Hello Spring! You are Magical~

Hello.

I hope this finds you all well.

What a glorious time it is with

the weather changing

and all sorts of hope that seems

to accompany the arrival of budding trees and

baby animals and birds galore.

Springtime is the land awakening.

The March winds are the morning yawns.

Lewis Grizzard

The world just has a freshness about it and

 there seems to be a purity and innocence about the world and so a white rose.

She is gorgeous and somewhat regal in her

appearance.

Flowers bloom and sprigs

of all sorts of green come shooting up through

the cold soil to be touched

by the warmth of the sun. 

Came the spring with all it's splendor... 

all it's birds and all it's blossoms. 

All its flowers and leaves and grasses.  

William Wadsworth Longfellow      

Spring is a magical time but it 

comes late to the mountains

and so I have been gathering 

my own bouquets

of pinks and yellows to 

welcome this lovely season of new life.

How do you welcome spring? 

 I have some thoughts of some little vignettes.

Thoughts of faeries, little birds, nests and lovely

green mosses and paper flowers.

I'm slowly working but

life is bustling with all sorts of good things. 

It's all a lot of fun but hard work, too!

I'm reading the book BIG MAGIC

by Elizabeth Gilbert and it's so inspiring

and encouraging. I always thought it was 

about how to be creative but

it's really about how to manage

your creativity. It has been so helpful!

One of the points she makes is that 

she measures her success by how

devoted she is to her craft.

I love that. 

I'll be sharing some of my projects

soon. I've been having so much fun making things and painting.

I watered everything today. My perennials are coming along.

 It will be some time before I get to having

flowers. Even later

this year because.....

My girl is coming home!

She's moving back from Ohio and

I couldn't be any happier.

So I will drive out in June

and her dad will fly out

and help us pack the van and we will 

travel back together. 

We are ALL overthemoon excited :)

So, besides maintenance, my gardening

will have to wait to mid July this year.

But it's ok. 

My herbs will be thriving in the next 

month and I love them.

As I said, 

spring comes late to the mountains.

I hope that you don't 

mind if I share a snow picture.

I know some of you have had enough.

But I do love the mountain wildlife that come

to visit. They are about 10 feet from

 the back door. And as you can see,

they aren't afraid. 

I didn't even realize that 

I had gotten the one 

in the distance until later.

Some of you have met Sunny. 

He's a bearded dragon and the sweetest thing.

This is pretty much proof. 

These are two of my OK grandkids 

and Sunny now lives with them. 

And as you can see, 

they adore him!

He is so gentle and calm. 

I miss him but my son told me that he can

come and visit Grandma's house 

sometimes and we can share ;)

I have moved many of my things

and I'm still in the process of gathering 

and organizing. 

Sometimes it's fun and inspiring

just to do something different. 

With spring and life changes, I'm finding

that the neat little boxes that

 I've held my thoughts in for so long

are growing and changing. 

It's scary and exciting and liberating all at the

same time.

Do you ever feel like that?

Are there things changing in your life?

Are you working on projects?

Here's one of mine. 

In my new living space,

I wanted something to hang 

some jackets and scarves on.

I've been trying to add some color and chose

this red. I am so indecisive about colors so

I have LOTS of Home Depot samples.

They work great for small projects tho

and are inexpensive!

This is somewhat of a random post.

I really just wanted to come and say hello

and...

Happy Spring! 

Here's a funny spring quote that I found.

Finally my winter fat is gone. Now I have spring rolls ;)

Thank you so much for coming by.

 Have a blessed day! X

Tamara

~ Paper Flowers and Eclectic Treasures For You ~

It's been a very cold, snowy day here.

I have a cozy fire and some little friends gathered

around. I keep hearing Brutus' snoring and the deep breathing of Liberty as she sleeps nearby. The dear dog is getting older.

I hope that you're enjoying your 

Valentine's week.

With all of the loving thoughts

and expressions going around.

"There is only one happiness in life;

 to love and be loved."

George Sand

Yesterday, I baked 5 loaves 

of banana and zucchini

bread. It was delightful to have that

sweet smell floating 

through the house.

And soon I am going to go

 make some cookie dough

 for sugar cookie hearts 

for friends and the grandkids. 

Are you baking for Valentine's day?

********

Do you ever think about how wonderful

it is to live in such inspiring times?

There are so many resources and ways to fulfill

the creative longings in our heart.

There are so many

fabulously talented and creative

people out there sharing their magic and

knowledge and skills.

I've learned so much and

I'm grateful!

And then there are books.

Are you a book person?

My grandparents always bought me new

books for my birthday. 

I still have some.

And I'm so thankful that my parents

always sent me back to school with

my Scholastic Book order

form all filled out and placed in an 

envelope with the money 

to pay for my new books.

Someday I'll do a book post.

"A flower cannot blossom without sunshine and 

man cannot live without love"

Max Muller

I've been enjoying this 

 mantel so much.

{The antique mirror with her elegant gold roses

feels very at home as the 

blush pink,  paper flower sits nearby.

Sparkling crystal is happy to be near

the Carnation Family as 

their colors reflect in the glass.} 

Do you like mixing old and new with

whimsical and elegant?

