A Fanciful Twist

Of Pink Tulle Tutu and White Mystery Pumpkins

We had a lovely weekend, waking up with the roosters at the country house.

It's so utterly cozy.

Light some candles, reach for a good book.

And, you'll never believe this, but my white pumpkin has lasted for 3 years.

Isn't that a mysterious miracle of Pumpkin King proportions?

The dogs and I ran around under the crescent moon.

Then we awoke early to run around the garden paths in crisp cool air.

The days are very warm again, but the late nights and early mornings have tinges of cool crisp air peeking out.

We watched movies and I painted under my giant skylight.

I took stacks of books and magazines to bed with me, such a delight.

Nothing like really just enjoying a moment.

Oh and, you'll never guess what happened.

You know our tiny resident bunny?

The one who hosts tea parties in mushroom forests, and lives in a pink mansion on the hill?

If you're thinking of the little guy that keeps giant birthday candles for light in his house...

Then yes, that is the very one I speak of.

He rang me in a tizzy this evening, because...

Someone left a giant white pumpkin on his front door stoop.

And we are wondering, who on earth it could have been?

With so much magic swirling about due to the changing season, anything is possible these days.

The Pumpkin Queen tried to steal my pink tulle skirt, and Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin wanted me to draw them into a whole new illustrated tale this weekend.

The Halloween characters are tapping on the inside lid of my old trunk saying, let us out, we want out.

Huge boxes of pumpkin holiday treasures came out of my attic shelves.

There are pumpkin babes of all colors strewn here, there and everywhere.

Witch hats and frog princes.

Everyone has decided they are breaking free, and what ever could I do, but oblige?

It's all happening.

The season is so short, we've decided to just go for it.

I pruned roses today and checked on growing pumpkins.

I shipped off some really fun orders and got way too much sun.

The rain should return this weekend, I hope, so that the garden can get extra happy again.

I hope you are doing lovely out there, I wonder often, what could you possibly be up to?

You must share with me, your own tales.

Have you bought a fancy new hat, or brushed your pet bat?

Have you a new cat, with one blue eye?

Did you have a tower of pancakes, with perfect syrup and berries?

Have you been playing the harp under the moonlight?

Have you sewn yourself a new gown for the masquerade ball?

Pray tell, what do you get up to out there in your neck of the woods?

One can only imagine if one does not tell.

;-)

 

Well, I best be off to feed my giant polar bear, Teddy.

Take good care, and I will see you sooner than soon.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

 

A Garden Fairy Tale {Of the Alice in Wonderland Variety}

The most unexpected little adventure took place in the monsoon garden today.

And because we celebrate Alice every summer and have for over 15 years -

I only thought it proper to invite you to the tiniest little tea party that happened absolutely serendipitously.

The summer garden was full of blossoms and sunshine, until...

Monsoon rainstorms happened every single day, preventing a proper garden party.

Or did they?

You see, one never fully knows exactly what goes on deep in the secret fairy tale garden.

The rain came every day for weeks, making the garden so full and lush, a human sized person could hardly enter.

But that doesn't mean that a bevy of other curious characters are not clinking teacups.

And wouldn't you know, that is exactly what Alice came across whilst doing her garden duties.

This is where a regular day became positively fairy tale.

Do you believe in fairies?

Alice had been working ever so feverishly, in the kind of hot sun that turns into torrential afternoon rainstorms.

In that time where heat builds up, leading to rain, one could nearly faint from the heat and humidity.

And so, Alice decided to do her garden rounds on her little pink vespa.

However, on this one day, she found herself terribly faint in the heat.

And so, when she came upon a little bottle that said "drink me," she simply could not resist.

All at once, you know exactly what happened...

She turned very small, as did her motorbike.

The path became lined in stardust that whispered a beautiful little tune.

The toadstools grew incredibly tall and huge, which were quite difficult to navigate around.

And so, she toppled over, and after standing up to dust herself off she realized things were becoming curiouser and curiouser indeed!

There was a huge book, just sitting on the garden floor.

Of course, the book was probably not that big at all, but seeing as how she was now so very small...

And when she peeked into the pages, they made the most magical twinkling sounds.

Just then, she heard a very sweet little voice.

So inquisitive and slightly bothered by all of the noise and ruckus.

Excuse me, pardon me, said the little voice...

But what, pray tell, is all the noise?

And what are you doing here in my toadstool village dear girl?

Alice proceeded to explain, that she was very sorry, but she had only been working in her garden when she sipped what seemed to be a spell potion, turning her very small.

And that somehow, she became disoriented and crashed her vespa.

She explained how she then followed the stardust path, beckoning her deep into the toadstool village, in a whispered little tune.

The little pinkish rabbit stopped her there and said, no need to explain any further, I was simply trying to have a tea party.

You see, it is all set out said he, pointing to the most beautiful tea service.

