Tending, buckets of time, seeds, planting, watering, protecting.
And then, the petals…
So many petals.
Enough to bring some inside.
Something I find difficult, because I like to leave the flowers in their home, where they grew, as long as possible…
But sometimes, there is plenty.
A gift from the garden really.
I am not going to fib.
There is a ton of work involved in such gardening.
It isn't excrutiatingly hard work per se, but more, devoted work.
Every single day, early careful watering, being quick and efficient.
Weeding, saving the plants from bugs and rabbits and gophers.
If I don't water one morning (not an option), or if I am late, being in such a hot climate, my plants wilt, and begin their demise.
I feel like, I planted them, and I am responsible for their lives now.
And, I do love it.
Which is why I do it.
It fills my heart.
Gardening and painting, they are my two loves, the two things that saved me when I was around 19 or so. I had my first true heart break, and I had to really pull myself out of the depths of despair, and find myself. (by the way, those heart break times seem like ancient history now, but they are the paths that weave us to where we are, aren't they?)
I had to ask myself who I was? And what I liked to do? Painting was already a vast part of my life, but I wanted to add to it. I wanted to know what I liked to do. I mean really, loved to do.
I found myself back then, wondering what would make me happy in the very moment of living. Not in the grand scheme, but in that very moment. I had a deep desire to plant. So, I went to a plant nursery, and I was there for hours and hours. That day, the healing began, finding myself began, and my path with planting things that grow, began…
And, I have not stopped ever since.
Little by little, my growing spaces have grown.
I went from a little garden in the city, to a great big space to grow a garden, in the country
Just this morning, I was watering my grape vine and thinking about how funny life is. I used to ask myself all the time when I was in my late teens/early twenties, and totally angst ridden, "where will I end up, and where will I find my place in this world?"
In fact, as I recall, those questions caused me great concern as a young gal.
My life has so slowly and gradually evolved into today, that it was only this morning, that I realized that my question, sort of had an answer…
Of course, life can change in an instant, and everything is changing all the time.
But here I am, still in the garden, still painting.
Three dogs (one winged, two present), one Mad Hatter, and the desert.
And, a little place to call home.
I love caring for our home, spreading seeds to grow, and being grateful for a little spot on this earth to be able to do that in.
The garden is being very generous…
I think it knows…..
Seeds & wishes abound!
Love, Vanessa
ps: Thank you to those who have asked if we are okay, due to all of the fires in Arizona at this time. We are a few hours away from the flames. But our hearts are with the people, animals, homes, and nature affected. In fact, I often sit silently, and think about things going on in the world, and send as many good thoughts as I can muster up. I am quite certain you all do the same as well ;)
…your pictures are so corelful and peaceful… love it!
I sincerely pray that your oasis in Arizona is unaffected by the fires and also pray for those already affected and close those in danger of it coming their way. I hate that every year during early summer that these fires rage out of control, endanger animals and people including those whose jobs are to try to get them put out. Lot of brave men and women “just doing their job” right now.
I have no doubt that the kind of gardening you do takes both a passion and a strong work ethic. Like you when I see flowers growing I feel that pull of wanting to put them in my house but also feeling bad about it because they look so lovely growing just where they are. You’ve discovered the key, just plant A BUNCH! That way you can truly have the best of both worlds.
Hope the rest of your weekend is glorious.
Hello there! The flowers are stunningly beautiful. You did such a marvelous job raising them and nurturing them!! This might be a silly question, but how long does it take for sunflowers to grow? I have been wanting to plant them for the longest time, but I don’t know exactly went to. I live in Connecticut, so I know our climates greatly differ, but I would love for some advice from you because you are truly an expert 🙂 thanks for sharing your story about you heartbreak, I am sorry you has to go through that, but I am also happy that something so beautiful bloomed from that, your passion and hobby of gardening:) Take care!
-Kim
Gorgeous blooms, made even more special by the fact they were grown with love. Miss you, dearest V. Ages since we caught up! xoxox
Beautiful, just beautiful!
