A Fanciful Twist

Of Light and Pink Paint

Hello friends!

I finished painting my piece of furniture last week...

And now I am spooking it up a little bit.

Truth be told, I had painted it peachy pink and fully decorated it for Halloween.

But the color was too light and peachy for the feel I really wanted.

So I took it all down, which is quite unlike me, as I am usually easily pleased with things I paint.

I mix all my own paints, so I painted it 4 times total, until I reached the shade I really wanted.

The final color needed to be able to adapt well to the changing light in this room.

I decided to leave the peachy tone, and create a two tone look,

Then I striped the top, as I shared in my last post.

Nothing was planned at all.

Not even the gold leaf, but how I ask, could I not?

;-)

I really love it now, and am back to getting a jump start on October decorating.

The weather is so cool.

I woke up this morning to let Matty out, and there was the smell of rain and a deliciously cool breeze, wafting in ever so gently.

I left the door wide open and crawled back into bed to enjoy it.

Now I'm collecting little treasures for my new old pink piece.

I posted little videos of the painting process in my Instagram stories a few days ago.

So many were asking me for colors, but I simply don't have them.

I just mix some white, some off white, some red, some yellow...

Then swirl it all up :-)

Until I reach the tone and tint that fits my liking.

Most everything I own is old, collected, antiqued, thrifted -

Some upcycled like this piece.

When I got it, it was blueish grey, then I painted it white and distressed - it which I really loved.

Then recently, I had this wild idea to paint it pink for all the holidays.

I have many painted pieces in my house, often leaning towards teals and pinks.

Colors just make me happy.

I do love rustic and natural too, and I LOVE to look at it.

But for some reason, in my own surroundings I need colors and things that make me happy.

And, that really is what it is all about, isn't it?

Surrounding yourself with that which makes you happy.

So, with that I shall say Happy Friday!

I hope you are doing lovely in your neck of the woods.

I shall return super soon!

 

Magic, Wishes, & Stars Forever!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Welcome Magical Autumn

I woke up this morning, groggily opened the door, and felt it immediately...

The tinge of cool swirling in the warm breeze.

Bliss.

Memories.

I whispered, I know you.

I threw on my shoes and Matty and I headed out to the garden.

There were butterflies swirling around madly, all colors.

New ones had arrived overnight, big white butterflies, and canary yellow ones too.

I decided I would pick some pumpkins, to celebrate the day.

A couple Fairytale pumpkins and a Jack-o-lantern.

I didn't bring in Mister Big yet, but I did bring in his younger brother, and a sister.

Several more to come <3

I pruned zinnias, and took a few spent ones.

I plop other ones right back into the earth, as they will self seed next year.

My happy collection for the first day of autumn makes me so content.

Full heart.

Thank you pumpkins.

They have gotten me through many summers, but have meant even more these last two summers.

I needed them so much, while the world has its odd goings on, they are here like everything is good - just as it should be.

They make everything better all the time.

Hope, love, memories.

Good-bye summer 2021.

I will miss you.

Strange but true.

Autumn of my heart.

So happy to see you.

I know you so well, you always bring a sense of wonder and joyful memories - on the tail of a breeze that dances between warm and cool.

Another chapter of summers closing, turning the page.

The garden, still full of all it brought us, as we venture into our spring-like autumn.

Where pumpkin everything makes everyone delighted.

This should really be an ode to the pumpkin -

The pumpkin that somehow hugs everyone.

Sort of saying, it's all going to be okay.

A message from the pumpkin king, that we eagerly embrace wholeheartedly.

It's almost universal.

Pumpkin spice should be the secret code word.

It holds so many joys tucked deep inside of us.

A wealth of memories thriving in a flavor and a scent.

My gratitude for the pumpkins that grew in my garden this year, and those of year's past, is immeasurable.

Pumpkin LOVE abounds!

Happy first day of Autumn dear friends!

And Happy Spring to those of you on the other side of the globe.

Seasonal magic is upon us!

Lots of love.

 

Magic, wishes. and stars forever!

See you super soon,

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Here is some beautiful autumnal music for your day <3

(Autumn/Fall 2021 Alexrainbird music)

 

Autumn on the Breeze....

Two more days until the official first day of autumn.

I can feel it in the evening air, can you?

This is a similar intro photo, as seen in the last post, only taken in the opposite direction.

Going up the little hill in the secret garden, and under the arbor, through the tunnel of flowers.

