Are you a botanicals and books lover?
I feel like you truly may be…
And, if I'm correct, then this one is just for you.
The best thing after flowers gracing your garden are the paper art they turn in to.
I'm always mesmerized by the way they crumple and curve in such exquisitely beautiful shades.
I keep them around for ages after they dry, sometimes even years.
I am especially enamoured by the piles of petals that slowly float down onto the table as they dry.
I let them fall wherever they'd like.
Throw a little sparkle sparkle in whenever the mood calls and voila, you have a little dose of magic.
Swirl it in your tea or coffee to have your fortune told.
I kept seeing crescent moons and a couple stars in mine.
Which incidentally, makes me giddy about the gypsy wagon days upon us (under the moon) now that it is cooling down.
A lot of dreaming goes on amongst dried petals and twinkle lights it seems.
Pull up a seat next to me if you'd like.
Kick off your fairy slippers and open up a book.
I'm a little bit distracted by the scent of the dried roses.
They smell like rose candy and sweet earth – do you know what I am talking about?
A beautiful scent.
Petals and sparkles swirled together, sprinkled on pages and plates.
I honestly feel like this is an act of mindfulness.
Maybe I should package petals and sparkles?
Because they always inspire me and make me utterly happy.
Oh and by the way, look at what I am reading…
But look closely…
I found this wonderful book at the estate shop, locked in a case, the other day.
I swooned.
Of course at first I too thought it was Alice in Wonderland.
But I was beyond smitten with the way it was a play on words, and actually a book about a botanist named Alice.
I've been taking it to bed with me every night.
So lovely.
So, here we meet again.
Another blog post, have I lost my marbles?
Let's be honest for a second.
Why was I blogging so little this last year or two, and am I back to blogging again regularly?
Of course, I have been utterly busy with two houses and two garden as you all know.
Also a couple of dogs and 100 things that interest me and I can easily fall down, well, the rabbit hole 🙂
And, in the summer I am just soooo busy, and two gardens – it's a bit much.
I had been setting up a second home and refinding my footing in everything, which is actually feeling very natural now.
But also, sometimes blogging can feel lonely – even though I only blog for my own joy and amusment.
I had been trying out social media in the form of Instagram for the last few years (late to the party as usual), and while I do adore connecting with friends over there – the algorithm brought a quick halt to the party. I still enjoy it, but I do often feel like all I see is the same content over and over and over for weeks. It's almost like social media is making us less social, in some round about way, by boxing us into this small world of the algorithm.
I recently started feeling sort of uninspired creatively by the social media outlet. I missed taking camera photos and really sitting down on my big computer to type and share my thoughts and feelings.
And while I will still participate with social media because my friends are all over there and it can be fun, I realized my true joy – my fulfillment, is here at my blog.
It takes beaucoup time and dedication to do this, but it brings me deep contentment and helps me keep up with snippets of my journey.
I truly have been feeling like something is missing.
I missed my big camera.
I missed the moments of being present in my own life doing pretty things.
Like tossing around glitter and petals.
So, no matter who is here –
If it's only a handful of us, then this is for you – and for me.
This virtual journal of sorts, which is a huge part of my heart and a creative outlet that I miss and love.
I may not be here everyday – but I'll come back here more often now.
Lots of love, Vanessa
ps: I was going to organize a Halloween party but there are so few people blogging.
I think I will still share something fun, which is in my mind swirling about -
And I can link anyone who chooses to join in.
But I think formal blog hops may not be the thing anymore.
But you know, nothing is ever over, it just changes.
So, let's see where things take us, shall we?
Sometimes you have to just sit back and see where the new shift leads.
I am more open to change and I often repeat to myself, keep moving forward, keep moving forward.
xoxo
So,so happy, your blogging more.Of all the wonderful blogs I missed your posts the most.You inspire magic in everyday home living and picture it all so wonderfully. I hope you do some Halloween posts they are the best of all!(I’m a Halloween junkie) and the gypsy wagon!Looking forward to whatever you choose to share, thank you.
Always a pleasure to read your posts and linger over your dreamy photos! ! !
