It's time for the tricky autumn-summer dance here in the desert.
Summer veggies and flowers are still abundant in the garden.
Yet, the calendar says mid-October.
And so, you plunge into autumnifying your world…
For fear of losing a mere morsel of this glorious time of year.
Homegrown pumpkins & orange lights do the trick on one of our porches.
I can see the cottage in the close distance from this porch.
It is a short 33 steps away.
I collected a few apricot tree twigs to hang on the door.
Mixed in with some sparkly orange thingamabobs.
Miles agreed to a photo op.
I said, Miles, would you sit here so I could take your picture?
And he did, calm and casual.
Sauntered over, and let me take his pic.
Sat right where I pointed.
Whilst his big little brother Matty, ran away.
But after the pics, Matty came over for a jumping hug and kisses.
The pups like the pumpkins.
They enjoyed the pumpkin patch all summer, sniffing around a whole lot.
A couple of mice moved into the patch too, so that might have been the reason 🙂
Fancy camera will be gone for 3 weeks, if it can be fixed.
So, I am still here trying to take clear manual photos.
Tricky tricky!
(we are so spoiled by autofocus, haha!)
I am a huge ivy and fern fan.
I buy these little 4 inch, grocery store pots of ivy.
Then I break the ivy up into 3-4 pots at home.
Water, shade.
Upside down tomato cage, tie the stakes up top –
Makes a perfect cone trellis.
And before you know it, you have a pot full of ivy.
I took out my huge bins of Halloween decor.
But for this porch, I decided to just stay pumpkin simple.
What is wrong with me, I don't know 🙂
As the day light starts to fade, the candles and orange lights really begin to share some autumnal Halloween goodness.
Ah, there is the picture boy 🙂
He's so soft.
The sun is setting, and the glowing slowly begins…
And then, as it gets dark, you remember what a simple strand of orange lights can add.
Love those orange lights.
I get two little boxes at the drugstore every autumn.
And boy, what a difference they make.
I am finally feeling the Halloween magic peeking in a little.
It's so hard to plunge when it's so warm.
(I am loving the milder warm too, it's so nice to sit in and enjoy)
But like I said, evenings/mornings are getting really chilly.
And that changes the game.
Makes it more real.
This month passes like a snap for me, you?
I am watching scary movies and haunted tales.
Spooking myself for the tiny jaunt from the house out to the cottage, and back, at night.
Luckily, last night, Lovee went and got me.
(I was in there vegging and watching scariness on Netflix)
The orange lights on the house guided me back.
I ran in and locked the door.
Spooking myself to bits 😉
I am sooooo good at that, you?
And yet, I have some sick love for it.
Must have been all the scary movies my dad let us watch as kids.
Love, Vanessa
ps: I found out over the last couple of months (up to days ago), that I have not been receiving e-mails every so often.
Not all the time, just a couple here and there.
I am not sure why? I have contacted my e-mail provider. Alas, if you have e-mailed me over the last 3 months and heard crickets, I probably did not get your e-mail. I know, not good. I am sorry, it was out of my control.
I deleted a ton of old mail, so hopefully that freed up lots of space, and will ensure that I no longer lose e-mails.
This does not affect orders from my shop, as I access orders to my shop through my shop, and not through e-mail.
🖤
The porch looks beautifully simple. It is a little to warm still for me too. The valley takes a while to chill out.
Miles is such a beautiful dog.
Have a wonderful day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Hi Vanessa,
I just wanted to say: I <3 you! I check your blog all the time for inspiration and love and comfort, and each time I see something new, which is all the time because I am in here several times a week 😉 it feels like Christmas. 😀 So, thank you! Thats all I wanted to say for now. Have a great day! XO
Your decorations are so festive! Fall is my favorite season, and it goes by so fast here in Michigan! It seems that the leaves just changed colors and now they are piling up on the ground! Love the pictures of your dogs, I meant to comment on the puppy pictures you posted a few posts back! Is Matty a German Shepherd? His puppy picture was so adorable!! Happy Halloween!
The cottage porch is gorgeous all dressed up and autumnal, and your photos look just as good as usual despite the whizzy camera being away! You have a good ‘eye’ for a photo.