The blooms are loving the cooler nights, and the dahlias are right on cue.

A second spring begins in high desert days of autumn.

Magic.

Giant pumpkins, oh my!

Vines reach for the sky.

Varieties of fancy squash are all around.

Some cross-pollinated, others did their own thing.

Some went full Fairytale as planted, and other Fairytales made babies with Jack-o-Lanterns.

Does that make them Fairy Lanterns?

Pumpkins took over paths, and even climbed fences.

Some fell off the fences they climbed, and others crawled all over the chicken coop, plopping down into super tall wild verbena when they got too heavy.

I shall have to hunt for them when the time is right.

I squeeze through the overgrown Paradiso Perduto, a sort of Miss Havisham land, of my own making.

I did always find this incredibly unnatural pull towards her.

Treasures in old mansions, with ceilings caving in to allow the night stars to shine through.

And overgrown forgotten gardens, of wildest imaginings.

I suppose, in many ways you become what you love.

What you are drawn to as a child.

Take for instance, us fellow lovers of pumpkins.

The mere idea of the pumpkin patch would make me squeal as a child and into adulthood.

Until I started growing my own pumpkin patches at around 24 or 25.

Now they just take over my whole world from May to November.

I loved pumpkins so much, I became a pumpkin caretaker.

Mother Pumpkin :-)

This was once a path that went straight ahead.

But now it is completely sealed off by pumpkin vines and a wall of cosmos and zinnias.

It will be fun to see the garden paths again in winter, when I do my summer 2021 clean up.

Until then, I shall enjoy the wonderful chaos of wild growing things.

I sip my orange tea, as snippets of All Hallow's Eve begin to trickle in.

I've been ever soooooo busy adding sold out cards, new cards and Halloween cards to my shop.

Because as far as I am concerned, the first day of autumn means Halloween :-)

The butterflies are ready...

Costumes on point!

They know it is time.

And it seems, the pumpkins do too.

As they are changing color quickly.

We had the most unexpected rain for two days in a row this weekend.

It lasted only a little while, but it rained so hard, it made everyone in the garden extra happy.

They are all turning color, and soon will come inside to take part in the pumpkin holiday festivities.

I have been painting furniture...

Shipping out wonderfully fun orders.

And getting out all the magical stuff.

I am in full décor mood.

I want to get a head start on October.

But not too fast, because I will absorb every second of the last two days of summer.

How does it all happen so quickly?

I do not even know.

Last week was ever so busy.

My dad did well in his hip surgery and is at home recovering.

I made him an apple crisp, and now he waits the 6 weeks healing time, although he's already on his phone, doing this and that.

He's a very busy man, but I made him accounts in my Amazon and Netflix, so luckily he can watch all the things he didn't even know existed.

Because he must must take it easy.

We are both true crime lovers, and so we watch these shows and chat about it for hours on the phone.

I painted a piece of furniture and decorated for Halloween.

Then I decided that I didn't particularly love the shade.

So, I took down all my Halloween decor...

And ended up repainting the piece 4 more times (I mix my own paint colors).

Until finally, I arrived at the color I really wanted.

The color changes a lot in the room because the room goes from light to shady.

So, I wanted a color that worked with all the different times of day.

Then I decided to add stripes, and gold leaf, and make it two tone.

(Insert eye roll, just my own kind of therapy)

It's like a jewelry box now.

All decked out.

I honestly think I just got carried away with myself, with my nervous energy waiting for my dad to have surgery.

It feels so good to be able to breathe, now that he is home doing the very critical healing part.

Hopefully it continues to go well.

I have all my Halloween bins out, and I will redecorate the furniture I just painted.

(it's almost done actually)

You can see snippets of it above, right after it dried, but I will take better photos soon.

I love these cool nights that are upon us, it's so delightful to be able to go out walking in the evening again.

All the monsoon rain we had caused so many volunteer plants at the country house.

You wouldn't believe all the lantern plants that self-seeded, it's beyond words!

I think I took some photos, I'll look for them, or take more.

I honestly do so many things in a day, it's hard to document everything going on.

So, I just share a tinge of snippets, and hope you enjoy.

I shall return very soon.

Are you as excited as I am, about the first day of autumn?

You'll have to let me know.

 

Sending you Wishes, Magic and Stars,

See you super soon!

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Of Wing and Petal...

Oh wing and petal, butterfly summer of my heart...

Where blossoms have grown into trees...

And in the darkest nooks, fairy tale mushrooms have appeared in abundance.

