A Fanciful Twist

A Little Christmas Magic (Part 2)

Baubles and twinkle lights and Christmas carols, oh my!

The time is racing by so quickly I don't even know what's happening.

And with all life's twists and turns, I sort of jumped off the carousel for a minute just to simmer in the moment with my furs and those I love.

Miles is feeling better with some medicine and I am just relishing all the moments with him and Matty.

I've done oodles of holiday decorating.

It's done my heart so good to just keep adding baubles everywhere I turn.

I've listened to endless hours of Christmas music, bought oodles of gifts.

Mostly online, truth be told.

And I got out a huge box with lots of treats shipped off to family in Ireland.

I'm so happy when I accomplish tasks that I know are important.

I felt like I was really racing through time, then when the news about Miles came in, I just stopped.

He's blissfully cozy and doing so well the last few days <3

It all of a sudden became really easy for me to decide what were the most important things on my list.

I slowed down to a complete stop.

I sat in front of the fire, I roamed my gardens.

And most importantly, I have been totally present in my time with the boys.

I have enjoyed all the holiday twinkle beyond measure.

And I don't intend to take it down for a good while.

Especially while it's still cold and fireplace season.

I'm getting ready to bake some mini tarts and cookies.

Tomorrow Christmas celebrations shall begin around here.

A little flurry of activity will hit, so I decided I should take the day to edit these photos and share them with you.

I have put up several smaller trees as my big tree bit the dust.

And to be honest, I am quite enjoying it.

This nutcracker below is one of my most treasured ornaments for some reason.

From where I sit in the living room this is my view every evening.

Baubles, candles, fire, twinkle lights - just bliss.

Such beautiful moments.

I love how the world becomes so festive, it just swells my heart.

Christmas magic all around.

I had such a hard time choosing photos, I promise these are not repeats, but just different angles.

How can one choose one bauble photo from another I ask?

:-)

The boys have been enjoying the fire too.

All cuddled up, yawn yawn.

I cherish every single minute with them.

I got this little tinsel tree at an antique market years ago, I wish I had bought the pair, what was I thinking?

I gave it so many of my antique mercury ornaments to wear this year.

And I hung big glass ornaments everywhere, even from the chandeliers.

I was really into using a lot of white this year...

White wreaths, little trees, garlands...

They really added brightness to my holiday vibe.

Mister Goose insists on wearing the longest ribbon everrrrr ;-)

Oh oh, and look at this little gnome village my sister made me for my birthday!

Isn't it beyond adorable?

It sits on my dining table, I just love it.

Now I will go through all my linens for table setting.

I hand painted all these branches in the urn with chalk paint.

I tried to spray paint them but they just absorbed the paint completely.

The chalk paint really did the trick.

I also did the funnest little project you can see below...

So, those little shelves in the background were actually covered by black mesh speaker covers and the shelves were black inside.

Since I don't have speakers in there and do not intend to, I painted the super ugly shelves in about 20 coats of white chalk paint.

And VOILA!

I now have little book shelves on either side of my television cabinet.

Who even knew I had shelves there?

I'm tickled about that.

Here's my little shadow looking extra shy <3

I have had these antique statues of Mary and Joseph for over 20 years.

I was so delighted to put them out this year.

Actually, I put out almost everything I had save for a couple bins.

I love this because...

Now I can get all news bins and put things away more organized and safe than they were before.

That way next year it'll all be ready to go.

But for now I savor each last sprinkle of magic dust.

And it will stay a good while after Christmas.

I am in love with this beautiful time.

The moments and memories.

Extra dear and special to me.

Living in the moment and being utterly present.

I can't wait to smell gingerbread baking tonight.

To celebrate with those I love.

The twinkle lights create such sugar plum dreams.

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

I wish you light and love and good thoughts always!

Magic, wishes and stars forever!

 

 Love, Vanessa

xoxo

 

 

 

A Little Christmas Magic (Part 1)

Hello there.

I decided to pop in with some photos from my home before I lose myself in the season and life happenings.

This is one side of my décor (part 1) and I'll share the other side in a few days.

I love seeing other's holiday magic, don't you?

Especially when I'm on a walk and folks have their trees twinkling in the window.

Just love that.

