A Fanciful Twist

Into the Secret Garden for a Little Spring Tour

It was such a beautiful day in the garden today.

I was compelled to take bunches of photos to share with you.

I started out with a cup a tea and a little reading in the early cool breeze.

Then I decided to do a little light rose pruning.

The morning garden is not to be missed.

The light comes over the mountain at such a spectacular angle, streaming fairy magic into the garden.

My little sidekick (Theodore Laurence, aka Teddy) has learned the ropes so quickly.

He LOVES the garden, and water!

He takes an interest in everything I am up to and is a major cuddler.

He still likes to make the scary face and wrestle, but muuuuch less than before.

He's about 70lbs. at 5 months old.

He's turning into a gentle giant, and he is much like Miles in so many ways.

Although, I didn't adopt him to be just like Miles - 

But there are moments where I feel Miles' light through Teddy, and I am blown over with tears of love.

Of course, he is different as well, his own wonderful unique self.

He is a joy to my heart and has brought so much life and laughter into our homes.

Matty is always with us as well, but he likes to just observe from the shade and nap with his nose in the air.

He is 12 years old, so his priorities are very different.

Alas, I digress, let us continue our stroll through the garden together -

Shall we?

This year I did not plant seeds, I did however allow all of last year's flowers go to seed, dropping seed all around at the end of that season.

They have blown me away, so much Queen Anne's Lace and so many poppy volunteers.

I am tickled to pieces!

These are photos from today, although every day there are more and more flowers.

3 years ago, I started a Pierre de Ronsard climbing rose from a cutting.

(also known as Eden climbing rose)

And this year it is doing so well, filled with those light green and pink cupped roses, making its way over the arbor.

I have so much verbena in my gardens at both houses.

As many of you know, I dug up a little piece at the local river about 21 years ago, and it has exploded everywhere over the years.

We have endless carpets of purple flowering wild verbena, and the dogs LOVE to lay in it.

Teddy has two favorite spots in this garden, and one is right here.

On a bed of verbena, under the red, peach and candy pink poppies.

Teddy knows how to choose a spot.

And he has made his own little paths through the wildflowers.

I'll never get over poppies.

They absolutely have my heart.

Are you a poppy fan?

The way the light filters through their tissue paper petals is more than sublime.

Speaking of light, look at the light coming through some of the drooping Pierre de Ronsard Roses and Cape Mallow this morning.

(a few Sweet Williams at the bottom of the photo as well)

It's that light that casts its dreamscape, that makes me want to skip out of bed in the morning and run into the garden.

And boy do I ever.

Spring is too good here, in the land of sun.

It begins early and ends mid May I'd say.

Then it gets super hot.

But for now...

The bees are happy.

The garden thinks it is living its fairy tale dreams.

And I am just lucky to be along for the ride.

Thankful thankful thankful hearted.

So happy to be in this secret garden.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, and ask, to what do I owe such petal magic?

I spent soooo many years losing plants at the country house to gophers and rabbits.

It was a nightmare, so this almost seems too good to be true.

Knock on wood!

I let my gardens be slightly unruly, like me :-)

This is definitely Teddy's garden.

He loves it so much, and I am happy to grow it just for him and the birds and bees and butterflies.

Yesterday I saw a single monarch laying eggs on the milkweed.

Did I ever swooooon!

I stroll through the garden paths, admiring every little blossom, every little flower.

The light, the breeze...

Coreopsis, garden gates...

A seat, simply to sit and enjoy the moment.

Whilst Mother Nature bestows her magic upon us.

The unfurling of tissue paper petals...

A Kiss me Kate rose growing to the left of the second arbor...

A bevy of chicken wire cloches to protect little young vegetables from the birds.

A symphony of Shirlies!

And one of my very very favorites, Cleveland Sage.

It smells like a lemony lavender and makes the most curiously delightful flowers.

We are lucky for all the native mesquite and acacia trees, leafing out and making the desert so green.

Verbena mixes with dark cherry colored Sweet William.

I welcome all colors of flowers in my garden.

I am glad for whoever wants to turn up.

Two years ago I planted many foxglove seeds, and am so overjoyed to see them flowering this year.

(Biennials take a year to grow and then flower in the second year)

Roses, foxgloves, poppies, assorted wildflowers and Teddy.

I love old fashioned flowers, don't' you?

And so, here is where you will find me...

In the early morning and at golden hour.

Tending my flowers, giving them some water...

Gasping in appreciation!

Watching that afternoon golden light cast its own kind of magic as well.

In a sea of volunteers!

I happy sigh, then take my basket and go out of the secret garden, through the gate, and down the stairs back into the formal garden.

Teddy jumps up in sheer delight, catching rose petals.

Everything is a game to a puppy.

I sip my tea and enjoy the moment.

Trying to absorb this lovely time.

Another spring, my pups, the birdsong.

It's ridiculously enjoyable.

There is no where in the world I would rather be.

No place at all, than with my dogs and the birds and bees.

Watching spring take over the land.

I hope you enjoyed all those photos.

It took me about 12 hours to put that together and make sense of my photos.

I take too many photos, and then I can not choose, haha!

I've been listening to the most delightful music whilst typing.

I'll put the video into this post in the ps section.

I think I should make pancakes today.

I have a huge pumpkin that absolutely needs to be processed from autumn.

I should roast it today.

Pumpkin treats are always a welcome flavor around here.

I roast the pumpkin, then puree and freeze it.

Then you can use it at any time.

The lemons are never-ending, I want to begin to make Limoncello today.

I juice many of them and put the juice in ice cube trays with lids into the freezer.

That way I always have fresh lemon juice when I need it as well.

Alas, I must be off to do my Cinderella chores.

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

Lots of love and best wishes, from our little secret garden to you!

Love, 

Vanessa

 

 

ps: Here is that lovely music I'm listening to.

 

 

Hope you have a lovely day!

xoxo

 

Apple Blossom Spring & Other Things

Wonderful truth!

It is spring once again.

Oh spring, how I missed you.

Now, if only it would last longer.

I'm enjoying it through the eyes of a puppy.

Scampering out into the cool morning light...

Apple blossoms marking the beginning of spring in our garden.

Mister Theordore Laurence (aka Teddy), finding this and that from last season.