On I’m always happy in the presence of rose petals or sparkles. How much livelier to see them together. Your posts always feed my spirit!
A blog post from you is always a reason to celebrate. Each one is a little party. They always inspire me. The sparkles always make my heart sing. You share your joy and that helps us all to pass it on to others. The absolute beauty in your pictures is the magic we all need. Thank you for all you do.
I love your blog posts, so I am always here with you! I agree about social media and its funny algorithms. Thanks for keeping a space here for those of us who adore your photos and words!!! I can’t wait to see how the season unfolds here – always so much magic.
I love seeing your little snippets on IG but I’ve seriously missed your blogging. It seems more personal and connecting than the IG type thing. I was just thinking the yesterday that I wanted to ask you if you were going to do a Halloween blog party. I really miss those, but it kind of felt like pressuring so I didn’t ask. 🙂 Hee hee
I keep wanting to blog, but somehow the time just vanishes and a month has gone by.
Anywho…I look forward to seeing you on your blog.
love & blessings
~*~
ps…hugs & kisses to Matty and Miles!
Such a beautiful post! Those photos are pure magic. And you voiced my own thoughts on social media – I completely agree. I’ve been neglecting my own blog of late and I’ve missed creative expression that comes from the process of blogging. So after reading your post, I think I’m inspired to get back to it!
I completely agree regarding social media :-/ The algorithms keep feeding me updates from people I don’t really hang out with irl or have much in common with, and hides people I really like and miss and I sit and wonder sometimes if they’ve disappeared. Too much scatter brained, too little reclection, too much tiredness and stress and too little time and focus to do real actual artwork.
I get so so excited when I see you have a new post, please don’t ever stop! I absolutely get it though how life steals us away from the quiet time we need to post, but when we do get the chance it is quite therapeutic. I am inspired by your blog as always and am going t smother my little home in glitter and sparkles! I too have a collection of dried roses from years gone. Have a wonderful day my friend, I’m looking forward to being transported into your future posts xx
Ps.. Thank you oodles and oodles for my order 😉
So good to see you back in blog land. Yes, blogging is a big commitment, but I find it helps to make me keenly aware of all the beauty and wonder in my life. I too do it mostly for myself… but I have to admit that I love hearing from friends I have made here in this world! I always enjoy the snippets of life in your fanciful world. And yes…. we need more glitter!
Thank you Tina, that means the world to me!! And pumpkin holiday is ever so nearrrrr <3 <3 <3
Thank you Sherrill, I am so glad you enjoy them <3 <3 <3
Thank you Serena, me too, petals and sparkles are true magic 🙂 <3
Phyllis, I love that! I think it is just wonderful to pass on the joy we find, truly <3 <3 <3 Thank you for your lovely comment <3 <3 <3
Thank you Ellie, I am so glad you agree about the bizarre world of algorithms. If there is one thing I dislike (my parents say I came out of the womb screaming this) it is being boxed in, in any way. I want to see everything that’s going on and everyone that I like and enjoy. I understand why companies love them for ads and such but I do think that algorithms are stinky for everyone else 🙂 I am so with you, can’t wait to see how the season unfolds <3 <3 <3 Magic abound!
Thank you Miss Laura, I agree with every single thing you say. Ig is quick and nice to connect on some level when were are too busy to hunker down and blog. But boy do I miss the creativity of it (blogging) on a more regular basis. I hope I can work it in more regularly for certain. Here come October, that fastest month in the world!!! xooxo <3 <3 <3
Yes, I think social media makes it so easy to neglect our blogs, but it’s not super fulfilling. I hope you do plunge back in too, I figure even if there are crickets, at least it’s my own little sort of creative journal to enjoy <3 <3 <3
I so agree, I want to see everything and everyone. It seems like a rotten thing for everyone but Instagram. Netflix also has an algorithm and it never ever shows me any new shows. I don’t really think it’s a benefit. I want to choose what I want to see, not have a computer choose it for me and box me into this tiny little world, right? 🙂 I hope you get more time to do all the things you love 🙂 <3 <3 <3
Oh yay! Thank you Marrissa, you are such a joy! I am so glad you enjoy the posts, I will truly try to come back more often. You are so right, totally therapeutic. Cheers to sparkles and glitter! <3 <3 <3
Thank you Bev, I totally agree, it is so benefiting to our own hearts. It’s like a journal and it is a wonderful way to keep memories of what we are up to alive <3 <3 <3
There will be no crickets here Dear Vanessa! “If you build it (blog) they will come”
Have a fabulous October!
