That Holiday Light…

Hello my lovely friends.

Time escapes me on these beautiful autumn to winter days.

Golden hour is sublime, the air is chilly, the garden slowly shifting in the high desert.

The roses hold on.

They love the cool air after the hottest summer.

(summer lasted until October here)

They want to stick around, even some zinnia and basil have held on – until last night that is

Last night the garden baths froze.

Tomorrow the garden will look different.

Just in time for sugar plum fairies and holiday elves.

Baubles are turning up on the mantle in place of the citrus.

The table gets set over and over.

Pumpkins and holly collide.

The laughter of family and friends fills the air.

The end of dinner parties look like this…

Pilar candles almost down to bare wick.

Empty glasses and shoes kicked off.

We laugh until we can't laugh any more singing and playing games.

Such lovely times.

I recuperate in the sunlight.

The garden is cool but bright.

And it's time to bring some green in for holiday décor.

Volunteer mums are everywhere, perfect color to kick off the season.

I collect my favorite baubles and head into the garden to create.

Sparkles and light fill the space…

I grab my tools and walk into the hidden gardens collecting cuttings from trees.

I love turning fresh tree cuttings into wreaths. They are easy to form and will dry into sturdy perfect shapes. Some cuttings will intertwine easily without any wire, but you can use wire too, they make green florists wire, but any wire will do really.

You can hang a favorite bauble from the center of your little wreath, tie a ribbon, or just leave it plain, which is beautiful as well.

I love silly baubles!

Here are several completed tree cutting wreaths below

It must have taken no more than 20 minutes, most of the time spent clipping my cuttings.

Now to hang them and delve into the holiday spirit.

In my mind it is still September.

How it is now mid December I will never know.

I am just grateful for warm cozy spaces to share with loved ones.

My living spaces are warm and happy with twinkle lights.

I am glad you peeked in to clink glasses (and teacups) as well <3

Cheers to you and me, so glad you are here.

Just in time for golden hour.

That spectacular beautiful wonderful light.

I love watching for it every afternoon.

It is so important to take time to be mindful during this crazy season.

Making little wreaths, baking and sitting by the fire reading help me to be present and savor the moment. What are your favorite things to do to stay grounded during holiday madness?

I've been working on some clay sculptures, I hope I can finish them in 2018 😉

xoxo

Love, V