"And seeing as how you are here now, and the tea party guests are about to arrive, you might as well stay."

And so, the pinkish rabbit rolled over a jar of singing stars, for Alice to use as a seat.

She felt ever so welcomed, as they sipped the most delicious tea, and nibbled on exquisite confectionary.

A storm began to roll in, and the pinkish rabbit was worried that his other guests would not show up.

And although Alice was having the very most wonderful time -

She knew she should finish her lovely treats and be on her way.

She had heard of the Mad Hatter who was always late, even though everyone thought it was the white rabbit with the time issue.

And how the caterpillar had recently turned into the most beautiful butterfly known in all the land.

And also, how the Cheshire cat had grown long beautiful fur that he adorned in gold threads.

Oh, the tales were just marvelous.

Alas, Alice knew, she had to beat the rain.

She asked the pinkish rabbit how she would ever grow tall again and make her way back to her garden.

He said, simply take another sip from the bottle.

Only, there was but a drop left, but she somehow managed to have a tiny taste.

Now be quick said the rabbit, before the rain catches you.

In fact, she backed up so quickly she crashed into a toadstool and toppled it over.

But the toadstool assured her that it was okay, and not to worry.

Off she drove, following the path of singing stardust...

She almost didn't want to leave.

But she knew, in time, she might be able to return again.

Just as the thunder clapped and the raindrops began, she turned back into a human sized girl.

The sun shone through a magical cloudy rain mist as she drove in through the rose arbor.

Just in time to have her own proper tea.

But she decided she'd keep her journey to herself.

Seeing as how, people are so judgmental these days and might not believe her.

Oh, everyone's judge and jury and has a comment to share thought Alice, as she giggled to herself.

And so, she tucked her fairy tale adventure deep inside, to bring out as a wonderful memory.

Now friends, the rain may have washed away our regular summer tea party, but never fret because there is always a tea party waiting for you deep in your imagination.

Don't forget, there is magic lurking deep in the darkest corners of the secret garden.

With tales beyond your wildest imagination.

Aren't we the lucky ones, to be able to dream and imagine? <3

 

I hope you enjoyed our secret little party.

You, of course, are always invited.

 

I will return with a basket of many more tales super soon.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

ps: Links to years of tea parties here

 

 

pps: I meant to be here sooner, but it takes me a few days to put one post together for your viewing pleasure, I hope you don't mind.

I am working feverishly to make sure that A Fanciful Twist has a new post 2-4 times a week from now on <3

 

ppps: Please bear with me as I perfect my subscription provider.

I'm doing my best not to accidentally email subscribers a whole bunch of times whilst setting this new service up properly, eeeeek :-)

 

 

Join us for Early Morning Delights...

Hello friends <3

I thought you might like to join us in our daily morning adventures.

We begin by flipping the lights on in the kitchen and grabbing a basket to gather garden findings.

We are sort of drowning in a couple of types of courgettes right now, aka zucchini.

But they're super delicious and versatile, so I suppose that's a good problem to have.

Entering the summer garden early in the morning imparts a kind of magic that one can not even describe.

I suppose it has a sort of fairy tale quality.

I am always utterly amazed that nature creates such vast beauty.

My amazement is renewed every single day, and it never fades.

Our monsoon season has been so wonderful this year.

The rain has blown up the garden and has it looking so very healthy.

In fact, as we step outside this morning there is an ethereal mist and the softest droplets.

I had to stop and gasp for a second, it was almost like there was a cloud floating through the garden.

There could not have been a more perfect mood to welcome all the little baby pumpkins.

Then the sun slightly peeked out from behind a cloud and illuminated the water droplets enough to make it look like it was sparkling with fairy dust.

Matty takes his post in one corner of the garden and looks out the fence into the desert, protecting us of course.

Meanwhile Teddy is into everything.

He sniffs, rolls, hunts for sticks, pulls apart planters.

Then shows up with his innocent face, with a little explosion of everything he got into behind him.

He's so much fun, I love my boys sooo much.

I feel like I have known Teddy for years, he has really blown my mind with his beautiful personality and cuddly demeanor.

He has such a strong character and presence, I never expected he would be like this.

I am pleasantly surprised.

And so, we all do our thing in the garden.

The bees are hard at work, and I am utterly thankful to them.

I bought matching arbors a few years ago and painted them in sea glass chalk paint.

There is a rolling hill in my garden, so one arbor is down the path a bit from the other.

Teddy's favorite spot is on the other side of this arbor below, to the left, on a patch of verbena that self-seeded there.

I should also mention that all of the zinnias in my garden self-seeded from last year's blooms.

I didn't plant any zinnia seeds, pretty magical of them to show up like this.

I did however plant a few sunflower seeds.

I love seeing them towering around the garden, happy and sunshiny.

Yesterday I spotted some twin fairy tale pumpkins on the vine.

