Heloooo there!
Hope all is well in your world. I tried to get here yesterday but there was a massive storm. Oh, it was sooooo good. Monsoon season is the bestest – when and if it rains of course. You wait thirsty for months and months, and then a down pour washes everything away. Love it.
I took a video I'll share at the end.
Imagine not having rain for months and months in a row like here?
It's crazy.
I used to have a teacher in high school who always said, Sundee and Mundee.
I loved that.
He taught, hmmm, let me try to remember.
Some science class?
I know it had to do with earth, but it wasn't geography or social studies.
It was one of those AP classes, geo-sciences and nature stuff.
I can't remember.
But I loved that class.
Anyhow, we would go out to rivers and catch little fish real quick with our hands, measure them, then send them back. Or we'd test layers of soil at the riverbank.
But that's another story.
He used to say words in a way that I found fascinating.
Like, Sundee and Mundee, instead of Sun-day and Mon-day.
He also said ruts, instead of roots.
I think about that all the time for some reason.
One of those things that sticks in your head I suppose?
My mom always said that, the way people pronounce things should be respected and not rudely corrected.
We all pronounce things differently, and that is a wonderful thing, says she.
I agree with her.
I can never pronounce the sometimes best word for Mister Lovee, which is ornery.
I always say, honor-ee, instead of ore-ner-ee.
I know I am saying it wrong, but saying it any other way sounds uncomfortable to my tongue.
On another note.
I figured out that the zinnias take off madly when the rains come in July.
No wonder they were so pretty in September, October and November last year.
It's getting zinnia-ee goodness out there.
The dinner plate dahlias get huge huge huge, and then flop over in the rain, drunk from all the drinking.
Insert a yumm just for effect.
And a YAY, because the tomatoes have not ended, yet.
Thankfully.
I vow to always start my tomato vines indoors in late winter early spring like this year.
Wow, what a difference.
Also, I didn't plant them, but somehow, some seeds I did plant must have been for orange tomatoes. A couple of vines are gifting them. Fun!
(picked yesterday in the rain)
I made blt's with maple bacon this weekend.
They were sooooooooo good.
Like, sooooooooooooooooo good.
I cooked the bacon on one of my cast iron skillets on the burner side of the grill in the yard.
It makes clean up sooo much easier.
I only make it once or twice a year, mmmm.
Good stuff.
I did two chop down trimmings of the hollyhocks, as I read somewhere on line to do.
And guess what?
A whole new wave of hollyhocks are here.
I have sooo many other things to share besides garden and garden.
But, I just don't want the memories and pics of summer growing things to go to waste.
I know, it's booooring.
Yaaaawn.
I used to think it was fun to share garden galore, but then someone said she would die if she saw another flower pic - and then I was like – Oh, interesting thought?
One assumes that everyone likes flowers.
I for one could look at gardens all day.
I loooove garden books, but that's me.
I could never grow tired of a flower, they inspire me so.
You?
Oh, the other day, I went to bed alone.
And woke up with the big fluffer nutter next to me.
With his lil' tongue sticking out.
Awe.
I had never seen that before, so I ran for the camera…
Sweetcakes.
Annoying puppy mama.
What can I say?
I admit it.
It's true.
I am one of those crrrazy dog people.
Oh yes I am.
By the way….
I decided to try to make a video.
I used to make them all the time.
However…
I had not made one in a long time mainly because my new video camera has issues, and it is hard to work with the files in my video making program.
But, I tried a different way – which took 8 hours to make.
Videos take forever to make.
At least, they take me forever.
I thought you might love to see the monsoon rain in the desert.
A sun shower had such sparkly rain I couldn't get over it.
Then the storm turned the earth to night in one fell swoop.
It was all good in theory.
Alas, I think the video is a crazy blah mash-up in the end.
Ah well.
I tried.
The evening got sooo dark, it's hard to see, and don't mind our annoying chatter.
