A Fanciful Twist

Ghostly Tales...

The first day of October is drawing ever so near...

I wander around my garden paths hand in hand with the changing weather.

My stomach is a butterfly flutter waiting to explode.

This always happens when Pumpkin Holiday is approaching.

I want to sop up all the buttery goo of roasted brown sugar pumpkin surprise (is that a thing?), with a perfectly roasted giant marshmallow.

(and I don't even like sweets!)

I want to twirl at midnight with striped stockings and cackle so madly that all the black cats come over to dance on two legs.

Of course, they'd find my cackling to be pure unfiltered opera, of the hollow's eve variety.

And some might even tape me with an old tape recorder they found in an abandoned attic they live in.

And for fun, they might even play back my cackles on extra high speed.

Black cats are so misunderstood you know, they really are true jokers.

Every time they saunter calmly down the road in their black fur, as you happen to be driving by, they roll on their backs laughing madly in the bushes afterwards at the mere absurdity of the fact that you think they brought you bad luck.

Those felines have such a wicked sense of humor.

But where was I?

Oh yes, butterflies and Pumpkin Holiday (notice how I cap that?)...

(and by the way, Pumpkin Holiday is from October 1 to October 31 in my mind)

The month flies at us and then disappears like gold dust slipping through our fingers.

I just sighed (for real) thinking about the speed in which these 31 days pass by.

And so, we have mere moments before the time begins on October 1st.

The hourglass rushing by.

Must not even drop a morsel of the magic.

So, I thought there would be no harm in beginning a tad bit early.

Just slightly tapping a toe into the near future.

And wouldn't you know, no sooner had I thought the thought than something found its way to me.

Something, mostly ghostly I guess you could say.

A love letter to a ghost.

It reads - 

"Often I would like very much to tell you about my day. About the flowers and the trees -

About the changing weather.

But I am not certain you can hear me.

Could you find a way to let me know?"

But then I thought -

Perhaps the ghost is the one who wrote the letter.

?

What do you think?

What is your take on the tale?

And if a person wrote it instead of a ghost - 

And somehow you happened to be said person - 

What would be your preferred choice of being contacted?

Would you like to be tapped on the shoulder?

Would you like a candle to light itself.

Or a mirror to fall off a wall?

(that just happened to me)

Or would you like to see him or her in a beam of light?

A silhouette at golden hour.

And what if your fur already knew they were there.

(which of course they do right?)

Matty sometimes does his downward dog and then leaps around as he does around the hatter.

Giving off kind little yelps of joy as he hops around in circles, as though engaging with someone.

Only - no one is there.

He is often on the driveway alone, playing with someone we can not see.

He started doing this as a baby and still does it 10 years later.

And supposing you did say to the ghost, go ahead and tell me you are there...

Would you be too terrified to cope if it really happened?

Or would you be open?

My whole family is full of ghost stories, especially my grandmother.

(my dad thinks it's all hogwash and nonsense of course)

I remember sitting around the long wooden table by the lake on family trips - 

My grandmother telling true ghost tales that would make me tremble with goosebumps and fear.

But I wanted to hear more and more.

I could never get enough.

And boy did she weave a beautiful tale enough to spook me and leave me with visuals so engrained in my mind, that I can hear her telling them to me even now, as though she was sitting right by me all these years later.

Pumpkin Holiday does not have to be spooky.

It can be all about harvest and changing leaves I know.

But for one month out of the year, I always get a little bit more intrigued by mysteries of the unknown.

Maybe that is why I love October and Halloween so much.

It reminds me of all my wonderful childhood memories.

Of my grandma's stories, of hay rides and costumes and the whole family taking part.

The sparkle, the music, popcorn, movies, candy corns, caramel and candy apples - oh endless things.

But especially, it gave us permission to have the wildest imagination we could conjure up.

Even for just 31 days.

Sometimes even just for one day.

Amazing how one day could leave such a lasting impression.

After that, the trick (or treat) is learning how to harness that freedom of self and joy whenever we would like, isn't it?

And so I say, let's get ready to plunge into October magic, I simply can not wait!!!

Do you have wonderful childhood memories of autumn and Halloween?

 

October love forever, 

 

Vanessa

 

 

See you soooooon <3 <3 <3

 

 

 

ps: The most amazing thing just happened.

Quite on an otherworldly wave length actually.

I visited the spam folder to my comments section...

Lo and behold, there were gobs of comments from dearest friends all throughout 2018 and 2019 that I had no idea about. Some even from 2017 but then I could not retrieve anymore, I saved what I could.  I am so so so so utterly sorry that I had no idea some comments were being bumped into spam. I just saved them all. But reading them was like going back in time - and the comments were so meaningful even for now.

I am sorry to everyone who left comments and they didn't post, I am not sure how spam is decided but from now on I will check it regularly and retrieve your precious comments should they somehow fall down that rabbit hole! xoxo

 

pps: also, I am answering comments in the comment sections of each post <3

Botanicals and Books

Are you a botanicals and books lover?