I can't wait to see if they make it.

I also had a conjoined zinnia this year.

I guess it's the year of the garden twins.

I love collecting bits and bobs from the garden and bringing them inside.

I tuck them everywhere, and dry a lot of herbs, which I tie up and hang.

The kitchen has such a beautiful fresh smell when the herbs are drying.

Makes my heart sing.

I've been pretty good about pruning zinnias, because the more you prune, the more you get.

Today is a good day to bring in a huuuuuge zinnia arrangement.

The bees are making me so happy, tucked deep into the pumpkins.

You know that when the bees are hanging out in there, your pumpkins will likely take.

All the pollen loving bugs help pollinate of course, even the ants.

But there's nothing quite like what the bees can accomplish.

The paths are becoming so full, but Teddy just pushes his way through.

He really LOVES the garden.

He sniffs every single flower and takes a huge interest in every aspect.

Especially the watering one, haha!

There he is hiding in his favorite bed of verbena, just like Miles did.

Miles is actually buried in his favorite verbena patch at the country house.

It's amazing how I took a tiny cutting from the river 21 years ago, and now the verbena has spread itself across the gardens of both houses.

Little purple flowers everywhere.

Here's the only photo I could get of Matty this morning, as he loathes cameras.

On guard per usual.

He will be 13 years old on September 1.

I can hardly believe it; time has just flown by so quickly.

Once you hit your late 30's, it seems like time just fast forwards itself.

I really don't mind getting older.

I've just accepted it and go with it.

I don't even really do anything to my face except put on moisturizers twice a day.

This sunflower needs to have a lion face painted in the center.

I see the story of life happen with every passing season in the garden. 

From seed, to bud, to bloom, to seed again.

Life is happening at different speeds for everyone.

Flowers and insects included.

I do all my garden chores and then go swimming almost every single day.

The water is between 85-90'F on its own this time of year.

Teddy loves the water, but he will not go into the big pool.

I carried him in once, but now he is too heavy and far too strong.

So, I let him do as he pleases.

He is happy in his little pool that he outgrew lightning fast, and that is a-okay.

Here I stood this morning, marveling at what the rain has done.

No water hose could ever do what rain can.

I still can't believe all these zinnias turned up on their own.

The yellow-bellied finches do a number on them, but when there are so many, there's enough for everyone to enjoy.

Doesn't Teddy look like he's made out of cotton?

He practically glows.

When the rain became a little more than a drizzle, we went back inside to sort through our garden findings.

But not before enjoying the giant sunflower in the mist.

I really have such a love for anything garden and kitchen related.

I was having a discussion with my sister the other day, and she was talking about traits we have from our ancestors.

I definitely was born with a love for gardens, and my grandmothers had wonderful gardens themselves.

My paternal grandmother had endless strawberries and pears, apple and quince dangled from trees.

And their mothers and grandmothers before them had gardens as well.

I suppose you can say it is my life's calling, to grow things.

It's deep within me, just something I do.

I find my peace, my solace, my joy in the place where things grow.

Where clouds pass by, and birds sing.

I hope I don't bore you with all my garden chatter, but it's the hugest part of my life.

The dogs and I go between the country house and our second house daily.

I just did a ton of pruning at the country house yeasterday.

Teddy stays with Mister Lovee often, they really are meant for each other.

They are so alike and love to play and wrestle.

I love waking up in my bed at the country house, or just sitting in the cottage out in the garden for hours, pondering, drawing, reading.

I promise to take you with me on more of those adventures.

Weekend before last we went on a road trip and had a really lovely birthday weekend for my mom.

On the way there were such horrible storm with zero visibility, that we had to pull over 3 times.

Luckily, we made it safe and had an incredible weekend.

It was really scary in the rainstorm, but the green the rain has created reminds me so very much of my childhood.

People are always amazed that Arizona can be so green, but Arizona has vastly different landscapes throughout, from forests to deserts, to everything in between.

Where I grew up, right on the Mexican border, it was super green all the time.

I grew up with huge trees, swimming in the river, having picnics every single weekend.

It was a wonderful childhood, and there was zero technology.

No phones, no videoing everything.

We just lived, filled our souls with joy until bursting.

I am so glad I grew up during that time.

Anywho, I digress, and I must get busy with my chores.

Thank you for joining me for a morning stroll.

I am so glad you are here.

I appreciate you so much.

 

Make sure to take time to go outside and gulp the fresh air.

Watch the clouds float by.

Stretch your arms out and smile.

It's nice to know you are out there somewhere out there.

As Fievil sang...

Somewhere out there, beneath the same big sky <3

Thank you for being so kindred and understanding in my last post.

 

Lots of love, see you in a day or two.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Of Foxgloves and Giant Peony Poppies in Teddy's Garden

Hello from the land of giant flowers!

