September...

It's September!

Summer is coming to a close, thank goodness.

 

The sky is finally getting some color back in it.

Arizona summer skies are bleached pale, pale blue.

Now that the season is changing the blue is deepening.

 

I love September for many reasons.

#1.Obviously because summer is almost over...

#2.Because it ushers in the start of Halloween merchandise in ALL the stores.

 #3.Most importantly... because it's my man's birthday!

That's right..the most influential man in my life, other than my dad. 

 

He's so amazing!

His birthday is on the 21st and we are going to celebrate it

with audio stories, movies and a creepy dinner in his honor!!

I'll be very sure to post about the evening.

Ok...

Awesome stuff happening around here..

& speaking of amazing people..

Remember this guy??

Well, he sent the incredible artwork I talked about getting a couple of weeks ago.

He is...awesome.

The painting is so gorgeous and vibrant.

To have it in my possession fills me with such happiness!

 

 This photo doesn't do it justice.

  Isn't she adorable!!!!

He even framed it for me.

I set her up in my bedroom, though I said I wasn't going to,

I wanted her to be in the living room so everyone could see her and admire her,

 but I guess I'm feeling a little selfish:)

That's not all!

He also sent this sketch..

'Cause I love vultures,

And the bitty pink skull canvas.

Look at the details on these pieces...

If you haven't visited his Instagram yet, go as soon as you can!!
you are in for a treat.

It's all original artwork dreamed up by him.

 Please don't wait any longer.. 

He has a gallery show coming up next month and he's busy getting ready for it..

 but like I said he is a lovely person

&

You can ask about his artwork..he actually answers...!

And he'll be incredibly sweet with his responses.

Here's the link....

Johnny Oxen.

There's also a button on the sidebar. 

So, Now I think it's time...

The third annual Haunted Humpday postings

will begin Wednesday, September 9th!!!

 So fill your favorite mug with cocoa

and come sit by the fire with me, where it's warm and "safe"

Are you excited!?

I really am.

Come back next week

and see what's brewing!

Have a great holiday weekend.

Saturday

Happy Saturday!

Well,

I hope you're having a happy Saturday:)

Yesterday, the gas company stopped by to let us know

we needed to evacuate because of a leak

they turned off our gas

pretended to work for an hour

then left and didn't return.

We're back in our house

 but

we don't have hot water

and the stove doesn't work.

they're closed today...

and tomorrow...

and Monday. 

 Well, I can't use the stove

but tomorrow is September!!!

So I'm not going to let it get to me.

                                                                              

 I love the way the sky looks this time of year don't you?

It takes on a deeper hue, the clouds get brighter and fluffier.

You know you're one day closer to 

weather that's fit for humans.(and Halloween!)

& If you're lucky enough to get some rain, it's quite a show.

                                                                  

We had a bit in the last week or so

 I've mentioned how inspired I get when it rains right?

Apparently so does Helena.

we made some tissue paper lanterns last night.

All you need is decoupage glue, tissue paper, and a jar.

.

I love these pickles!!

I have so many empty jars!

paint the jar with the glue

apply the tissue paper

add another coat of glue on top.

 Let it dry.

 add a tea light and turn off the lights....

 easy peasy!

I also made a new mixed media painting.

it's called

'Time for a Cupcake Party'

Again, I hope your day is happy

 but if it's not....

I hope you can

find a way to get it there

even if it's just stopping what you're doing

and looking up at the sky:)

Fairies

Do you believe in fairies?

I do!

Not only because it's a wonderful diversion from 

a sometimes mundane life...

But because, last year, during this month,

I saw one!!!

no kidding!

I was running walking outside to our clothesline 

(no fancy-pants dryer for us....it's Arizona! we don't need one!!)

it was about 2 p.m. & overcast

I was avoiding any and all bugs...

not gonna lie, I don't like them

my hair is dark, wavy and long

(perfect habitat for dark, wavy legged creatures)

To deter bugs,  I usually go outside

like this:

eyes squinted,  arms akimbo, legs pumping manically .

(it's exhausting)

you should see the way the mailman looks at me!

lol,

Anyhow, on this particular day, it was too hot to bother.

 Bug's be damned.

I walked outside like a regular human

& a little bright blue-white light flew passed me

Instinctively, I went into swatting mode

but before I could start swinging my arms

the light flew back towards me

right up to my face

I couldn't tell you what it looked like...

other than a tiny light floating in front of me.

it didn't buzz

it didn't move like an insect   

it didn't fly up my nose or in my hair

there wasn't a figure, buggish or otherwise, to it.

