Follow Me Down the Wild Path... Magical, Gypsy Camp and Gardens ~ PHOTOS GALORE!

Hello and welcome.

What a lovely day it is and I'm excited to get started with it!

Do you feel like that when you wake up?

SO much goodness awaits the day that you can hardly wait to

get on with it? Sometimes, I tremble with anticipation.

Truly.

Tonight we play music and it's always a joy to see our friends

 there and to share in some 

warm conversation. Bringing

happiness to those that come to dance and

 listen makes me happy, too!

I have plans today to have a gathering of herbs and flowers to dry.

I have found a lovely, old ladder to hang them from.

I'll share later :)

*********

And now, away we go down the path to one of my favorite places 

in my world. I have said so many times that I would live here if I could!

It's rough and wild.

Not a formal place at all but

it's full of adventure, magic

and BEAUTY~

A place where miracles happen.

 Wild animals visit

 and baby birds live here.

Bunnies hop across the paths.  

Elk and deer come 

to eat the pumpkins in the fall.

Little snakes and mantis' live in

the tall grasses.

And we do a lot of living here~

 I hope you enjoy your visit.

You might find Brutus nestled into the Catnip.

 There are two little gypsy princesses that 

come to visit often. It's 

one of their favorite places to explore.

 You can hear their  
laughter and merriment ringing 
through the trees.

It's such a work in progress~

as am I.

I wish to love more, be more kind and patient 

Keep thankfulness ever before me.

I want to bring more:

 Beauty to the world.

Inspiration

Creativity.

Honesty.

Authenticity.

And LOVE...

most of all.

{It seems to me that we can never

give up longing and wishing 

while we are thoroughly alive.

There are certain things that

we feel to be beautiful and good

and we must hunger after them.}

~George Eliot~

Long afternoons resting in the cool of the pines~

 Peeking into the faery world

as she tends her little garden.

  A quiet place to listen to our hearts...

I'm going to make everything around me 

BEAUTIFUL~

That will be my life.

Elise De Wolfe

 And a place to read...

To get lost in another world and to 

know people that we never met~

 It was SUCH a wonder watching this little one's egg...

It's a fledgling Mourning Dove.

What a little miracle to watch an egg bring life 

to this beautiful bird!

The Mama bird was ever so patient watching 

over her charge as we disturbed her careful work 

so many times.

We tried to stay clear but 

sometimes we'd forget.

If you look in the center, you can make out a nest. 

It's literally made from a hand full of sticks!

You can see right through the bottom of the nest.

And there was one egg. 

When it hatched out, we were able to watch it grow!

 And when it was time to fly the nest,

 it was a moment filled with awe and 

gratitude for me. I found the little one flitting around 

in the catnip. I was able to scoop up the bird and take it to 

a safer place far removed from the cats.

I checked the next morning and the sweet thing

 was still safe and sound tucked away on

 it's little branch in the tree. 

I love these experiences; they make life so rich.

Isn't life amazing filled with so much wonder?

NEVER LOSE YOUR WONDER, 

and keep ever-searching for the magic,

DEAR ONE~

I gather these treasures whenever I can. 

I store them in jars to enjoy their

beauty when it's cold and gray~

Even the dried petals are so special pretty to me.

I have several jars from different kinds of flowers.

 Brutus...

You'll find him in the oddest places!

It was NOT easy for him to get up there.

 My quirky and cute garden cat.

So much love~

I love the weeding, watering and moving

 among these garden places.

It brings such peace and has taught me so much!

I was NOT a patient gardener when I started years ago.

Oh my! Not at all.

 Morning light dancing in the Gypsy garden.

All good things are wild and free.

Henry David Thoreau

A rare appearance by Sir... 

or Burly.

A quiet, serious one.

 Fresh basil...

It's aroma is heavenly.

The Gypsy Camp protector...

 she is always ready. 

 Yes ...

and every now and then you see a 

GYPSY resting near the fire... 

 And you can hear her strumming 

on her guitar or mandolin and singing ;) 

 To what mysterious place is this bridge leading?

Somebody is coming back from an adventure...

If only he could tell us what's on the other side!!

I suppose someday, we'll have to see for ourselves ;)

 Let your dreams soar! 

The sky is waiting for you.

(Gypsy cat photo bomb! haha!)

 A tiny bee working it's magic

in such a beautiful place!

Gypsy jewel colours!

 Found and gathered treasures.

What do you like to gather?

Really.. 

what delights your heart?

There are so many things to delight us..

aren't there?

Like the giggles of children...

A hug from a loved one...

Celebrating the accomplishments of others...

A lovely sunset...

A good book...

A daring adventure?

Whatever it is, I hope you find something

delightful in your day!

 This lovely, vintage pink pansy 

is going to be pressed

 so it's beauty will be preserved 

for a long time to come~

 Is your hope renewed when you see a rainbow?

Night is falling on our

  Gypsy Camp world.

and it's time for dinner...