I feel like you truly may be...

And, if I'm correct, then this one is just for you.

The best thing after flowers gracing your garden are the paper art they turn in to.

I'm always mesmerized by the way they crumple and curve in such exquisitely beautiful shades.

I keep them around for ages after they dry, sometimes even years.

I am especially enamoured by the piles of petals that slowly float down onto the table as they dry.

I let them fall wherever they'd like.

Throw a little sparkle sparkle in whenever the mood calls and voila, you have a little dose of magic.

Swirl it in your tea or coffee to have your fortune told.

I kept seeing crescent moons and a couple stars in mine.

Which incidentally, makes me giddy about the gypsy wagon days upon us (under the moon) now that it is cooling down.

A lot of dreaming goes on amongst dried petals and twinkle lights it seems.

Pull up a seat next to me if you'd like.

Kick off your fairy slippers and open up a book.

I'm a little bit distracted by the scent of the dried roses.

They smell like rose candy and sweet earth - do you know what I am talking about?

A beautiful scent.

Petals and sparkles swirled together, sprinkled on pages and plates.

I honestly feel like this is an act of mindfulness.

Maybe I should package petals and sparkles?

Because they always inspire me and make me utterly happy.

Oh and by the way, look at what I am reading...

But look closely...

I found this wonderful book at the estate shop, locked in a case, the other day.

I swooned.

Of course at first I too thought it was Alice in Wonderland.

But I was beyond smitten with the way it was a play on words, and actually a book about a botanist named Alice.

I've been taking it to bed with me every night.

So lovely.

So, here we meet again.

Another blog post, have I lost my marbles?

Let's be honest for a second.

Why was I blogging so little this last year or two, and am I back to blogging again regularly?

Of course, I have been utterly busy with two houses and two garden as you all know.

Also a couple of dogs and 100 things that interest me and I can easily fall down, well, the rabbit hole :-)

And, in the summer I am just soooo busy, and two gardens - it's a bit much.

I had been setting up a second home and refinding my footing in everything, which is actually feeling very natural now.

But also, sometimes blogging can feel lonely - even though I only blog for my own joy and amusment.

I had been trying out social media in the form of Instagram for the last few years (late to the party as usual), and while I do adore connecting with friends over there - the algorithm brought a quick halt to the party. I still enjoy it, but I do often feel like all I see is the same content over and over and over for weeks. It's almost like social media is making us less social, in some round about way, by boxing us into this small world of the algorithm. 

I recently started feeling sort of uninspired creatively by the social media outlet. I missed taking camera photos and really sitting down on my big computer to type and share my thoughts and feelings.

And while I will still participate with social media because my friends are all over there and it can be fun, I realized my true joy - my fulfillment, is here at my blog.

It takes beaucoup time and dedication to do this, but it brings me deep contentment and helps me keep up with snippets of my journey.

I truly have been feeling like something is missing.

I missed my big camera.

I missed the moments of being present in my own life doing pretty things.

Like tossing around glitter and petals.

So, no matter who is here -

If it's only a handful of us, then this is for you - and for me.

This virtual journal of sorts, which is a huge part of my heart and a creative outlet that I miss and love.

I may not be here everyday - but I'll come back here more often now.

 

Lots of love, Vanessa

 

 

ps:  I was going to organize a Halloween party but there are so few people blogging.

I think I will still share something fun, which is in my mind swirling about - 

And I can link anyone who chooses to join in.

But I think formal blog hops may not be the thing anymore.

But you know, nothing is ever over, it just changes.

So, let's see where things take us, shall we?

Sometimes you have to just sit back and see where the new shift leads.

I am more open to change and I often repeat to myself, keep moving forward, keep moving forward.

xoxo

 

 

 

Welcome Autumn

A couple days into autumn and it is already dreamy.

Went went from record highs to rainy beautiful breezes that the parched earth desperately needed.

There have been plenty of candles lit and dogs napping to fill our cups right up.

60's and a little cardigan, what more could I ask for?

Twinkle lights and flickering flames in wax are just the thing for the day.

This little white pumpkin survived the entire year, can you believe it?

The light has shifted into such a perfect autumn, I am so delighted beyond words.

I know the sun will return as will a little warmth next week, but for now I bow my head to the pumpkin king (curtsying of course), and thank him for entering with a gust of wind and rain<3

Enough to fulfill the heart of an autumn loving girl.

I couldn't really choose what pics to post (because they all evoke exactly what I am feeling) so I've posted the slightest variation of them all.

When you take pics every move you make changes the vignette just a little.

Can you tell the subtle differences?

The light shifts a tiny bit, the mirror reflections change a tiny bit, you see more of this or that.

I find it quite difficult to choose which pics to share actually.

I do try however, to choose ones that slowly show a bit more and more, so at least there's a progression.

I have a feeling you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed the moment of snapping them.

Because we are kindred spirits after all, aren't we?

Alas I veer - 

Back to this autumnal moment - things slowly changing.