So, a video.
Monsoon and Fur, here goes…
See you soooon!
Love, V
ps: Two amazing things that happened this weekend.
First I thought hummingbirds were fluttering all around me – about 20 of them.
Until I realized they were HUGE dragonflies. Faint.
I had never seen such large storybook dragonflies ever.
Then, about 10-15 orange butterflies were flying about in a circle by the gypsy wagon.
They are there still, days later, and seemingly live there. Magical. There are a bunch of all types of butterflies right now in the garden. Love them.
Yeee haw!!! I love the video. Man I love thunderstorms and crazy rain.
Ohhh…I also love the music you used in the background.
Thanks for sharing a little piece of your bizarre Heaven!
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Awww…love all the photos, especially the ones of Miles with his little tongue out ~ I catch the kitties ~ especially Cyrus ~ with their tongues out sometime…(awake, though)~ it’s like they “forget” ~ 🙂
Oh, I say “on-ry” kind of like you do, I guess. And kind of Sundee and Mundee, too…I don’t always get the “day” out. And “fixin'” ~ as in “I am fixin’ to go water the garden”…LOL Regional things! Makes us all interesting!
Hugs,
Anne (Hope you got your package!)
FABULOUSSSSS Vanessa! Yes, I agree with Kim, the music was PERFCTTTTT!
I Ssooo want to give that Miles A BIG Huggggg!!! I would hug Maddie if he would let me, but I know you have said, it’s not his thing!
Your garden makes me happy with all its blooms and dragon flies and butterflies!
We’ve had zippo rain or maybe a few drizzles here but not a nice down pour like we used to get. We get mostly clouds dust and mugginess. They say it’s because we have too much concrete and asphalt.
Although, unlessss, U count my tears, as we took my first born off to college this weekend! Booooo HOOOOO!
I think U should catch the rain in more of those barrels u may be able to sell it!
Thank you, for such a treat and the time u put into putting this delightful show together and the chatter was fun too! ; )
Oh, I watched your video three times! I love the sound of the rain, and the diamond rain was amazing! I noticed there was blue sky during the diamond rain part and that made me think of what my Mama, who was from Georgia, used to say, “Sunshine and rain, sure to rain tomorrow.” We are starved, STARVED for rain here in the Southern California mountains.
I love your darling dogs! Give each of them a hug for me.
I pronounce ‘ornery’ as ‘awn-ree.’ Some words I just can’t get my tongue around…shrug.
And, flowers! I could never see too many pictures of flowers! Or pets, or sparklies, or…you get the idea.
Blessings,
Victoria from Brushstrokes
I will never read your blog again before bed…now I am hungry and there is nothing in my fridge that even comes close to your mouth watering bounty….oh well that the heavens I have a huge imagination….with a pinch of humour. Oh the gypsy wagon I am honored to own of yours always guarenteessssss..colourful dreams……..🖤Debi
Wow, when you say monsoon you weren’t using that term loosly! I live in Central valley, California and we only get rain a few days per year, always in the winter, but even then it is only like half that hard. Also, it gets to 110-115 degree summers. You are soo lucky and I wish you would stop stressing how much of a gift that rain is for you, because we could surely do with some of that here!
I hope that it will continue to rain for you though, since you seem to enjoy it so much.
Much love,
Ivy
Vanessa, please don’t ever, ever stop posting pictures of your glorious garden! The video of the rain was so wonderful. The sound of the ground-thirst-quenching rain was so soothing. And your fur babies! Adorable!!!
Yes, Kelly and I BOTH sent our firstborns to college…
Oh I talk like your teacher…even on Tuesdee and Wensdee.
Miles is a DEEP sleeper!! I thought he’d wake up when you reached for the camera.
I also love the music…especially the one right after you let the dog in.
You should hear me say MILES…one syllable.
