A Fanciful Twist

Ghostly Tales...

The first day of October is drawing ever so near...

I wander around my garden paths hand in hand with the changing weather.

My stomach is a butterfly flutter waiting to explode.

This always happens when Pumpkin Holiday is approaching.

I want to sop up all the buttery goo of roasted brown sugar pumpkin surprise (is that a thing?), with a perfectly roasted giant marshmallow.

(and I don't even like sweets!)

I want to twirl at midnight with striped stockings and cackle so madly that all the black cats come over to dance on two legs.

Of course, they'd find my cackling to be pure unfiltered opera, of the hollow's eve variety.

And some might even tape me with an old tape recorder they found in an abandoned attic they live in.

And for fun, they might even play back my cackles on extra high speed.

Black cats are so misunderstood you know, they really are true jokers.

Every time they saunter calmly down the road in their black fur, as you happen to be driving by, they roll on their backs laughing madly in the bushes afterwards at the mere absurdity of the fact that you think they brought you bad luck.

Those felines have such a wicked sense of humor.

But where was I?

Oh yes, butterflies and Pumpkin Holiday (notice how I cap that?)...

(and by the way, Pumpkin Holiday is from October 1 to October 31 in my mind)

The month flies at us and then disappears like gold dust slipping through our fingers.

I just sighed (for real) thinking about the speed in which these 31 days pass by.

And so, we have mere moments before the time begins on October 1st.

The hourglass rushing by.

Must not even drop a morsel of the magic.

So, I thought there would be no harm in beginning a tad bit early.

Just slightly tapping a toe into the near future.

And wouldn't you know, no sooner had I thought the thought than something found its way to me.

Something, mostly ghostly I guess you could say.

A love letter to a ghost.

It reads - 

"Often I would like very much to tell you about my day. About the flowers and the trees -

About the changing weather.

But I am not certain you can hear me.

Could you find a way to let me know?"

But then I thought -

Perhaps the ghost is the one who wrote the letter.

?

What do you think?

What is your take on the tale?

And if a person wrote it instead of a ghost - 

And somehow you happened to be said person - 

What would be your preferred choice of being contacted?

Would you like to be tapped on the shoulder?

Would you like a candle to light itself.

Or a mirror to fall off a wall?

(that just happened to me)

Or would you like to see him or her in a beam of light?

A silhouette at golden hour.

And what if your fur already knew they were there.

(which of course they do right?)

Matty sometimes does his downward dog and then leaps around as he does around the hatter.

Giving off kind little yelps of joy as he hops around in circles, as though engaging with someone.

Only - no one is there.

He is often on the driveway alone, playing with someone we can not see.

He started doing this as a baby and still does it 10 years later.

And supposing you did say to the ghost, go ahead and tell me you are there...

Would you be too terrified to cope if it really happened?

Or would you be open?

My whole family is full of ghost stories, especially my grandmother.

(my dad thinks it's all hogwash and nonsense of course)

I remember sitting around the long wooden table by the lake on family trips - 

My grandmother telling true ghost tales that would make me tremble with goosebumps and fear.

But I wanted to hear more and more.

I could never get enough.

And boy did she weave a beautiful tale enough to spook me and leave me with visuals so engrained in my mind, that I can hear her telling them to me even now, as though she was sitting right by me all these years later.

Pumpkin Holiday does not have to be spooky.

It can be all about harvest and changing leaves I know.

But for one month out of the year, I always get a little bit more intrigued by mysteries of the unknown.

Maybe that is why I love October and Halloween so much.

It reminds me of all my wonderful childhood memories.

Of my grandma's stories, of hay rides and costumes and the whole family taking part.

The sparkle, the music, popcorn, movies, candy corns, caramel and candy apples - oh endless things.

But especially, it gave us permission to have the wildest imagination we could conjure up.

Even for just 31 days.

Sometimes even just for one day.

Amazing how one day could leave such a lasting impression.

After that, the trick (or treat) is learning how to harness that freedom of self and joy whenever we would like, isn't it?

And so I say, let's get ready to plunge into October magic, I simply can not wait!!!

Do you have wonderful childhood memories of autumn and Halloween?

 

October love forever, 

 

Vanessa

 

 

See you soooooon <3 <3 <3

 

 

 

ps: The most amazing thing just happened.

Quite on an otherworldly wave length actually.

I visited the spam folder to my comments section...

Lo and behold, there were gobs of comments from dearest friends all throughout 2018 and 2019 that I had no idea about. Some even from 2017 but then I could not retrieve anymore, I saved what I could.  I am so so so so utterly sorry that I had no idea some comments were being bumped into spam. I just saved them all. But reading them was like going back in time - and the comments were so meaningful even for now.

