The Enchanting Forest... Will You Join Me?

Is there anything as serene as a walk through the forest?

It's one of my favorite pastimes. 

To meander while weaving my way through the trees and brambles,

being ever so careful not to step on anything precious.

Listening to the scurrying of little feet as they run and hide from the intruder!

Taking in all the sights and smells of the moist, rich earth and the life

that quietly abides there.

Wild violets cross my path 
On ventures yet I step,
Into a field (or forest) of dew 
Where once, I think I slept.

Charles D. Layne

Lesser lilac~

A happy little flower that draws you close with her 

wonderfully fragrant, aroma~

Roses in the wild..

A wild, yellow violet.

Be still my heart~

A grouping of May Apples...

Fern fronds.

Oh, aren't they just so enchanting?

Awaiting the perfect moment to unfurl their loveliness and spread open their

little wings.... Just like I would imagine

 little faeries coming out of a deep winter's sleep.

Ferns were such a big part of my pre-teen years.

I used to spend hours roaming about the woods on our 150 acre farm.

And the wooded areas were always my favorite.

Delicacy on the forest floor..

Such dainty, courageous little blooms a livin' in the rough.

Do you see the face?

Ferns a lovely..

Reaching for the light

Clothed in green of bright~

Woodland Sorrel

Pink Trillium

Lovely, moss covered rocks settled by a stream in the hollow.

I love this moss as it spreads and creates a carpeted resting place on the forest floor.

What's left of a tree from ages past.

And it offers a break from the wind to the wild rose bush.

Last years leaves still clinging to the tree.

Hello...Anybody home? 

Mr Groundhog is most likely out gathering his dinner!

We shall call again later for a visit.

And who could forget the Dazzy Dills?

That's what my little grand-daughter calls them ;)

Such vibrant yellow flowers and fuzzy headed relatives!

How beautiful! 

Such perfection with it's tiny, charming purple blossoms.

And all nestled next to the fallen tree that

used to be home for several woodpeckers.

And possibly some 

friends of theirs as well.

Taking strolls through the woods is such a rich experience.

The tranquility is amazing indeed as the forest showcases her 

prized possessions. 

I hope you enjoyed your walk. 

It's in the forest at our Sugartree place in Ohio.

It's one of the reasons that I love to visit there and I'm grateful

to be surrounded by so much beauty and the blessing of being able to 

lose my inside it!

A happy Monday to you and a beautiful rest of the week.

May we find enchanting moments wherever we are!

Much Love,

Tamara XO

Altered Writing Desk... Nature Friends and a Simple Painting

Hello dear friends..

I hope you're well.

There is so much going on right now...

Mucho mucho..

Probably for you also! I really have to pace myself .

I'm up early to get out and plant and visit my garden areas.

I am working on my 6th round of plants that we've bought.

Perennials... annuals... bushes...

What fun I've been having (and a lot of work too :) but I must get out before the sun

burns too hot. I plant something almost every day.

Today it was a pack of moss rose and six lilies.

The pulaski tool has become one of best friends

as I prepare new beds in this rocky Arizona terra.

It's all so inspiring and such good exercise.

And I'm so very excited to see so much more color!

And honestly, anything in this high dessert that's 

green, is a welcome sight.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Today I have a little project to share.

I wish I'd taken more before pictures.

It was a deep red and green writing desk that was decorated

with a primitive Santa. I rescued it from the 50 cent bin at a thrift store.

The hinges needed repaired and the paper santa motif was coming off..

Here are a few photos to show some of the changes.

Some vintage wallpaper.

I primed the desk and then painted it with one of my favorite acrylic colors.

Vintage White~

And I used some of my favorite scrap papers to decorate.

There was a little lid that opened at the top and I wanted to attach a 

chain to it to catch the door.

I did a little distressing with some fine sand paper.

And some blending with Frayed Burlap Distress ink.

It gave it that grunge worn look that I like sometimes.

And then I began to add little embellishments.

I love using odds and ends of rusty stuff for this kind of project.

I wanted it to look old and be like a letter storage box.

I'm sad that I didn't get many pictures of the finished desk

but you get the idea. The inside was all finished and the little lid had some 

extra details inside.

What're your favorite embellishments to use?

For the final look, I added very small rusted nails to the 

little ornate piece at the top. They became butterfly antennas. 

It was a really fun project and I'm happy to

say that it went to a new home in the Valley of the Sun.

Isn't it so fun to find old things and bring them back to life?

It's one of my favorite ways to create.

Now on to other things that I've been doing.

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Meeting new friends in the garden is always a treat!

My thyme is home sweet home for this special creature.

When I drizzle the water over the plant, it scrambles out to say hello..

I love that!

Here is a White Admiral butterfly

I love what happens when I'm watering my plants and the water spills over!

It's magical...

All kinds of creatures come for a drink. 

I will share the movie I took when I figure out Hand Brake.

It's an editing tool that will resize my videos.

 Brutus taking a break from his garden duties.

He works very hard at re-arranging the catnip!
*A little update
(this morning, the little snoot chewed off a peony bush 
branch and broke another. 
STINKER! 
But who can resist that little fur ball when he's sleeping;)

Below are some of my new plants.
We've been having thunder storms.
The sounds of the rain hitting the roof is glorious and the smell after
the showers are so refreshing!
And the plants just seem to act so blessed to have that rainwater~

Here's a little painting that I've been working on..

