It's official, we are all blooming again here in the desert.
Our wilted little souls bursting forth again with vigor.
The seasons are changing and the incredible heat that kept us locked inside for months is leaving us.
I slept with my window open last night, heaven.
Yipeeeeee!
It's been a week of great weather and just like that, the insects are coming out and the flowers are blooming again.
This morning I ran through my garden path and I had this overwhelming wonderful feeling of being alive again. This summer was just brutal and the shift in weather almost makes you want to drop to your knees and kiss the ground, I tell ya.
I know it's impossible to comprehend for people who live in cold places.
I get it, the cold makes you long for heat.
But heat so hot you can not go outside during the day is just crazy.
And so, that's probably why so many of you say you love me the best in autumn.
Because I burst forth with so much excitement.
Freeeedom!
The basil is covered in bees so I've let it flower.
No more pruning.
I think to myself, their honey must be amazing.
I'm going through the most interesting shift right now.
About 4 years ago I started this journey, this adventure.
People were coming back into my life.
My life was begging me for some attention.
Go out and play, leave your hidden nook!
Even the hatter said, get out of the nest, gooooo!
Certain people saying, please Vanessa, come out of the hills.
Let's have tea.
Let's chat.
I've given my personal life almost 3 years of gobs and gobs and gobs of attention.
Instead of being my little hermit self.
It's been amazing.
Huge and crazy things have happened, even I can't believe it.
And now, with the changing seasons, I feel another change in me.
Puzzle pieces clicking together.
Like, everything is making sense.
Why things happen as they do.
I've noticed that a lot throughout my life.
Challenges turn into lessons.
Doors open, interesting things happen.
The last 2.5 years have had soooo many unexpected happenings.
I can hardly believe it myself, curious little life.
All good stuff, mixed with so much learning – some tough, some easy.
Some magical.
But now, just like spring flowers swirling with autumn air in unison…
My two worlds are swirling.
Like paint in a can, making new colors.
I never ever ever planned for my journey to unfold in the ways it has.
But I guess life happens when you are not looking or planning.
Just minding your business and bam.
And just like that, things make sense.
Why you had this challenge or that.
And, the lessons and gifts are there for the taking, if you are open.
I for one am open to anything
How about you?
Country girl and city girl have never gotten along so well in my world.
I'm settling back into a new normal.
I needed a big break from everything.
I had not had a vacation in almost a decade.
Just hunkered down, doing my work, planting gardens for years.
Hey look at that, he's after a tiny spider.
Eeek!
It's kind of like the basil honey the bees are making.
You never thought about it, and somehow it's amazing.
It all makes sense and works perfectly together.
And when bad things happen, they make the good that much better.
And when good things happen, you are so grateful.
You even appreciate the country more when you change the scenery every now and then.
I guess it's all about finding a balance.
I think about this on my autumnal garden path this morning.
Furs running around.
All of us overjoyed and happy with the cool fresh air.
It clears the mind I suppose.
If you do too much of one thing, at some point you will need something else.
You can't eat peach cobbler every day.
Eventually you'll want cherry or blueberry.
And then one day you'll wake up and be like, I need an everything bagel now!!
Our needs can be so extreme.
So maybe, don't have the same thing every day 🙂
Today, try something different.
Who knows, you might like it.
There will always be cobbler, it ain't going anywhere.
Happy Autumn!!!
Let the magic unfold!!
Love, Vanessa














I’m happy you’ve achieved a balance. That’s always been a struggle for me…constantly swinging back and forth, then finding my way back to center.
Thank you for sharing little pieces of your life. I’ve come to love and appreciate your uniqueness through the tidbits you reveal, but you’ve still got this whole secret self, which is a good thing, I suppose.
Happy Autumn, Vanessa! Yes, an everything bagel sounds good about now….and it would be even better with basil honey on top. YUM!
I’m happy for you and your fur babies enjoying your beautiful garden and the nice weather!
Have a lovely week!
xo,
Ricki Jill
It sounds like your life is becoming richer and more complex as time goes on, Vanessa, and you are handling the changes gracefully. As always, your beautiful photos of the garden, the dogs and country life are delightful to see. And basil honey, yum! That makes me determined to start a hive, basil does wonderfully here! I hope all is well with you, and that you continue to grow and thrive while keeping your country home and roots in your life.
I am so glad life is finding you happier! Your posts always make us happy. 🙂
Good Morning Vanessa
How I adore the way you write. You are good at it* your words are always so poetic
Its funny when you say that its cooler there in the 80’s. That is so hot to me. I am sure you are loving it though if it was in the 100’s. I am in CT and its in the 80’s here also but its so so humid. I do not like the humidity. Its icky.
I bet its glorious there in Arizona. Enjoy every second of it. Enjoyed the pictures*
deezie
Glad your enjoying the spice of life V!!!! It is truly a blessing to enjoy our cooler temps here in AZ!!! Lovely outside visits 🙂 ……..<3 Continued magic......<3 Be well!!!
Oh my Magical Muse, how I long to know of this magic of which you speak…always the story teller, weaving your words and pictures into pure bliss. All my love to you,
Deb
As John Lennon said…Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. â¤ï¸