows.

Trunk shows, jewelry shows, art shows.

Days of putting up displays.

Car loads.

When I met Mister Lovee he took a huge interest in my jewelry making.

As he once was, and his family continues to be, in the fine jewelry business.

And so, he became my right hand jewelry show man.

Putting up displays, taking them down.

Packing the car, unpacking the car.

Hours and hours of work.

Years and years of jewels.

Investments like you wouldn't believe.

Hunts for treasures.

Endless hunts, and treasures found.

Learning about so many things.

And of course, being hard headed as I am, never taking a proper class.

But trial and error over years and years was a good teacher in itself.

I sold my jewelry when I was in college.

Then whilst being an interior designer.

When I left that career, I did jewelry solely, for about a year.

Then...

I went into real estate about 10 years ago, and started doing bigger shows.

Painting, making jewelry and working so hard at my job, all at once.

Then there were bigger jewelry diplays.

Longer hours of putting a show together.

More gem and treasure investments.

Making more jewelry than ever.

And then, almost 6 years ago, I discovered blogs.

As I built a blog and painted and sculpted, I still made jewelry.

But, I didn't share my jewelry online, as I felt it was too daunting a process at the time.

What with everything else going on.

All the details.

All the photos.

Building a blog.

Opening an online art shop.

And, I was still trying to find my way in the internet world.

Until now.

I have plunged.

I am so excited to finally get to share jewels!

I hope this is the beginning of a really fun adventure.

 

Vanessa Valencia {Jewelry}

Now open at...

www.VanessaValencia.Etsy.Com

Yay!

 

 

 

ps:  One other thing.

I accept credit cards in both my art and jewelry shops now.

So, if you don't use Paypal, or would simply like another option...

You can now use your credit card directly, to shop in any of my shops.

Woo hoo! ;)

 

 

Crazy Little Days {And a Wig treat, or two, announced}

Hello heloooo!

I can't begin to tell you what I have been up to.  I have been sooo crazed.

Last couple weeks.

Working on something I wanted to share Wednesday.

Then it was Thursday.

Now Friday.

And still, I am not done.

Phew.

The studio is crazy explosive.

See behind me?

Crazy lady hovel.

My desk looks like a tasmanian devil came through it.

I am in the endless computer hours stage of attempting to create something.

Editing pictures, endless hours.

Stuffing jewels here and there.

Waaaaay tooooo much tea.

I make it very weak.

But still.

So much tea for one girl.

I hope to be done in about a day, so I can finally come back and share.

For now I have a perpetual gone loony face on.

Twisted eyes, vacant stare.

Crazy crazy.

I thought that loony girl face on me was so funny.

It was unintentional, so it must be true.

Because it is exactly how I feel.

Is it looney or loony?

The only thing that has gotten me through focusing and working on projects diligently.

3 song dance parties, 3 times a day.

Like heart pumping madly, outrageous energizing.

Jumping, moving, out of control.

Only, truthfully, you might find me blaring one song obsessively, on repeat.

Because when that 1:00 minute mark comes on, I go out of my head.

I even had Mister Lovee jumping around at 10 p.m.

Old Jazzercise moves come in handy :)

I even put on some old heels to bop around in.

They are falling apart.

Poor things.

And I am clashing prints.

But hey.

Everyone needs a loony week.

Or two.

Or three.

Or 4.

:)

As for wigs.

OH MY!

I love that so many of you are wig lovers!!

I'll tell you my childhood wig tales some time ;)

Let's see.

Two numbers.

Random Number Generator.

Miss Violet Lace treats.

$60 store credit goes to....

#71

Brani McKenna!!

Wooo hoo!

And, $25 goes to....

#79

Emilie Proctor!

Yay, so happy for you gals!

E-mail me, and I will get you all squared away.

 

Okay, off I go.

Florence Welch calling.

 

See you soon, with hopefully, a finished project.

 

Looove, V

 

 

 

ps:  Make sure you get up and dance today, okay?

Even if you don't dance in public.

You must dance in private.

You simply must.

 

 

Lovely. Fabulous. Fun. {Miss Violet Lace - A Giveaway}

Ooooo, something so fun today!

After our Baroque talk, I think it's official to say that we all love to dress up in our own way.

From frocks and jewels, to any manner of fanciness, of our own making.

Jewels with tea?

In play.

On outings.

Everyday?

I sort of like the all at once approach myself.

But what, I ask...?

What could be more exciting than overflowing jewels of drawers to choose from?

I'll tell you.

There is something.

Oh yes, there sure is.

What is it you ask?

Why, only the most important fun thing ever.

HAIR!