And then, dragging it back to his favorite spot, in the verbena.

Matthiolas bloom from last year's seeds.

Such lovely peachy colors.

And the sun slowly makes it way over the mountains in the morning, illuminating everything like a dream, if only just for a moment in time.

The purple cabbages found their way in their second season, hooray!

Majestic and otherworldly.

Imagine being the first person to decide to eat a cabbage?

Beautiful first moments...

First leaves, first lemons, first apple blossoms, first baby birds.

First spring with Teddy.

The white line of morning rays gently outlining the leaves...

And we are here for every moment of it.

The first days of puppy hood have been hard and beautiful all at once.

For the adults, not for the puppy, haha!

The puppy is having the time of his life.

Teddy is a firework, and I love him too much already.

He keeps us all on our toes - understatement of the year.

But it is starting to shift and get easier, as we become another version of a little family because of him.

My heart strings already pull when going through photos, because just two months ago he was tiny.

A fierce wild-hearted lad.

It feels like Teddy was always here.

He is a master cuddler and wrestler, all at once.

I am so glad I brought him into our lives, we hadn't realized how much we truly needed him.

He runs around both of his gardens with complete confidence and joy.

He even helped me pick this basket of purple broccoli.

In truth, he tried to steal it from me, because he wants anything you have in your hand and will tackle you for it.

He'll grab you by your pant leg and not let go, and take off with your laundry too, haha!

It's a circus!

But it's wonderfully lovely.

And experiencing the garden with him is a joy beyond words.

Everything is exciting and wonderful to him.

Golden hour especially.

Imagine if you were seeing the whole world for the first time.

Sun and stars, fresh cool water out of the hose, pumpkins, birds, coyotes howling in the distance.

He immerses himself in everything with a shocking fearlessness.

If Matty gets angry at him, he stands up tall and barks back louder and deeper.

But my favorite thing about Teddy is how he wants to cuddle with you.

He will grab a toy and bring it over and sit on you, or cuddle into your neck.

Now that he's 50 lbs. he realizes he no longer fits so well on your lap, but he's determined to still be your baby.

Goodness, I love that boy.

I love both of my boys so much.

And don't worry, Matty is always one step behind me, my shadow and protector of 12 years.

I steal snuggles from him, even though he's not a snuggler.

But as you know, he hates the camera.

Just know he is there, always protecting us all, never forgotten.

I make him a special homemade dinner every night, different from everyone else.

He's that spoiled.

Anywho, with that I shall say - 

Happy Spring friends!

I feel so lucky to be able to able to experience another spring.

I've been painting flowers and curious bunnies by night.

I can't wait to share soon.

 

Hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods.

Always wishing you the best <3 <3 <3

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Lovely February

Hello friends!

An update from my crazy little world.

Land of wild puppy, and a combination of super chilly and oddly warm days.

I'm not sure why my photos are uploading fuzzy, when they are clear, but hopefully if you click on any one you will see it more clearly.

How has your February been?

I have been itching madly to get back here.

I somehow misplaced my fancy camera charger, and I simply could not find it anywhere.

It might be under my bed or in Teddy's pile of everything under the sun.

He's such a pack rat, it's beyond amusing.

My charger is the one thing I always have at the ready, so that was a nutty misplace (I looked everywhere possible), and it took forever to receive a replacement, but now here I am again, hooray!

February is proving to be lovely.

We've spent most of our time in the country whilst training Teddy and such.

It's been lovely to roam the open spaces and garden paths without a care in the world.

Enjoying the fresh air of winter, and letting the boys run around with wild abandon.

It is citrus season, and we've had little picnics in the garden.

I put a little table in what I've always called the fairy bower part of the garden path.

Such delightful little times.

I've been planning a mural behind the wall of my other secret garden for two years.

I'm now painting some paintings to determine what I'd like my mural to look like.

I have a fairy tale landscape in mind, we'll see how that goes.

In the meantime, I've been painting my mural ideas and then doing what I like to do often, just abstract expressions of colors.

One of my favorite things to do really, which I rarely share.

But it's such a release of emotions and wildly fun.

I've been doing this sort of painting since I was a child, one of the very best things that ever has happened in my life.

Painting my emotions as I like to call it.

Nonsense paintings, wonderful for the soul.

I was dusting my country house room, and piled a bunch of my beloved junk on my shelf above the bed so Teddy could not reach it, and then I sort of liked it all lumped up together, so I took some photos.

I just love having my happy junk around me :-)

Matty is doing well also, just tolerating his new little brother really.

He was handsomely looking towards me and turned just as I snapped his photo.

As you know, he does not like cameras.

I am not sure Matty will ever play with Teddy, but we'll see.

I still spoil him tons, and he has the front seat of my car always.

Still scaring UPS drivers, acting 4 years old instead of 12.

There is also a little spring-time flutter in the air, with baby birds here and there.

Mama dove is not amused with our garden activity.

She had gone out to get breakfast when I snuck a little photo of her children.

Don't worry, I zoomed in from far away.

The days have been idyllic.

Our garden paths fill my soul in ways I cannot describe.

Bunnies scampering away from the pitter patter of paws.

Perfect warm light on a cool day.

My trees and shrubs are so big, I planted some of them, Mister Lovee the older ones.

To see them all grown up is beyond wonderful, they so feel like home to me.

They are home.

The sunshine, the comfort of trees...

A puppy discovering his own home.

Just warms my heart to no end.

But I should tell you...

About our dear Theodore Laurence.

The wildest child we've had to date.

Rambunctious beyond compare.

He's got a big attitude, but he's a lovely cuddler too.

Just beware because his biting is off the charts, haha!

He's brave and utterly self-assured, can you tell?

Matty wants no part of this.

Haha!

He just wants to nap, fight danger, and enjoy the scenery from the top of the porch stairs.

But they do run around the garden happily together, he and Teddy.

They just don't tumble and wrestle like the Matty and Miles team did.

Of course, Matty is much older now, and he stopped wrestling with Miles after that time her nearly died from valley fever years ago.

Maybe you could lift a little hopeful wish into the starry night sky that, perhaps that might still happen.

Matty and Teddy playing together a little.

Teddy would love that so much.

And so would all of us who are all bitten and scratched up, haha!

