Autumn Feel

There is something softer in the air these days.  If you didn't know better, you would think it was spring.  My nook in Arizona feels like spring (to me), through October.  My flowers are blooming profusely, and I make my way outdoors before the sun comes up, to collect tomatoes (we still have many growing), and chilies, and bell peppers.  I then water and trim everyone.  A whole new batch of pumpkins are also growing.  But as the warm days fade, evening tells the tale of an autumnal visitor.  A handful of orange leaves appear on the peach tree.  And so, the season finds its way…

I love harvest golds, and oranges, and browns, and moss greens.  All the colors of the earth.  The shade of rich soil and cloudy evenings, mixed with bursting flames.  From persimmon to mandarin, and everywhere in between.  You can almost smell the colors…

A couple of weeks ago I painted one of my white dressing tables chocolate brown.  I took a paint palette and plunked orange and brown and black and yellow acrylic paint on it, mixed it all up, and slathered….

I love the change.  The richness in the dark shade.

It reminds me of places I have never been.  Other times, journeys.  I suppose, listening to Jean-Yves Thibaudet whilst painting, does allow the imagination to flow.  Mmmmm, Stars and Butterflies….

His music coaxes me into gently lighting a candle, and admiring ever step of such act…

I stole a couple of pumpkins from my harvest collection of things I grew this summer.  A scattering of orange globes.  Of tiny curiously striped globes… 

Can you steal something from yourself?  Hmm, not certain ;) 

I love sealing little splendorous objects under a cloche/bell jar.  It tells a story of sorts…

Under the glistening glass.

We wonder why? 

Why is that object so special that it sits under glass? 

And then, a story grows in our imagination… 

Earth's adornments.

A pumpkin for the soil, a shoe clip for the girl.

A brooch from a trunk of inherited treasures?

Found in a mansion.  Fog, lanterns….

Stories.

Fictional, true, who cares I say?  Either way, they keep the mind twirling in curiosity.  Fantastical pleasures of tales and places.  All created by gathering a couple of baubles and placing them on your old dressing table.  Pretty nifty, I'd say 😉

A spider to warn of the looming season of magic… (thank you Linda Diane, we still love him so!) 

There is something about loving your space, no matter how grand or how tiny.  Dressing it up, and taking a moment to enjoy it.  A little nook to fill the soul with glee. 

Warm shades, sprinkled with delicious color… 

I think I am loving my chocolate brown dressing table.  A nice change indeed.

I thought this photo below was so pretty, until I saw the face.  And now, the candles will always be eyes, and the wee pumpkin a nose, and the edge of the dressing table a mouth.  Once I see a face in something, there is no turning back.  The face lives there forever.  Does that happen to you?  Faces in wood grain, faces all around you?

Autumnal faces guide the way, into fresh adventures…

Following the path into autumn.  Slowly, but undoubtedly…

Last night I baked old fashioned peanut butter cookies, and today it has been pure clouds and breeze.  Such a treat.  Beautiful.  These are the most beautiful days to dream…….

I am so looking forward to our Halloween Party, aren't you?  I simply can not wait.  It is always such a super fun way to kick off a week+ of Halloween madness!

I have been collecting so many seeds for next year's planting.  Bulbs have arrived.  The dahlia tubers that gifted the dinner-plate sized flowers in the photos above are from White Flower Farm.  The zinnias in the garden are beyond amazing.  Gifting so much each day.  And, they are every where.  In every flower bed, in every pot, standing tall.  How can I ever thank them?

 

The roses too, so scrumptious.  I planted 8 new rose bushes this year (plus about 30 other plants).  We have those 35+ year old rose bushes that are beyond grand (plus a few I planted years ago), but I wanted to add some.  They bewitch me at the store, and all of a sudden I turn into the crazy rose lady ;) 

It is something extra to look forward to for spring.  My wildflower seeds for planting in fall have arrived as well.  So exciting!

Can I share a secret with you, I never planned on having zinnias.  I bought two large packages, one of the large type and one of the lilliput zinnias.  I had in fact, spent a small fortune on all sorts of interesting seeds, that never grew.  I just planted zinnias everywhere on a whim, with my own seed mixture I concocted from ordered seeds.  Who knew?  I now vow to always plant zinnia seeds.

It truly is a sort of spring and fall going on here.

Well, off I go.  Have to check on my boys.  All 3.

Love, V

 

 

 

ps:  I have no news of my friend's Coco girl, she is still missing.  But, I will share as soon as I get word either way.  If she is found I will let you know right away.  Thank you so much for your lovely hopeful thoughts 🖤

 

pss:  If you noticed some funny things going on here today with my banner and such, it was because I was using some custom html gibberish to make it possible to share larger photos with you 😉