Whispering tales of autumn...

The light begins to shift.

The striped hummingbird moths dance around feverishly.

Their caterpillar selves have been carpeting the ground in both gardens.

I love to see them.

I find such comfort in them, for some reason.

They gather in dozens, sipping the nectar from the wild verbena all around Miles' grave.

Maybe that's why I feel so close to them.

I feel like they are the guardians of my sweetest boy.

The zinnias beckon every winged creature, with their own certain kind of magic.

As dahlias bob down stone stairs I built two springs ago.

I used huge found stones, at least 13 inches deep or more, to create a stair path that looked as though it had been here always.

The butterflies know -

The toil and work endured to build this for them.

A pleasure to my heart, and a job to keep my mind well these 1.5 years of topsy turviness.

Thank goodness for the garden things that keep the imagination alive.

What stories could they tell?

Of what sort of creatures scale the fence and come in at night.

I know they have been here, I see little signs of it, and often little nibbles of bell peppers.

I stroll through the garden and find only the wings of two butterflies deep in the leaves of a cosmos.

I collect them as a garden gift.

I save caterpillars from being attacked by ants.

I know nature must take its own course, but sometimes I can not help myself.

Like the butterfly that had been caught in the giant spider web.

I set her free indeed.

So much going on in the overgrown summer garden.

Soon it will be the autumn garden, in 8 days or so?

The winged creatures are getting so used to me, they let me pet them for 2 seconds, with the gentle side of my pinky finger.

Have you ever pet the fur of a hummingbird moth?

They are so silly.

I am certain they are funny and playful, comical little things.

They even look you right in the eye.

Or come right up to you, to take the last sip of the flower you are clipping for yourself.

Don't worry Hummy, there are more zinnias on the horizon.

The gal I saved comes over to me again.

I can tell it is her because she has just a tinge of spider web still hanging from her wing.

I spend my days rescuing them from fountains and pool, the moment I see them I rush over and pull them out.

Then I set them somewhere safe to dry.

Yesterday there were about 100 moths and butterflies in the pool.

Most just floating, still alive, waiting for me.

I frantically pulled them all out.

Phew!

I go from garden to garden at both houses.

I stroll the garden paths at the country house...

As banana cake bakes in the oven.

I seek out poison mushrooms again and again.

Listening for the tales they would like me to tell...

Something about the hummingbird moth and the butterfly...

What could the story be?

The image below reminds us of how exactly they got their name.

And then other butterflies begin to show up.

As they usually do in autumn.

I love the marking on these.

I wake up at the county house, look out my bedroom window.

20 years of home.

A familiarity so deep in my heart.

I am tending garden at both homes, so it is time to make my 8 minute trek back.

I return to the wild hilled garden to collect goods for dinner.

There are endless limes to collect...

I bring in a few first pumpkins.

Chillies and bell peppers and onions...

And before I go in, I wait for the last sliver of sun...

It never disappoints.

It shoots through the opening in the wall, like a dream of a dream.

A once a day gift.

I intend to visit here more than once a week.

But sometimes I will roll three posts into one, as I have done today.

I am a busy bee it seems, doing this and that.

Going to and fro.

I am painting a cabinet, starting my decorating for Halloween.

Harvesting, watering now that the rains have gone.

Posting wonderful orders, making studio time.

I have a little bit of worry on my heart, as my dad is having surgery for his hip tomorrow.

I'm kind of fluttering around with nervous energy the last few days, trying to do things while feeling a bit wobbly.

Does that ever happen to you?

I seem to run the gamut with the physical symptoms of my worry or nerves.

I do not always worry, and I've collected some major lessons and coping skills over the years.

But I am a natural worrier, not as bad as I used to be, but I have to do things to stay sane.

Like tend my garden madly I suppose.

And learning to let go, just breathe and release, has been amazing.

I did not know that I did not have coping skills for worry, anxiety etc. until I had to face something scary almost 8-10 years ago.

Then it became clear, that I was not skilled in coping with stress.

I've always been wildly happy go lucky, but still a worry wart about certain things, strange but true.

I think we all are to some extent, it's human nature.

There are those people born with an innate ability to cope, and those not programmed with that skill, that can let their worry run wild without end until they are ill.

But you can learn some really easy skills that are life changing.

I was a very brave child, but I still worried about other things.

Even though I was up for anything, and had this strange incredible confidence in things I wanted to try and do -

Deep inside me I was also a worry wart, but not of the things I was trying and doing, more of what ifs about other things.