Hair, oh glorious hair!

Oh oh, pink hair.

Lovely flowing pink hair.

Or or, Fire hair.

Delicious tendrils of fire bursts of hair.

Gasp worthy colors of goodness.

But where, where would you acquire such hair you ask?

I'll tell you where.

At...

Miss Violet Lace

Of course.

Where wig dreams come to life.

You can have any hair you ever wanted.

I love wigs.

Love them.

My parents bought me my first wig in 2nd grade.

I wish I had had this one then...

 

At Miss Violet Lace they begin their magic with a base wig.

Where they then do any manner of wondrous things to create major hair love.

 Such as cut, dye, or hand sew in different colors.

There are short cuts, long flowing, pixie, funky, fabulous, elegant.

Blonde, blue, red, lavender, pink, yellow, teal, two tone, brunette...

And more.

Imagine?

Hair dreams indeed.

Here is the exciting part...

Miss Violet Lace is one of our beloved sponsors.

(You can see our sponsors in the upper right hand sidebar)

And....

She is gracing us with an awesome giveaway today!

 Two giveaways actually.

A $60, and a $25, store credit.

Wooo hooo!

How fun is that?

 It would be really lovely if you would pop over to Miss Violet Lace, take a peek, and share in comments here, what wig you'd be inclined to wear if you won.

I will draw two names at random in a day or two.

Is this fun or what???

 

Love, V

 

 

 

Random This & That's

Hello from a random day at AFT.

In the office, shipping parcels.

(I love sending out parcels of art, love it, packing lots of goodies as extras, hoping to make folks smile)

 

I have been busy as a bee this week.

Oh and, bees flew into my house yesterday too.

But, they didn't sting me.

We have had ever so many bees this year.

The garden has loved it.

I work side by side with them.

And have not been stung yet, knock on wood.

(although I was stung once, years ago as a kid - but a little meat tenderizer mixed with water to form a paste on the sting, cured me right up)

I have had guests, big projects I am working on, a sore ear, rain, wind.

And maybe, a little autumn weather on the horizon.

I am beginning my good-byes to the garden blooms.

Although it's still warm, whilst raining.

Thick clouds, two trees meet.

Right under the gypsy wagon.

Sun shines through.

Pretty world.

That nature world.

Getting ready to go out.

Getting dolled up is so much fun, isn't it?

Going here and there, and visitors too.

Searching through little drawers for a charger.

Looking for something good to read in my cabinet.

Mice from Mombie.

She gifted them to me this summer, plus two greys.

I kept 7 white mice and gave each fur boy a grey.

But they know not to touch Mama's mice.

:)

My mom and dad came for a visit.

I streaked Mombie's hair.

Her and my dad brought more treats and baked goods than one can imagine.

Oh my.

It was a wonderful time had by all.

Of course, me being a sap, sobbed a bit when the Arthur song (love Christopher Cross) came on.

As my dad used to sing that to me as a little girl.

When you get caught between the moon and New York City....

So, I had the whole room tearing up :)

Nostalgia.

Of the good variety.

Matty has decided that he does love his gran and gramps.

And they love their grand-dogs back.

Of course, Miles is always ready for love.

But, Matty was so lovable he even sat on my dad's foot and cuddled up to his shin.

My dad felt so touched.

It's not easy to win Matty over.

This is the first time in 3 years that he's ever showed such love and kindness to my dad.

(he sort of always has liked his granny though)

These were major Dad + Matty strides.

And my dad finally got to see his sweet side.

My dad said, I never liked him til now.

Now he loves him.

Matty can do that to you.

After he decides not to eat you for lunch, and share tea and crumpets instead, you fall head over heels.

That's until a mouse goes missing.

Rogue mouse.

On the hunt for fame...

Yes, it's true.

A ridiculous mouse video, for you.

So ridiculous you will be sad you lost 2 minutes of your time, possibly, maybe.

Hopefully the moon walk will win you over.

It's quite a talent, don'tcha know :)

Video made by me and the boys.

 All of the songs played were on the radio, as I video taped.

(except the outro and intro)

Also, not sure why the video got so pixelated, as it was crisp on my computer, but after trying to fix it for 1 hour, I gave up.

Worst little video ever ;)

I made it when I was stuck in bed this summer.

Recovering from the scary anaphylactic shock stuff.

I thought today was a perfect day to post such a random thing, haha!

 

Sorta funny, I hope.

 

Love, V

 

 

Baroque.

So, they say Baroque is back.

Does that mean anything to you?

Does anyone care?

Tee hee.

It's kind of funny to me, to be like, Baroque is back, get the wardrobe out!

