It has been a wacky, wild and weird time around here, how about with you? Have things been extra curious in your neck of the woods? I think it's the weather. Mother nature let spring out with 90'F weather, and then Mister frost stepped back in for a day, and let out snow even. Weird. Weird and bizarre. I told you it was bizarre around here ;)
Of course, a little cold snap to surprise us, made me sneak in a little more baking before the oven is closed for the season. I made this coffee cake and shared with friends. It was yumm.
Then I made these rolls on a whim (to go with dinner), and they were a massive hit. I used two packages of rapid rise yeast, and let the dough sit in the bowl for 20 minutes instead of 5. Then I just plopped little blobs of dough on a buttered cookie sheet, and voila…
They were also good for breakfast, with a tinge of butter and jam. I have been forcing myself to eat breakfast for a year. Do you eat breakfast?
Now I find that my body actually wants breakfast, and I enjoy it. Plus I have more energy and get more done. But for years, since I can remember really, I couldn't muscle breakfast down if I tried. And now, I love it, and enjoy it. Fancy that?
So, I set a little breakfast table for myself before I get to work in the morning. And, coral shaded roses and pink carnations from the garden, add the perfect touch of hello happy, to start the day…
I also love cafés in the morning.
They make my heart skip a beat.
The smells, and clankings and coffee, and tea, and toast.
I just love cafés in the morning.
I also love cafés midday, when no one is there.
So, while we pretend we are in a café here today, let me tell you about the surprise in my garden. If you will?
You see, I planted a huge box of cottage wildflower seed mix early last year in lots of spots in my garden. In that same year I saw poppies, bachelor's buttons, black eyed susan's – you know, all sorts of little flowers. It was great…
BUT, there was also a lot of non-flowering green stuff. I figured it was just filler seeds or something.
Summer came, all the little flowers stopped blooming, but the green stuff stayed on.
Fall came, winter came and went, and still the green stuff lived, thrived and actually got huge.
And then, it was a new year.
Fast forward to today.
All of that green stuff started showing signs of buds – (squeal!)
And then, like magic…
Little flowers started turning up, quite unexpectedly, about two weeks ago…
Sweet Williams bloomed, hooray!
And Siberian Wallflowers too…
Isn't that a huge treat? To have little flower treasures popping up as such, whilst waiting for this year's plantings to grow up and bloom later this summer?
I am a happy camper, I tell ya.
Imagine living in the dry desert, and rarely seeing lush flower gardens (the desert is pretty too, but different pretty). If you can imagine that, you will understand my overbearing garden obsession 😉
And, there are oodles of more curious creatures about to bloom. Every morning I open my eyes at about 5:30 and bolt outside to see anything new going on.
Also, to see if the gophers have sucked down anything more.
But mostly, to see how the flowers are doing.
I had to pull out hundreds of pumpkin sprouts in the thinning process, but there are still all sorts of little plants squinched up close. I may have to thin more, but I simply can't bring myself to do it. I will have to ask Mister Lovee to do it for me. Although, he over thins, so that could be dangerous. Never, ever ever ask him to cut your hair. He is dangerous with scissors. He has always cut his own hair, so I never know if long curly locks are going to be massacred when it is trimming day 😉
Also, the giant coral rose bush is getting as tall as the trees with it's roses shooting up…
Exciting!!
I have a hard time focusing with the outdoors calling my name. I feel like I am being bewitched some days. No matter how hard I try, I can't exit the garden 🙂
I was so worried on Saturday when it rained so much, and the temperature dropped to low 40's for a high. What with 6 inch sunflowers that were getting used to the hot weather – I knew if the clouds lifted they would be doomed.
Luckily, someone (a fairy?) tugged at my toes at 5 a.m. just as the earth was freezing, and I stayed outside until 7:30 sprinkling everything with water so it would not freeze. It was intense, but it worked!!
Here are some icy morning shots of the aloe.
A tinge of ice crystals, and the sun shimmering on everything.