I used to be so intimidated by paint. My techniques are very simple but it's a start.

Do you like to paint? 

I've been working on this post for days. Yesterday, our internet was down!

It's time to get it published..

Have a wonderful Wednesday and thank you for paying me a visit!

I always love to hear about what's happening with you.

A little side note.. I love to watch movies..
Many different kinds. Dramas based on true life experiences are
some of my favorites. They aren't always easy to watch but usually worth it.

I  just watched Nothing But the Truth.
It's a bit disturbing and it ended differently than I expected.


Love and hugs..

Tamara 

There's Always Time for Music~

Hello everyone..

How I've missed you!

I hope that you're enjoying the season that is before you!

Every season carries it's own endearing elements.

I happen to be experiencing summer and 

it's been wonderful so far!

And my life as I knew it has changed in a huge way. I'm now

keeping two of my grand girlies a couple days a week.

Oh my...The shenanigans ;)

What a joyful and special time it's been.

However, I do find my time limited now. 

Life has been overflowing with goodness.

Planting and landscaping... playing monkey in the middle.... 

learning some new songs... and glorious summer picnics.

There have been some exciting developments

in the gypsy camp's future and with our music.

We've found a place where we can share the love for music.

  A gathering of those who love to sing and play.

It's more like a family. It's a ways up the road in a quaint,

mountain community called Alpine.

It's a mix of all sorts of music and the atmosphere

is free and easy. Where strangers quickly become friends.

Playing music is one of my favorite things to do. My mandolin

and guitar are always out, ready to be tuned up to offer 

 their melodious sounds to just myself or whoever 

else is near to listen.

I like to find a quiet place in the midst of the business

of my day, slow down and pour my heart out in song.

Music is a beautiful way to bridge the gap with people 

and to keep tuned into my own heart. It's actually a kind of 

obsession with me. I was blessed to have a

 friend teach me a few 

chords and then I was able to continue on my 

own using books. 

And I've never stopped learning.

Isn't that one of the most exciting things about this life?

We can keep learning more if we so desire!

I had a borrowed guitar for awhile. I'm thankful that I had 

supportive parents and when I was 16, 

 they bought me one of my own for Christmas.

That was the best Christmas gift I ever received!

I'm always wanting to learn new songs to share with 

others and and I play nearly every day.

And even during the busiest of days, 

there's always time for music.

Here's a video of one of the songs that I'm learning. 

Watching the River Run .. Loggins and Messina

And here's another..

You Make Me Brave ... Bethel .. cover by Sarah Reeves

Do you like music? Do you play an instrument?

I would really love to hear about your favorite song or 

how music touches your life.

 P.S.   

I've also been painting and working with some clay.

It's been a learning experience.

I'm considering opening an Etsy shop.

Any advice or ideas?

Thank you for your sweet visit!

Best wishes for your days to be filled 

with harmony and peace.

Tamara XO

A Tiny Garden Oasis at the Edge of the Gypsy Camp Forest

 Summer is here and there are so many wonderful muses.

It delights my heart to be in the garden areas that are

dreamily growing. As many of you know it's A LOT

of work to create these areas of beauty!

I've been digging, moving rocks, pulling weeds, 

planning, planting and reading and watering!

Here are a few of my new friends~

Tutti Fruit Yarrow

I thought the color was so beautiful, soft and peachy.

I just HAD to have her! And there was only one.

 Other lovelies waiting their turn for a new home~

Phlox

 If you're familiar with this old fashioned beauty,

you know that  her fragrance fills the air with a heavenly, sweet aroma!

 Oh....Those pink blossoms..  and her bright green foliage!

So enchanting.

Much of the work is in camp.

 Our gypsy camp is not deep in the forest, but there are tall Pinon

 and Juniper trees that line the paths and surround some of the 

enchanting hide- a -ways that await us when we need a little 

get-away.  And we're planting bushes and trees.

We have OH so much work to do!

But it's slowly being transformed.

In a few weeks, I will be ready to reveal the terraced, rock garden.

But..... the refreshing comes from slowing down and knowing that

that's our sacred place for communing with God, each other and nature. 

~QUIET~

While resting in the hammock,

I heard the sweetest little chitterings of birds.

And then I saw the tiny creatures flitting about

through the branches looking for a snack.

Pine Siskins I believe. 

It was these little birds that inspired the tiny garden.

And so, equipped with petunias, lobelia,

a pewter dish, thrifted cake plate, bird seed,

two potted hens, a small wheel barrow and watering can,

I headed toward the chosen spot.

 I dug it up with and mixed a little garden soil in.

I planted the flowers and settled all of the pieces in their places.

Filled the containers and added some rocks and mulch.

 And now they have a place to stop and get a drink and grab a bite

during their travels. 

And the faeries are welcome too! ;)

I should make a sign.

WELCOME FAERIES

I believe I will.

What about your projects...gardens or plans..

I love to hear of them!

I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

I'm so thankful for our forefathers and those that

still serve today to protect our country and freedoms.

Blessings to you and thank you, as always

for coming by!

Tamara xo