I have not followed a fashion trend in so long, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Don't worry, I am not starting.

I just wear what I want.

Maybe the joke's on me, haha!

However.

I found myself digging out all my old jewels and frocks, of the pseudo Baroque variety.

Just for fun.

Seems I have quite a bit.

Why on earth would I own anything Baroque one asks?

Well, it seems....

That it was a HUGE trend during my high-school years.

Along with monster sized earrings and such.

And yes, tis true, I still own it all.

The jewels, the clothes.

You see, I have saved my favorites from as far back as I can remember.

The thing is...

For years after high-school I would show friends parts of my most ornate jewelry collection, and they would laugh at me.

Yes, laugh.

Ha!

And ask, What? Where?  Why?

Who owns this stuff?

Who wears this stuff?

And I would ask, you didn't wear this stuff in high-school?

I always got big no's.

When I was in high-school (graduated in 1994), everything wearable was embroidered with stones and sparkle.

Everyday was a costume ball.

Dress up was the name of the game.

Does anyone remember that?

Beaded off the shoulder sweaters? 

Leggings paired with heavily beaded blazers?

Sequins, huge rhinestones, clip on earrings, the whole bit?

Anyone?

Rhinestones and beading were everywhere, heavily adorning dresses and more.

Levi jackets covered in every frill and bauble you could muster were the thing.

People sometimes wore ripped jeans and the ornate stuff together.

(me included)

I think grunge was going on at the same time.

So, some folks sort of morphed the two.

I wasn't able to pull all the treasures out, as they are packed away carefully.

But the jewels are always at the ready.

I was looking through Vogue last spring, at the upcoming fall/winter 2012/2013 campaign -

And I almost fainted.

Dolce and Gabbana plunged into Baroque head first.

Baroque from here to there.

With a little over the top thrown in for good measure, of course.

Tapestry shoes (still love mine and wear them), heavily beaded and adorned coats.

I kept exclaiming, wait wait, I wore that in high-school!!

Anyhow.

If nothing more.

I had a fun lil' trip down memory lane.

Me and my jewels :)

And Miles, plunking his monkey on top of them, just as I snapped a photo.

Too funny.

Showing just where life is now.

Fur, toys, jewels on the side.

I'm pulling some things out of the closet that I had forgotten about.

And now, I wonder where all my rhine-stoned coats and things are?

Oh yes, I know.  Must excavate them.

I can bring them back for show and tell, and giggles, if anyone cares to peek.

I am not sure if Baroque will work on a trip to the grocery in this tiny desert village.

But, I kind of love Baroque.

That's the thing.

I am glad it's back, to remind me to go through my old treasures.

As over the top as it seems.

Time to delve into bauble drawers and see what we find...

The 5th bangle down, with the coral and turquoise, is a vintage Kenneth Jay Lane.

I have the earrings too.

A gift from an old lady at the end of her life journey, I was ever so thankful.

Think of her every time I wear them.

But, point is.

Guess what?

That same bracelet is being made new again, by Kenneth Jay Lane.

How fun is that?

But wait.

Does that mean what I think it means?

If I am old enough for my high-school trends to be coming round again.

That means almost 20 years have gone by.

What is that saying?

Everything old is new again?

What I want to know is.

Does this mean I am getting old, or I am new again?

New again for sure.

;)

And no way, I really don't think I am old.

Doesn't it kill you when 20+ and 30+ year olds whine about "being old."

So silly.

I have always had friends so much older than me.

And they made me realize a long time ago that, old + age, is not what we think it is.

Two of them are 75/76 and youthful as can be.

Active, fit, happy, making art.

My outlook on age shifted a lot early on.

When I looked at life through their eyes, I realized that people whining about getting old at 30/40/50 were beyond absurd.

You are as old as you feel.

I can still see a schoolgirl shining through my 70+ year old friends.

How is that for awesome?

And who even defined what age is?

At this age you should be doing this, at that age that.

You are too old for this or that.

You should grow up and act your age.

Ah, hogwash.

H o g.

W a s h.

But, don't even get me started on that.

I better go, I have guests coming, and this post has turned into a crazed madness of nonsense.

Don't forget to pull out all your giant clip on earrings!!

:)

Now, if only I lived here...

As long as I didn't have to pay property taxes, utilities or a mortgage, I could totally do it.

haha!

 

Love, V

 

 

ps:  random question/fact.

When I was little, I once tried French braiding my hair, and I just could.

I didn't know how or why?

I could just reach back and whip up a braid of any kind, on myself.

No matter how intricate.

I still braid my hair all the time, do you?

And do you French braid your own hair?

My family would ask me to French braid my hair, just so they could see.