Don't you love how frost glitters?
I was so happy to see the sun that morning.
And so were all the growing things, I'm sure…
Well, I have 5,000 things to do.
The studio is a wreck, but I am painting today – and burning the rest of my to do list…
That is, if I can keep from being mesmerized by the uncurling of fresh new leaves on the pecan trees…
I thought we were supposed to stop day dreaming as we got older. But somewhere along the line, I got worse ;)
You?
With that I shall wish you….
A love love lovely day!
See you super duper soon…
Miss V. your new “flowers” this year are probably biennials and they will now flower every year because of the biennial cycle. If you’re still having gophers suck down your plants have you been using the “poop” technique I suggested awhile back? I would still like to hear the story about the rose with the chicken feet. Fondly, the “poop” lady.
Daydreaming is reality out of focus…like a beautiful, hazy world full of glimmer and shine, dewdrops and rainbows….we are told not to indulge in this while we are young…
Well, look who’s all grown up and living the dream now…hehe! Enjoy, revel, squeal and dance! I love your childlike amazement and gratitude for simple, magical things 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing that magic with us!
Exactly correct Miss Jackie, they are indeed biennials – and self seeding too, I am thrilled! What luck 😉 I quickly research and new flower that makes its way as a surprise. It’s a ton of fun.
(ps: yes I have tried it all, we have about 500 gopher mounds if not more, they love me since I am the only green garden for miles) I shall have to tell them that I will let the “poop lady” handle them if they don’t buck up 😉
Oh LOVE the shots of the aloe…beeeutiful! Yes this weather is C R A Z Y! No more winter please, until next year. My comfort zone is within a four degree range. **blows kisses** Deb
Hi Miss Valencia! It’s me Miss Palencia 🙂 your flowers are beautiful! I am so happy to see that your flowers are growing and blooming. My little daffodils just bloomed and I am awaiting for my little jalapeños to sprout. I hope to have some flowers as lovely as yours, but our climates vary greatly. And it still pretty cool here in CT.
I love coffee cake and will need to try that recipe and how yummy those rolls look. I, too, have started eating/drinking breakfast. I wasn’t much of a breakfast person, but then I made it a weekend thing, in which I would make eggs, omelets, and then it was chocolate chip pancakes on Sundays. Now, I have expanded to muffins, and all sorts of sweet treats on the weekend, which I freeze and have throughout out the week. If I can’t get a sweet treat in me in the morning, I drink a little protein milk shake which comes tastes like chocolate milk. My body thanks for me it later, because I notice I have much more energy and I am not starving mid morning 🙂
So glad all is well with you!!
Take care!
I’m glad you are feeling all perky, bakey and blossomy once again!
Some days “to do” lists are just meant to be burned, aren’t they? I hope you did it joyously and without a single twinge of guilt! Sometimes we need a refreshing day to do just what we absolutely please.
I think it is so wondrous that you received some surprise blooms in your garden, and even more wondrous that you shared them with us.
Me and breakfast have never gotten along well!
I know it is the right thing to do though…yours is beautiful! You are right about the clinking and it reminds me of a specific breakfast in NYC.
Always a major dreamer! I wouldn’t change a thing about that!
It was scorching here yesterday and cooooold and rainy today.
Breakfast and daydreaming…yes, we do that here. Too much of the daydreaming portion, and not enough of the breakfast portion. Your photos are lovely. Cheers!
What a lovely post. Lovely! Those flowers are magical indeed. Gosh. Well your breakfast table is inviting and if I were your neighbor I’d be a knockin’ at your door with some sort of sliced bowl of fresh fruit to add to the mix. Maybe a newly polished brass or copper tray laden with freshly made turkish coffee (my newest love) with just the right hint of sugar and the cardamom pod to make it special. Maybe a bowl of turkish delight as well. Sometimes my favorite breakfast is chocolate cake…stale; but the daily stick to your ribs bowl of hot porridge is my usual choice. Fresh flowers on my breakfast tray would just put everything over the top. Thanks for your inspiration and creative hugs, Norma
Really Magical! 🙂
Love your photos, as always Vanessa. Everything always looks so delicious and inviting. This has GOT to be the best time of the year. Spring where you are…and Autumn here down under. Gorgeous weather!!