It's interesting how in the depth of summer you can forget that any other season exists.

You can not fathom a cool breeze.

And when said breeze arrives you forget completely about the brutal heat.

And then, you are happy again.

Just like that.

Isn't it funny how the mind works?

Anywho, if you need me I will be here all day.

In my frilly tea room, enjoying this glorious weather.

Dusting around, singing songs and thinking about all the things I need and want to do right away.

Paint, clay, bake, crochet, plant some trees (autumn is a great time to plant trees here), go antiquing, clean my office, organize my gypsy wagon, and the list goes on and on and on and on :-)

But right now in this very moment there are twinkle lights and book pages.

Listening to the faint rain.

Roaming the garden and outlying property here.

Enjoying this delicious magical weather.

I've taken some garden videos this morning that I will post in my Instagram stories.

Welcome autumn!

I hope your autumn is off to a lovely start my friends.

Any plans on the horizon?

I hope to be back here more often.

That's something I actually would really like to put at the top of my list.

 

See you soon!

 

Love, V

 

 

 

Sparkle and Paint Days

There's some kind of wonderful that trickles in with the seasonal shift of summer to autumn.

You begin to see everyone fluttering around, excited for what is to come.

The garden needs you less, you get some reprieve from the heat (especially this summer in Arizona with record heat and little rain). You feel less exhausted from the hot air and more inspired by the crisp tinge of autumn that's wafting about.

Each season has its own beauty, but that special magic when summer hands its duties off to autumn is utterly inspiring, isn't it?

For me, I've been staying up super late creating, listening to music, working in my dollhouses.

My imagination takes me to far away places - to sparkly bright colored circuses - to a place of pure imagination.

I'm always thankful for that place I discovered as an 11 year old - my own escape.

And so I fling paint around and listen to music into the wee hours of the night.

It's interesting how in summer I am ready for bed quite early and in autumn I am awake late - you would think it would be the other way around but I suppose the hot days and garden tending of two gardens really zaps a person.

I do love early mornings too though.

Late nights and early mornings - those quiet times when creativity swirls all around.

I've set up a space for my creating in the guest house here, but my main studio is still at the country house.

I go back and forth to both places nearly everyday as they are close by.

It's a lovely dance that I have found a rhythm with and am enjoying.

I pulled the carpet out two years ago in this guest house and left the floor bare concrete. I did not want to worry about the spilling of endless amounts of paint, because we all know, it's fun to fling paint with wild abandon. There's a little courtyard garden outside the guest house and I've been planting climbing roses and vines. I can't wait to see how they grow up next spring.

It's important for me to create almost everyday. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know about the pact I made with myself when I was 19 years old or so. To live a life of creating for my own sanity and for inner peace. And so, I always find my way back to what is my greatest joy and escape.

For me, it's important to surround myself with little things that I love for inspiration.

There is no rhyme or reason, just little knick knacks that I love.

And a few reminders of my past work.

Some magazines here and there and book pages.

As you get older it's easier to lose sight of yourself.

You get so busy and your whole world doesn't revolve around you as it did when you were younger.

And oddly enough, you become less selfish, and a healthy amount of selfishness (of the good variety) is so important.

You almost forget what you need if you are not careful.

So, I make sure to create a space of me-ness and get creative.

If you are imaginative or creative, it's important to have an outlet.

An outlet for the wanderings of your mind, an outflow.

There is nothing I love more than the smooshing of colors and textures.

I especially adore when pink and orange bleed together.

And so, the wonderful shift is upon us.

Of summer to autumn.

For some of you on the other side of the globe it is the opposite.

You are going into spring.

Which is very interesting because autumn in Arizona is much like a second spring until November when it really starts to cool down.

All my roses are filling up again, after leaves crisping up in the heat despite watering.

The flowers breathe a sigh of relief and start to flourish for a couple months.

Pretty much just like me and you.

A wonderful sigh of magical relief.

Time to create - to be happy, to be free.

To continue believing.

To be true to yourself.

To create just for the sake of creating.

To put your phone down and get back to living your own best life.

My happiest place is here.

Where art supplies are (I have doubles of everything in both studios, I can't imagine needing something and it being at the other place, and vice versa).

Where I am free to be me, and do whatever the heck I want.

Where circus girls turn up at midnight.

Beckoning me into the trapeze of art.

My favorite place to be.

With a little bird and porcelain doll head rooting me on.

And all the glimmer and sparkle turning up for the party.

Everyday can be a party if you want it to be.

Even for just an hour.

Refuel your soul, find the joy of your heart.

Instead of fearing the unknown how about being excited for the future?

Life is hard I know, all sorts of things happen, and questions and fears and worries.

But for an hour (or more if you can) how about some escape?

I promise, it will change everything if you give yourself a little while to have an outflow of all your feelings and emotions.

Give yourself some "me time" to do what you love.

That will make all the difference.

<3 <3 <3

 

Happy Autumn xoxo!

See you soon.

Love, V