I am sorry to everyone who left comments and they didn't post, I am not sure how spam is decided but from now on I will check it regularly and retrieve your precious comments should they somehow fall down that rabbit hole! xoxo

 

pps: also, I am answering comments in the comment sections of each post <3

Botanicals and Books

Are you a botanicals and books lover?

I feel like you truly may be...

And, if I'm correct, then this one is just for you.

The best thing after flowers gracing your garden are the paper art they turn in to.

I'm always mesmerized by the way they crumple and curve in such exquisitely beautiful shades.

I keep them around for ages after they dry, sometimes even years.

I am especially enamoured by the piles of petals that slowly float down onto the table as they dry.

I let them fall wherever they'd like.

Throw a little sparkle sparkle in whenever the mood calls and voila, you have a little dose of magic.

Swirl it in your tea or coffee to have your fortune told.

I kept seeing crescent moons and a couple stars in mine.

Which incidentally, makes me giddy about the gypsy wagon days upon us (under the moon) now that it is cooling down.

A lot of dreaming goes on amongst dried petals and twinkle lights it seems.

Pull up a seat next to me if you'd like.

Kick off your fairy slippers and open up a book.

I'm a little bit distracted by the scent of the dried roses.

They smell like rose candy and sweet earth - do you know what I am talking about?

A beautiful scent.

Petals and sparkles swirled together, sprinkled on pages and plates.

I honestly feel like this is an act of mindfulness.

Maybe I should package petals and sparkles?

Because they always inspire me and make me utterly happy.

Oh and by the way, look at what I am reading...

But look closely...

I found this wonderful book at the estate shop, locked in a case, the other day.

I swooned.

Of course at first I too thought it was Alice in Wonderland.

But I was beyond smitten with the way it was a play on words, and actually a book about a botanist named Alice.

I've been taking it to bed with me every night.

So lovely.

So, here we meet again.

Another blog post, have I lost my marbles?

Let's be honest for a second.

Why was I blogging so little this last year or two, and am I back to blogging again regularly?

Of course, I have been utterly busy with two houses and two garden as you all know.

Also a couple of dogs and 100 things that interest me and I can easily fall down, well, the rabbit hole :-)

And, in the summer I am just soooo busy, and two gardens - it's a bit much.

I had been setting up a second home and refinding my footing in everything, which is actually feeling very natural now.

But also, sometimes blogging can feel lonely - even though I only blog for my own joy and amusment.

I had been trying out social media in the form of Instagram for the last few years (late to the party as usual), and while I do adore connecting with friends over there - the algorithm brought a quick halt to the party. I still enjoy it, but I do often feel like all I see is the same content over and over and over for weeks. It's almost like social media is making us less social, in some round about way, by boxing us into this small world of the algorithm. 

I recently started feeling sort of uninspired creatively by the social media outlet. I missed taking camera photos and really sitting down on my big computer to type and share my thoughts and feelings.

And while I will still participate with social media because my friends are all over there and it can be fun, I realized my true joy - my fulfillment, is here at my blog.

It takes beaucoup time and dedication to do this, but it brings me deep contentment and helps me keep up with snippets of my journey.

I truly have been feeling like something is missing.

I missed my big camera.

I missed the moments of being present in my own life doing pretty things.

Like tossing around glitter and petals.

So, no matter who is here -

If it's only a handful of us, then this is for you - and for me.

This virtual journal of sorts, which is a huge part of my heart and a creative outlet that I miss and love.

I may not be here everyday - but I'll come back here more often now.

 

Lots of love, Vanessa

 

 

ps:  I was going to organize a Halloween party but there are so few people blogging.

I think I will still share something fun, which is in my mind swirling about - 

And I can link anyone who chooses to join in.

But I think formal blog hops may not be the thing anymore.

But you know, nothing is ever over, it just changes.

So, let's see where things take us, shall we?

Sometimes you have to just sit back and see where the new shift leads.

I am more open to change and I often repeat to myself, keep moving forward, keep moving forward.

xoxo

 

 

 

Of Vintage Roses & Cozy Nooks

What are the things you love the most?

This is the question I always ask myself when I am creating my own secret little nook.

A space for getting in touch with myself and where I feel most myself.

The things that I love are flowers, old books, things found in nature such as shells or curious stones, twigs...

There is also little I love more than dried flora, almost of any kind.

I love vintage art - florals, birds, ships, certain scenes...

I love slowly collecting all these things and putting them together.

Even if your little space is just a table and a wall, a bedroom, a closet, a nook - 

Whatever the space is that you carve out for yourself, big or small, just that it be a space of youness..