Love the lit candles w/the roses all around…..is it your shrine to carbs? 😉 lordy, that coffee cake recipe looks divine (and if its from Pioneer Woman, you know its a fabulous recipe) I made her cheesy goodness french bread & everyone swooned…..
Hopefully, the gophers will NOT be feasting on your delicate blossoms!
Thank you Mizz Vanessa for showing us such beeauty…I love when things beegin to pop here and there with color…sometimes I wish it would bee like this all year long.. but it is not, so we get to look forward to this time of year but we must not forget to savor each moment that is happening now, so that we don’t miss out on anything…
Ahhh now breakfast is a grand meal…I must say I do love me breakfast…a variety of fruit with granola & greek yogurt or an egg slighty poach with nut grain brand bread and a hint of butter & a little jam…or even a fruit smoothie but if I am really in the mood banana walnut pancakes with a touch of butter and a drizzle of honey..life is grand (LOVE your bee plate now that would brighten up the beeginning of a day).. ..
Well I’m off to dREaM LaND and to dREaM of mY gArDEn too.. when the roses will bloom & the bees fly through to say “HI”…& fairies hide amongst the bushes & flowers and they giggle as the pup boyz try to figure where they are…ohhh isn’t LIFE Grand ;O)
Have a honey of a night ~ sweet dREaMs!
Marlene ~ mIzZ (hONeY) bEe .. .. .. ..
I agree the weather is spazzing out. I was so scared for my garden, too!!! Even though it is not as wonderful as yours. :o) One day I hope it will be, but I am so busy growing humans that I am down to a small raised bed. I spent today thinning my sprouts. I have a hard time doing it, as well, but managed to gather a small salad worth of micro greens. I feel so attached to the food I grow. I hate the idea of wasting it! My husband and son thought I was crazy for even saving it, but oh well. There is something very empowering about knowing you can supply your family with food you’ve grown. :o)
P.S. I still don’t know where you put all those scones, biscuits, rolls, muffins, quiches and bread. I would be thousands of pounds.
I can almost smell the roses in your garden and the snap dragons! I love snap dragons!
And your Sweet Williams are so precious! I think if I were a fairy, I would have a little fairy house hidden in your garden, just so I could delight myself in the fragrance of the flowers. Come over to my blog! I have a post for a free fairy school tutorial (from someone else’s blog) So, you will have to blog hop to see it. It is soooo adorable and charming.
Nite, nite,
Miss Teresa at http://www.amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
I love that on your to do list you wrote “burn the to do list”. I think I shall do the same with mine today, and just play outside in our nice weather 🙂 Your garden is so beautiful and magical! It is lovely to see what is blooming over there. We have a few daffodils, and some wild flowers showing their faces. The trees are still waking up though 😛 hee hee 🙂 Have a lovely day, and enjoy your beautiful garden! 🙂
~Alli
Gorgeous photos (as always) Your breakfast looks sooooooo yummy. Breakfast around here is usually tea and toast, or whatever kind of sweets I can find, hehe…
Things have just started blooming here in the northeast, and I LOVE it! Daffodils are my favorite; keep saying I must paint them, but haven’t got around to it yet.
🖤 Carolee
i insist we must be form the same planet. Even your garden looks like mine (when it´s raining of course, right now it looks pretty darn sad, but you should see it when rain hits our little piece of mexican soil!)… have a beautiful day! Clau
Girl you just have that MAGIC touch …. its amazing what you have done with the desert at your feet …. you are blessed by the angels and the fairies and all things fun !!