It's like everyone creates their own little slice of wonderland.

Below are some snippets of my christmas this year.

I had a hard time choosing photos so there might be too many :-)

I decided to create my own winter wonderland.

The lighter I kept things, the more magical it felt to me - 

Pinks, golds, creams and whites did just the trick.

(I accidentally took these pics before I put the big pink ribbon topper on my little tree in the background)

There are also pops of red plaid and colorful ornaments here and there.

I used all my favorite figurines and winter pieces I've collected over the years.

I slip covered each dining chair and added little grapevine and green wreaths.

I tied them with an antique ribbon I had been saving for years.

I left some pretty simplicity in some areas, which really spoke to my romantic heart.

Especially since some areas are overstuffed with things, such as this menagerie of antique mirrors.

Oh and, lots and lots of candles.

I like mixing up all colors and styles of candlesticks and candelabras.

Silver, gold, porcelain, all.

Swan figurines have always been a part of my collections and work beautifully with Christmas décor.

The mirror in the backdrop use to be copper and is actually built into the wall.

I decided to paint it distressed white and add wooden filigree around it.

I also added some antique brass candle sconces which illuminate it perfectly.

I'm a fan of pink and red plaid, so I decided to create a really cozy seating area at the head of the table using those colors.

I took away one of the captain chairs and replaced it with this lil' settee.

Whoever gets to sit there will be extra cozy.

Warm super soft blankets and pillows to squish into really hit the spot.

As I was decorating my buffet I decided to fill it with the things that I love.

Extra ornaments on tiered trays, bottle brush trees and all the tinsel and ribbon spools I had left over.

I think they are such pretty little props and fillers.

For some reason my pics don't look as sharp when I load them onto my blog, but if you click on them you can see a sharper version of the image.

I really love the pink, white and gold with pops of fresh green peeking out.

The magic of Christmas is just so beautiful.

I love how everyone jumps in and gets into the spirit of things.

Just enjoying the twinkly lights as the sun goes down fills my heart.

I stacked all my favorite gold mirrors in here and lined my buffet with sheet music.

This music is actually really special because it is composer sheet music, hand done, just amazing!

Each note written in by hand.

On the right side of my dining area I decided to put up my tall skinny tinsel tree.

It just has fluffy feather poofs on it in pinks and whites, with a black and white striped ribbon to top it off.

Next to this little tree is another little credenza filled a few of my very most favorite things.

Tea cups and pretty frilly plates.

I hung baubles from all of the candelbaras.

I wish I could leave them up all year.

I mean of course I could, but that would take the fun out of putting them up next year.

Christmas baubles just elevate everything and make it all better.

My little thrift store Santa I've had a few years is my favorite.

I feel like my mom had him in the 80's, he's so familiar to me.

I picked him up for a song, thrift stores always have great Christmas finds outside of the season.

I just pick things up and store them, then I'm always excited to refind them when the holidays roll around.

I had never purchased white ornaments, but I brought home a few and I love them to pieces.

Perfect for a winter wonderland feel.

Swan is wearing my bauble wreath proudly I think :-)

I bet all of us love the twinkle magic that emerges in the evening?

When things get extra golden and fairy lights twinkle like no other.

I just love to sit still, music playing, fireplace on, sinking into the beauty of the season completely.

Little porcelain ladies dancing in the light with feathers and baubles.

The beauty of still moments, sun going down...

Your own kind of golden hour...

With Santa, in the warmth of the holiday season.

What a beautiful time of year.

Fills my heart with joy.

(I'll share a bunch more in a few days)

I've learned over the years to find my own kind of magic within.

To take part in the things that personally bring me joy, like my very own traditions.

Cutting snowflakes, tossing baubles about, lighting my candles.

Drawing in front of the fire, peppermint, tea, gingerbread, cinnamon.

Things that are yours no matter what is going on in the world around you.

I'm learning that holidays can bring all sorts of feelings and memories.

But I'm on a mission to celebrate the lives of those I love, including my own.

That means taking a moment to embrace the good in everything, even hard things.

Celebrate the good, I guess that is one element of what Christmas means to me.

Gratitude and goodness.

