Every afternoon of every day, 3 or more women gather by the wood burning stove at my Grandma's house. The tales fly back and forth. "Did you hear about the ghost horses that appeared to warn the people…" In spanish, words flutter & ladies gasp, sipping and adding to the stories or telling their own…
As the stories heighten in salaciousness, biscuits are brought to the table. Coffee is no longer good enough on its own, for the growing tales…
"Lemon tea cookies," interjects my Grandma, as everyone continues chatting. I call my Mom (our 500th chat of the day), where are you? I ask. "I am having coffee at Grandma's." Oh, okay, I say, call me after you leave. Then everyone hollers, Hi Vanessssssssssa, as my Mom hangs up…
So, for today I say, I am having our own tea/coffee hour to share a tragic tale of the true variety, regarding a beautiful woman who has inhabited the country space (as has her sister) as long as I have…
You see, this dark haired beauty, is often a somber sort. She sits by the window, pondering and churning her plight in life in her head. All the while, the curtains drawn…
I saunter in, "why do you have to sit in the dark?" she ignores me. "I just can't believe that such a beautiful girl would have any problems, what could possibly make you sad?"
Still, she ignores me…
I open the curtains. This goes on day after day. She has beautiful clouds to look at. Look, I say, you can get lost in such clouds…
Still, not a peep uttered.
She wears my jewels, flirts with Mister in her silent somber way, and still, won't give me the courtesy to utter one tiny word…
I gasp, as I stand looking out the window. My beloved wild rabbit baby is munching, and her two brothers are playing in the distance.
Still, no reaction from the dark haired beauty…
Madness ensues in the yard, as one of the rabbits (who taunts his siblings often) stands up on two legs, put his thumbs in his ears, and does the "na na na na na naaaaaaa" to his brother…
I stub my finger on the window glass, "Did you see that?" I ask her.
No words.
She just stares on…
Please, I ask, tell me what I can do for you? You seem so sad…
Then she let's out a faint whisper. You'd be sad too, if someone left your legs and arms outside for 2 months…
Ooooops, my bad. I try to apologize, when she let's out a long sigh and says, I suppose it could be worse…
"I could be in Miss Hall-Borchert's shoes…"
Then she shoos me away, telling me to go Through the Secret Keyhole if I want details. She is done speaking.
I fill up my cup, and offer you more of whatever you are having ;) Do you see what I have to put up with? Separating bunnies, and mannequins with attitudes…
Oooops, another bunny brawl ensues!! Those lil' rascals! See you soooooon!!!
Oh and, to note again, I have deactiavted my regular blog roll, ONLY during this Mad Tea Party Season. I will activate it again about a week after the tea party ;) There was just a tad too much confusion in my sidebar.
🖤,V
ps: When I find a mannequin, I always bring her home and redo her face painting myself. If you find one, try it, you can always make them much prettier than they look, eyelashes and all.
pss: Thank you for all the well wishes and tips ( I love those tips & so does my Mammie)!! The germs didn't get me 100% (thank goodness), and I have been drinking a lot of ginger, garlic, honey, & lemon tea. Mister Lovee makes it for me, he has been drinking it his whole yoga health nut life, and never gets sick. I bet I smell like a flower :) Although, when you boil the garlic, it loses some harshness and gets much sweeter. My noodley factor is diminishing, Yippppeee!
psss: I saw Moving Midway and loved it!! I am going to watch it again. I saw it instantly on Netflix, right on my computer monitor. I just turned the monitor towards the devan and relaxed…
pssss: I forgot to say, I think the beatboxing championship starts today? Either way, we are for Julia Dales, we love her!! Last night, I hid and tried to beat box (don't tell anyone). I almost fainted and now I have sore parts of my face that I didn't know could get sore ;) (UPDATE: she won!!! )
I’m sure she will forgive since you made her so lovely! Those bunnies, aiiieee! so funny you area a great photographer to capture them in action!
Veevala dahling~
I’ll trade ya half a dozen acres of green grass and trees for the bunnies, you lucky lucky duck! Mine are shy, I cant get them to sit still long enough to take a pic!
Broody mannequinns can be such downers. Gosh.
But hey, glad you are on the mend!!
xoxo roo
PS. My mom doesnt “talk” to me anymore-she emails, IMs and text-messages! She’s very social networky. hee.
PSS. AND she has a group of girlfriends she goes out with-they tool around in a red convertible, yikes!
I think your mannequin is quite correct for chiding you about her missing limbs being in the garden for two months :~) Does she have a name? I have a mannequin and her name is Coco, but unfortunately, she is of the headless, armless and lower torso variety. That’s really sad! Yours is so beautiful!
Those are wonderful bunnies! We had a neighborhood bunny where I used to live in LA and he was the perfect pet :~) Yours are so cute and playful !!!
Oh and I’m so glad that you are feeling better!!!
I’m glad you are feeling better! Keep drinking all those wonderful teas. And thanks for spinning a yarn for us…love your lace gloves and jewelry! I wish I could come to your house and play dress up! I love CLOUDS!