A place where you can go and recenter yourself.

Where you can ground yourself back into who you are.

I picked all the spent flowers in my garden and set them down in a colorful heap.

Even just a few minutes in my little space brings me back to myself.

It helps with mood and feelings.

Being in touch with myself has been the most important thing in my life as far back as I can remember.

I made a commitment to myself around age 19 to try to stay in touch with myself and be completely true to myself (as true as one can be despite life's ups and downs). I realized how critical it was to find my own path and joys. I vowed to myself back then to remain on this path of being true to myself and of inner peace.

There have been ups and downs and all arounds but somehow I find my way back.

Still today I return to those memories and building blocks of who I am.

There are things that are so important to my well being.

Growing a garden for hope.

Collecting spent roses and tattered things.

Taking a few moments for myself, to drown out the noise and be present.

Paint, sculpt, believe in my imagination.

Old dusty pages.

Trips to books shops.

Taking time to read actual pages - touch them and smell them.

Surrounding myself with little joys and moments of me time.

Taking time to ground myself and be mindful.

I have learned how to go out of my way to be kind to myself.

To not get caught up with nonsensical what ifs that almost never ever happen.

To find joy in my daily life.

To carve out little sacred spots where I can spend a few minutes at least.

Amongst the pages and petals...

With stories and dreams an imaginations.

Dreaming of all the things I still want to do.

It's never to late to chase a dream I've realized.

You are the maker of your life's magic.

To carve out little spaces of joy in.

To get off your phone and go to a café or book shop.

To wander around an antique mall.

To dig in your garden soil.

To kick your feet up and relax.

It's time to be good to yourself.

Let all the worries and nagging thoughts drift off.

Sometimes if I'm getting caught up in a bad thought I say - Vanessa, do you really truly care about this?

Then I have to laugh and say noooo!

Chances are I do not truly care about it.

I really don't care about things that suck the joy out of life.

I also love flipping negative thoughts into positive ones.

I allow myself to feel things, allow all my feelings.

And I make sure to carve out a little space for myself.

After a little time in my space I realize, I am infused and inspired.

As creative people we need to have an outflow.

And creativity can be manifested in so many ways.

Not just in making art but in decorating, baking, sewing, setting up vignettes.

The list is endless.

Taking time with books and magazines is also so important.

To touch the pages and take big breathes of air.

Being mindful and present in our own lives is critical.

Take care of yourself and love yourself.

Keep a life-line open to your child-like self.

Don't be afraid to feel all the feels.

Don't be afraid - 

And also...

It's never too late to do anything you want to do.

The illusion of time is just that, an illusion.

It's not too late or too early.

It's now that matters.

I have so many things I want to do.

Then I realized, I still can and will try to.

It's all we can do.

Try everyday.

Be good to yourself.

Okay?

Do joyful things for yourself & collect bits of nonsense if you like to.

It's so much fun!

 

Love, V

 

 

Of Spring and Summer...

The most beautiful spring slowly escaped...

Through early morning light of fairy tale dreams - and it became summer.

Once again, and just like that.

The roses flourish in ruffles and ruffles of candy colored petals.

I try to grasp each moment of it.

Making a memory of the light and the scent, but it changes so quickly.

Cool brisk breeze turns into warm basil flavored air.

I pick the last of the citrus.

Plums and peaches appear.

I sit in my gardens that I tend like a mad woman.

In heat and sun, I am there.

Their protector and caretaker - always there.

I thank all the petals and greens for showing up again.

And every year I am as amazed as the last.

And so, now it is time for sleeping under the trees.

Counting stars.

Telling stories.

Making memories.

Memories bound in silk ribbon and tucked deep into a tattered apron pocket.

All the memories you can collect, like piñata candies flying through the air.

Scrambling on your knees to gather all you can.

So many memories you can barely capture them all.

But a few make it through the lense.

Breakfast amongst the flowers in my garden.

Forcing ourselves to take a moment to enjoy the moment.

Slow down and breathe.

At sunrise and sunset - the sun casting dreams - if you can catch them.

Make sure to take time for you.

To savor the beautiful moments of the seasons.

I know I have to push myself to remember sometimes.

We get so busy and caught up.

But what is this life if not to be enjoyed?

Have we forgotten that?

In the hustle and bustle of worry & busy - have we forgotten to enjoy?

Are we afraid that something will go wrong if we let our guard down and enjoy our lives fully?

Something could go wrong either way, so we best enjoy it all we can.

Turn negative thoughts into positive ones and create humor around worries.

And above all - 

Be good to yourself.

Okay?

 

See you real soon!

 

Looooove, V

 

 

 

ps:  what's your favorite thing about summer?