Belled, ruffled, swaying in the breeze.

All brought to you from Teddy.

Because, let's face it, it's Teddy's garden now.

He's in charge, master verbena smasher and broccoli stalk chewer.

Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way.

He's also obsessed with the hose and makes it impossible to water, but who cares as long as Teddy is having fun right?

Splashing in the water, yanking it out of your hands, haha!

Can't help but laugh at the whole circus show, as we invite you into our happy place.

A few things have changed since our last visit...

The giant peony poppies have started to unfurl, one by one.

Exploding in a giant ball of ruffles, almost as if made by hand with crepe paper.

We run past the giant anomaly rose bush, up the little loggia stairs...

Wave at the blue girl roses in passing...

Open the gate, and sneak under the citrus grove...

Up those curious stairs I made from found items, and arrive at the Pierre de Ronsard rose arbor -

Right by where the peony poppies have decided to live this year.

They love swaying to birdsong, alongside the red oriental poppies, which glisten in an almost flame orange in the sunlight.

Of course, they also love to cuddle up to the foxgloves, whilst in a sea of Queen Anne's Lace, telling secrets all day.

And really, who wouldn't want to chat with the foxgloves?

So many little bells, all with a different personality and things to say.

Why, the bees go positively mad with joy, visiting each bell one by one.

They hardly know where to begin, buzzing around madly.

It is an east to northeast facing garden, with rolling hills, you see.

Which makes everyone happy in the land of sun and warmth (the blossoms in this case), because they might not make it if we faced the west sun all day.

I love to stand just down here, looking up at the slight slope.

(Which was much more of a hill, until I flattened it down little by little in 2020, with my trusty flat head shovel)

Just enjoying what everyone is up to.

Visiting them, admiring them.

Most of them volunteered from last year, self-seeding themselves, which amazes me extra much.

If that's even a proper phrase (which of course we know is not), but you know what I mean.

I just stroll around, taking in this beyond splendid time, when the garden fully bursts forth.

Right before it gets too terribly hot, but just warm enough for everyone to grow up to their full potential.

Mostly the early spring visitors of course, as the warmer weather flowers are still growing.

I marvel at all of the shades and tones of nature...

And the way the sunlight passes through the garden.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just dreaming?

But then I'm reminded, by my lovely wild boy...

That I am not dreaming, as I put back the soil he dug up.

A fellow lover of the scent of earth and sun, to be sure.

So, I take a moment to pick some flowers, and bring some color into the house.

Stopping in my favorite spot again, before I go inside to arrange the petals.

Congratulating the giant peony poppies for their amazing act of holding their heads so upright, when balancing on such slim bodies.

In I go, taping a grid onto my bowl, to put into my urn, to fill with flowers.

But perhaps I should run up and get just a couple more of the very dainty Shirley poppies.

Oh yes yes, just what the bouquet needed.

I go back out to pick a few foxgloves and Queen Anne's lace...

But then, I somehow forget...

That I am in the midst of flower arranging.

Mostly because of all the wonderful things happening out there.

I run up and through the garden a couple of times, collecting bit and bobs.

Delicately pushing them into my arrangement each time.

Teddy wanting to stay out and roll in the verbena time after time.

I suppose we are all mesmerized by the growing things, and the blossoming of more blossoms at each minute, second and hour.

But somehow, we make it back inside for one last rose petal addition to our flower arrangement.

So that we can finish said project.

Which is a miracle in itself -

Because each day I plan a flower bouquet, and each day I decide that I simply can not take a flower out of the garden for my own viewing pleasure.

I feel that enjoying them in their natural habitat is what I should be doing.

However, I shall confess that the bouquet was a true pleasure to have inside.

I have enjoyed every second of it, and as it dries it becomes even richer in color.

I do love dried flowers, the way they turn into a sort of paper art is a second gift.

I hope you enjoyed spending a day with us in the garden.

Boy are we enjoying every morsel of it.

Now we are eating ripe strawberries and tiny first cherry tomatoes whilst watching the flowers sway.

Never mind the amount of herbs we have enjoyed.

The early Anna apples will ripen in a few short weeks, 2 or 3 probably.

And won't we have a ball with that?

Crostatas and crisps are just waiting on the menu.

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

That spring has found its way to you, and that you are warming up just swimmingly!

Thank you for being here today, it was a pleasure strolling with you.

Love from me, and Teddy, who has taken a deep interest in the garden.

Matty would rather lollygag in the shade, eyes closed and nose turned up, sniffing the air.

It must be a vast dizzying well of scents, for someone with such a sense of scent, indeed!

Just the perfect way to enjoy the day, wouldn't you say?

(you're safe though, because Matty doesn't know you are here)

Well, it seems I must be off to do my chores, as everyone waits for me for a drink of water and a couple of treats.

Flowers and pups alike.

See you real soon!

 

Love, V