It reminds me of life.

All the goodness and textures 

blended together to display the

 beautiful and interesting 

and exciting story.

Do you like old tins?

I found this one at a thrift store.

I love the delicate roses and 

fairy-like butterflies painted in

the soft blues, yellows and pinks.

"Love planted a rose and the world turned sweet."

Katherine Lee Bates

Chalkboards are fun to 

share quotes and doodles on.  

This is a child's from long ago.

I wish I knew the story behind it.

Confession time. 

This saying is actually from three years ago

at Thanksgiving. It brings back such good memories that I am reluctant to erase it.

Paper flowers can be whimsical and pretty.

 They're fun and easy to make.

Their textures and puffy layers 

are cheerful and charming.

These colors make me think of winter.

Sometimes in the evenings 

we have beautiful pinks

as the sun slips away for the night.

Do you like the white flowers?

Since the growing season here in the mountains

is so short and I love flowers so much,

I have started collecting them from

different stores. 

Walmart carries a few pretty ones and

they are reasonably priced.

These looked so happy with their big, 

bright white

petals and soft pink centers.

"God's love is like an ocean;

you can see it's beginning but not it's end."

Rick Warren

Miss Prim ROSE is very curious.

I don't allow her to stay on my table because 

she is a bit reckless. 

haha

She found a sponge that I had been using for acrylics and had to smell it.

What a cutie :)

I hope,

 Dear friends,

 that you find your week is filled 

with love, laughter, friendship 

and many

ways to celebrate 

all the love in your life.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

XOXO

Thank you very much for 

your friendship

and for visiting my blog.

Love and blessings to you.

Tamara xo

Adding Color .... Painting a Vintage, Western Style, Swinging Door

Hello...

It's a bright, sunny but cold Saturday

here in the mountains.

This photo was actually from a coupe of weeks ago.
The wispy clouds with the dark bank of threatening weather along
with that gorgeous sun caught 
my eye out the window.

I know many of you are experiencing

bitter cold temperatures and some are

starting to see signs of spring.

What a wonderful and diverse

land that we live in!

Today, I just wanted to quickly share with you

a little project that I did to add some color

I'm going to try to keep my posts a little more simple at times and perhaps I can post more!

Also, my computer won't recognize my new 

phone to transfer pictures. So that's a bit of 

a process! 

When we moved into our current home

nearly 20 years ago, I found a set 

of old western style swinging doors in the

garage. I have used them in their

natural state around the house but as

I shared before, I'm trying to add color

to my decor. So I found this wonderful

color to try and painted one of them.

What do you think? 

I am liking it. 

I have a hard time with

decorating large spaces and I love to use

items that I find here and there to fill

in around everyday things.

My rustic mantel. 

There's a story behind this that I'll tell one day :)

Limon roses in a pink hob knob vase.

I have always enjoyed pink and green!

I hope you're enjoying your day.

Isn't it interesting how 

life is always changing? 

I am on the verge of a big change.

Seasons of life can be scary yet

exciting at the same time.

There's gain and loss.

Joy and pain

Beautiful and hard times

It all makes up our story.

Embracing it all with hope and an

open heart seems to be 

the best way for me. 

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead

and joy in your journey!

Oh... I'm considering changing my

blog name to 

The Shabbi Gypsy.

It matches my IG account

and my business name.

Any thoughts?

Hugs and Blessings...

Tamara x

A Gathered Table Scape

Hello~

Today we are celebrating clouds and 

possible rain this week....

As well as our sweet

daughter's 31st birthday.

She and her older sister and I

went on a little outing

for dinner, shopping and a movie.

We went to see Oceans 8.

Oh my... 

What a fun chic flick.

We try to celebrate the entire week.

Life passes by so quickly and I believe

in being very purposeful.

And a cloudy day?

 It's like a holiday for us around here especially considering this drought.

To clarify...

Ours and surrounding counties have been declared

a disaster area and we are on severe

restrictions. We're not even permitted 

to mow our lawns because of sparks.

No smoking outside.

Anyway...

On to happier things :) and there

are always happy things!

Like birthdays and flowers blooming

and little butterflies flitting about.

And a table that is full of color, glittery sparkles

and fun surprises for little eyes to find.

This may have the appearance of Easter but it's

actually just for spring with some things that I just 

grabbed because kids light up

when they see it all!

You can see what I used...

The vintage bottles and salt and pepper shakers

were some of my favorites.

I so enjoy using ordinary things

for something other than it's

intended use.

What about you? 

What kind of treasures do you enjoy using

when you're creating? And it doesn't 

have to be decorating your table.

I hope you're doing well and

taking some time to keep yourself grounded

and in touch with you.

I read something this morning that

got me to thinking about what

we give ourselves permission for.

Do you give yourself a lot of grace?

We all need it.

I know all too well how to put 

myself in a box and to criticize 

what I do and how I do it. 

and even what I fail to do.

 Are you allowing yourself to be you and

even embracing who you are?

I am hopelessly devoted to

getting this right. Making room for my

real self. The one who makes mistakes

and is always learning. She's creative and

messy and sometimes loses her way.