You crack me up V…I can totally see you trying to beat box now (I’ll bet you would have won of course 😉 So glad you are feeling better and it didn’t get ya too bad. And tell little miss no arms and legs to chill and watch the ‘tude because she’s hanging with one of the coolest chicks ever, tee hee. Those bunnies are so cute…having a ball I see!
Jamie 🙂
ps I LOVE the design you did for Roo…you are such a rock star, er’ beat boxer…
pss love all your psssss’s
Happy to hear you are feeling better. I am delighted to hear all about Miss Hall-Borchert’s story on your place.
I finished both Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. I enjoyed them both immensely.
Do love the pictures of the clouds and the bunnies.
gee.. I hope your face feels better soon!
I just have to tell you.. I adore your blog!
have a magical weekend.. something tells me you will!
vivian
REALLY!!! Who needs arms and legs when one has such a beautiful view. Of course only if they are plastic and attached to a man…..oops! I almost uttered the forbidden word ;0!!! Lovely tea gloves my fanciful friend. Now I must be off and skinny myself through the Secret Keyhole to see what happened to Miss Hall-B.
Wish me luck and pray I don’t get stuck!!!
xoxo
Oye Hermanita!!
Your Grandmama is so adorable 🙂 The older ladies on our block get together in the evening when all the work is finished. They each bring their rocking chairs out to catch whatever bit of sea breeze there is and gos…hmm visit about the days events 🙂
What is up with these cheeky mana…er Modeling Assitants??? You rescue them from horrendous over worked, under appreciated, ever so boring lives. You give them a name,a home, fine clothes unique one of a kind jewelry to wear. The most work they are ever asked to do is model an occasional dress, hat, jewelry :). Never once do you hear a thank you or a you are too kind Huuurph!! Choosing to adopt a mana… modeling assistant is a huge commitment. You would think they would understand that and be a little less unreasonable with their deman…requests 🙂
Oh MY Gosh what were you thinking with trying this “beat box” thing??? Julie Dales mum might not have ever told her not to make those kinds of faces “other wise it will stay like that and you know you will get terrible wrinkles!!” But I’m just sure your Mum tought you that for every action there is an equal or greater reaction 🙂 I should hope to shout your face muscles are sore.:)I must run Annalise my little mana…oye I knooow! my modeling
assistant 😉 is clearing her throat….
Pattie 😉
Mazatlan Mx.
what I lovely story 🙂
Ive seen the Mad Hatters Tea Party logo’s all over the place. Can you please tell me a little about it, and a little about what each blogger needs to do to participate and not disappoint the readers. Thanks
Karen
I love listent to these tales of long lost “friends” finding their way into your home…. Somehow I can imagine that any little animal or doll or toy that comes your way will find themselves at home forever… a magical land you have created…
I am glad Ms Hall-Borchert made her way to you and is no longer sad…
I can picture the ladies sitting around enjoying tea and cookies… sounds like our Italian family … or the way it used to be … alas most are gone now… but you have brought back happy memories for me..
And those photos of the rabbits… how do you do it? they are amazing
HUGS
JO
You are hilarious, Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and hope in my heart!
lovin’ your post – lovin’ your mannequin – lovin’ that you’re getting better – and, most of all, lovin’ that you captured those rabbits. You must be a sorceress to get them to stand still for you!
Well I never!!!…heard of a Beat Box before…my Son used to make all kind of sounds when he was very young, he can also imitate peoples speech, he is always right on…I hear he does me accent and all.
The bunny photos are a hoot. We have bunnies on our property for the first time…the ate a lot of the plants that I had just potted…but I forgave them because they look so cute.
I have been looking for mannequins but never come across any…now I have a new mantra…”I will find a mannequin, I will find a mannequin” I guess I need to go somewhere also where they might be 🙂 ooooor!!! I could make one?
Love your posts on “Through the Key Hole”
Glad to hear you’re feeling better 🙂
Keep drinking that yummy tea!!
Glad you are feeling better.I do love MY hot teas and my favorite being Green Tea.
I can’t blame the somberness of your mannequin,I wouldn’t like it much in the garden for 2 months and can’t even swap at the bugs as they land on me.I think I would be more than somber..lol.
I love that first image~reminds me of the Mexican wedding cakes my mom use to make:) They always make me think of Christmas time~
As for you mannequin I think you did a great job giving her a makeover(the hair suits her). I don’t think I’d want one in my house just because I scare myself so easily. I think someone is standing there from the corner of my eye and it’s just a hat or a photo of someone.:)
Have a great weekend~I hope to get out in the garden 🙂
This was delightful!!! So many moods captured…I was feeling so sorry for Ms. M even though she flirts with the Mister (who could resist) and then missing arms and legs! HA! The bunnies are wonderful…I love how baby bunnies practice zooming and changing directions on a dime. Love your china. Actually, I love the life you have created out there in the country. Charming. **blows kisses** Deborah
So glad you’re feeling better and being well looked after. I am freaking out because someone from a crazy racist hate forum was reading my blog! Aye ya yai yai yai! Beatboxing? That’s a new one to me. The bunnies are adorable! Great shots. As for mannequins, I have scared myself with my little Lulu (Lucy), the 1920s child mannequin. Sometimes when I forget she’s there, I catch a glimpse of a “child” and she freaks me out! I have three dress forms too, but they are headless. Your mannequin, silent and morose as she may be, is really lovely. Love the idea of your grandmother and friends having the daily ritual of tea and conversation. Hope you’re having a great weekend. xoxox
I had a mannequin once…alas she had no head. I just couldn’t abide with that!! No! No! I shared her with a seamstress and have never seen her again. Sigh!
