A Fanciful Twist

November to Dream...

Oh, beautiful November...

When the garden puts on a last show, autumnal specimina make their way to the mantel, and arbors get gobbled by summer's vines.

And finally, finally certain growing vines decide to bloom.

The butterflies are still everywhere.

The towering Sulphur cosmos, and extra November bloom of the milkweed, have been keeping the wingeds very happy.

I have had a summer (I forget it is not still summer in this land of sun), and an autumn, of saving creatures.

Sometimes they need water, sometimes they just need a rest inside somewhere safe.

(I found her just laying on her back in the garden)

This swallowtail lived in my book room for a day, before I decided to bring her back to the garden.

I thought she was not going to be okay, but then I snapped this photo, turned my face and poof!

She was gone.

Up into the cacophony of November cosmos, and the ghost of the crescent moon.

Dry flower collecting becomes more important than ever at this time of the year, because they do so well to fill the winter void.

And the paths burst with marigolds intertwined with cosmos, much like the last fireworks.

Just when you think it's over, another little explosion of color turns up.

And the pumpkins, so many pumpkins still.

Jack-o-Lanterns and Fairy Tales, also known as Musquee de Provence.

And more butterfly saving...

It's a wonder I have time for anything else at all, when I'm saving butterflies all day.

I've also become a pro at seeing a drowning butterfly out of the corner of my eye.

I run over and pull them out carefully, and set them to dry.

The garden pays me in a few extra dahlias.

The cosmos and dahlias bloom in autumn here, they get so huge and tall all summer, and then finally, when you think they might not even turn up, they do.

They always do.

And so, the autumnal shift just begins in my garden.

I am starting to clear out, and it's looking beautiful in its own tattered way.

Tattered gardens and tattered furniture, they always have my heart.

I took a couple weeks off at the beginning of November.

Off meaning, away from social media and computer.

Sometimes the internet world goes too fast for me.

Holidays overlap, and it seems to jump into the next season too quickly in this virtual land.

And so, in order to slow down and really savor my garden and the season, I unplugged.

The garden is so hot all summer, that when this beautiful weather arrives, I really just want to enjoy my little world as much as I can.

Living in the moment really means a lot to me, how about you?

I guess it means more as I get older too.

The here and now means more, and I understand how valuable it is.

The days are glorious, I have more key limes than I can keep up with.

It's been unseasonably warm so the lemons, grapefruits and oranges are coming early too.

In the evenings I've been reading the most curious little book, drawing, and water coloring.

It was Miles' birthday on the 22nd, almost a year without him (on 12/16), so I covered his grave in beautiful bougainvillea flowers and some roses.

Matty is sleeping on my foot as I type this, and I am just about to finish a little drawing I've been working on.

The moon was outrageous recently.

I woke up at 3 a.m. and went outside to marvel at it, absolutely unreal.

Golden, with a golden haze all around it.

So magical.

The arbor gets more floriferous every day, as drunk bees emerge from the blossom's depths, dazed and confused.

It's a beautiful sight to see.

I suppose I better get my pumpkin cheesecake in the oven - although I am thinking about making mini-individual sizes.

Which means I need to figure out timing on such changes.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if I do not see you before then.

I am sorry I dropped off the planet for a couple weeks, but I had such a delightful time just being.

Of course, I adore taking photos and sharing snippets of my life.

I hope to do it more often as the winter days find us, and life slows down a little.

I've mopped all my floors with Journey playing loud, and have all the cooking supplies ready for tomorrow.

 

Lots of love, from my little nook to yours!!

~ Vanessa

 

 

Come in for a Sip of Halloween Tea...

It's not Halloween without a little tea party now, is it?

We have sweets and treats a plenty, and an endless selection of tea.

Cauldrons of magic and cackles galore.

We've saved a spot just for you!

Twinkles abound!

And stars all a flutter, waiting for you to wish on.

Who dares to take their sip from the elusive witch hand?

I knew it would be you ;-)

Lighting all the candles and putting on the kettle...

With spooky tales from old book pages...

And magic floating about, for you to catch in your trick or treat bag!

That's what's going on here.

We're just taking our seats...

Hurry now, here you go, next to the pink ghostling.

With enough treats to keep you up all night, reading scary stories by candle light.

Popping popcorn and dancing under the moonlight.

That is what is really truly going on here tonight, all the way to Sunday at midnight of course.

I have been enjoying October waaay too much.

It has been a delight of secret garden enchantment and twinkle lights all around.

Running through garden paths under crescent moons, and staying up in the gypsy wagon camp under the milky way.

I love Octobers!

I will immerse myself in the last 4 days of this glorious month, enough to get me through to next year.

I shall return in a couple of days with photos from our gypsy garden Halloween.

Wouldn't want you to miss the fun we've been having.

But for now, we clink clink, as Halloween tea is just beginning.

Now what shall you choose, and do describe your frock!

 

See you in a couple of days <3 <3 <3

 

Looooove, 

 

Vanessa

 

ps: Here is a link to all of our Halloween Parties throughout the years

 

pps: Join us through dream waves at midnight tonight, as we light the cauldron in the gypsy garden.

(I'll post a little in stories on Instagram too, before I post my photos this weekend)

Hope you'll fly in on your fairy wings!

 

 

 

Of October Dreams and Halloween Sparkles

I've been having so much fun this October...

Sparkling things up (truth be told, I began in September) and enjoying the twinkle lights.

I made tulle pom-poms that are pretending to be ectoplasm on the tree.

Then I hung a few stars and antique mercury glass clowns, which seemed appropriate for the festivities.

And then my mannequin, who has a personality of her own...