Truth be told though, Teddy is smart and adorable, and is learning all the tricks and commands.

He's the most different of all my kids, and I can't wait to see how his personality develops as teething subsides, and he starts to get a bit older.

But for now, I am enjoying his wild puppy days, as they are so short lived.

So, here is where you will find us...

Under canopies of trees with grapefruit-orange juice, freshly squeezed by me.

And a loaf of Italian rustic bread.

Where the trees sway and whisper...

And dreams still swirl about, inspiring me to do this and that.

In the fairy bower of my heart.

I feel lucky to enjoy these days.

With my boys, hidden away in our little parcel of earth.

Just as content as can be.

I'm fully aware of the importance of appreciating such times.

As the apple blossoms are just beginning to unfurl.

Bees are awakening from their slumber.

And it might even snow a tiny bit this week.

It was 78'F and then 58' - crazy I know.

And day after tomorrow there might be said snow flurry.

I've received some ridiculously enormous canvases to paint on by freight truck.

Sort of lavish for just a bit of amusement I feel.

But you only live once, and I intend to enjoy every second of painting on them.

I hope you are doing just lovely out there.

Thank you for coming to visit us here.

 

Lots of love, 

Vanessa

 

 

Of New Year Petals & Golden Light

I awoke to rain splashing on my window, and cold snowcapped mountains.

Huge fluffy clouds filled the sky.

I was busy most of the day, and decided to relax at the fire when afternoon rolled around.

Just as I almost kicked off my shoes, something beckoned me outside.

The sun was calling my name, the days of rain had stopped.

The last sliver of golden hour illuminated the garden on a frigid afternoon.

There would be a freeze at night, and so I decided to cut some winter roses.

I stood there in the cold air, drinking in the stunning last light, on this first day of a new year.

 

I decided then and there, to go grab my camera and share it with you.

I spent a huge part of 2021 just wrapping myself in white light, in my mind.

So, this seemed like a reminder to continue doing that in the new year.

I ran up to the secret garden, and there was that light again.

Bursting through the lemon tree.

The first day of a new year in my wintery garden, the light shining through leaves, making me feel safe with its wonderful familiarity.

I just stood there listening to a mockingbird.

Then I heard the little gobbles and clucking sounds of the quail, as they inched towards the fence, preparing to jump into my trees for the cold evening.

I love that they sleep in my trees and feel safe here.

I'm so glad I went outside for the first golden hour of the year.

The morning glory arbor is sure to have had its last lingering flowers today.

With the freeze, it will now go to sleep, until maybe spring/summer - if it successfully self-seeds.

I took out all my little greenhouse planter covers, perhaps that will help the basil and tomatoes hold on.

There are so many little green globes hanging out there still.

We'll see.

You never know what delights spring will bring.

I did go ahead and take a few of the tattered winter roses.

What a treat to have roses in January.

I also picked some bougainvillea.

The magical golden hour light fluttered around, as though infused with some sort of fairy magic.

When I came back inside it was dark, so I lit some candles.

I often hang roses to dry on lamps and candelabras, then they just stay there because I love to see them hanging around so much.

And so, it is sort of a farewell party for the last winter roses.

But they will be back in a few short months.

As I was blowing out the candles, the smoke wafted around in the chilly air so mysteriously.

It made for a very interesting feeling as a beginning to a new year.

I was immediately filled with a sort of fairytale dreams moment.

Beckoned by the books in my little library, feeling very young again, and filled with wonder.

I thought, this is the perfect setting to the beginning of a tale.

Speaking of tales!

Did I ever tell you about the secret library in the first house I lived in as a child?

I lived in that house until I was 8 years old, and I feel that the library in it had a profound effect on me.

You see, my parents purchased this red brick house with white gingerbread details when I was a baby.

It was situated on the only hill in the neighborhood.

I had a white and red playhouse out back, with a swing set next to it, and big lawns, with huge fences filled with honeysuckle.

I also had a duck and a goose, and violets filled the garden beds.

We once had a cat who chose us, for a short period, which I shall tell you about another time.

But down a couple stairs in the back of the house was this large room with very tall floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

And yes, all the books as well.

Imagine purchasing a home that came with a fully stocked library?

How fascinating would that be?

What I would give to go back in time and look through all those old books.

The books had beautiful old spines and intrigued me greatly.

I remember looking through the books as a child and having a bit of fear towards some of them.

Or maybe it was the fact that I had climbed the bookshelves once and had to be rescued from the top?

But in all honesty, some of the books were downright creepy.

One of the books I looked at a lot was all black with gold details and red edged pages.

I remember very distinctly that the spine said, The Devil's Daughter.

Every time I saw it, I would get chills.

There were a lot of strange books indeed, and once I heard my mom in a scary whispering tone, telling her friend that she had found weird things in the house.

She told the woman that one book was so scary, that she threw it way up to the top shelf, and it fell behind the bookcases.

I wonder what it was about, I must ask her again.

There was a fireplace in the room, and I also overheard my mom saying that she found this huge box of a sort of antique parchment, and when she opened it, it took up the entire room, and was labeled with where to sit to find your evil hour and such.

My mom got so scared, she lit the fireplace in the summer, and burned it.

Now, I never had any bad experiences in the house, and I adored my Holly Hobby wallpaper, bedding, pillows and towels, haha!

It was a fun neighborhood filled with kids, and the Shamrock ice-cream truck man lived on our street, and he would sell us ice cream with a little wooden spoon for 5 cents.

Just the library had some fun and creepy aspects, but mostly fun.

My mom always misses that house.

The funny thing is, I grew up with so many tales - mysterious, scary, fascinating, magical.

Some I'd hear the adults telling each other, and others my grandmother told me.

Oh, the stories she would tell me my entire life, I can't even begin to tell you.

Fascinating to my child mind!

Today I spoke to her, as it is her birthday on New Year's day, and we talked about some of the fairytales she told me as a child.

I recently sent her a copy of the story she told me often as a child, which was the tale of the boys turned into swans.

She had this huge Fairytale book, of course she told them all from memory.

But I remember sitting with her in this huge cushioned floral velvet upholstered rocking chair, and paging through this big beautiful old book.