HUGS AND LOVE ~ JO
Miss Kandes, you are soooo funny! Well, I give most of everything I bake and make away. Don’t tell the fairies and sweets lovers – but I would prefer a piece of salmon and veggies to a scone anyday. I usually give the carbs to other people and grab the protein – but by desire, not by force. Although, I can tell lots of rogue carb puffs have attached themselves to me 😉 I am not free from that 😉
Your garden is a blessing and the photos are so beautiful! Makes me want to live in a country house someday… Yes, this daydreaming thing gets worse, huh?
About having breakfast, I like it a lot. Especially sandwiches (I’m crazy about them). And coffee, always. In the morning and later in the afternoon.
Lovely days for you and everybody!
Nate fell asleep after we went for our walk and played with chalk. Just couldn’t wait to see what you have been up to and have our little “talk.” I am going to pretend I can smell the flowers and hear the lovely ravens balk. Blessings to you dearie!
So many pretty flower photos help to cheer me after my horrible week. One of Cuppa Tea’s favorite things was always sleeping outside in the sun. I think it must be a little easier to heal in a fairy garden such as yours.
ps. My mister cuts his own hair too and there are always choppy spots that he misses!
pps. I don’t mean to be greedy, but remember those star wishes you said you would send? I could really use them right about now to make wishes for Cuppie.
LOVE! The merest hint of warm breezes, scents of roses in the sun…the croissant, the cafe–all images that sing to my soul too. Thanks for sharing your early flowers with us!
Hi dearest Vanessa! What a beautiful post. Such delicious baked treats – I adore coffee cake. 🙂 Especially with actual coffee. And your flowers – I never tire of seeing them. Most of our daffodils have bloomed, which has made me extremely happy. We have several different varieties in our yard, and I love how well they blend together. I have several packets of wildflower seeds, which we’ll be planting very soon. We’ve purchased some vegetable seeds and some gourd seeds (for crafting). And I see buds on so many shrubs and trees in the yard…hurray! I think it’s fun to daydream, even when you are an adult. I do love breakfast AND I love your to-do list. 😉 Take care, Theresa xoxo
Yes, I like breakfast but don’t always have time for it when I’m rushing to work. Which has been very, very busy and stressful. But my garden has had something new for me and it makes me feel at peace when I come home and see something new blooming. How wonderful you’ve had so many wonderful new blooms.
I do daydream about the strangest things:)
Your rolls looks yummy. I’m doing some baking tomorrow.
Sweet sweet flowers you have been blessed with Ms. Vanessa!
Love the ‘burn the to do list’ note, tee hee 😉 I need to put that on my list!
Jamie 🙂
Your ‘cafe’ is so BEEautiful! Adore your little bee dish and ALL of your flowers, happy that they survived your snow shower.
I have been playing with BEE and little bird boys and nymphs stamp prints…
fun fun
x..x
Vanessa,
Living in the high desert of CA, I totally get your obsession with growing things. I would rather be outside during the Spring and Summer than inside. I put in hours of back breaking work in my yard and it is a joy! My goal is to have the Hummingbirds get so used to me that they land close enough for me to touch them, just like you said that you did in one of your posts.
Gardening in the country is such a challenge! Between the gophers, rabbits and squirrels. Yes, squirrels! I discovered that those little desert squirrels with the little swishy tails love to eat plants and flowers. The other day I found a rosebud from my outer courtyard on the outside of the stuccoed wall. I couldn’t figure out how it got there and then I discovered some birds that flew out of the inner courtyard when I walked in there. Now, I think I have birds nipping at my roses.
When I saw your Guadalupe candle, I got a great idea! After mine has burned down, I’m going to use it as a vase for roses. Wouldn’t that be beautiful. There is a Guadalupe rose. I’m going to plant one in honor of my grandmother, whose name was Guadalupe.
~elaine~
Miss Vanessa, I’ve always said that one day when I am plenty wealthy and financially secure, I’m moving to Sedona to just bake and basque in the dessert…..I hope wherever I land will be as gorgeous as your spot….in the meantime, I’m praying the one standing rose bush in my yard will bloom as beautifully as yours has.
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