Decided to wear all the jewels, and then wanted a giant pink tulle bow on her pointy hat.

She tossed in a garland of glittering stars for good measure.

Butterflies and ribbons always do the trick on the old dress I made her several years ago.

(out of antique dictionary pages)

She's so fancy, err fanciful, isn't she?

And so, we sparkled everything up the best that we could, and blew some balloons for pumpkin holiday, you see...

So many pumpkins are having a birthday this month, I can hardly keep up.

All freshly born in the garden.

And so, we must celebrate!

Because for us it's a celebration of magic, and magicalness galore, indeed!

I think Miss Witch is happy with her attire, or at least I hope she is.

I don't want her pulling my toes at night again, tee hee.

Eeeek!

Ghosts and goblins gather on pink buffet.

And Jack-o-Lanterns bob around, as if to say...

Meet us through the October looking glass, if you dare.

And, we absolutely do, don't we?

So, we put on our lucky moon amulet...

And venture through, where witches are busy...

Writing cards to friends like you.

(all cards in my Etsy shop here)

Which ones shall we choose?

As we make our way through the magical Halloween mirror...

A reflection of the enchantment we seek.

At least, I do, how about you?

And so, here is where we shall gather, as the sun begins to fade...

Put on your fancy hat and join the twirling witch brigade!

Because things get extra sparkly as the sun goes down -

Captured stars twinkle all around...

Illuminating her paper gown.

We sip tea as caramel bubbles in the cauldron for dipping apples...

And write our notes, most sincere.

Hoping that you have jumped in through the old secret mirror...

And are peeking around the corner, whispering, we are here!

To join in sipping pumpkin spice tea and having candy corn macarons.

Oh what fun we will have, chattering all night long.

Dancing under the moon and singing our favorite songs.

Now, tap your nose 3 times, and hopefully with that you will be here.

I mean, if you believe in magic that is.

Because, as we know, believing is the first step...

Cackle cackle!

I hope you have enjoyed my little tale my friends!

Mid October is here, must gather all the joys of this month as best as we can.

Twinkling fairy lights and pointy shoes abound!!!

I shall be back very soon.

I have endless tales to share, alas, I've been enjoying my month a bit too much it seems.

But I promise to pop in quickly as quick can be!

Lots of love from my witches cottage to youuuuu!

 

Magic, sparkles and wishes foreverrrr,

Love, Vanessa

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome October!

Welcome October (5th)!

How could I be 5 days late?

Well, I've simply been bewitched by one of my favorite months.

I've been glittering things up, painting late at night, enjoying cool walks under the stars, baking and cooking up a storm -

And of course, making ectoplasm out of tulle.

Aren't we all :-)

I have no idea how I began decorating for Halloween in September, and I still am in it, & not done.

I've also filled my shop with new and favorite fresh stock of Halloween cards.

(shop link here)

So much going on.

And, of course, the autumn garden is bliss.

I still have not brought in Mister Big, but I will this week.

There are also over a dozen other pumpkins out there.

I will start collecting soon, I just can't bring myself to end pumpkin growing season quite yet.

Although a few babies snuck in after the last big rain, so they may or may not ripen up before December.

I have a couple in my kitchen holding court, with the cool autumn light keeping them company.

The butterflies flutter past my window and still fill the garden.

It's garden dream time, all the flowers that grew so tall are just blossoming.

I've done some major pruning so I can walk through, and so that all the flowers of November will show up, like clock work.

November is a very good flower month here.

I have also been admiring (and carefully vacuuming) the back side weaving of...

An antique Aubusson rug I purchased, for Matty, of course :-)

It was so funny, I had cleaned the rug really well, and all of a sudden Matty sauntered over and relaxed right in the middle for hours.

That is the best kind of approval.

Tomorrow I will collect a bucket of flowers to bring in.

I've been very different this summer, in that I have mostly just been enjoying them in the garden, as they look so beautiful out there.

Normally I bring in gobs of flowers, but the butterflies love them so.

Although, the Cafe au Lait's are on their way, so I will not be able to resist them on my mantel.

Why is October so wonderfully magical?

Sigh...

And the thing is, the more you love something, the easier/quicker it slips through your fingers.

Like the days of October, rushing by.

So, I take time to do things such as...

Make my own kind of ectoplasm for Halloween decor.

And spook things up a wee bit.

Happy October my friends!

I am reveling in this glorious month, with the stunning weather we get to have, after the immense heat dissipates.

Matty and I go for walks and watch the twinkle stars appear in pink skies.

It's just beyond words.

I think I will bring in some of the bigger pumpkins tomorrow.

Today I sat and played my piano, with the big conservatory windows in front of me, while butterflies put on a huge show.

Fluttering through the water and flower blossoms, only to come over to my window and rest.

So touching and beautiful.

It's such a treat to have all the displays of summer, only with cooler weather.

It's still warm, but not hot hot.

I have an apple cake I've been wanting to make, this is the recipe I will follow.

Soooooo many things on my list of all the things I want to do this month.

I thought about having a virtual Halloween party, but I'm not sure anyone would want to join in, and perhaps everyone would rather just enjoy the month?

How is it flashing by so quickly already?

I will definitely post photos of my décor throughout the month, to share with you.

It's off to a wonderful start!

Happiest October wishes to you.

I'll be back super soooooooon!

Cackle Cackle!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps: I love to watch these autumn ambience YouTube videos on my big living room television.

Sometimes I just let them play all day while I do things.

Some of the videos are hours long, it's so neat!

They are soooooo comforting and delightful.

 

There are so many to choose from.

You can find them for any holiday or ambience, even a café.

See you sooooon <3