We made HOBO DINNERS.

Have you ever had them?

They are SO fun for kids and easy to make.

That will be my next post.

Sometimes I come here in the evenings with my journal.

Here is a link to a short video to watch 

Django Rhinehart's early years.

You can listen to him playing his

 Gypsy Jazz.

I do so appreciate you coming by.

I'm so thankful for each of you that 

take the time to visit.

HUGS~

I hope I didn't bore you too much with all my photos

and stories of my enchanted Gypsy Camp and Garden.

Now it's time to start fall festivities! 

I have already added some fun things around outside and in.

Happy Fall! 

I'm not sure what the weather will hold for us this fall.

We had a freeze warning tonight and that's very early.

That's mountain living.

So my yard and Gypsy Camp gardens are spotted with

little ghost-like coverings.

 OH my!

I'm hoping to get a few more weeks 

of enjoyment from it all.

Wishing you lots of loveliness and peace.

And always, always thinking of and praying

for those that need our help and support.

Tamara

XO

linking up 

Dishing it and Digging It

 Won't you join me?

decorative, altered book... a dream is a wish that your heart makes

It's Thursday and the morning is quiet.

I'm listening to the soothing music of Eva Cassidy.

She has a voice like a songbird and 

the songs are very soulful.

It fits my mood this morning. 

I'm always tired after our evening of music.

It's so fun but you know that fun is usually work, too!

I've done my watering which takes

 about an hour and half.

The morning is beautiful and being out 

is one of my first loves. 

Just listening to the birds,

collecting squash from my garden and 

watching the butterflies flit about.

Liberty follows me around like my personal body guard.

Oh, how I love that sweet dog!

*****

Today, I wanted to share a couple of pictures from 

this altered book.

It's just an old book that I picked up from the Thrift Store.

I have made these to sell and they are gone 

so I'm making some more.

This time, I tried tone on tone and I love the way it turned out.

I'm sorry that my photos are not very clear. I even checked them in my

editing program and zoomed in.. They were clear. I wonder if it's blogger.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Here, I'm trying to sort out my layout. I used several different

mediums. Which is my favorite way to create. Colored texture paste,

gesso and rubber stamps.

I used an old library card to create the lines. 

I am very fond of the grunge look. 

The ragged edges with smudging and distressing.

I have learned to use a splattering technique 

and try it whenever

it fits a project.

Here is the finished book.

A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES

What wish is your heart making, friend?

Life should be filled with dreams and wishes

and of course, seeing them come true.

And we know that takes sacrifice, hard work and holding on 

like your life depends on it! 

And in some ways it does..

Isn't there SO much more to life than just breathing?

And what is life without that hope of our dreams in our hearts?

It's NEVER too late to reach for the stars. 

So we keep it ever in our sights.

Here's a link to Eva Cassidy singing

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

What a bunch of lovelies I'm with here. We were out for a movie.

We have a s historical theatre here in our town.

It was built in the early 1900s and we try to

 support them  as much as possible.

And of course our family is a little movie crazy!

It has a tiny concession area and the bathrooms 

can barely fit two people.

But aren't those places special?

They have history and character.

I'm so happy that the new owners didn't

do too drastic of an update when they bought it.

Just think of the lovely people that have 

gone on first dates there and

taken their kids for their birthdays.

Oh... What a magical thought! 

Brutus would like you 

to think that he's always working in the gardens but 

here is proof that he does nap sometimes. 

Haha!

What a cutie..

Do you love this brilliant color of Blue Flax?

I have always loved these in the wild and 

was thrilled to find them for sale in

a local nursery last year.

Celebrating life's special moments.

 Jeff surprised me for our

anniversary and made us both appointments for pedicures.

What a thoughtful and unique gift! 

Hello Beauties! 

I just love seeing these majestic elk. 

We see quite a few when

we drive to Alpine every Wednesday to play music.

Not a great picture; I took it on my phone.

Life is so full. 

I'm learning to navigate it without carrying guilt for the 

things or people that I can't get to.

I hope it's that way for you, too.

We do our best don't we?

And, knowing that, we have to let the rest go.

That's so healthy for you and I.

Clink.. clink..

HERE'S TO YOU!

Here's to HAPPY~

AND...

 here's to a lovely day, a wonderful weekend and

doing whatever is in your heart to do.

Enjoy

Relish

Celebrate

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all that life is.

Thank you for coming by and s special thank you to those who take

the time to say hello!

Peace and blessings~

Tamara xo

There's A Lot To Be Said For Normal

Here it is Wednesday.

While so many are scrambling in the midst of chaos,

so many more of us are carrying on with

normalcy and everyday things.

(Most of us are thinking of and praying 

for the people whose 

lives have been devastated by

the floods and then there are the others

 that we know that have been visited by other

tragedies.)

What a blessing everyday life can be.

Just to watch some little ones delight in the wonder

of their day. Finding many exciting adventures around every corner.

I remember this day. 

