The days go by quickly.
Spring is in the air.
So many buds beginning to begin the journey on fruit trees.
Poppies and bulbs blooming.
It's been warm, although we will have a cool snap coming this weekend.
A little rain, before the cold leaves us for good, they say.
All my flower seeds I planted in fall begin to pop through the earth.
The rabbits want it all for their dinners.
So, I get busy protecting.
Every last shop order parcel has left the building.
So, I am all caught up.
Hooray!
I am also trying to catch up on lots of life things.
Matty having a check up vet visit.
(more on that to follow)
The garden needing some love if I intend to get my seeds in this year.
I got the beds all cleaned up, and ready for a new year in the veggie garden.
It's unreal to think that the garden looked like this last year, and gifted oodles of edibles…
Not to mention the explosion of sunflowers in late summer, here.
That was amazing.
And with zero fertilizer or chemicals.
Just our own compost soil.
And miniature goat love.
(do you compost?)
I can't even believe it happened.
Sunflower dreams.
And now, we begin again.
All fresh and ready to go.
And because I am nuts…
When I am so busy and crazed, I think of more things that "I need" to do.
So, I have been purging, tidying, organizing.
Mostly in the gallery, and in a shed way out back that you can't see from here.
I am almost totally done on that front so far.
Heap below, gone + organized + some donated, yay.
Exhausted.
We have pruned all the roses, mostly a couple weeks ago.
But I used that ladder above to do the climbing rose vines around the gallery.
Little leaves are sprouting like mad.
I can't believe it.
A new spring.
Warm days.
It's like, a huge gift again.
Year to year.
Almost here.
Matty had a vet visit yesterday afternoon. We made plans to keep him on some medicine for a little while longer (other for 6 months). The vet is certain that Matty's ailment is neurological. He didn't do very good on his neurological tests on the left side of his body. And he is clearly in pain. She confirmed he did not have a stroke or get poisoned.
He did not test positive for valley fever, but it could be a lesion on the brain, or it could be an injury we can't see or confirm or find.
He has been checked out by pro's thoroughly. So I am trusting the vets, going with the flow. Seeing how Matty does over the next couple weeks.
Today was a rough day for Matty.
Nights have been up and down.
But we are all hanging in there.
Hoping for the best.
Too skinny, lots 3 pounds in less than 1 week.
Yucky.
But the norm for being sick.
He did bark at a car, good news, hooray!
Please get well my pup.
I am hopeful and happy.
And we are not being sad.
No siree.
There are lots of cuddles and kisses and love abound.
(he follows me around all day and night, I am glad he finds comfort in me, sniffle)
Miles is bored silly, as Matty can't wrestle these days.
And won't play with Miles at all.
(we try to, but I am sure it's not as fun)
But, we have hope.
Hope is awesome.
Isn't it?
The doc said it could take a long while for Matty to heal.
We even talked about a 6 month plan.
There was a lot more said etc, but I don't want to inundate you with info.
For now, we have poppies, and the promise of spring on the horizon…
I LOVE spring.
Oh spring.
Beloved times!
Don't you?
Off to get a work out playing the pump organ.
See you extra soon.
Love, Vanessa
Everyday you can love Matty is a good day, and he is so lucky to have you! Keeping fingers crossed!
I love spring, too! Though, it will be another month and a half until it truly arrives in Maine.
Sending best thoughts for you and Matty.
Sarah
Glad to see Matty is at least stable for now. He is such a handsome young man!
Spring sounds good. We just got about 8″ of snow on Tue. They say it could get up to 50 by Sun.
I love spring because it’s the short time we can go outside before all the humidity starts seeping in for summer.
Is dry heat really better than heat with all the humidity?
I got my prints in the mail today! :0) Love them both!
You sure had quite a stack to ship out!
Dry heat is awesome as awesome can be. Better than humidity any day
😉 Hooray for prints!! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 3/7/2013 7:36:24 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I’m so glad to hear Matty is able to follow you around. Perhaps his strength is coming back slowly but surely? Being busy can take your mind of your troubles – and you’ve certainly been busy. Continuing prayers for all of you!
Sending healing thoughts to Matty. Spring is wonderful.
Your poppies are beautiful. They are one of my favorite flowers. Have you ever seen the Himalayan blue poppies? Thank you for the update. Those pics of the pups sure are cute. They have so much love in their eyes. I will keep praying for sweet Matty.