Living in Sweden, I can’t imagine what it’s like tending a garden in Arizona. I’m also totally jealous of all the outdoor-living you’re able to do! If we’re lucky we get maybe 3 months of warm weather here, never hot, and it’s still chilly at night…
Ps. I’m so looking forward to the Mad Tea Party 🙂
http://msmisantropia.blogspot.com/
Your garden is wonderful. We have had days of 90s with brief showers everywhere but right over my house. So we water, too. I do things like buy the potting soil that is moisture retaining, use mulch and buy some plants that are more drought tolerant.
I buy more and more plants that come back every year. My seeds are growing like crazy.
My flowers make me happy. We have Rose of Sharon that are just beginning to bloom.
Renee, I do the same thing, mulch is my best friend to protect the ground
from the heat. Only this winter we lost our enormous Rose of Sharon bush
that we had for 10 years, as it froze like it never does this winter
here, and we lost oodles of plants. Weirdness. My garden is full of
guys that self seed and most everything can handle the heat for a few
hours. The roses are the most forgiving. Ins and outs of making a
garden work and thrive in whatever the climate is key 😉 I agree!!
Your posts is such eye candy! I love plants too unfortunately we don’t have a garden in our home because I live in a condo type building. I hope for all the best for you! Keep up the good work with your blog.=)
Three dogs (one winged, two present), what a PERFECT way to put that… I soooooooo miss my precious girl & this is such a good way to always count them in! I LOVE IT! THANK YOU! May I use that (of course giving you credit…)?
The flowers are stunning & I hope that you & yours continue to stay safe! Charlene
Technical difficulties have kept me from commenting recently but i can wait no more to comment! I feel sad to have missed out on responding lately but our computer of advancing age finally had to be hospitalized last week. I have been visiting by way of iPod touch but typing is a bit tedious so haven’t left comments! Just want you to know that I am here! Gorgeous blooms!
Darling Vanessa…what a beautiful post today, and how lucky you are to have ‘found’ yourself at such a young age. You are right that the heartbreak and suffering we endure just shape the people we become, and I wouldn’t change a thing, for everything up until now has made me who I am today…it has just taken me a little longer to ‘find’ myself again. Your garden is delightful, and I always enjoy my visits here x
As I sit outside and look at the night sky, I will send well wishes & saftey to you your family & little home and to all that are near or in the areas that are being damaged by the flames…
As for the beeauty that you are so kind & generous to share with us ~ Thank you for this lovely eye gift… Not only were you blessed at nineteen with the gift of gardening & painting but there are only a special few that bring joy to others by they generosity of caring kindness & love of mankind, animals & the earth…& who don’t have to hear or see to “bEeLIeVe” ~ you are one the choosen…and I am sooo bless to have stumble upon your blOZ called “A Fanciful Twist”
God Bless & may God keep you in His tender care until He brings us together again (so love that Donny & Marie song) Have a honey of a night ~ sweet dREaMs! Marlene ;O) xox
What lovely flowers – oh what your garden must look like! I am green pea envious, work and all – labor of love:D I am sending all my positive thoughts that your little haven will be protected and stay safe!
Beautiful flower photographs…now I really must get back to my preparations for the tea party honestly I just can’t stand around chatting, so much to do, so much to do:D
Hugs,
Beth P
Wow, look at all those beautiful flowers. I love gardens and I feel it’s a truly beautiful way to connect with Mother Earth. All that time spending with your garden is paying off beautifully!!!
The love you put into your garden shows with each and every petal … what a gorgeous garden and gorgeous flowers …
I see a beautiful painting in that vignette sitting on your table ….
SENDING HUGS …hope you are well … I too was worried about you and the fires … stay safe … LOVE YOU DEARLY…
HUGS ~ JO
Oh my – I spy foxglove in your arrangement! Oh how I love foxglove and cannot find any to plant this year!! And snapdragons, too! Something about those two flowers really make me happy. My Yiayia told me that snapdragons are called little dogs in Greece because they look like little puppy dog faces and I have to say they kinda do. Just random flower rambling – some of my flowers died on me and my strawberry plants…and there is so much weeding to do and since my surgery I can’t do much of it anymore so my gardens are getting swallowed up with crabgrass and other weeds. I’m sad – and feeling sorry for myself. But then I see pictures of your garden and I cheer up again. (Even if I am a teeny bit jealous.) LOL Keep up your hard work – the flowers seem very happy!! And I hope those fires get under control soon. I have a cousin that lives in your state, too, and I worry for both of you.