We were out collecting eggs and Anayah

really wanted to hold a chicken.

Isn't it funny how kids don't think about what they can or can't do!

They just go after what they want.

My summer has been very busy...

It's been so fun to spend time with friends and family.

Outings and meals and even making new friends.

But it's been hectic at times 

and not without heartaches.

And I find that within all of that,

I enjoy and find rest and contentment in

the quietness of keeping house, watering plants,

tending to my family and taking care of myself.

There are so many things

that I can think of that go in my

basket of gratitude.

Even very basic things.

Food

Shelter

Transportation

Then there's

Family

Friends

Love 

Health

Finances

so much beauty... 

music

flowers

art

I know you're grateful, too.

What it is about little people and chickens?

They just go together like

PBand J!

And ham and eggs...

Haha! 

Thank you, Red, for your contribution to that :)

That chicken is so sweet to allow herself to be 

well...

sort of squeezed. 

I have a huge trip coming up and I'm a little

panicky about it.

We're moving my daughter across the country to Ohio.

We are very close and I'm going to miss her ....

I'm not sure how that will be for me besides hard.

LOL

How is life treating you these days?

I hope that your summer has been wonderful and magical.

As well as productive and meaningful.

I've been working on few art projects.

I will share them.

I have figured out a little system

to my overwhelming photo gallery and so I 

hope to be posting more.

I take WAY TOO MANY photos!!

My days are filled with music.

I'm working on new songs almost every day.

My gardens are doing pretty well. 

Except our rains have stopped too soon and 

I find myself wandering about with the hose.

And look who has been coming out with me?

Do you remember Sunny? 

My bearded dragon.

I think I told you about him...

He's a foot long.

He has grown 8 inches since he came to be mine.

He's very sweet.

Well.. quiet and friendly. 

Haha.

He rides on my arm or shoulder, 

eats out of my hand and 

knows my voice. 

He also runs around in the yard while I water.

I sometimes spray him with the hose.

He just closes his eyes and enjoys!

Life is beautiful 

and fragile 

and terrible.

Full of magic 

and sadness

and glory 

and love.

We live one minute at a time

 and often times with a choice of how to look at 

all that's going on in our hearts and beyond.

Wishing you peace and beauty in your days as lovely 

fall or spring approaches! 

Depending on where you live.

Thank you ever so much for coming by.

You are appreciated so much.

Show yourself lots of loving care and believe in

your dreams. There's only one you and 

as Mr Magorium once said....

Your life is an occasion.

Rise to it.

Hugs and abundant blessings to you~

Tamara xo

Beauty in the Storm

 Hello friends~

I'm not going to say how long it's been since I last posted.

I'm starting to sound like a broken record.

All I can say is that I miss you all

and I am trying.

And it seems that I'm not the only one absent.

As you can see by most of my photos, I am a country girl.

So at least that explains WHERE I am and what I'm DOING

 much of the time. 

You'll often find me

wandering about in the beautiful outdoors working

or taking in as much beauty as I possibly can.

Is there anyone else out there that feels the draw of that

magical and wondrous place

outside your four walls?

The other day my daughter and I saw a T-I-N-Y

fawn hopping through the field with it's mother!

So sweet.

Makes hanging around outside so very worth it.

If someone told me that I was part gypsy,
I would nod my head and say,

"I knew it all along!"
;)

And then there are the storms...

 This photo made me think of the song

 Gentle on My Mind,

 sung by the amazingly talented guitarist and singer,

Mr. Glen Campbell.

He will be greatly missed.

"You're moving on the backroads by the rivers of my memory and 

for hours you're just gentle on my mind."

Such sad days when we lose one more of the great artists.

I had just learned that song in the last week and I'm so happy that I did.

It will be a honor to sing it and I will always think of him when I do.

 It's always nice to have a friend nearby during stormy times.

 The beauty of it all just calls my name.

It feeds my soul and brings me peace in times 

when chaos is looming and threatening.

While it's pouring rain,

 the lightning electrifies the air and the thunder 

is rolling through the mountains,

it's a good time to jot down what's been happening 

and send some letters off to friends and family

  in  far away places.

Do you like writing others and making handmade cards?

After the rain stops, it's fun to wander around outside.

There are usually some little surprises just waiting to be spotted!

Here, a Cicada has just some out of it's shell.

Hmmmm..

Kind of ugly...

But sort of miraculous.

How DO they do that?!

I have a time lapse video of the one above coming out. 

I had to watch it for twenty minutes. 

I got impatient toward the end and almost missed it!

Are those raindrops on my wings?

During my wanderings, I often find little treasures to create with.

What have you been doing?

I know everyone has such interesting lives and this time of year

is full to overflowing with work and play and 

special outings with family and friends!

I'd love to hear about some of your adventures!

I do hope that you are well and that 

life is treating you kind.

As always...

Thank you so very much for coming by and visiting my

little online world. 

Blessings and happy summer days to you!

Tamara xoxo