All is Well kind~hearted, sweet Vanessa……..
I have been so worried about your Matty. Our furry (and in my case feathered) family members are so special to us we just can’t stand it when they are sick. You are an awesome mom. Your love will help his recovery in such a huge way. Isn’t it amazing how they love us so unconditionally? Just melts your heart. And I can’t wait for this year’s pictures of your gorgeous garden that you share with us all. They are such eye candy. Keep ’em coming! I’m sure I’m not the only one of your avid readers who lives vicariously in your garden. I live in south Texas. My garden consists of sticker burrs and sand and fire ants that will not go away! Big comforting hugs to you and Matty! Just take one day at a time. Debbi
Thanks for the update on your boy. Hope he feels good as new sooner rather than later. He’s in good hands at your house, for sure :)We’re all pullin for him!
Dontcha just love poppies? I do…they’re so delicate looking…the petals remind me of crepe paper. I have poppies on the south side of my house….they’re coral colored. I thought they were supposed to be red…I wonder if it’s something in my soil.
As always, Our Best to Monsieur Matisse! We had 22 degrees here with gale force winds in the alleged Sunny South, plus several cold, hard rains, dreary dreary dreary — and this is from someone who loves gray, loves winter naps, loves reading a book in bed on a cold winter’s night.
I am ready for Persephone to come back to us again. Those poppies are a sure sign she’s on her way!
Candace, Still in Athens.
I have to say, I am quite jealous that your garden is ready for planting already while I’m still under 3 1/2′ of snow! How exciting for you! Good news here, the groundhog i share my little plot of earth with has finally woken up from his Winter slumber and is busy getting about his business!! Days hover around freezing temps so lots of melting going on.
Can’t wait to get back in my garden! I’m getting started on my indoor seedlings in the next two weeks!
And Matty is up and about, at least a little? How awesome is that??? Keep your head up high, you’ve got lots of support!
Still checking in, hoping that Matty will beat this thing. Whatever it is. Bless his heart, and yours! Your garden is looking all tidy and neat! I always look forward to seeing the fruits of your labors! Hugs and kisses to your pups!
So so happy Matty is doing a little better…Such a big , brave boy….What a coincidence that i just did a poppy post too……but mine is a drawing of poppies! Sending the BEST thoughts your way!Hugs! deb
Vanessa,
Thanks for keeping us updated – good to see a pic of Matty up and around! Give him (and poor, bored Miles) a little pat from me.
I have to tell you, I didn’t quite get the title of the post, at first. You’ll laugh: I thought, “Did she go out and buy flowers? Maybe poppies are Matty’s favourites?…” : ) Then I got it. See, here in Massachusetts, we are right in the middle of a small snowstorm – tomorrow I’ll have 6 or 7 inches of snow to play in. So poppies from one’s garden are just kind of hard to grasp. How wonderful! I love my snow, but I envy you your flowers, too.
Hoping you can all begin to rest a little easier, and continuing to send love and healing. Remember, we are all out here, holding you in our hearts.
~Jennifer
Glad to hear there is some improvement. I am still sending positive and healing vibes and hugs,
Lisa
This my sound strange to you, dear Vanessa, but you have inspired me in so many ways. I have been following your beautiful blog for about two years now. I admire your enormous creativity, your ability to make everything so enchanting and lovely, to grow things, to create and then share all this loveliness with us. I am not going to waste this precious space on explaining how you have been inspiring me all this time, let’s just say that you make such a great positive impact on people’s lives, my life. I wish you all the best in this world and thank you.
Dora from Greece
“this may sound strange”, typo!
Vanessa, I was away for a while at an art retreat, so I am now playing catch up. I am so beyond thankful that Matty is still with you on this earth! I am happy for every baby step of progress he makes, such as his having enough interest and energy to bark at a car! I am praying for his recovery to continue. Bless his heart. I know this is very hard.
The spring to come is a time to look forward to the new growth and flowers and loveliness that will soon be all around us. Speaking of loveliness all around us–organizing, tidying, and purging can also add to loveliness indoors. I need to do some of that!!
Sending love to all of you and prayers for that Matty boy.
THank you so much for an update on Matty. He is as handsome as ever – and it’s great to see little promising signs (like barking at kitties!). Maybe you can give him an extra treat or two – to get this strength up? 🙂 Give him a hug from me. 🙂 We have six inches of freshly fallen snow today! So it was fun to see your burgeoning green garden! And lovely poppies, too. Have fun at the organ!