I keep the swan book (several different copies actually) around my house and think about her every time I see the books, which is daily.

I told her that today, and she loved that thought.

The point is, between all the tales she told me, and the library of curious books I grew up with...

It would only make sense that I am enamored by old books and that I am always one second away from something inspiring me to light a lamp in a dark cozy corner and read some mysterious tale.

You can't imagine the scary stories my grandma told me as well.

My knees would knock under the table, but I couldn't get enough, I'd ask for more and more.

Her well of stories is endless, and who better to hear tales from than your own grandma?

I can't ask for a better way to enter a new year.

With chats with my grandma, golden hour light, and maybe a secret or two that I want to share with you soon.

Oh and, I also enjoyed the snowy mountains at the country house today, made two berry crisps, watched Matty try to chase rabbits (don't worry, he never catches them), and froze in the tattered winter garden, loving every minute of it.

And now, I will cuddle Matty by the fire, drink my decaf green tea and page through the stack of garden catalogs that have arrived.

I am trying to get used to the fact that Halloween begins in July, Christmas begins on October 31st, and spring begins on January 1st.

Haha!

It does feel that way though, doesn't it?

I awoke this morning to endless garden pictures on Instagram, which of course, I would never complain about, but it did make me giggle.

I will say though, the garden gives hope.

Planning the spring garden in winter is a very fun thing to do.

That, and crocheting until you can't keep your eyes open.

My crochet projects go to bed with me at night.

Well, I have talked and talked, and now I must be off.

Happy New Year!

I hope it brings many old wonderful tales tucked in old book pages.

How I love that scent!

See you soon my friends!

Oh and, this blog began at the very end of December in 2006.

Can you imagine that?

16 years, wow.

Thanks for A Fanciful Twist, and how it found me - came to me in a daydream at a coffee shop.

And led me here, to meet with you for 16 whole years, crazy!

Thank you for being here.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

 

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

 

 

Welcome Magical Autumn

I woke up this morning, groggily opened the door, and felt it immediately...

The tinge of cool swirling in the warm breeze.

Bliss.

Memories.

I whispered, I know you.

I threw on my shoes and Matty and I headed out to the garden.

There were butterflies swirling around madly, all colors.

New ones had arrived overnight, big white butterflies, and canary yellow ones too.

I decided I would pick some pumpkins, to celebrate the day.

A couple Fairytale pumpkins and a Jack-o-lantern.

I didn't bring in Mister Big yet, but I did bring in his younger brother, and a sister.

Several more to come <3

I pruned zinnias, and took a few spent ones.

I plop other ones right back into the earth, as they will self seed next year.

My happy collection for the first day of autumn makes me so content.

Full heart.

Thank you pumpkins.

They have gotten me through many summers, but have meant even more these last two summers.

I needed them so much, while the world has its odd goings on, they are here like everything is good - just as it should be.

They make everything better all the time.

Hope, love, memories.

Good-bye summer 2021.

I will miss you.

Strange but true.

Autumn of my heart.

So happy to see you.

I know you so well, you always bring a sense of wonder and joyful memories - on the tail of a breeze that dances between warm and cool.

Another chapter of summers closing, turning the page.

The garden, still full of all it brought us, as we venture into our spring-like autumn.

Where pumpkin everything makes everyone delighted.

This should really be an ode to the pumpkin -

The pumpkin that somehow hugs everyone.

Sort of saying, it's all going to be okay.

A message from the pumpkin king, that we eagerly embrace wholeheartedly.

It's almost universal.

Pumpkin spice should be the secret code word.

It holds so many joys tucked deep inside of us.

A wealth of memories thriving in a flavor and a scent.

My gratitude for the pumpkins that grew in my garden this year, and those of year's past, is immeasurable.

Pumpkin LOVE abounds!

Happy first day of Autumn dear friends!

And Happy Spring to those of you on the other side of the globe.

Seasonal magic is upon us!

Lots of love.

 

Magic, wishes. and stars forever!

See you super soon,

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Here is some beautiful autumnal music for your day <3

(Autumn/Fall 2021 Alexrainbird music)

 

Of Wing and Petal...

Oh wing and petal, butterfly summer of my heart...

Where blossoms have grown into trees...

And in the darkest nooks, fairy tale mushrooms have appeared in abundance.

Whispering tales of autumn...

The light begins to shift.

The striped hummingbird moths dance around feverishly.

Their caterpillar selves have been carpeting the ground in both gardens.

I love to see them.

I find such comfort in them, for some reason.

They gather in dozens, sipping the nectar from the wild verbena all around Miles' grave.

Maybe that's why I feel so close to them.

I feel like they are the guardians of my sweetest boy.

The zinnias beckon every winged creature, with their own certain kind of magic.

As dahlias bob down stone stairs I built two springs ago.

I used huge found stones, at least 13 inches deep or more, to create a stair path that looked as though it had been here always.

The butterflies know -

The toil and work endured to build this for them.

A pleasure to my heart, and a job to keep my mind well these 1.5 years of topsy turviness.

Thank goodness for the garden things that keep the imagination alive.

What stories could they tell?

Of what sort of creatures scale the fence and come in at night.

I know they have been here, I see little signs of it, and often little nibbles of bell peppers.

I stroll through the garden and find only the wings of two butterflies deep in the leaves of a cosmos.

I collect them as a garden gift.

I save caterpillars from being attacked by ants.

I know nature must take its own course, but sometimes I can not help myself.

Like the butterfly that had been caught in the giant spider web.

I set her free indeed.

So much going on in the overgrown summer garden.

Soon it will be the autumn garden, in 8 days or so?

The winged creatures are getting so used to me, they let me pet them for 2 seconds, with the gentle side of my pinky finger.

Have you ever pet the fur of a hummingbird moth?

They are so silly.

I am certain they are funny and playful, comical little things.

They even look you right in the eye.

Or come right up to you, to take the last sip of the flower you are clipping for yourself.

Don't worry Hummy, there are more zinnias on the horizon.

The gal I saved comes over to me again.

I can tell it is her because she has just a tinge of spider web still hanging from her wing.

I spend my days rescuing them from fountains and pool, the moment I see them I rush over and pull them out.

Then I set them somewhere safe to dry.

Yesterday there were about 100 moths and butterflies in the pool.

