When my sister suggested it was time for evening cocktail hour...
I knew it was time indeed.
Time to bring back those gypsy garden evenings for the season.
Music, candles...
Light the lanterns in the trees.
Trees just beginning to get their leaves.
You know, it wasn't until I got into my thirties that I have really felt like I belonged in Southern Arizona.
Looking back, I know now that I always have.
That I am a real part of this place in the depth of my being.
And that I identify with it madly.
But I didn't really embrace it as kid, as I do now.
I thought it was mysterious and fascinating, and I loved collecting crystals and peeking in old mines and ghost towns.
But I always thought, when I grow up I will go somewhere else.
But then I didn't want to really, when it came time.
And I am so glad I stayed.
Actually, those early road trips around our state with Mister Lovee really caused me to fall in love with Arizona, in a real way.
It's so wonderful to live in a sunny warm place, even if summers are really hot.
It's a dry heat that is manageable.
Not too many mosquitoes.
I rarely see a snake except for a gopher snake going into gopher holes once or twice a summer.
(knock on wood)
The winters are mild.
The mountains are glorious.
People are casual and smiling most of the time.
It's a tinge New Agey, I think at least.
And arty too, and interesting.
New age is a vibe I love and feel.
Even if it's totally 90's of me to love New Age ;)
Did you know that Northern Arizona is super forest like and chilly?
Not all of Arizona is a desert, like here in Southern Arizona.
Even here, the mountains I see from my garden are forest like and get snow.
Where desert meets forest.
I live at a bit higher elevation, about an hour from downtown Tucson, which is why it seems greener.
And cooler.
Do I sound like an Arizona infomercial??
Hahaa!
I always thought I was meant to be a California girl.
Living there half years most of my childhood.
But now I know...
I am not.
I am an Arizona desert girl.
Under mesquite trees, on gypsy nights, I know it for sure.
I can't imagine living any other place.
And sooooo.
Point is, before I ramble on and on...
That my sis suggested a cocktail hour.
Hinting that there was a bottle of champagne in my fridge.
Who knows how long it had been there by the way.
So, she cracked it open.
Meddled it with fresh mint from the garden.
Gave me minty lime soda with just a splash of champagne.
Which I must say, I feel ever so slightly hungover today, but I can't be so it must be in my head.
Not after a thimble full of champagne, me thinks.
What a a glorious night.
The climbing roses are exploding over the lil' gallery too, on the west side of the garden.
Over by the gypsy wagon and the wisteria gazebo thingamabob.
Perfect for frolicking under slight moonlight.
Sipping away....
Cuddling under warm fuzzy blankets and old sparkly quilts.
We absconded with Mister Lovee's current transistor radio.
Of which I have gifted him about 7 in our time, only to have them drop in buckets of water and such.
He listens to NPR all day long especially on weekends, and carries that radio while doing yard work and such, which is why the radios meet their demise so often.
We listened to the radio, rolling through stations over and over.
Stevie Nicks came on and I twirled around, which made the pups excited and then everyone was kicking up dirt.
It got real chilly later in the evening.
I cuddled up into my sister with Douglas (her min pin) and Matty on my toes.
And when my sis was ready to go embroider the night away, I swapped her for Mister Lovee.
Who had been watching his show.
So chilly by 10 p.m.
But bewitching.
We found it hard to pry ourselves away.
But then took comfort in the fact that we always have tomorrow.
As gypsy nights are here to stay.
For now.
Oh oh oh, these glorious days of Arizona spring.
Where lanterns sway, and if you listen just so, the moon will share a secret or two.
I closed my eyes and found inspirations for paintings tugging at my skirt.
Paint me, paint me...
Whispered the moon.
Love, V
ps: The tote and bunting winner from the previous post is.....
#21
Sandra Sheets, hoooray you won!
Please email me your snail mail address, yay!!
