It's been the loveliest little week.
The light has been dappled by clouds, but every so often the sun streams in.
I enjoy the conservatory, dusting dollhouses and going through my seeds.
Flipping through books.
Collecting seeds that I saved from my favorite flowers last season.
Tending my garden has led me to begin to feel that tingle of inspiration for spring.
I've started pruning roses and taking out all the dry winter brush.
Not only am I looking forward to planting my seeds, but the mere thought of spring has led me back to painting flowers.
I adore sitting in my fishbowl, listening to mystery shows, and painting flowers and insects.
Nothing could make me happier.
Wait, that's just not true, a lot of things are making me equally as happy :-)
Like the seeds at the end of the petals from this zinnia.
These zinnias were spectacular, so I took 3 and dried them.
Now it is time to harvest the seeds, and bid adieu to this lovely dried specimen, who I have enjoyed the last few months.
I should probably confess, that I took several of my favorites for seeds.
I like to dry the flowers in my birdcages.
It seems books and dried botanicals have found their place together in my home.
A wonderful spot to dream in.
Enjoying books, finding a place to get cozy in.
Dried flowers all around, to keep you company in the winter months.
I can't wait to press flowers again....
And have tea parties under the trees.
I am sorting hollyhock seeds right now, in the bottom right corner below.
I just love the magic of pulling out the seeds from my dried flowers.
Isn't it just amazing, how one tiny seed can lead to a lush full garden?
To blossoms a plenty, with bees and butterflies swooping in.
From one tiny, microscopic seed.
It's so good, that it's almost hard to believe.
You can build your own fairy tale, watch your petals grow.
Let it unfold before you and change you forever.
I for one, am giddy with excitement.
Plotting and planning, dreaming and hoping.
As I sit here, sorting seeds.
The large sunflower head, on the bottom right in the image above, is next.
I take such pleasure in labeling my little bags and lining them up in the basket.
I could do an Irish jig from the delight I feel at the thought of warm earth, kneeling in the garden, planting my seeds.
Pulling little weeds, smelling the warm air, listening to birds.
After all this talk, I've convinced myself that I need to go into the garden now and dig in the soil.
We've had such a mild week, but the rain will come tomorrow, which is always good for the garden.
Next week shall be chilly, and although I have gardening on my mind...
I must remember that February can be very cold here, and it almost always snows once or twice at our higher elevation.
I have this magnificent memory of this one February it snowed.
It was probably 2009 or 2010.
I woke up from a deep slumber and there was this silence all around that beckoned me to get up.
I turned on the fairy lights in my studio and bundled up to go outside at 2 or 3 a.m.
When I opened the door, the beautiful silence of snow was everywhere.
But even more awe inspiring was the sky, because it was candy pink, all around.
The pink sky was illuminating the snow, and I could hardly believe the beauty and magic of it.
I told myself to make a memory, so I stood underneath the giant old mesquite tree outside my bedroom.
I closed my eyes and memorized the sound of that snowing silence.
It was utterly peaceful, the only sound made was by the branches of the tree getting heavy with snow.
A bit of snow would fall off and make a soft poofing sound.
I will never forget it, I felt like I was inside a fuzzy pink bubble.
A snow dream cocoon really.
Perhaps this February the pink snow dream shall return, and I will stand in it again.
Deliriously happy, making another memory.
Although I am quite satisfied with the memory I already have.
And if it does in fact snow again, then some of the most spectacular of all the poppies will germinate.
Winter dictates what will happen in spring, and for that, I love winter.
This quiet time to lollygag in the conservatory.
Dreaming up wishes for what is to come.
But adoring each moment of today as well.
When you can bundle up and rest, for the work of the garden is to come.
And so, I put my feet up and turn on the fireplace.
Enjoying my fluffy blanket on a chilly day.
Where it seems I'm all about the daydream.
How is your neck of the woods today?
I hope you are cozy and happy.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I am off for now, but shall return soon.
Lots of love,
Vanessa
ps: I think Cozy is the word of the year, because I seem to be mentioning that a lot lately <3