As for your Miles… what a heartthrob he is. I am a little besotted.
Come play with me in Kiki’s Gypsy Carriage, it’s like a gypsy painted old converted railway carriage. I’ve loved seeing your beautiful gypsy home, thought you might like to visit the one I’ve found, photos on my other blog http://www.kikiandthegypsy.blogspot.co.uk
I am SO looking forward to your Halloween party!
x
Hi there Jennifer,
Matty, the brown dog is a mystery 🙂 Actually, we were told he was a
German Shepherd Mix, but….. he only grew to be 37 lbs. And, the first
vet he saw said he thought he was a red heeler chow mix – and the vet he goes to
now calls him an Australian Cattle Herding dog 🙂
Go figure, haha! He was 20 bucks. His mom was super mean and
vicious and he came from a spooky house. If I had known anything about
dogs then, I would have known he was going to be mean from seeing his mom.
He is not mean to us – but he is vicious to strangers.
And it took me a year to pull him out of his shell, working with him
everyday. As he had major trust and fear issues.
Although, he is my warrior, tough as nails – and i adore him, and
wouldnt have him any other way. Although, being able to have friends
would be nice.
But i love him so much, that its a fair trade :)))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 10:39:16 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
happy wednesday Vanessa –
beautiful photos. my that little boy puppy has turned into an incredible beautiful & handsome young man. What a sweet soulful face. Happy Halloween to all of you!
light & love,
Robin
Emalina, your gypsy abode is wonderful!!!!! I am popping back over
there to peek some more 😉
Oh, this porch isnt the cottage, but my house… although – if it looks
like the cottage I am so happy!!! ;)))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 10:56:21 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
Oh Robin, he is such a bundle of joy and love and light and kindness.
We adore him so. Happy Autumn to you and yours as well!! 🙂
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 11:09:30 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
Bobbi Jo, it’s so chilly here at night and in morning, what about there?
Oh, thank you Heidi, that makes me crazy happy! You have no idea. Danka big time!! 😉 xoxo
So lovely! My goal is just to get the dishes into the dishwasher! But seriously, so very lovely. I never could set out pumpkins, my dogs would EAT them. I don’t know why. This year, my patch failed (again, don’t know why) but the people down the street were successful at growing giant pumpkins. I must stalk them and discover their secret!
ps: if I plant my seeds too late in the season, things go bad.
Its the vines i plant early that do amazing. Like, Spring early.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 12:20:47 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
Kyra, my goal is to get a dishwasher… sigh 🙂 I do all mine by
bleachy soapy hot water hand. Isnt that pitiful??? ps: Your
giftie is on its way to you from Tracy at Side of the Road 😉 YAY YAY
YAY!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 12:20:47 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
I love spooking myself… ^-^
Although, I usually end up doing it with books instead of movies… My imagination is such a fertile ground for scaring myself nearly to death. =D
When I was in high school, I read the first book in a series that’s now one of my favorites (Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child), and the monster in that book made me sleep with my light on for a month… I think because I found the monster believable? I don’t know… but I love that book! And all the ones that come after. ^-^
Britt & I like to go to see scary movies in the theater, where she hunches down inside her hooded sweatshirt & squeezes my hand until I think it will break. =D
All this because she knows that I’ll keep her safe from any monsters. ^-^
Hope you enjoy all the scary movies & Autumn-ness! I love your orange lights. ^-^
XOXO
Vanessa:
I love the pumpkin simpleness. My backyard is all about pumpkin simpleness. My frontyard is spookier with a giant homemade spiderweb and a big spider. It’s sort of a “neighborhood theme”…although I don’t love it at all, the trick or treaters love it.
Do you know that I just want to reach in and pet Miles’ ears? His ears look velvety soft. Goldens and Labs have the best ears in the whole wide world!
Well, I am now full of pumpkin envy once again. I love your pumpkins and the longer more gnarly stems they have. When you have to buy them at the grocery, the stems are almost non-existent. Ohhhh…you know what makes me really mad….like seeing red mad? When I buy a pumpkin and the cashier and bag-boy pick it up from the stem! I can’t tell you how many times they’ve pulled off mys stems….then they say to me: “Ooops….I hope you don’t mind, I broke your stem.” Can you imagine that? Makes me soooo mad!