Most just floating, still alive, waiting for me.

I frantically pulled them all out.

Phew!

I go from garden to garden at both houses.

I stroll the garden paths at the country house...

As banana cake bakes in the oven.

I seek out poison mushrooms again and again.

Listening for the tales they would like me to tell...

Something about the hummingbird moth and the butterfly...

What could the story be?

The image below reminds us of how exactly they got their name.

And then other butterflies begin to show up.

As they usually do in autumn.

I love the marking on these.

I wake up at the county house, look out my bedroom window.

20 years of home.

A familiarity so deep in my heart.

I am tending garden at both homes, so it is time to make my 8 minute trek back.

I return to the wild hilled garden to collect goods for dinner.

There are endless limes to collect...

I bring in a few first pumpkins.

Chillies and bell peppers and onions...

And before I go in, I wait for the last sliver of sun...

It never disappoints.

It shoots through the opening in the wall, like a dream of a dream.

A once a day gift.

I intend to visit here more than once a week.

But sometimes I will roll three posts into one, as I have done today.

I am a busy bee it seems, doing this and that.

Going to and fro.

I am painting a cabinet, starting my decorating for Halloween.

Harvesting, watering now that the rains have gone.

Posting wonderful orders, making studio time.

I have a little bit of worry on my heart, as my dad is having surgery for his hip tomorrow.

I'm kind of fluttering around with nervous energy the last few days, trying to do things while feeling a bit wobbly.

Does that ever happen to you?

I seem to run the gamut with the physical symptoms of my worry or nerves.

I do not always worry, and I've collected some major lessons and coping skills over the years.

But I am a natural worrier, not as bad as I used to be, but I have to do things to stay sane.

Like tend my garden madly I suppose.

And learning to let go, just breathe and release, has been amazing.

I did not know that I did not have coping skills for worry, anxiety etc. until I had to face something scary almost 8-10 years ago.

Then it became clear, that I was not skilled in coping with stress.

I've always been wildly happy go lucky, but still a worry wart about certain things, strange but true.

I think we all are to some extent, it's human nature.

There are those people born with an innate ability to cope, and those not programmed with that skill, that can let their worry run wild without end until they are ill.

But you can learn some really easy skills that are life changing.

I was a very brave child, but I still worried about other things.

Even though I was up for anything, and had this strange incredible confidence in things I wanted to try and do -

Deep inside me I was also a worry wart, but not of the things I was trying and doing, more of what ifs about other things.

For example, I wasn't afraid of hiking into the desert alone as a child, but I would worry about what would happen if I failed an exam or got sick.

I guess that's part of having an imaginative mind, it runs away with you.

Most people would be afraid of stomping through snake country, but I would do just that, whilst worrying about other ridiculous things.

There are wonderful skills you can learn to calm yourself, to stop your mind from running wild with worry.

Learning them has been invaluable to my human experience.

It had to get really bad for me, before it got much better.

My journey began around 8 years ago, with a book called Dare by Barry Mcdonagh, it was a real life saver for me.

(I have mentioned this before)

I was at my wits end, no doctors believed that I didn't feel well, and so I somehow sought out a solution for myself.

I ordered dozens of books and hated them all, except this one that I found unexpectedly (Dare), it was just what I needed.

It started to help me instantly and made me a better me.

I still use all those skills I learned almost every day, and I have the Dare app on my phone for daily meditations.

It's important to find the things that help you level yourself.

One thing I have come to learn is that, as bad as anxiety feels, it is an emotion that we often try not to allow ourselves to have, which only makes it worse of course.

Anxiety is an emotion that all of us have to different degrees.

Through my journey I have met so many people struggling, who I have been able to help in my own little way.

(they bought the book too and it was helpful, no I am not sponsored at all, just sharing something that helped me)

If I had not learned those skills, I am not sure I would have been able to cope with all the things happening around us.

Anxiety is a broad label for a whole basket of feelings like fear, panic, stress, worry, despair.

During these last couple of years I am sure we have all had our own encounter with these feelings.

Remember to be kind to yourself.

Remember that, you can not worry yourself sick about things that you have no control over.

I learned that from my 85 year old friend.

I am no doctor, so I am only sharing what works for me, and we all have to find our own way...

But I have learned that -

No matter how rotten things feel, they will get better, nothing lasts forever.

It may look like I live in a world of everything being okay.

And it is, even when everything is not, because I know feelings pass and I now have skills to talk myself through things.

And if I have to, I allow myself to fall apart, like sob while listening to a song and chopping vegetables for dinner.

I always feel better after :-)

Times have not been easy, there have been so many losses and things to fret about, haven't there?

But even when things are scary and bleak, there is beauty all around.

I always repeat my gratitude out loud.

Sometimes I just say thank you thank you thank you thank you, over and over.

Gratitude is a great healer.

You are just one little you, and there is only so much you can take on in your heart and mind.

I send all my love and hopes into the universe, and do my best - that is all I can do.

I have come to a place where I can now feel worry, joy and peace all at once.

Sometimes I feel one of those more that the other.

Most days I do not worry at all, but when I do -

I remind myself, I am not in control of the world or universe, so I can not take it on.

Somedays might be harder and I need to implement the skills I have learned again, and that's okay too.

My dad has always said, it is healthy to laugh and cry every day, I share this all the time.

Now I understand what he means.

It reminds me of someone being surprised with a puppy they have longed for, and how they laugh and cry at the same time.

Letting go is a great healer, understanding you are just like the butterflies and the moths.

Here for a little while, and while things can seem very hard -

There are still flowers and seasons and stars and wishes.

As long as you are here, there is hope.

It's okay to feel sad and rotten, but also leave a little room for the joys of your heart.

I remind myself, keep moving forward, even if it's in tiny ways.

Even if it just means starting a new project, or going for a walk to feel better.

Whatever bad thought you have, flip it to the positive version.

If I say, I am so worried about my dad, I also say, I am so excited for him to feel better soon.

And when I am in the depths of despair...

I sing.

Any song that comes to mind.

I try, and somehow it helps me make my way through.

Especially if you're driving and something stresses you out, just sing!

You will be amused at what song you choose too, and that will make you laugh, after you freak out of course.