For example, I wasn't afraid of hiking into the desert alone as a child, but I would worry about what would happen if I failed an exam or got sick.

I guess that's part of having an imaginative mind, it runs away with you.

Most people would be afraid of stomping through snake country, but I would do just that, whilst worrying about other ridiculous things.

There are wonderful skills you can learn to calm yourself, to stop your mind from running wild with worry.

Learning them has been invaluable to my human experience.

It had to get really bad for me, before it got much better.

My journey began around 8 years ago, with a book called Dare by Barry Mcdonagh, it was a real life saver for me.

(I have mentioned this before)

I was at my wits end, no doctors believed that I didn't feel well, and so I somehow sought out a solution for myself.

I ordered dozens of books and hated them all, except this one that I found unexpectedly (Dare), it was just what I needed.

It started to help me instantly and made me a better me.

I still use all those skills I learned almost every day, and I have the Dare app on my phone for daily meditations.

It's important to find the things that help you level yourself.

One thing I have come to learn is that, as bad as anxiety feels, it is an emotion that we often try not to allow ourselves to have, which only makes it worse of course.

Anxiety is an emotion that all of us have to different degrees.

Through my journey I have met so many people struggling, who I have been able to help in my own little way.

(they bought the book too and it was helpful, no I am not sponsored at all, just sharing something that helped me)

If I had not learned those skills, I am not sure I would have been able to cope with all the things happening around us.

Anxiety is a broad label for a whole basket of feelings like fear, panic, stress, worry, despair.

During these last couple of years I am sure we have all had our own encounter with these feelings.

Remember to be kind to yourself.

Remember that, you can not worry yourself sick about things that you have no control over.

I learned that from my 85 year old friend.

I am no doctor, so I am only sharing what works for me, and we all have to find our own way...

But I have learned that -

No matter how rotten things feel, they will get better, nothing lasts forever.

It may look like I live in a world of everything being okay.

And it is, even when everything is not, because I know feelings pass and I now have skills to talk myself through things.

And if I have to, I allow myself to fall apart, like sob while listening to a song and chopping vegetables for dinner.

I always feel better after :-)

Times have not been easy, there have been so many losses and things to fret about, haven't there?

But even when things are scary and bleak, there is beauty all around.

I always repeat my gratitude out loud.

Sometimes I just say thank you thank you thank you thank you, over and over.

Gratitude is a great healer.

You are just one little you, and there is only so much you can take on in your heart and mind.

I send all my love and hopes into the universe, and do my best - that is all I can do.

I have come to a place where I can now feel worry, joy and peace all at once.

Sometimes I feel one of those more that the other.

Most days I do not worry at all, but when I do -

I remind myself, I am not in control of the world or universe, so I can not take it on.

Somedays might be harder and I need to implement the skills I have learned again, and that's okay too.

My dad has always said, it is healthy to laugh and cry every day, I share this all the time.

Now I understand what he means.

It reminds me of someone being surprised with a puppy they have longed for, and how they laugh and cry at the same time.

Letting go is a great healer, understanding you are just like the butterflies and the moths.

Here for a little while, and while things can seem very hard -

There are still flowers and seasons and stars and wishes.

As long as you are here, there is hope.

It's okay to feel sad and rotten, but also leave a little room for the joys of your heart.

I remind myself, keep moving forward, even if it's in tiny ways.

Even if it just means starting a new project, or going for a walk to feel better.

Whatever bad thought you have, flip it to the positive version.

If I say, I am so worried about my dad, I also say, I am so excited for him to feel better soon.

And when I am in the depths of despair...

I sing.

Any song that comes to mind.

I try, and somehow it helps me make my way through.

Especially if you're driving and something stresses you out, just sing!

You will be amused at what song you choose too, and that will make you laugh, after you freak out of course.

:-)

I have found ways to look at things in a funnier way, more light hearted.

What skills have you learned that help you get through worrisome times?

It's really good to know that, we are not alone.

You are not alone.

Every single person alive has hopes, fears, joys, woes.

Some of us get through things a bit easier, while others need to learn ways to do so.

If I was able to learn ways to cope, so can you.

 

I think I shall close with today's motto of...

Don't be so hard on yourself.

 

Magic, wishes and stars to you!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Studio Blossoms & A Tale About a Curious old Cabinet

Hello friends!

I've been trying to get here for 3 days to tell you all my stories.