 

Thank you for peeking in, I'll be back in a few days with part 2.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

See ya soon <3 <3 <3

 

 

ps: I have a lot of little clay pieces and paintings I wanted to have ready by now, alas life has kept me busy in unexpected ways. I hope I can still bring them in time. If not they might be New Year creatures <3

 

 

Swirling Holidays & Inspirations

The holidays are swirling all about.

Boxwood begs me to take a few cuttings so it can hang out with pumpkins.

Somehow November and December vibes are intertwining everywhere you turn.

And if you happen to go out shopping you might just get bitten by the holiday bug - it happened to me.

I ended up going home with two plaid pillows and a throw, oops!

I've slowly been taking out a few baubles to see what direction my décor wants to take this year.

I like to set a few things out that inspire me and see where that leads.

It's a mixture of Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is odd for me because I usually do not decorate for Christmas until December 1st.

It seems every year things get sooner and sooner - I mean Halloween seems to happen in August now, haha!

But I am enjoying getting infused by the holiday spirit here and there.

Plus, the time goes by at the speed of light, so I can see why people like to start early.

I like to just forage for bits and pieces I have - kind of the same way one would crack open spices whilst preparing an impromptu meal.

Just gather a whole bunch of odds and ends that I'm in the mood for and toss them on the table.

It's super fun to make a little heap of pretty mess.

Sort of like an inspiration pile.

I love the droopy evergreens from my trees.

I actually let them overgrow all summer, with the sole purpose of trimming off what I need during the holiday season.

Gold paper leaves and stars always hit the spot.

I have a cabinet filled with some of my favorite vintage baubles.

I love when the insides wear a bit, it just creates such a beautiful dimension.

I'm loving my white walls.

I had two venetian plaster walls (in a buttercream color) in my house and one day I woke up and was done.

I normally always love white walls but it was hard for me to part with the yellow, they were done so beautifully.

Alas, one day I just decided it was time and I have not missed them at all, poor walls.

My whole house was white except for those two accent walls - 

Oh and I painted the mahogany wood mirror gold and then gold leafed it and heavily distressed it.

You can't really tell how distressed it is from here, but there are closeups in my Instagram feed.

Nothing like doing big projects during the holidays.

Why does that always happen?

My parents are doing a major garage clean up starting today, and I'm like, why now?

It's funny how we tend to do that.

The busier we are the more we pile on.

I'm either beyond relaxing or doing 500 things at once.

I have almost zero middle ground, how about you?

So, I still have some pumpkins bobbing around.

I'll likely roast them for Thanksgiving pie baking at the country house.

I can't wait!

I love those holiday baking days the most.

Some music, warm oven, baking up pretty things.

Cold days and baking are just too super cozy aren't they?

It's still a little warm here so I'll enjoy it because one day, out of the blue, it'll just freeze at night and all my gardens will go to sleep.

I have lots of projects going on at both houses.

Building an adorable little back door for my tiny gallery that I used to do shows in.

It turned into an office for a handful of years (too many) and now I have it back.

I'm having so much fun playing my pump organ that's in there.

It'll be my little shop for my online art business.

The peach trees are turning orange leafed and the pecans are ready for picking.

There are dahlias and zinnias in all my gardens and a huge wave of butterflies have arrived, just as they always do in November.

I think they are just passing by on their way to Mexico somewhere for the warm winter?

The bees have been very pleased with me for months, with clusters of them gathering on zinnia, mint and basil blossoms.

I will make sure to keep them happy year after year.

I had not seen this many bees in ages, so delighted!

Well, I'm going to paint a big cabinet and might begin tonight, so excited.

Hope you're doing peachy out in your neck of the woods!

Fill me in if you'd like.

I'm answering comments in the comments section, I just wish there was a way for you to get a notification.

I'm also saving any comments from going to spam, so rest assured I'll find your comment and post it if it doesn't show up.

One thing I am really missing is that bar at the end of my posts featuring other posts you might like from within my blog.

The service is gone, and I can not seem to find anything comparable.

So many folks told me they enjoyed that, I am still searching for another option.

Miles had a bath and is so silky snuggle soft, he always wants my attention when I'm typing so off I go my friends!

I'll be back soooooon!