Shabalitta, yes yes, he said Tooosdee and Whensdee too!!! OH I love
it!!! Oh oh, and he said things like words that have body in them,
budee. I tend to say the whole word. Like Peabody. He would
said Peabudee. Which is actually, the way we are supposed to say it
right? I love it… he must have been from your neck of the wooooods
😉
Ivy, I feel your pain sooooooooooooo much. Last summer we got almost
no rain. It seems like one summer yes, one no. And when you need
rain so badly, and you are not getting any, it is the worst feeling ever
ever. Sigh…. I hope you get some soooooon. You will, I know
it. Let me know if you do get any. I will be hoping for
you.
Absolutely enjoy your post! The video was a great bonus. Truly amazing
Wow! That rain really came down. We get rain here often, but not like that. Whew! Loved see the dogs as usual. Oh how I wanted zinnias this year and they didn’t grow. Your zinnias are gorgeous.
The rain was crazy in town. I was having dinner downtown with some friends, and the rain allowed us to enjoy dinner a little longer than we would have if it wasn’t raining.
I love your little movie. The rain makes so much noise. The one thing I used to love about snow when I lived in Albuquerque was that it was quiet, and calm.
Douglas misses his cousins!
your movie made me smile xxx
Hi Vanessa,
Love the video-that is some rain! As someone who comes from somewhere that gets quite a lot of it, I still love it. We went for months without any then what seemed like months with it every day. Then it became more normal again and every so often. At the moment it is quite hot here so we are getting heavy rain and some storms, but maybe not quite that heavy! I often film it too.
I love how lives have the same experiences in them that mean the same to people despite other differences-the rain, the tongue(my cats do that too and look so sweet! Flowers, flies and butterflies, dogs and art, plus stories of your day to day are always a pleasure to read-and I will never be bored of flowers! I sometimes think my blog could be called ‘cats and flowers’ and sometimes worry that I am possibly a bit of a bore, but then I remember that it is me and that is what I like so why not?!
xx
Loved the video, Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. BIG HUGS to your two adorable fur buddies.
XOXO’s,
Marcia
I have had 2 dogs who have (& had) tongues that stick out when they slept (sleep)…..so gorgeous. makes them look so angelic!!! what a flood you have had, just like living in the UK!!!!!! do lurve your blog Vanessa, so inspiring and colourful…. xxxx
Sparkly diamond rain! That was amazing. I for one love your gorgeous flower and garden photos. And the doggie mama brag pictures too. 😉 A video tour of the garden would be absolutely delightful, I think.
So cute (I just got to watch the video)! Wish we would have a monsoon…I need to go out and water now! Tell me, am I the only one who sees a girl with flipped-up hair in the clouds in frames 0:26-28? 🙂 I’m always seeing things in clouds…and wood grain…etc.;^)
Hugs,
Anne
Its not supposed to be Sundee and Mondee? You would probably love hearing all the different accents around here, there is a difference in southern speak:) I think I say Sunday and Monday most of the time.
I know a couple onree little kids too:)
I love the video. The rain really was sparkly. I can’t say I like storms though, too much damage recently with storms.
Love the music. Miles was all worn out from his muddy tracking.
Sunday (or Sundee) it rained several times-we needed it. My plants look better especially since it has cooled off a bit, too.
I loved your video! I really enjoy hearing your sweet voice. It was fun hearing you talk to your furboys!
You must show us the butterfly gathering by the gypsy wagon!! Sounds beautiful and very gypsyish.
I love seeing your flowers. Surely the people who tire of them must be in the minority. The salmon-y pinkish zinnia is sooo pretty. And those dinner plate dahlias. *sigh*
That BLT sounds so very good.
We have had some really good rain here in recent days! And the temps today are in the 70’s! Can fall be far behind? Ah, I am so enjoying it. Enjoyed it enough to take a nap. Great nap weather. It has been so hot hot hot.
My parents’ chihuahua sometimes sticks her little tongue out like Miles did. : )
fabulous-ity! such rain. lovely video.