I had garden chores and endless things -

But here I am, with an extra long post for you today.

The tale of the very old cabinet is one I've been wanting to share for months.

Since I have spent the last 1.5 years going to zero stores, I have found other internet related ways to bring treasures my way.

There is a once a month antique shop in Tucson called Gather Vintage.

They travel everywhere looking for treasures, and I have purchased many items from there over the last 5 years or so.

A few months ago I saw this tattered old cabinet with many drawers roll through their Instagram account.

I loved it in its, highly patina aged, wood glory.

Then I saw other local Instagrammers who refinish furniture posting it, and I thought, I better save it soon before it is sanded or painted.

So, I called them up and bought it on the phone sight unseen, and had someone pick it up for me.

I will tell you the whole story about the curious cabinet after I run up to the secret garden, and pick some flowers for the studio.

Greeted by my beloved butterflies as soon as I enter.

This one fluttered up to me and flapped its wings against my nose and cheek.

I nearly fainted, it was sublime beyond words.

I will never forget that feeling, for as long as I live.

It wasn't just the feeling, but the sound, of life and wings.

The giant cosmos are starting to bloom and will do so until the last frost.

They are so tall, it feels like I'm walking through a corn maze.

One thing I am smitten with are the curious buttercup shaped cosmos this year.

They might be from the Floret Flower seeds I planted, but I'm not entirely certain.

Okay, we have our flowers, so let's head back to the tale...

Nothing like nature's colors for a little inspiration.

Purples and pinks and...

(I do a lot of paintings that I never share, they are more about painting my feelings and color therapy for me, and I enjoy it sooooooo much! Just a really important outflow of my busy mind and feelings that balances me out - and has since I was 11 years old)

So, the curious cabinet arrives to my house, and it is wonderful.

Also, a bit rickety and sooo heavy.

But most interesting of all....

Are the bit and bobs written and tacked onto the drawers.

So, I started by having a helper put casters on it for me.

Actually, it was too deteriorated and I just happened to have a heavy duty piece of wood, so he mad a new base and attached the casters for me in less than an hour.

Then I needed to clean it, and by clean I mean scrub it down with soap and water.

The drawers were filled with 100 year old thick soot and mummified spiders, as was the outside.

Then there were all the measurements jotted down on the drawer faces with chalk, which I was madly in love with.

I did not want to lose the integrity of it, so I purchased some oil based permanent chalk marker, which is used commercially on roads and such.

Then I carefully went over all the writing on the drawers, following the exact lines.

After that I scrubbed it down, even washed the little paper tags tacked to the drawers as carefully as I could.

There were about 27 knobs missing on each side, as the cabinet opens from each side.

(I should have taken videos or photos when it first arrived)

So I went on eBay and found a bag of old knobs.

The gentleman would not let me buy them until the auction ended in 6 days.

(insert impatience, haha)

I was the only bidder and got the whole bag.

The knobs looked so worn and stained, they looked like they had always belonged on the cabinet, more so than some of the knobs that were already on there.

When I asked about the history of the cabinet, I was told that it was found in some old barn somewhere in Arizona.

If you remember me talking about some of my Arizona road trips years and years ago, you know there are some wonderful old places here.

I'm one who really loves and appreciates old things, especially when they have memories of the past attached to them.

Something really interesting is the scent of the cabinet.

It smells so good, like a wooded forest.

When I first walk into my studio I can smell it, and it is a scent engrained deep into my memory.

I can't describe it, like I've smelled the scent before, but it smells so good.

It's not a chemical scent or fake scent sprayed on, but more of the natural scent of wood and time.

You might know the scent I speak of - I love it so much.

Above you can see the casters we attached to it, and the board I stained in the same shade of brown.

I have been using the drawers to help get me get organized in this studio, and it has worked wonders.

I use pearl pins to tag the drawers with a sample of what I have put inside.

For example, I tacked a butterfly to the front of the faux butterfly drawer.

And a star to the stars drawer, etc. tec.

Something interesting was that, when I was editing these photos I noticed that the drawer below has two V's on it.

Likely just a random mark or scratch, but meaningful to me.

There are 3 drawers missing, which the fellow who put the casters on can make for me.

I'm not sure how old this piece is, but it is made purely of wood, no screws.

It is made almost identically to some of the old drawer cabinets I have at the country house studio.

Those were made from old wooden cheese boxes - similar concept, but sit on a counter.