:-)

I have found ways to look at things in a funnier way, more light hearted.

What skills have you learned that help you get through worrisome times?

It's really good to know that, we are not alone.

You are not alone.

Every single person alive has hopes, fears, joys, woes.

Some of us get through things a bit easier, while others need to learn ways to do so.

If I was able to learn ways to cope, so can you.

 

I think I shall close with today's motto of...

Don't be so hard on yourself.

 

Magic, wishes and stars to you!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

Fairy Evening...

The end of August opens the door to a wave of garden magic.

When monsoon rain is still here, and flowers begin another spring.

The wildness of my garden is beyond words.

You'd have to stand in it to really understand the level of wild.

The winged creatures are treating it like a sanctuary, which I am so glad for.

The pumpkins are, well, they've taken over.

A sea of pumpkins.

I crouch down to see if there are babies...

And there are.

I'm not sure why pumpkins make me soooo happy, but they do.

It's time to pick some of them, but the rains have brought a wonderful wave of fresh ones.

I can't believe the stems on these.

It's a wild place, where I rest my mind and lose myself in the happenings of the moment.

It's like a dream.

In fact, my whole life I have dreamt of such a garden.

And while I've had a lovely garden at the country house for 20 years, it is open to rabbits and gophers.

The wildlife would gobble it so quickly, every day was another loss after so much work.

But this garden is safe to grow as big as it wishes, and it does.

Only winged creatures can fly in.

The yellow belly finches destroy zinnias, but that's about it.

The quail have learned that it is safe to be here, so they fly in just as the sun starts to go down.

They fill the trees, but if I so much as tiptoe in, they frantically panic and fly off.

So, I make sure to let them sleep in peace.

As I was picking my flowers I could hear them start to gather outside the fence.

I just smiled to myself, knowing they were there.

It comforts me greatly for some reason.

The dahlias have begun, which means summer really is almost over.

Of course, it will be hot here for a while, until Halloween.

But the dahlias know.

Rainy skies and rainbows.

The giant marigolds are blooming too.

They always show up for Dia de Los Muertos.

I meant to be here a couple days ago but I was dizzy.

And so, I took some time to be kind to myself.

I often forget to be kind to myself and just forge ahead as though I'm made of steel.

Yesterday afternoon a big storm rolled in and I ran up to the loggia to sit and enjoy it.

You know those breezes that are so perfectly delicious, that you close your eyes and absorb the moment, without even noticing you are doing it?

That was me yesterday.

The rains have brought a huge field of datura to the country house, so I like to be there to watch them open in the evening.

They're also know as moon flower, because they unfurl at night.

I was there just as they were opening night before last.

Those are the sort of magical moments that are so unbelievably wonderful.

I think I am going to make a blackberry cobbler again next.

It's a very quiet morning, I can hear Matty gently snoring.

We got up super early to turn off all the irrigations since there was so much rain yesterday.

There was this coolness in the air, it really took my breath away.

It's funny how when you are a gardener, the weather is your main topic :-)

I find myself checking the weather all the time, it's quite funny actually.

The rain has been such a tremendous gift this monsoon season.

It reminds me of huddling on the porch with my family as a child to watch it rain.

We had these long huge covered porches, and the rain would whip in from every direction.

Sometimes it would hail, and we'd jump for joy.

I can hear all the adults oohing and aahing about it in my mind, like it was just yesterday.

The voices of my grandparents and parents, saying regular things like, wow, look at all this rain, can you believe how it's puddling?

And on and on, only in Spanish.

Spanish is such a beautiful language, there are ways to express yourself with such description and depth that does not translate to English.

There are so many descriptive words, and words that have vast meaning in just one word, that English simply does not have.

Do you know more than one language?

I think languages are so fun, and it's great to teach children when they were young.

I learned how to play the piano when I was very young, and when I play sometimes now I think, how did I learn this?

The really interesting thing is how your fingers hold memory.

You could have totally forgotten the notes completely, but your fingers know what to do.

It's amazing the things you can learn when you are young, that seem almost impossible as we grow older.

The one thing that is not hard to learn, and that you can do at any age at all is, growing a garden.

See how it all comes back to soil and seeds with me?

I am just planning my winter garden.

Planting seeds in August is perfect for a winter garden, especially in warmer climates like mine.

And don't forgot to buy your poppy seeds and scatter them at the first sign of November rain.

I have mine bought and ready to go.

Well, I'm off to bake.

Thank you for stopping by, I'll be back very soon.

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

 

 

7 O'Clock Garden + 7 Days of Blogging {Day 4}

Into the night garden...

Just as the sun is setting, candles are lit, with curious birdsong echoing.

Through the secret garden gate, into the wild.

A perfect evening for tales, as a storm teases.

Bubbles fizz, and stories told by my grandmother 30 years ago flutter about.

Tales of wild swans and magic flowers are retold.

Something is changing, something is shifting, something wonderful this way comes.

I can feel it in the underlying cool tinge in the air, and in the way the leaves rustle their secret language.

Another season, not too far away.

I grew up on endless fairy tales, some fantastical and others rather spooky.

I relished in them, I loved how my knees would knock under the table and my skin would shiver when my grandma would tell her stories.

Some because they were just so amazing, and others because they were downright terrifying.

I suppose that is why I have a fairy tale sensibility.

It was engrained quite early and then stayed with me always.

And so, as I sit under canopy of trees, which I arrived at by meandering through the very tall garden, I am delighted beyond compare with this moment in time.

Apples are ready, pumpkins are starting to be picked.

The roses have emerged from their summer slumber.

Why do I feel so young and free in my heart still?

Excited about seasons and what is to come.

Do you feel the same way?

I think about hiding up in my cottage, about crocheting all night, and shall I tell you?

I have been dreaming about another little being coming into my life (fur of course).

The whole thing could make me cry, and I don't want to mess up the feeling.

I'll tell you the story about how my heart might be ready tomorrow.

And some curious things that have happened regarding that.

But for now, we are in the hidden woods...

So hidden, you almost can not believe that they even exist.

Give me soil and a shovel, some seeds and a dream - 

And I shall try with all my might to create some sort of magic.

It's actually not really a try feeling that comes over me, but more -

I am compelled outside of my own control.