I love flowers–and pictures and pitchers of flowers.
I love the sound of rain! It is such a refreshing sound and is like a magical massage to the senses. thank you for the video in the middle of August. Your dogs are spoiled rotten…but what else are our babies for??? Wow! You’re not kidding when you say it poured! I liked the last part of music on your video…really cool!
hugs,
Miss Teresa
Your movie is wonderful! I love the rain, such a beautiful sound. I love your garden photos! They are always so fabulous and so inspirational!
love & blessings
~*~
OOOOoooooh Miss~ So much magic~~
My mom says Mondee and Sundee…tee hee! And I say honry rather than ornery too! Your Dahlias are beyond lovely!!! And your monsoon video was too sweet! My little miss enjoyed watching the doggy!! She said “Doggy!! Doggy!” She is an animal lover, ineed! Each day we take a stroll down the lane to look at the horses that live across the big road from us….and she always wants to “hote” them…..which is hold. tee hee! Oh, to hold a horse!!! ; )
Cheerio to yeeeeeeee!
Thankee indeedy for all your magic!!!
Beautiful rain with awesome sounds. Sounds like the earth is getting a long over due drink, and the flowers and tomatoes are smiling. Wonderous post and movie. Thank you for sharing it all.
This just sort of came to me after watching your video:
Paw prints and footsteps filled the paths
The lightening showed them the way
Darkness fell, the ground swelled
As the garden began to sway.
Flowers danced, the veggies played
While the trees laughed and cajoled
They all needed the welcome gift
Of liquid sparkling gold.
The sound on the roof was like drum beats
The rain provided the tune
The filling barrels added symphonic notes
To the music of the monsoon.
XOXOXOXO
Lisa
oooooooooo, yes!! The music of the monsooooon!! Liquid gold
indeed, oh yes!!! xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/23/2012 9:21:02 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
The garden looks so beautiful, and happy to have it’s rain yay! I love the video, but my favourite shot? Your little one’s tongue peeking out as he sleeps. Adorable x
I love all the garden photos, please don’t cave to bloggy preasure to change anything what so ever!! (Queenie will now remove herself from the soapbox :o)
Don’t you just love furry yawning! They just go for it with total abandon and enjoyment. Both Delicous have dark spots on their pink tongues. Callie’s is like Matty’s… A wet on wet water color of pink and black. Totally wild and never ceases to amaze.
I really enjoyed your video, it is great fun, a snap shot of monsoon life in your world sprinkled liberally with whimsy. yay!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
All men around here say “binness” I’m in the seed binness…
also lots of older ladies say “srimp” instead of shrimp….AHHHGGG :/
We all say “fixin’ ta” I’m fixin’ ta go to tha mall, you wanna go? And this…”do you want a coke?” “yes” “what kind” b/c everything is coke! mt. dew…dr. pepper…. haha!
I’ve always said blue jeans and chewing gum…never just jeans or gum. Wonder why? So many preguntas!
Share your bloom photos as often as you like, I never tire of them! If someone does, they can look away & come back another time – I love gardening and sharing that love which is one of the many many reasons I so enjoy your blog, because you love & share your garden too! It’s beautiful & inspiring, anything But boring!!! I love my readers as I know you love yours, but if you don’t share what You love, then what’s the point?! :o)
That was QUITE a lot of rain! We’ve had those types of storms here. Amazing how dark it gets and then how peaceful and sweet-smelling it is afterwards. I love that Miles is smiling when he sleeps!!!! What a cutie pie. 🙂 It is funny about pronunciations. My hubby always picks on me because I pronounce quarter was quatter. And I’m not the only one who says it around here. LOL I don’t really have much of a New England accent, even though I was born in Massachusetts (we moved to Connecticut when I was a wee one – and there isn’t that much accenting around here). I ADORE your garden and flower photos…I say, continue on, dear! xoxo