I am sure this was used for a couple generations at least.

I did find some square nails in a drawer, so that gives some idea.

I think maybe a grandfather made it, and then his son used it, and then his son, and then it came to me.

Where the 3 drawers were missing, I just tacked on some book pages and card stock, which I prefer more than having actual drawers.

And so...

That is the tale of the gigantic, old, and very curious, cabinet.

I love it so much.

I am happy to be the keeper of it for as long as I get to enjoy it.

I can not ever see myself painting it.

When I showed it to my close people, they thought it was too tattered, they were all pretty much not for it.

But for me, it's functional history, and it makes my heart skip a beat.

I love old treasures so much.

I remember the fascination running through my entire being, upon finding old treasures, when I was younger.

What a wonderful feeling that was.

I am so happy to have that appreciation engrained deep inside of me.

My grandfather loved old things, and every once in a while I'd be the lucky recipient of a thing or two.

I will cherish them forever and ever.

I am the keeper of so many old things for people I do not even know.

And some that I met briefly, like the dining table and cabinet that belonged to a gal's grandparents, that I cherish and use daily.

I use the cabinet as my library and the dining table as a huge credenza for my giant urn and books.

And the old mirrored armoire door my grandfather saved and gave to me (which I have hanging in my tiny garden cottage), because everyone forced him to get rid of the actual armoire, but he salvaged the door for me.

And all the china dolls I find, that were loved a hundred years ago.

And the old mirrors, flaked and bubbled exquisitely.

Well, I could go on and on about all the things, and I reckon you love old things too.

I cherish every morsel, old tattered wood is like rare gold to me.

I remember when I was around 17 years old, I had this HUGE urge to go to the Goodwill.

My family had never taken me there, I didn't even know it existed, until I happened upon it by accident.

And then, when I discovered the Salvation Army, I just couldn't believe my eyes.

I started collecting way back then.

Antique stores, estate shops and sales, thrift stores.

They have given me a wealth of treasure that is irreplaceable, unique and filled with old stories.

When I started treasure hunting it wasn't as popular as it became a few years after.

I could still buy stunning 1970's platform shoes for 25 cents in 1999.

And people would literally give you their old treasures, from their exquisite historic homes, during yard sales.

What a time, what memories!

Per usual, I have veered tremendously.

I know there is a huge chance you too are a lover of old things.

I'd love to hear about some of your very favorite finds that you cherish.

I'm so happy I collected all the tea things, tea cups and such, when I did.

People often ask me where I buy my teacups and teapots, especially in my mad tea party posts.

I always think to myself, oh if only I could take you with me back in time, through 25+ years of treasure hunting.

One tea cup at a time :-)

It's a wonderful adventure isn't it?

Of course, life isn't just about things, but it's a fun hobby.

Ah well, I suppose it's time for me to sign off.

That is the tale of the curious old cabinet.

I will continue to fill the drawers and show you what I put inside <3

 

See you super soon!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps: 

Speaking of old things, that reminds me to share a tale very soon, about an epic project I was beginning in winter 2019 - right before the pandemic. I hope to be able to work on it someday soon. I'll put a post together about that.

 

pps:

I'll share an old post of my country house studio, where you can see some of my old table top drawer cabinets, which I mentioned above.

The yellow one's drawers are made out of old wooden cheese boxes.

My country house studio here.

 

 

Welcome September {Atelier et Jardin}

September, of Studio and garden...

My two most happy places.

The rain, well, I shan't repeat myself over and over -

But the rain has created this space I tend and wander around in at first light.

Sometimes, I pop into my studio first, turn on the fan and the music.

Then I make my way up the stairs to the rolling hills of the hidden garden.

Checking pumpkins and flowers and vegetables.

I hide under the very full arbor before making my way through, and back to my place of creating.

Amongst bits and bobs.

This and that's, for making that and this.

I'm not sure how the little clay face man turned up there, I thought he was somewhere else.

He seemingly turns up everywhere though.

I love the morning hours in this studio.

Yesterday I was in my country house studio, they are so different in their light and feel.

And yet, so similar.

But today we are here, in my studio down the stairs and through the courtyard from the secret garden.

I spend a couple hours inside, but the fluffy clouds and dappled light on a mild first of September, beckon me back outside.

And so I go...

I toy with collecting a bunch of the pumpkins that were ready over a month ago...

But it will be bittersweet, and although there are others growing, it will mean summer is coming to a close.