I hope that if I live a very long time, that I will have the gusto to continue gardening into my 90's like my paternal grandmother did.

I think about these things as I type to you from my garden, right in this spot.

The cardinals swooping in, wondering why I am in their garden.

Out of nowhere a big cloud is forming above me, laden with little sparks of lightning glimmering like fireworks.

There is the most glorious breeze whipping around, teasing my candles.

I can hear thunder as the last glimmer of light disappears behind a violet cloud.

What is this enchantment that calls my name?

That breaths the most wonderful feeling into my soul?

I can't describe it, perhaps you feel it too.

A dreamy feeling that I can escape within.

Where pumpkins and fairy tales roam.

Where I am the me-est me.

The truest I can be.

Where I am always that girl with a dream.

Where the night garden has brought me, don't miss this moment Vanessa, it whispers in my ear.

Be here it says, and so I stay.

A gust of wind blows out some of my candles.

I look up, as a few light rain drops fall upon my face.

And all I can really say to them is, Thank you.

When I was around 19 years old I had this profound moment, where I all of a sudden knew myself so well.

I understood my path and my journey to come, and I entered it willingly and openly.

I let go of some things, and embraced others.

I created a space deep in my thoughts, where I could always come back to me if I lost my way.

It is the paths under trees, the books by candle light, the garden growing -

These sort of things bring me to that place.

That place that I felt that one day, all those years ago.

It's different, but the same.

I am still me, but I have greater wisdom that grows with each passing year.

Of course, I don't know a lot.

When you are younger you think you know everything, and as you get older your realize, you don't know so much.

And it is comforting and okay, and you let go.

But I do feel that perhaps these fairy tale moments, like being in the night garden, are just like children pretending.

Playing out in the back of their grand parents' house.

Down the garden path and through the stream.

And maybe that, that is what keeps it all alive.

Maybe the map back to yourself is always down those paths of dreams.

I think, yes, it must be.

 

And then, poof...

The candles are out and it is time for me to go.

But at least, now I know.

 

Until tomorrow...

See you then, xoxo

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps: I am here a bit late today because I spent all day cooking for Mister Lovee and his childhood friend who came to visit.

I hope they enjoyed it <3

 

 

My Secret Quarantine Garden

I wanted to take a moment to share my tale about the last year with you...

Before time escapes like petals in the wind.

A tale about a garden I set out to build at the beginning of the pandemic -

And of how it saved me during my year of solitude.

I'd like to share my journey that began in March of 2020 with a sense of mutual respect, based on my own experiences.

I was quarantining at my other house, not the country house (which I am now back at regularly), during the last year.

Many of you who have known me and my blog for a few years have been here through the many many gardens I have built at the country house.

The garden is still alive and well at the country house, but it needs me less because it is established.

I've built so many gardens, such as vegetable gardens surrounded by 14 foot sunflowers.

Over a dozen pumpkin patches.

(all available in the archives)

Flowers and gophers and hives and gourds and edibles galore.

But most importantly, it builds peace and beauty and hope and joy on so many different levels.

I discovered that I loved gardening when I was 19 years old, and have used it as a great source of mental health.

When all hope seems lost, the garden reminds you - hope is never lost, especially on a nurtured seed.

And so, in March of 2020, with a hearty dose of worry and dread I decided I should do something to keep me sane.

Behind the walled-in backyard of my house, was extended land, that I had fenced in for the dogs in 2018.

There was a citrus grove with a tight fence around it on one side, which I removed and expanded for the boys to have a place to run and play.

The rest of the area was rolling hills and a whole lot of brush and cactus, which some men removed when the dogs kept getting thorns.

Because of that, I had a blank slate of dirt and rocks to keep me really busy out back.

I call it, the secret garden behind the garden.

I started with a tiny area for a vegetable garden up against a small hill.

I quickly expanded that to be a tiered garden and I took out my adrenaline of worry (comes easy to me) on the very rugged and rocky hills.

Leveling little hills with my dandy flat head shovel.

In my wildest dreams, I never imagined what would transpire over the next 427 days.

That one little vegetable bed, which I will share photos of below, started me on this grand journey of building a big, lush, and full garden.

I did not plan it, I didn't even expect it.

Because I was going to no stores, I ordered seeds from all sorts of companies online.

For the last 20 years I have been trying to grow poppies, and they simply never take.

I should have known I was heading into a gift of nature when they all sprouted...

But wait, before I tell you about the 4 foot poppies...

And the wildflowers that make me feel like I am in wonderland  -

(I live in the high desert and not the English countryside, so I might get a little overzealous)

Oh, and the bees that are so utterly overjoyed...

I must first show you what this entire space looked like before.

Yes, if you can believe it, it was rolling hills of dry brush and cactus.

And now, the same view above, looks like this below...

To me it is some kind of dream, mainly because I went in with no expectations.

But mostly because this project kept me company when I needed it the most.

And, I never really set out to build something so green and full, I just needed to keep busy in the peaceful outdoors when the world seemed so chaotic.

The garden just evolved on its own, and is still evolving to be sure.

The space I began with, and the hill I put the little original vegetable garden in, can be seen below.

It is surrounded by burlap on the other side of Miles.

That was my sad little vegetable garden that I began with.

One year later, the same exact location looks like this below.

I did it all myself with no help, just me and my shovel and boulders I found in the desert for stairs.

It's not perfect, and it's a little messy like me, but it does my heart good my friends.

The reason I wanted to share this with you is because, it is proof that with hope and nurturing, there are endless things we can achieve.

It just takes some dedication, and even though you cannot see where you are being led to, if you work hard and put your heart into it, wonderful things will unfold for you.

My garden isn't the best most spectacular garden in the world, but that isn't even the goal.

The goal for me was a place to keep from the sadness I found myself in during the pandemic.

I was separated from everyone I loved, as most of us were.

I lost many friends and family members.

And hardest of all, Miles (my 10 year old dog and baby) was dying of cancer.

My garden had to save me, there was no other choice.

There was nowhere else for me to go, but this dry plot of earth beckoning me, sort of convincing me that I should till it.

I was like Alice, sobbing in my sea of tears many days.

But hoping and praying deep down inside for better times ahead.

And blocking a lot of it out by quietly digging in dirt, day after day after day.