Like it was a silly human trick or something.

That and bending my thumbs to my wrist, and crinkling up my double jointed fingers.

Oh, and touching my feet to my forehead.

Anyhow.

I was always fascinated with the way the brain can let you do things backwards and upside down as such.

Do you have any fun human tricks you can do? I wanna know :)

 

Pumpkin Cider. Pumkin Water. Pumpkin Drink?

Soooo, I came upon a pumpkin drink.

It all happened after roasting and pureeing a huge fairytale pumpkin...

(Fairytale pumpkins are the bestest for eating.  You will be amazed at the beautiful flesh and flavor.)

I never really get sick of pumpkin treats.

Do you?

I have not had very many this season yet, so I am still in -

Lucky it's pumpkin eating season happiness.

As you may know, when you puree a pumpkin you have to strain out the water before using the puree for baking.

After you oven roast and puree your pumpkin, you can scoop the puree into a cheesecloth bit by bit (I use a flour sack towel), and twist your puree bundle to let out the water.

Or, you can put your puree in a towel or cheesecloth, over a strainer, then over a bowl for a few hours.

I do both.

This time around, I decided to collect some of the roasted and pureed pumpkin water.

I decided to collect it half way through, so some was lost.

But I put the rest in a pitcher.

I thought it might taste good, if I heated it, and added some flavor to it.

Like a pumpkin drink of sorts.

Mister Lovee says it's like a cider really.

Which in looking up the proper definition of cider, it could sorta be.

And punkins are technically fruit, right?

Although cider is more of mashed fruit, typically apples.

Not the water of the fruit.

So, who the heck knows, haha!

Anyhow, I decided to heat some up...

Then I put some sugar and spice in a bowl.

4 cups pumpkin water

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

a good pinch ginger

a good pinch ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

You must do the salt, it enhances all the flavors.

Without it, the whole thing tastes like something is missing.

I popped the spices into the heating pumpkin water...

As it got hotter, I made sure to whisk things up really well.

Dissolve the spices and sugar thoroughly.

Once it comes to a boil, pour into a cup, and let cool a bit.

Then, sip away...

It tastes like pumpkin pie in a way.

First sip, your brain tries to understand what you are sipping.

Then it goes, oh ya, pumpkin.

Yumm.

I tested a few things too.

If you want to be extra rotten, you can put a tiny little tinge of real butter in the pot.

I know this is borderline ridiculous.

But, I wanted to see if it did anything.

Like, added more of a decadent dessert body.

It was yumm, but just as good without it, if not better.

I also tried a little chocolate, like, hot pumpkin chocolate.

It was okay.

But much better in the original fashion.

Although, I am not a huge lover of chocolate or the flavor, so, it's hard for me to judge.

I really can't tell you how lovely just the hot spiced pumpkin water was.

What should it be called?

Does anyone know?

Maybe it already has a proper name, and I am the only one that doesn't know.

Haha!

I thought about all the things you can do with this sugar and spice pumpkin water.

Ice cubes?

Use it instead of plain water in oatmeal?

Use it instead of plain water with a proper package of ready made hot chocolate.

Truly, you could try it instead of water in lots of baking projects, me thinks.

As for me.

I think I am still celebrating Halloween.

Piano + Jacko

Yes yes, in fact. 

I am.

I have decided that from this day forward, I will celebrate Halloween until Nov. 5th.

Maybe up until the 7th or 8th actually.

Because, the abrupt shift from October 31st to November1st is much too traumatic for this Halloween loving heart.

I mean, for the love of squash, it's still tanning weather here.

I need a few more days after Pumpkin Holiday Halloween to hope for cool.

89' F today.

It's chilly late night.

But day, warmest warms.

So, how I ask, can I be shuffled past the spookiest day so quickly?

I need a buffer.

Or else, haha!

If I had a therapist, I am sure he/she would agree with me.

:)

Don't you?

 

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  When I make pumpkin soup, I don't extract the water from the puree, and just use the puree plus some chicken stock.  But if you are a vegetarian, you don't need the chicken stock.  You could use veggie stock.  Or just straight pumpkin if you'd like.  I do that too.

Dia de los Muertos

Today is a Mexican holiday called, Dia de los Muertos.

A day to fondly remember loved ones who are no longer with us.

My pictures are a little foggy as my good camera has not yet returned.

(I pushed my manual only camera during the party big time, haha)

But I really wanted to stop in and share a few words about today.

I love how this Mexican holiday has spread throughout the world.

It's a beautiful time to just reflect and remember, in an extra special way.

The Day of the Dead celebrations and parades are huge and elaborate in many places.