I hope Matty will continue to improve and feel like wrestling with Miles again. Poor Miles.
Your garden looks great.
Poppies are so pretty.
Yes, I love spring, even if we don’t really have winter. We have such long, hot, humid summers that spring is so welcome. Pink cherry trees are blooming around here. Love seeing what blooms next.
Good news we will take.. Each day is a new beginning. Since Spring is in the air it means a new start and new growth. I am glad to see Matty walking around some and followuing you. You are definatly “The Mama” Give Matty time, he will play with Miles soon, healing takes time. We think about your furrry ones often and will continue sending good thoughts your way.
We still have some snow on the ground but good news..It will be 48 on Sunday.
Poppies, my favorite.
Sending smiles and doggie kisses from Bella and Penny Lane.
I’m glad that Matty is feeling a little better and I hope he improves every day! I’ve been thinking about the garden alot too. I have so much work to do and just can’t get motivated to get it done. It’s supposed to be in the 60’s the next three days so I plan to get out and try to get as much done as I can. I must confess I’m not quite ready for spring, but only because I just have no energy. 🙁
Off to put together my little inside seed starting greenhouse…
love & blessings
~*~
All of the huge hugs in the world to you and Matty (and Miles and Lovee too).
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Matty (and you and everyone there) have been in my thoughts and prayers. Glad he’s holding his own. If only they could speak…Healing hugs to you all~xo
p.s. and yes, we compost. It’s the best, isn’t it? Your goat helper probably makes a world of difference too. Wish I knew someone with a goat, nearby…I am way behind on pruning/planting/everything-ing. I better get busy soon…Happy planting/happy almost spring!
I’m glad to see his furry face. I hope he stays on the mend.
I’m excited about your garden. I sure miss my time with dirt, but my two little people provide more dirt than I know what to do with.
The organ is great…are you keeping it outside? I think I told you, but we picked up my grandfather’s organ a year ago. It’s one of those old gothic ones that’s insanely heavy. Most of the notes play, but I’m terrible. I wish you could give me a concert on it so I could hear what it’s supposed to sound like.
Your sunflowers were unreal!
The organ is in the gallery. Its such a great ambience in that room, and
it fits in so lovely. Its been in there since i got it. But then I
stuffed the gallery, and now I am organizing it again so I can actually spend
time in there again 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 3/8/2013 10:15:22 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Visiting your blog is like coming home…every time. Home of the gypsy hearts, home of the faeries, home of the dreamers. All is well in my soul, all is well.
Photo #8 looks as if it came right out of The Wizard of Oz! Did you use an effect on it, or is it simply the clouds and the angle you shot it from? The lighting is amazing…looks like a painting. I LOVE🖤
Prayers for your beloved fur baby. And you. **blows kisses** Deb
Deborah!! Heloooo there. You are on my mind so often, you
should know. You cant imagine the amount of cards I have looked at at
Hallmark, and Cost Plus, and every card aisle I am in, and none is funny enough
and wonderful enough for your hubby.
I think I am going to resort to making one 🙂 With dry humor from
Mister L haha 😉
No effects on the photos, save for some contrasting, light and darkness
stuff. I remember waiting for the perfect sky shots, and then I plunged
when I saw them. I think its also the angle…
I wish I could transport back to last summer for a second.
Its so very hard to absorb it all when it is happening 🙂
xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 3/9/2013 10:30:44 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
GET WELL SOON, PRECIOUS DOGGIE!!!
I’m eager to see how your garden progresses. You always have the most amazing luck with vegetables and sunflowers. My own garden is coming along nicely, all except the cucumbers. They just wilted and are dieing a slow death. Never having had a garden before, I have no clue what to do except uproot them and maybe put them in a large pot – with something for them to climb on? I’d really love to have fresh ORGANIC cucumbers, so I want them to live.
Misha, last year I had a cucumber so huge, I couldnt believe my
eyes. But I let it rot, so that the seeds would reseed for this
year. Lets hope ;))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 3/10/2013 4:21:20 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Tinker, thank you so so so much for your well wishes and thoughts. I
swear, it has helped to the ends of the earth. I can feel it!!
xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 3/8/2013 2:47:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,