I’m so glad you’re blogging again!!
Your Halloween parties infuse the world with *magic* – I have my fingers crossed you’ll host one this season.
🙂 B
Thank you lovely Dixie!! <3 <3 <3
Thank you! I was blogging once or twice a month but hopefully I’ll be here much more often than that like I used to. I will definitely post something fun for Halloween but I am not certain a formal blog hop will happen, but for sure I’ll do my own magical thing to share <3 <3 <3
Vanessa, every time you post here, it’s a gift. I have missed it so much. The first time I ever saw your blog was Halloween 2008. I had never seen anything like it and shared it widely. And I always thought how much work must go into it. Thank you for whatever you do in the future!
You are welcome from the bottom of my heart Melanie♡ thank you so much for sharing with me & for being kind & understanding♡♡♡
I agree I enjoyed Instagram for a few years and stopped blogging as well and then just became sick of Instagram. I met some amazing people on there at the beginning but then it just became -post a phone picture and get some likes. The only people I talk to through comments are the ones from the beginning. Most people don’t even reply to comments on their photos they just heart your comment. I haven’t really connected with anyone new in over a year so it definitely isn’t as fun as it used to be. I noticed a lot of people I follow are posting less too. I have been considering going back to blogging but was curious of anyone was still doing that 😂😂 Maybe blogging is going to make a comeback! I have one online friend that just started back last month so I’m hoping so.
Thank you so much for your blog. It has been an inspiration to me for so many years.
Your thoughts about the flower petals and your photos are very charming and give me a peaceful smile. I enjoy seeing the fallen rose petals in my garden and on the table. A favorite of mine is seeing the ground covered with lilac colored petals from jacaranda trees in our neighborhood. You are invited to come on over to my blog and say hi.
I have been following your blog for years and missed the entries when you seemed to be more active on Instagram. For the past 4.5 months I have been flat out preparing a house for sale in Cali and buying a new cottage in Maine. Finally with some time to rest I hoped, closed my eyes and crossed my fingers that your blog would be filled with new visual delights and was not disappointed! Thanks for putting in the time and sharing your beautiful world!
Friendling friendling you know how i feel about this place you’ve created. I’m still in love with Mr. Teal Boots over a decade later! I can tell you that science backs up your theory about algorithms and isolation. Oh the stories from worky world i could tell! Do you know teens’ brains are literally being rewired differently, that their thoughts and emotions when looked at via MRI-imaging, are processing differently (sometimes with different parts of the brain!)because of the impact of technology? It’s wackadoodle, i tell ya! But blogging, blogging is journaling among friends. It’s mindfully recording a moment of joy or sorrow, it’s so much more real, methinks. Well, case in point, you’re still my best faraway friend with a cape! 🙂 So, i read your posts backwards, and i am here at this post last having read your most recent posts first, but i have to tell you IT IS LIKE WE ARE SISTERS. 🙂 Yes to all of the things you wrote about. Somehow i felt more present *in my own life* when i was blogging!!So okay. Everything happens for a reason and the answers are given to us if we open our hearts. Soooo…..me too me too! Count me in whatever fun stuff you plan!! I gotta go do some fixer upper moves at my blog – how does shiplap look in treehouses? 🙂 xoxoxxovviiixoxoxox Roostah
I love love love Jacaranda trees, I hope to plant one one day 3
Awe, my dear Roostah friend 3 We are kindred always and forever. We must sleep on the same wave of creative consciousness or something 😉 3 3 3
I’m just now catching up with your wonderful Posts. I agree that so few Blog anymore so it is going thru a metamorphosis for those of us who still enjoy The Land of Blog enough to stay… and connect!