And the date for the tea party is growing so close and I feel totally tea party blocked…whatever will I do?? I’m hoping a white rabbit shows up soon. I’m really rambling here…I’m leaving rambling comments on my favorite blogs and probably making everyone confused…need to sleep. 😉
Your flowers are glorious, Miss V
I can’t say that I have a favorite after seeing so many wonderful colors, and petal shapes from your garden. I do so love Hydrangeas though…I am partial to them, they are so old fashioned and remind me of Victorian days. It is funny how life goes…I try to stay strong inside of myself, just in case life gets too chaotic. It’s good to have a way of escape to loose one’s self in the delicious fragrance of flowers, or to loose ourselves in our hobbies, we need those times of reverie to keep us sane. I have lots of large succulents in pottery pots and they are having babies and I need to transplant them. But they are a joy to my soul, they really are…
Take care, oh garden fairy…
Vanessa, your work is amazing! You are very inspiring!
Your flowers are all so beautiful, they bring a smile to my face.
Nothing is permanent except change. We are evolving like the flowers….
Hope you have a wonderful day.
I am glad you have found your place in this world. ^-^ I’m also very glad that y’all are safe from the fires, and hope you stay safe! My thoughts, too, are with those facing the flames, and my good thoughts are joining yours & everyone else’s.
Your garden has given you a bounty of petals & beauty! =D Such colors & shapes! It was a wonderful treat to log onto my laptop this morning & see such gorgeous flowers staring back at me. ^-^
Hoping your day is lovely!
XOXO
What a beautiful blog! Such a wonderful garden you grow! I’m in Michigan and we heard of the fires here, too. It makes me so sad to think of the woodlands and the animal. I know that nature has her way of recovering what was lost but what a shame.
Your flowers from your garden are so beautiful! We live in an apartment, so the only gardening that happens is in little pots on the balcony 🙂
Hope that you continue to stay safe!
Your flower photos are amazing. Love the style of your blog.
As always your blog is such a dose of happiness and fun!! I’m smiling BIG over here!! 🙂
xo Jenny
As much a I love looking at the beautiful flowers your garden has provided you with, I am awestruck with the peacock painting in the background! Where did you find that?
Your garden is always lovely, but all those flowers together are just gorgeous! Sooo pretty your little flowerlings.
Hi Vanessa,
Just watched the news and thought about you, and was so glad to read that the flames are a few hours away.
Your garden is certainly generous and your flowers and photographs are lovely. I love your vignette filled with abundance.
Have a lovely week.
Karen
Technicolour Bliss!! You have made my day with this post!!
Just want you to know that I enjoy reading your blog so much. I can identify with so much of what you write about, esp in this post. I’m a 30-something also–part of the “Lost Generation” I like to call us.
It took me such a long time to feel like I had found a place where I belong.
Happiness can be such an elusive thing; and what too many people miss, I think, is that you actually have to reach out and grasp it. Accept it.
I’m glad you found your place. 🙂
And I am soooo excited about the Mad Tea Party! Can’t wait to participate. 🙂
–Shelley
Ah your Garden Bounty is impressive Vanessa! Yes, tending a Garden in the AZ Desert has to be a daily labor of Love, can’t miss a day, so it really keeps us accountable & committed doesn’t it?! Can you get Hydrangeas to grow well in a Desert? I see them in Pots at the Shops all the time but hesitated to plant any in the Garden ’til I knew if it would be a cruel fate or not? I love Hydrangeas and would like to grow some if they do well outside?
Blessings from the outskirts of Phoenix… Dawn… The Bohemian
Love love LOVE all your beautiful flowers! How bright and happy they are. I can only imagine the enchanting scent they are giving off…ahhhhh… I am very happy to hear that the wildfires are not near you and yours. But I’m so sorry for the loss of nature and wildlife. That saddens me so much. Big hugs to the safety of you and your family, dear friend! xoxo Theresa
your photos are just divine!
Just lavishing in the summer goodness here…your flowers, your party…you
x..x
Lovely, heartfelt post. Life is not so easy, even for one who seems to lead a magical existance. Thank you for sharing your reality.