I'm inviting you in today, to one of my most beloved secret nooks.
In my conservatory, I have a large table that I fill with dried garden findings and favorite books.
It's a very special spot for me because there is an air of creativity always swirling about.
Yesterday there were so many roses, that I pruned some to bring in.
I've also picked some little white pumpkins and limes.
I am a big lover of dried garden treasures.
From poppy pods to paper petals, I love them all.
They live in perfect unison with very old books…
And antique ephemera.
I love to press petals into scrapbooks.
I'm drawn to all things old and tattered.
I find great inspiration in this space.
It's like a living mood board.
I just marvel at tiny petals, crinkled ever so delicately, with beautiful shades and colors.
There is endless beauty to be found in the garden.
Not just in perfect flowers, but in stones and dried bits of wood and twigs.
Vacant wasp nests and dry rose hips do delight.
I don't just love cupped and heavily petaled roses…
But the ones that flay open, with floppy ears for petals, sure make my heart skip a beat.
It might look like a big mess to some.
But to me it is a space of creativity and inspiration.
I find so many ideas here.
And, because creativity grows creativity, it's a wonderful place to stop and infuse the soul.
Before you know it, an idea for this and that and the other pops up.
I snip stems and petals drop.
I make a big sort of an Edward Scissorhands mess, and then I sweep it right up into my dustpan.
In this house, we do not worry about making a mess or being practical.
We care more about magical makings that make the heart happy.
Nothing more, nothing less.
No matter how many treasures I may have, the simple things I find in nature are still my most favorite.
I'm certain that my daily joy comes from the fact that I have zero expectations of anything.
I find my own joy in the simple things, and anything else that comes along is just an unexpected surprise.
I could live in a shack in the woods or be the princess and the pea.
I could build a tattered cottage by the sea, or I could live in a house in a tree.
Whatever it may be, you can find joy, if you are in love with nature.
Then beauty is endlessly around you.
You can make garlands from leaves and crowns of berries and petals.
What I'm saying is, you don't need a super fancy life to be happy.
I have lived many journeys in my life.
A tattered cottage, a curious villa, a tiny house in the garden, a townhouse in the city before that.
No matter where I have lived, I have found that my happiness never comes from what I have.
It comes from what I grow, what I find and collect in a walk.
That is the true joy of the heart.
If you find that simple beauty fills you heart, then you might always be happy.
Zero expectations lead to endless surprises.
I suppose that's my message for the day.
What more can I say?
Please add to my thoughts as you wish.
Elaborate, share your little joys.
Right now, I am rich in limes.
I would give you some if I could, I promise I would.
And maybe one or two or three for Miss Amy, who had all her limes put in the snow.
Remember that?
Well, off I go for today.
See you soon,
Love Vanessa
I like and agree with alot that you say here but zero expectations… I can’t get on board with that.. But then we are all different.. I often pick up things on my walks like you.. like you said seed pods, curious things.. sometimes my pockets are full like a childs.. lol .. But dead and dying flowers do not appeal to me.. I’am glad you can find joy in them. We should all find joy where we can.. I find joy in old books too… But the dying/dead flowers.. i’m just not there.Hugs! deb
Your garden findings are just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
i love your garden findings and your lovely conservatory. i keep thinking that if i stay in my townhome i will add a sunroom on the back so i can have a conservatory type space. but i keep looking for my real home, the one that calls to me so i can have tons of space to plant all the things and woods to walk in (or walks by the sea) and lots of space between myself and the neighbors so they don’t hear my howlings to the moon and cackles by the cauldron. 🙂
love & magicks
~*~
ps…hugs & kisses to Matty & Teddy!
I think your vignettes are perfectly shabby, colorful, and messy! I am so inspired by this post, both the photos and your sweet words. Have a lovely weekend!
Oh V, how I would love to go through all of your treasures on your living mood board table! Nature has healed me in so many ways. I couldn’t live without trees, rocks, greens, flowers, and the smell of the outdoors. I love your advice to live each day with zero expectations. I will most definitely tell this to my daughter in NY. Do you know my girls know who you are? Years ago, I would read your blog posts to them and show them pictures of your garden, Miles, food, etc. Miss Amy? I don’t recall. Hmmm…maybe I missed that post. Bummer. xoxoxoxo Jen
It is all so beautiful. I love your “living mood board” idea.
Now I must run to the garden and collect.
It all is just delightful.
Looking at your pictures makes me happy.
I take pictures of flowers of all sorts wild or planted. I bring flowers in from the garden. I brought some hydrangeas in the other day. They dried perfectly and have a wispy, paper sound. I need to bring more in.
By the way I made your pumpkin bread recipe today. I can’t remember when you posted it but I make every year 🙂
I’m overjoyed that you still make my pumpkin bread recipe🎃💕 and I adore dried hydrangeas♡
Thank you Marilyn, we adore our garden collections don’t we♡
I can’t believe that, and now they’re all grown up♡ we are definitely kindred, we’d have so much fun if we were neighbors 🥰♡♡♡♡
Thank you Miss Ricki, shabby messes sure make us happy♡♡♡
Oooo, that would be an absolute dream♡ I hope all your wishes come true Laura. You’re such a kind lovely person♡♡♡
Thank you Lisa♡
Pockets of findings from walks are the best Deb♡ I agree, we are all so different, I’m more of a hope & wishes girl, than expectations, but I’ve always been this way naturally. Our differences are totally okay, as you say, and I do think that’s what makes us all special in our own unique way😊💛
Thank you for this lovely post. I grow flowers for dying on fabric. It make me so happy every time i’m outdoor, in the garden or for a walk. I take pictures, but you inspire me to develop them and make a mood board of my own. I love dried flowers and when they become old and wrinkled. It’s my first time reading you and it’s been lovely.