Wonderful, enchanted month, how I love you.
The days and nights cool down.
I adore seeing the most giant greedy bee in the pumpkin patch every morning.
The garden comes back to life with vigor after hot months.
Pumpkin babies are growing everywhere.
Teddy and I are absolutely delighted.
Running around and playing in the garden.
The birds are happy, the moon is happy, everyone is happy.
Dahlias bloom like mad, crazy long-stemmed pumpkins turn up...
The air is perfection...
Just as expected, with perfect timing, the magic trickles in.
I write cards from my shop to my beloveds -
(So many fun cards available here at aFancifulTwist.etsy.com)
Whilst sitting under trees, with roses in full bloom once again.
The sheer enjoyment of it all leads to complete elation.
It seems like everyone is overjoyed.
Little guys sharing blossoms, pumpkins creeping up trees.
It's truly like a brand-new spring.
I'm just here marveling at it all and trying to make sure to soak in every last drop.
Octobers are just too wonderful for words.
It's a time of renewed dreaming...
With lots of oohing and aaaahing on my part.
The light of early morning and golden hour afternoon shines with such iridescence at this time of the year.
Trees will not change color until the end of November because the weather becomes just too delicious for them to want to leave.
And so, everyone stays a little longer and the high desert mountains become just the place to be.
A lot of people have said that this summer was a terrible monsoon season.
But I for one, cannot complain.
The clouds were good to us.
There were a few good July rains in the garden, and then it rained nearly every day in August, and then some in September too.
Monsoon rain is not a blanket everywhere around us, but more pockets of rain landing here and there.
My garden was very lucky that we had so much rain, and now it is so lush and green.
I'm soooooo eternally grateful for the rain clouds that found their way right over this parcel of earth.
We all are <3
It's made for a wonderful beginning of Autumn and October.
We nibble garden treats under the wonderful light and watch all the hummingbirds dip down for a sip of blossom nectar.
There have been endless courgettes (aka zucchini) and peppers and chilies.
With more coming in soon.
I especially love the Winnie the Poo dahlias, don't you?
Because summer started so late, with a mild June, the zinnias and cosmos did not take over like they normally do.
But I don't mind at all, because it gave other plants their own space to thrive and shine.
The culinary rosemary plants (there are several) have gotten absolutely gigantic.
This year I shifted my garden to be more edible and perennial, with more local drought tolerant plants added.
There are many more herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram and different types of sage now as well.
I've especially enjoyed the Thai basil and lemongrass.
I've had so many varieties of chilies and tomatoes, and the arugula has become a total self-seeder.
I use them all daily and enjoy as much of it as I can.
There's nothing like running up to the garden to get what you need.
The citrus trees are packed for winter picking, and the limes are just ready as they fruit twice a year.
I always add chilies, Thai basil and lime to my Asian noodle soup - so incredible.
Teddy loves to run all over the garden like mad.
He has his favorite sniffing spots and goes wild when he sees a javelina outside the fence.
He immediately becomes a Matty like guardian.
No need to worry, he is safe in the fenced in garden.
It's interesting how Teddy is so much like all of my dogs rolled into one.
He has all the distinct characteristics of Baby, Matty and Miles.
Although, I think I told you that already in a previous post.
It's just that it amazes me so much.
Ah well, here we are.
Another October of the heart.
Garden magic not disappointing one bit.
Halloween on the horizon.
Lots of goodies in the shop, with new sculptures coming this week as well.
I have spent weeks working on them, so many steps, but really fun to make.
It has been so chilly at night, that I no longer need air conditioning.
Windows are open once again and I hear the birds at the first sign of daylight.
October is such a heart-exploding gift after a long summer.
I wish I could slow down the time.
I love this month so much.
Pumpkin everything and all the Halloween magic swirling about makes for a wonderful time, with leaves and apples and hot drinks added on top.
Cardigans and chilly air at the tip of the nose, so good.
I want to hug the time as tight as I can.
I hope you are doing just lovely in your neck of the woods, and that October finds you more than swell.
I will return soon to share my sculptures.
In the meantime, don't have too much fun without me :-)
Love,
Vanessa