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
I totally agree time is flying this autumn season. I’m loving the promise of cooler weather the mornings bring. Puts a little skip in my step and I get in the car for the commute to work.
I’m in love with your idea for ivy with the tomatoe cage… I seriously have to give it a try. I to love ivy but contained in a pot is best for I have had it go wild and take over… Not fun. So this is a perfect balance.
Honey Man and I put out some Halloween decorations last weekend. Yesterday when I pulled up into the drive a black neighborhood cat was naping on the porch completing the Halloween theme… Kitty purr fur baby totally made me smile.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Your porch looks wonderful, Vanessa! Simplicity seems to be the word for Fall decorating this year. You are not alone! Your ivy looks great. Does it winter over for you in your climate or do you have to bring it in? Having a 27 month old granddaughter, I’m limited to those Halloween shows like, Spookley the Square Pumpkin on Disney JR. : ) I can’t watch the gory stuff, but I like movies like The Sixth Sense and The Shining.
I love pumpkin simplicity….nothing gets me in an Autumn state of mind more than the sight of pumpkins at the front door! I wish I had a whole heap of real ones like yours….with their fabulously twisty stems ;P
I have a strand of purple lights I keep meaning to get out….seeing your wonderful glow makes me want to go dig them out right now!
Thank you for helping to usher in the Halloween Spirit despite the sweltering un-Halloweeny feeling days…I can use all the help I can get this year!
I just let out a big sigh, looking at your photos. Love that autumnal bliss…
Miles looks so unconcerned and casual lying there, what a sweet, sweet doggie.
I like Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus, but that is about as far as I will go when watching the macabre. Oh…but I did find Ray Bradbury’s ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ on VHS a classic I am told…but haven’t watched it yet. And of course there is ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ which gets lascivious. Ha! Too eewww! for me! Hee! Hee! Ha! Ha!
I do have ‘Orphan’ but can’t watch it because we don’t have Blu-ray…probably better that we don’t. It looks very creepy. My sister gave me the book about those odd children where a girl is levitating on the front cover…sounds like a disease to me. Ha! Ha! I did see ‘Woman in Black’ in the theatre…kind of creepy at the end where the ghost ‘looks’ directly into your eyes! Eeek!
I’m kind of like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz ‘I do believe in spooks! I do believe in spooks!’ Which reminds me…a new Wizard of Oz movie is coming out in 2013 and the trailer for it looks awesome!
Have a spooktacular evening (^^)
Miss Teresa, I LOVE to get scared, but I dont like slasher films or
gory things. I like haunted houses… and – The Ring the scare the
knickers off me. But then I saw them again last year and wasnt
scared. But if I just think aboutTheExorcist movies I could go
into a fit of fear. EEEEEE!!
I forced myself to watch the making of it, so I could get over my childhood
horror, paralyzing fear over the whole thing. My parents saw it in the
theater when it first came out. It was the scariest thing ever back
then…. It sort of stays with you forever.
But I do adore Something Wicked this Way Comes. And The
Changeling. And I am watching this show, American Horror Story is
it? It is interesting. And i love shows like Haunted about animals
and spirits in the house.
And I love ummm, The turn of the Screw and – Rebecca – so tragic.
I love… The Messengers. I just saw Rosewood Lane – I liked it
okay.
I grew up in that whole scary movie phase. Watching Poltergeist so
many times I knew every line.
Oh oh, and dare I say.
I am totally into The Walking Dead – and I am not a huge zombie fan.
But it scares me.
But, I go more for the haunted old tales… old creeky houses.. LOVE
THAT!!!
Also, I loved Snow White and the Huntsman… it wasnt scary of
course…
And I go on and on… 😉
OH, the cottage is lovely! Miles is so elegant and fluffy.
Do you condition him or what???
It looks so calm and inviting, V.
I do the same thing with ivy, but have had horrible luck with freestanding pots.