My body was bruised and tired.

My back was sore.

But I was floating and not sinking.

My garden was (is) my life boat.

It was the case 20+ years ago and it still is now, today.

Last summer the garden was okay, it had a big pumpkin patch and a lot of new little cuttings and seeds I was nurturing.

But as they say, a lot of the gardening happens in fall and winter, especially in my zone and location (high desert of Arizona, zone 8b/9a).

I planted most of my wildflower seeds in November, December and January.

I planted all my bulbs a day before my birthday on December 10th.

I had Miles by my side (my golden retriever with terminal cancer), and he seemed pretty well.

He had lasted a year longer than predicted and was by my side with every seed and bulb I planted.

But then, on December 12th my paternal grandmother died and on December 16th Miles went down hill fast and also died.

I won't go into my pain and agony, but I will say...

What slowly ensued beginning in February 2021, to me, was nothing short of a miracle.

After a year of toiling, with a heavy heart and worry about the unknown, something began to shift.

Poppies began to emerge everywhere.

Everything I had planted was pushing up through the earth.

Thousands of seedlings reached up to the sun everywhere.

I was used to losing almost everything to birds and critters before, but I had been extra careful to protect everything.

I watched them growing in beautiful shades of green, and budding while reaching for the sky.

Slowly unfurling from their curious and magnificent pods.

And not just one or two or ten, but hundreds.

So many, that even as I type this, I can not fathom the poppy magic that is currently happening.

You see, when you are a garden lover...

An obsessed lover of all growing things, you have these dreams - 

You ask yourself, imagine if this or that would grow?

You dream of what could be.

Gardening really is all about hope and a dream.

For me, the gophers and rabbits always made things very difficult at the country house.

But, if there is one thing I have learned in this new garden, it is that a fenced in garden area and wire cloches do wonders.

(And bonus, it is very rocky here, so the digging is not that easy for underground critters)

It seems that everything I planted grew.

I didn't do anything over-the-top special.

I just got up bright and early every morning to make sure seeds were watered and safe.

I used organic soil and kept them hydrated, but besides that, it's the sunshine that did all the work.

Because it is the desert, I am cautious with my watering, and when it finally gets hot, most of these will die back and the more heat tolerant plants will continue.

But for now, we have all of this, and it is nice and cool outside this weekend.

If a garden can truly hear you, as they say plants can, they must have heard me.

That or they really like 70's soft rock music, because for some reason that is all I was able to listen to the last year.

It made me feel less alone, crazy as that sounds.

I could be in the sunshine and dirt and all of a sudden Ace would come on or Paul Davis, or always Journey, and I'd feel like a kid again - and I felt okay.

From the moment the sprouts started growing, which you can see in previous posts, I just marveled at them.

And then, things just kept getting taller and taller and...

Lusher and lusher.

And before you know it, winter had ended and spring had begun.

I wondered what would happen next in my life.

But the one thing I had, whenever everything else has been an unknown, was the hope my garden was gifting me.

A reason to get up early and breathe the fresh morning air.

I have been waking up so early to tend my gardens for so many years now, it's become second nature to me.

And even though I was alone in my gardening, I wasn't totally alone because I had Matty with me and the endless birds and bees.

Of course, gardening and painting are a one person show most of the time, which you do alone - but the pandemic brought on a different kind of feeling when you actually can not see the ones you love.

I know many of us feel differently about this last year, so all I can say is, it's best to just respect one another's feelings.

As they say, best not to say anything at all, if you don't have anything nice to say right?

I can only share the experience of my own life.

,

And how, somehow in my endless well of feelings, a secret garden emerged...

And it held me tight.

It comforted me.

It kept me company.

It gave me hope.

It kept me healthy and sane.

And then, it gave me a whole bunch of flowers - 

And continues to do so.

Every day there is something new blooming, something more to look forward to.

A garden can save you in so many ways.

It will amaze and delight you, if you love it and care for it.

It will show you the most incredible botanical specimens.

Like tissue paper art, just bobbing in the breeze.

It will overwhelm and delight you.

And sometimes, you might not even believe it is real.

And so, somehow, I built a sanctuary for Matty and I.

And just as it was in full bloom, we all were able to see each other again.

Even though I still tend my garden alone, I am now able to return to my country house.

To those I love.

And, my heart feels a little lighter.

Just like that, I am more able to enjoy the delights of my garden.

My garden that undoubtedly saved me, again - 

And then, as to say hello, it showed me its face below, with poppies for eyes.

I am more than quite certain, that your garden can show you its face in different ways.

Mine has a very frog like face, with two eyes made out of poppies.

Can you see it?

So, here I am typing you this sort of letter about my garden and my year.

I never thought, in March of 2020, that I would have built this big garden a year later.

There are moments I lay under the moon in my garden and wonder if it is real.

I get up just as the light is coming over the mountain, as it shoots hazy dreamscape beams through the trees and flowers, and I marvel at it all.

I will forever and always be in awe of nature.

I had many philosophical thoughts this last year, but the one that continues to return is - 

One of the many reasons (but an important one) for our existence is to enjoy the splendors of nature.

It is one of the greatest gifts of all.

It is free, it is always there, and it is all around.

I'm content in doing my part for the endless bees and hummingbirds that enjoy the flowers.

For all the baby birds that have been born in my garden this year.

For the quail that jump over the fence every evening, to cuddle up in my garden together, because they know they are safe.

To be able to assist the creatures of nature in any way is my greatest joy.

The garden has saved me many times.

And it saved me this last year, when I needed it the most.

Proof that you can in fact, build a full cottage garden in one year.

No matter how big or how small, I recommend it to each and every one you.

If you get the chance at some time in your life, to have any sort of plants of your own, I encourage you to try it.

If it is something that calls your name, you will love it.

There are ups and downs in growing things, but it is utterly rewarding.

I know many of you already have beautiful gardens, big and small, or have had them in the past.

So, you understand all this botanical talk, I'm sure.

Thank you for letting me share my long tale with you, of the last 427 days and counting.

Of the secret quarantine garden that I built during one of the hardest years many of us have had.

Let's just continue to do our best and be hopeful for the future.

And have respect and compassion for one another.

 

Lots of love from me to you!

 

Love, Vanessa