Today I was on my early morning walk when I came upon a rock shaped just like a skull.

It was hard to draw on it as it was lumpy.

But I tried.

Not great, but it caused me to stop and think about family members who have died as I painted.

I thought about them all, things about them that made me laugh and smile.

And then, I thought a lot about Baby.

I wonder what she would think about Miles.

I often find myself drifting off to sleep...

Thanking her for sending us an angel to mend our broken hearts.

(Lovee, Matty and me)

You never think you can love again as much.

And then somehow.

You do.

And more.

Your heart expands to love more.

Baby.

Such a special girl.

She made it possible for her brothers to live like kings.

Why?

Because time is too short with them, to not lavish them with pure love and goodness.

Toys and treats.

Hugs and kisses.

Never enough.

So do it a lot.

With everyone you love.

As often a you can, I say.

 

Feliz Dia de los Muertos ♥

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps:  If you would like to see a video about Dia de los Muertos, click here.

 

pss:  Info about the Tucson All Souls Procession here. (this weekend)

 

 

Back to Reality...

Everyone here is traumatized.

October is over, and it is now November.

October is over?

Wha???

So, it's been sort of hard to have to come back to reality.

You know.

Pumpkins turn back into frog princes...

Mushrooms sprout in the bell jar.

The norm ;)

Oh Ribbit, don't make that face.

You can be a lil' punkin again next year.

We're sipping tea for our nerves...

What nerves?

I dunno.

Why nerves?

I dunno.

You know, that Christmas is everywhere really really fast maybe.

We love love love Christmas.

Love it to pieces galore.

More than galore.

But for some reason, the rush of it on November 1st makes us all...

Jittery.

Stomach butterfly-ee and nervous.

No rhyme or reason.

Maybe the reality of time passing like, more than a snap.

Like, crazy fast.

Do you feel like that?

I know Mombie has her tree up already.

Not decorated, but up and getting ready to be decorated.

I for one, stayed up way too late last night, so for me...

It's still zombieville.

I just want to stare at the dreamkeeper in the mirror across the room.

From my squishy happy bed.

Even though she is right next to me.

I always stare, daring her to move her head, or say something.

Daring her to wink at me.

Of course, she only hums softly at night.

What I really want to do, is cuddle under the great wall of blanket.

And I will, just as soon as I leave here, me thinks :)

As you may know.

I have been crocheting this blanket for 7 years...

It is sooooo big, and soooooooooo heavy.

It could fit a triple king size bed by now.

But guess what?

This is my first time ever using it.

Ever, in 7 years.

It is getting quite chilly in the late/early night/morning.

And so, I decided to tie it off, and use it.

Gulp.

I found some comfort in having an ongoing project as such.

But instead of adding to it for 7 more years, I think I'll just start a new one.

I am loving using it.

Like, heart exploding with joy, loving.

It is a tinge wonky shaped. 

Like a giant rectangle gone mad, due to all the different winging it weaves.

You can't really tell when it is on the bed.

But the one thing is that...

I have parts of it that I love for different reasons.

Like my cookie monster meets big bird section.

I love that space.

There is such giddy pleasure in making yourself something usable, isn't there?

My heart skips a beat when I pull my blanket up to my chin.

And it makes me all warm.

And I open my eyes to it on bright brisk mornings.

I would be so proud of myself if I could make a quilt.

But I can't.

Can I?

I am not sure I can sit still long enough to cut 10 million squares out, and sew them together.

If you have ever made a quilt, I think you are a rock star.

I want to make one.

I have to get in a quilt zen brain mood I think, if I even want to consider such a thing.

For now...

I think I will give myself the rest of the evening off.

I stayed up until 1 a.m. roasting and pureeing a HUGE fairytale pumpkin.

(+ straining the liquid out)

Then I got up to make pumpkin breads at 6 a.m. for a friend.

But I missed her, and didn't get to gift them.  Sadness.

Mister Lovee is happy to munch though.

So that is grand ;)

Only I am zombified now.

By the by, we had such a wonderful Halloween feast, followed by a scary movie...

And glowing drinks...

That I forgot to take hardly any photos.

For shame.

We enjoyed our tonic water and lemon lime Hansen's sodas a ton.

I made caramel corn.

We had grilled salmon, buttered rustic potatoes, caramelized carrots.

Then we watched Los Ojos de Julia.

No trick or treaters in sight.

Darn.

Not that Matty would have been having any of that.

Ghosts and goblins screeching trick or treat would have put him right over the edge.

Right into full blown werewolf.

For sure.

Anyhow.

Off I go to see how the wartlings are doing ;)

 

Love, Vanessa