Do you fill the entire urn with soil? Local dirt or potting soil?
I even use the same upside down tomato cages, but it’s not going well.
I’ve tried ivy, morning glories, and scarlet creeper vine.
No dice.
Maybe next year?
Yours looks great.
Ferns are gorgeous, but too hot here.
Laura, I use half dirt and half bagged soil – But for this one I just used
outside dirt, cuz I didnt have any good bagged stuff. And I put in some
of our compost soil too. All I can say is water water water. Ivy
looooves water.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/17/2012 6:40:45 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Cozy……
Ah, girl…I’m like you…a Halloween freak. I love everything about your “simple” porch, plus the nice thing is that you can use it through Thanksgiving as well! Hahaha. On a side note, your mirror that is on the wall and holding the candles – oooooh, what a gorgeous display!
I completely understand spooking yourself to bits and LOVIN’it! Nice to know i ‘am not alone in my addiction especially this time of year……I don’t do gory but give me suspense and scary and i’m thrilled…..The newer scary movies rely so heavily on the gore…..After a scary movie those 33 steps must seem the longest EVER! OOOoooooOOOooo Hugs! deb
your porch is lovely!
i was just thinking about autumn in AZ yesterday…how magical it is and how i would love to be out there again!! so many good memories.
it’s hot here, still…but that’s better than cold.
i’m having trouble getting in the halloween mood though…thanks for the inspiration!!
Your porch looks great. I’m getting our Halloween decorations down this weekend, very excited!
I know what you mean about spooking yourself with horror movies. I watched The Woman in Black last week (have you seen it? It’s a haunted house one). Got really scared and then realised I needed to go out to the shop. Had to run from the front door to the car.
Thanks sweet Misha!!! Love was like, I dont know about the nicho
mirror there… and then i hung it and he was like Awesome!!! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/18/2012 3:19:18 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
They did, 33 steps in the dark and only red orange glowing lights!!
eeeeeeeeeee!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/18/2012 5:20:20 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Amber, hi there!! Me too, Halloween is always short lived here
because of the toughness with the heat. But warm to freezing bones is
better ;)))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/18/2012 6:11:38 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh yes!! I loved it!!
Oh oh, have you seen Insidious???? ooooooooooooo!!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/18/2012 7:28:26 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I couldn’t find my purple ones….but I put up a strand of flickering flames 🙂
Thanks for inspiring me…as usual…heehee!
Yes… ‘Poltergeist’ was almost believable. I do remember my parents taking us to a drive-in movie to see ‘The House on the Haunted Hill’…I was shutting my eyes half the time, as my oldest brother was laughing at me! And then the one with Jack Nicholson in it where HE was the ghost in a freaky mountain motel and would have many victims and his picture was in old photos so they figured out he was a ghost. I think that one had a boy in it that would ‘talk to his hands’ which was his way of contacting a spirit. Creepy too. I never did see ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ with Mia Farrow. I’ll have to look into viewing ‘The Ring’. It’s that time of year!
Booooo!
So festive! Miles is gorgeous!
So very wonderful Miss Vanessa. Beautiful decorations, so very classy.
Love you decorations. I have my in the house things out. Need to do more for outside.
I am so into The Walking Dead. Love, love love that show. I watched the marathon on Sat. and Sunday.
I’ve read Relic, loved that book and all the ones that came later, love the series of books.
And yes I can totally scare myself to death watching the horror movies.
SOOOooooo pretty.
It is?? thank you!! I thought maybe it wasnt spooktacular enough
😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/19/2012 2:16:14 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Magically beautiful, dear Vanessa!!!
Oh, and may I give Miles a little kiss on the nose? 😉
xoxo
Beautiful porch – and even without glitter!
I thought for sure there would be a glitter pumpkin or three.
I know, what happened to me this year, I dont know :)))) Its still
upper 90s here, so its hard you know….. to feel Halloweenie 🙂
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/20/2012 12:21:00 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim,
I LOVE the simple pumpkin decor! Festive yet really elegant. I adore how many awesome uses there are for pumpkins. Miles is such a handsome boy…I am very glad that he posed so nicely for you!!!! 🙂