There's growing and accepting and then

when I think I have it figured out,

I change! Can you relate to any of that?

One thing that I'm learning to do is to be more
open and honest with myself and others.

I am back after taking a very long break.

The clouds were so inviting and the temperatures

so forgiving that I wandered outside to

(more like raced before the sun came back out ;)

get some more of my plants in the ground.

And to do some more rock work

on the little wall that I'm building

in the the Gypsy Camp gardens.

I will share some pictures.

I have my eye on a couple of climbing roses

 in town and the Virginia 

Creeper wintered so well through

the drought and the cold that we are going to

plant a couple more to add some greenery.

We must whenever we can as we are

surrounded by white grasses (dead) and dirt!

We do have some
Juniper and Pinon 
trees that are very gracious
 to give us shade.

 I have planted several herbs in the past couple

of days. Annual and perennial.

And I found the most adorable

Dwarf English Boxwood. So far it's doing well.

Fingers crossed!

I also had to take some time to dust and clean

and get things in order. I do so enjoy a tidy home. With the season of playing outside, it takes a little more effort to keep up.

It's time to go rest up for this evening.

As we are playing music tonight at one of our favorite places. I get to play my new pink guitar that Jeff bought me for our Anniversary in April.

Eeep!! Doesn't a 

Shabbi Gypsy girl need a pink guitar?

I will share some pictures soon.

I do hope that

you have a lovely, lovely weekend creating and

enjoying just being you right where you are

and of course

celebrating the wonderful

fathers in your life.

Here's a fun quote for summer...

"LIFE IS SHORT.

TAKE THE TRIP,

BUY THE SHOES,

EAT THE CAKE!"

Blessings and hugs to you~

Tamara 

xoxo

Pink Roses, Rusty Things and a Valentine's Wish For You...

Hello Dear Friends~

I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed you!

I'm sorry that I haven't 

been by to visit you as much as I would like. 

I've been enjoying so much time

with the little Fairy Princesses! 

I have actually thought about giving up my blog altogether,

 but I don't want to!

So I will keep trying to figure this out.

I hope that you're doing well.

I wish you the sweetest Valentine's Day ever.

XOXOX

Wishes that you feel loved and treasured and celebrated.

My husband gave me these lovely roses 

for my birthday month. 

And here they are with a few of my collected treasures.

I love old and rusty things! 

And the old, oil lamp base was

so charming that I had to have it.

What would you do with it?

Oh, I'm just so happy to be back and to say hello!

Thank you for coming by and I do look forward to

 getting back in touch.

THERE IS NOTHING ON 

EARTH MORE TO BE PRIZED
THAN TRUE FRIENDSHIP

Thomas Aquinas~

Love and blessings to you all and 

thank you for your sweet visit.

Tamara

Vintage Suitcases, Books and the Mysteries of the Past ~

It was a cloudy morning that has turned into a sunny 

Monday here at our mountain home. 

And there are little surprises popping up in my flower gardens.

Hyacinths... Poppies and Lilies 

are peeking out to see if it's safe to 

come out and say a proper hello! 

It's all very exciting.

And there is talk about

additions to the gypsy camp.

It's one of my places to dream. 

It's there that I play

so much music and even make believe. 

Even though.....

 I love the winter months and

 the magic and beauty of snow is one 

of my favorite things!

 The handsome and lively elk and deer visitors 

come to call, too and it's so fun

 to watch the young ones 

run down the pond hill and 

play chase around the field!

And then to watch that herd of fifty 

run all together as one is a beautiful sight, indeed!

Even though ... 

all of that will have to wait until

another time,

I do hear the gypsy camp beckoning...

Such excitement in the air!

_________

Today, I have a couple of photos of a decor change that 

I made with some thrifted, vintage suitcases and some of my favorite books. It was a much needed change as I hadn't changed it

for several years. 

(I won't tell you how long.. I'm too embarrassed!)

Suitcases!

They sort of embody that adventurous, wanderlust spirit that

stirs up the gypsy in me. 

Do you ever look at them and wonder?

Who packed them?

Where they travelled and why?

Was it their honeymoon...

a business trip?

Were they traveling with the circus?

Oh my.. Don't you just love the mystery?

My husband and I really like the change. 

I like using what I already have and I'm learning to

just switch things around. 

I like the neutrals here with just a splash of color.

I'm starting to hang some of my art around the house.

I also really like plants blended in with neutral colors.

Wooden boxes and crates are another favorite to use in

my home. I love the history that they represent.

I am not very good at decorating but 

I'm learning. I use to think that I had to be loyal to one

color palette but my gypsy soul loves 

it all! So I'm learning to create

small places with groupings of colors that I love.

It usually has some sort of quirky twist.

That's just me. 

Books are not just for reading.

They can be such lovely things to decorate with. 

I have stacks of them all around my house. 

Do you like books?

What are some of your favorites?

I hope the beginning of your week is off to a 

good start. Thank you for coming by.

I hope your week is lovely with an 

element of enchantment and beauty.

Blessings,

Tamara