It flew in front of me a few feet then zoomed off into the trees.

(wish I'd  had my camera with me)

no one believes me...

you believe me don't you?

Well, whether you do or you don't the whole reason for this post

 is because I wanted to show you some fairy books I have.

(I just got distracted describing my defensive bug walk/fairy sighting.)

Okay....

  This one is so neat!

It has gorgeous artwork and several different fairy-tales, 

including one of my favorites... 

Tam Lin.

 

Helena has been itching to play with this book.

It even has a little envelope attached to the back

for storage.

This one is actually a pop up book!

again, the illustrations are absolutely stunning.

 

I remember I read the yellow fairy book

 and the red fairy book in the third grade.

I was at Barne's and Noble recently and saw this one.

Just love these covers!!

This one has my all time favorite story,

'Hansel and Gretel'

(it's the candy house that I'm in love with, I think the witch was framed)

lol

 

Alright...that's it for today

I'm off to make some tea and create some fairy art with Helena!

Oh and don't worry, I'm not taking up residence in tree tops or hedges to try and catch

a glimpse of fairy folk...not yet anyway!

See you in a few days:)

A thank-you-give-away

                                                             

 Hi, how's everyone?

Right near the fourth of July, I hurt my back...compressed nerve is what it is.
I could barely walk.
I'd either sit at my desk or lie on the bed,
 &  lying on the bed wasn't very comfy either.
I would cry with frustration
at not being able to reach for a bottle of water
or walk from the bedroom to the living room.
Luckily I had you all to keep me company
and preserve my sanity.
Your comments are awesome!!

I'm not really super outdoorsy
(especially during the summer)
 but I couldn't wait to get out there!!
Since I was feeling a little better....
& after weeks of not leaving my bedroom,
 I ventured outside a couple days ago.
Everything looked so bright!!

 

I was able to save this beautiful butterfly from Magnus' wading pool,

It was very grateful (I'm sure) and flew over to say 'thank you' before flying away.

Oh!I got to watch 'The Conjuring' the next day!
it was awesome.
When we got home the girls made marshmallow treats.

And you know what was neat?
It was raining the whole time!

Not being able to do anything for so long made me especially
grateful for little moments...
it's hard to believe how much we take
for granted sometimes!

I couldn't even pick up my pup and now he's too
heavy for puppy cuddles!
but that's alright cause he's able to jump up
on the sofa for smooches.

 
 OK, so like I said, I'm feeling better
and I promised you a give away!
it's not huge just a little thank you
to you all, for coming to visit
and not forgetting me:)

so just leave me a comment and you will have a chance to
win
a silly little mushroom wand!

 and a couple other surprise treats, I promise:)
I'll choose a winner
on Thursday.

I hope you have a very happy weekend, 
 and you savor the little moments.

take care!

Birthday week (give or take a few days) & it's December

I love December!
makes me think of gold & silver glitter softly falling, pink frosting, the smell of gingerbread! Wonderful magical happy stuff.

And it's my birthday this month on the tenth:)So you know what that means???
Cake!
Candles!


And of course a giveaway for you!
I'll let you know what goodies I have in store for you soon.
Meanwhile, it's time to go outside and soak up the December weather, it's overcast, 57 degrees and sprinkling!
Have a magical day!

Happy weekend

Hi again,
it rained all weekend!!!!!You know how that puts me in a Halloween mood!

It's so amazing to see an overcast sky here, even during monsoon season...this ominous looking cloud yielded light rain!

It didn't matter though, it came back later and made up for it...And the thunder was so loud!!!
We put a CD of Halloween music on and made Caramel apples dipped in peanuts and white chocolate chips...

And an un-birthday cake cause it just happened to be every one's un-birthday this weekend:)

Then we watched Hocus Pocus and made some Fall decorations.

Also....June from I sew cute has nominated my blog for an award...I have to post 7 random things about myself and nominate 7 recently discovered bloggers with this award...so here goes
1.I love cold weather
2.I'm allergic to pumpkin guts, so I can't carve jack o lanterns.
3.Easter is my least favorite holiday.
4.I love love love to read.
5.Costco makes me happy!
6.I have very vivid dreams.
7.tornadoes fascinate me

I will be contacting the 7 bloggers via email...:)

Have a good night!