 

Love, 

 

Vanessa

 

 

Of Secret Gardens in November

There is a certain magic that happens in the desert in October and November.

The relentless heat of summer lets up just enough for flowers to want to come back.

Not only do they come back, they begin an autumnal show that is so spring like it takes your breath away.

Would you like to come in and take a stroll with me?

I'll take you through both of my gardens...

The dahlias barrel forth in abundance, barely able to hold themselves up from the weight of their flower heads.

And bees, bees buzz around madly with endless nectar from the hundreds of zinnias that turn up.

Zinnias can withstand the heat like no other and I am always so thankful for how much nourishment they gift the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and all manner of other creatures.

Bee magic is the bestest.

We did begin to see some cool weather and then it shifted again and we've been in the low 80's and high 70's for a couple weeks now.

The gardens are so overjoyed.

One night at the country house it did drop into the 30's so the pumpkin vines are officially gone.

But everyone else is still alive and happy for now.

The light though, does have a different feel to it.

And the crisp air in the morning does tell you there is a shift.

Still, the garden adores it.

I was so amazed to see a huge furry bumblebee hanging around recently.

I had to run and grab my camera, something I only thought I'd see in fairy tales.

Couple that with the scalloped edges of a zinnia bud and it's all some sort of fairy magic.

I have never seen so many bees for months on end as I have seen this year, it's been incredible.

I need to thank the zinnias profusely for that.

I will make sure to keep them in abundance year after year as I normally do.

I'm so glad to see roses peeking out again as they sort of retreat once it gets crazy hot.

It's just such a gift to have spring in autumn here in the high desert.

Very very slowly things are changing.

The weather may be warm but the growing things know a shift will come very soon.

From one day to the next it will go from warm days to chilly in the very near future.

I feel like this November wave of creatures and petals really promotes some incredible gratitude.

Thank you big bees, little bees and all bees <3

Oh and did I mention, the level of fuchsia surrounding the gardens this year?

There has been soooo much fuchsia!

Oh and dappled light - always makes me swoon.

The pink frosting roses exploded at the country house, and...

Butterflies have turned up in droves.

How I love butterflies.

The bougainvillea have flowered for months nonstop, just over and over again.

Some in clusters, others in fluttering petals - all a little bit different.

I just stroll around, always a little bit in awe even after 20+ years of gardening, nature always amazes me.

I love the breeze and the birds, slowly walking around clipping a few blossoms to bring inside.

Listening to the sounds of nature all around.

I almost forgot  to mention the marigolds that have been self seeding for years and years since bringing some seeds from my mom's garden.

Plant a garden and the gifts it will give you will be the most amazing things you can behold.

The fulfillment is so moving that it keeps you doing it year after year.

And now as I see the autumnal shift slowly happening, I know it is time to buy bags of poppies and toss them around when it rains or snows.

They need time in the ground to scarify and germinate in the cold.

Poppy seeds do not need to be planted (simply sprinkled in autumn) because they are so tiny, they will snuggle in by the force of rain and snow pushing them into the ground. And in early spring there will be some kind of magic.

I'm bringing in the lasts - or close to the lasts of the petals.

I know a cool snap is set to come sooner or later.

But for now I fill my house with them...

And every morning checking with wonderment to see what has decided to sneak in at the last minute.

These are beautiful days, cool night and warm days.

These are the very days that enchant people into moving to the desert.

The most delicious weather a person could ever imagine.

All you have to do is survive the summer.

But I suppose that is why people have a second home here and only come for autumn, winter and spring.

Then there are people like me, who are always here...

With hearty appreciation when hints of autumn dance about.

I am barely feeling ready for Halloween and yet it is gone.

These days flutter by so quickly, I hardly know how to grasp it all.

The last 3 months of the year flash by.

I try hard to be mindful and take time to enjoy each day - the garden helps with that in big ways.

It forces you to slow down - and take time to smell the roses if you will.

Corny but so so true.

I'm so glad you stopped in to stroll through the gardens with me.

I can't wait to see what spring brings.

But now I will prepare to enjoy the rest of November, and then my best month December.

The month I was born in, and a time to rest from the busy garden days and spend some time creating.

I hope you are doing wonderfully.

I will be back soon lovely friends.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Songs from A Secret Garden <3