Hugs
SueAnn
Love the glove and the blingalicious bracelets, DAHling! You’re so fabulous! 😉
say
how did you get that rabbit to do that
na na na na na naaaaaaa
thingy?
🙂
wowowowo!
how did you do that?
{{ well
naturally you just Asked Him To Do It,
i suppose…
as he must be trained 🖤 }}
So happy you are feeling better Vanessa. I came just to read your post, and then I found myself peeking here and there and through the keyhole back to more adventures and finally to your quiche recipe. When I come here I feel like I child visiting secret doors that lead to pure imagination.
Have a lovely day.
Karen
You told that beautifully and how lovely she is unphased by the joy outside! Glorious dear, glorious.
Blessings.
you are too funny girl!!!! I love the manequin.. I wonder if mine will EVER speak to me again, she’s been locked up in the attic for months now!! UH~OH!!! Don’t know how to approach a situation like that!! hahaha.. I love the mannequin!!!!
My new word is fantasticalness… and i only use it in special occasions. Let me tell you, you are full of fantasticalness!! “mannequins with attitudes” LOVE IT!
So I most def. bought an outfit for the tea party!! 🙂 beyond excited!
So happy to hear you are feeling better. I have never heard of garlic in tea….but if it works…..
I will have to keep this in mind the next time I am feeling out of sorts.
But for now…..I want a mannequin of my own to tell my secrets to.
😉
Have a beautiful day.
Thank you again, Vanessa, for your enchanted tales! How lovely your imagination is!
Michelle 🙂
I feel a bond with your melancholy redheaded friend. I have those days too. Luckily today is not one of them. LOL
I made a morning brunch/tea party and thought of you a few times this morning, “Wonder if V would like this?” Come see & “anonymously” comment (type your name in so I know who it is) – if something interests you?
http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/680470.html
I enjoyed reading your story. It’s funny LoL I guess one would really be not in the mood if parts of her body were not attached to her 🙂 No wonder she’s always staring outside the window – she’s her “other half” LoL
Li
You made me laugh out loud (never do the lol thing. I wish I looked that good when I was sad 🙂
Awwwwww……so now she has her dear little arms and legs back, safe and sound!! 🙂 tee hee!! What a treat today!! 🙂 Thanks for all your magic! And now I want a lemon cookie!!! meeep!!
Happy Monday to Youuu! 🙂
yay yay, so glad I found you!! so, where are you just “finding” mannequins? and your artwork is rad, really rad.
Miss Vanessa, do you have a recipe for those luscious looking lemon tea cookies?
Glad you’re feeling better.
The bunny shots are DIVINE!!! I especially like the mid-hop shot.
Wouldn’t ‘Beat Boxing Bunnies’ be a great name for a band? They could call their first album ‘Authentic Hip Hop’.
Bun-Buns! Love them! They are such little critters!
I’m glad you feel better really glad!
Once I left my arms and legs outside, and I was not really very sad. The car was parked, anyway!
V~
Your bunnies are too cute! There’s not too many bunnies in my neck of the woods 🙁
Hope your weekend was lovely!!
Kylee
LOVE, LOVE the BUNNIES!!! I just posted about your tea party!!! HOPE we can get some more merry teatimers!!! tee hee Happy June 1st!!!sweet gal!
Mannequins can be so silent…I have a little boy with me in the shop every day…he stands with his little 1970’s Winnie the Pooh outfit on (purple corduroy thank you) with his tongue out…As 1940’s mannequins are sometimes wont to do, seeing as they often have more expressions than the one’s nowdays…but he never utters a peep.
Sorry about your face! Gee, if it doesn’t get better are you going to be honest when you have to see the doctor! lol! Sweet post!
Love your story and that mannequin had me fooled…I actually (for a while!) thought she was a real woman of exceptional beauty. You did a lovely job painting her complexion on.
Em
You know, I visit your blog almost every day so I’ve seen that first picture a few times now, but I only just noticed what a beautiful teacup that is.
Gawd, how I wish we could all stay young forever! So… I guess we can just stay young in our hearts and progress to the next level when we come to it and I think it is going to blow our minds away when we get there. You keep me young in my heart Vanessa…thank you so very much. I love that version of Peter Pan too, also Spiderwick, The Seeker, Harry Potter, anything fantasy…and I am so looking forward to your Mad, Mad Hatter’s tea party June 27th. Your mannequin is to die for…what a fabulous find…whatever it was that you did to restore her is beautiful. Thanks again~ Teresa in CA
Me again.
The brat pack music video was soo, totaly freedom…loved it!
Teresa in CA
The photos are so beautiful, thanks, I enjoyed the reading.