Of course, it will be warm here for a good while, up until Halloween.

And we will have butterflies right up until it gets chilly.

You can always count on the butterflies, it seems.

But the days of summer become numbered.

I planted a whole bed of dahlia seeds in spring thinking, dahlias seeds? This is impossible.

But, lo and behold, there are in fact dahlias from seeds.

These are surprise dahlias, as I have no idea what color or type they will be until they bloom.

Could this crimson one be any more perfect for today?

I decided to run back to the studio and grab some ribbons for typing up things.

I always use fancy ribbons in the garden, strange but true.

I could use twine and such, but I'm a rebel :-)

And so, I go back.

I do this most of the day.

Into the studio, into the garden, doing some chores, and back into the garden again.

This morning there were hundreds of male squash blossoms, I meant to pick a bunch for cooking, but then I forgot.

I got busy with other things, so hopefully there will be more tomorrow.

September September...

I know you so well.

You are etched into the map of me.

Bobbing zinnias and orange globes.

Intense color.

And hidden gems.

I am squeezed out of foot paths...

Gifted along the way...

Hunting with my inner squealing joy.

Perhaps the streets of my internal body map are made of pumpkin vines.

And the excitement in my belly really is made of butterfly wings?

Fairy tale nonsense, but anything is possible in a fairy tale, you know.

A garden is a close as you can get to a real life dream I think.

It's another world, the gift of spring and summer.

The place of endless life.

Even the okra are flowering.

The rain drops fall on my shoulders of this real life dream space.

Although, I'm still not certain I am awake.

Thanks to the rain of course.

How could I ever thank the historic rainfall for quenching our parched desert back to life?

For validating the dreamer.

In every single way.

For caterpillars and seeds, that are now butterflies and dahlias.

For corridors of plants in this Thumbelina storybook path.

Zooming out farther and farther...

To appreciate life.

Fragile and strong all at once.

The cosmos fall over, and then determined to live, root out through their stems and anchor back into the earth.

Anything, everything they must do, to never let the butterflies down.

Now, that is love.

Like tales from the pages of a favorite book.

Like pastel thread sewing its luck all around.

Patching itself together.

With leaves for umbrellas.

Magic in jars, almost overlooked...

And somehow...

A photo begins to turn into a painting.

Is it real?

Yes says the camera.

It is real.

I'm not sure I make any sense, because I am dealing with things that are so unbelievable.

Stories from the garden.

And then relating them back to you, through my photos and fairy tale sensibilities.

There are those of us, and if you are here I know I can include you, who are mesmerized and amazed by the natural world.

Flying creatures, growing things pushing up through the earth.

We are fascinated day after day.

As though, we hadn't just seen it the day before.

We continue to see the magic in it all with fresh eyes, over and over.

I am a fly on the wall of everything that is happening all around me.

I wonder who they think that I am?

Just some strange girl, taking their picture.

A sort of paparazzi?

My imagination runs away with me...

Whispering petals and gossiping Snout nose butterflies.

Whining to each other about who got more of the mint sap.

Who knows what all goes on out there.

But you see...

How can I just work in my studio all day, when the hive of sound from the garden is calling me all day long?

It's a wonder I get anything done at all really.

Although I did pull an all-nighter, designing new cards and restocking inventory, which should all arrive on the 9th.

So, Halloween favorites will return, along with florals and new Holiday cards as well.

I've been baking blackberry cobblers lately, they seem to be a hit with my little posse.

I know I said I was thinking about it in the last post, but I have, and it is grand.

And the rain, so much rain.

We needed this epic rain fall, because even the cacti were disintegrating from the dry weather the last couple of years.

And now everything is green and full, flowers all over the desert, bring endless winged creatures.

I was driving to the post office through tunnels of American snout nose butterflies.

I could hardly believe my eyes, thousands if not more.

The earth is getting quenched and giving life to the creatures.

We are so very grateful.

I hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods.

Days spin by, things happen everywhere.

I try to stay grateful and busy in my little space on this spinning planet.

Growing life for creatures of the earth, and flinging some paint as often as I can.

Also, staying up wayyyyy too late crocheting.

What have you been up to?

Sending you lots of positive vibes.

Remember, you are lovely.

 

See you super soon.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps:

In honor of the date...

One of my dad's top 5 songs that we exchanged this morning -

September morning...

We are the sappiest of sappy.

When we start sharing songs at the dinner table my mom says, ohhhh nooooooo!

Haha!