Welcome to my daydream!

September 24, 2010

Practical Magic Blog Party

Wouldn't you know it would take a little "Practical Magic" to get me blogging again?!

After an enchanting evening with Jilly and Sally, I was compelled to share every bit of magic I experienced that night.  At least all that I can recall.

It began with an invitation from Jilly and Sally to have tea in their garden under the new moon.  I had always been curious about their garden.  Were the rumors true?  Why did they keep their garden gate locked?  Seriously, how many people actually use a key to enter their garden?

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When I arrived Jilly was laughing hysterically, while Sally dashed around scooping up apples and dropping them in a box she carried under her left arm. Sally could barely keep up with the fruit that was flying from the family apple tree.  "You're going to break something!", Sally yelled at the tree, as she caught an apple just before it fell on her partially set table.  Jilly, still laughing, reminded Sally what a silly idea it was to have tea that close to the temperamental tree anyhow.

When I began to laugh myself at the comical scene, Sally turned and welcomed me to the garden.  Then quickly asked Jilly to take me inside so she could finish setting the table and attempt to manage the pesky tree.

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Jilly

After some racket in the kitchen, Sally finally joined us in the parlor with some hors d'oeuvres.  I raised my hand to refuse them, but Jilly insisted.  She explained that I would miss the most beautiful moon of the year if I didn't get enough nourishment to keep me awake until it made its grand appearance.  She also hinted at some ingredients in Sally's deviled eggs being "...somewhat eye-opening."

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Sally

We sat and chatted for a bit, but Sally couldn't sit still any longer and returned to her tasks.  Jilly told me all about her new hat.  I believe I saw it from every angle possible.  Then Sally hollered, "READY?"  Jilly shouted back, "We've been ready!  But first you must show Daydreamer your new hat."  You could hear Sally grumble, "Alright, but this better be quick.  Behave while I'm gone you dumb tree!"

After showing off their beautiful Autumn hats, Sally asked me if I'd like a tour of the garden.  I said, "Sure."  Jilly said she'd catch up in a bit.

I followed Sally along the garden path as she told me about each and every flower we passed.  The moon was already lighting up all the white flowers in the garden. The Moon Vine was especially impressive with saucer-size blossoms glowing under the moonlight.  I told Sally her family's garden was absolutely breathtaking.   Sally looked back and said, "Wait until the moon is overhead."  Then she winked.  





Jilly caught up to us just in time to tell us we better hurry back because the show would begin soon.  Sally and I walked back to the table beside the apple tree and sat down.  The tree dropped two apples into the empty dish in front of me and Sally let out a growl.  Don't eat those!, she said.  Plucked them from my plate and tossed them in the box on the ground beside her.  Jilly came out with the tea.  "The moon will be overhead soon.", she said.

Sally served up her delicious lavender tea cookies with lilac jelly, while Jilly poured tea.

I'm pretty sure Jilly put something in my tea.  I felt a little woozy, my vison began to blur and all I can recall about that moment are Jilly's faint giggles.

I'm not sure what happened next, but I think I remember watching a couple of fairies dance in front of the full moon.  It was like a dream.  There were fireflies flickering about them as they danced. After the fireflies dispersed they flittered to a dark corner of the garden.  Their light reflected off something of the flowers.  At least that's what I thought they were at first.

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Fairies dancing before the full moon.

As I approached the corner of the garden, I could not believe my eyes.  There were fairy chrysalises everywhere.  Hanging from branches on plants and trees.      





I woke up in the garden, but Jilly and Sally were no where in sight.  I peeked into the window and saw Sally asleep by her broom, still in her hat.  I didn't want to wake them so I tiptoed to the chaise in the parlor and grabbed a pillow and a throw and snuck back out into the garden to sleep in their hammock.  What a magical night.

"There's a little witch in every bitch."

Continue blog hopping (click here)

June 27, 2009

Welcome to the Mad Tea Party!


"You come to Wonderland often?"

Thanks for dropping in... may I suggest you sit and rest a bit. Here's an empty toadstool. ::::brushing off seat:::: Please - have a seat! If this is your first time down a bunny hole you may be a tad dizzy for a few minutes. It's to be expected, so don't be alarmed. Can I get you some tea? How many sugar bubblesfor you? While you sip that, I'll tell you what happened this morning.

When I first arrived in my garden I found it unusually quiet. Then I spotted a key on the table under the Cedar tree with a purple ribbon tied around it. I picked it up to ponder where the lock it opens could be, (That's odd, I've never heard the pansies giggle so much, I thought) when suddenly I dropped down a bunny hole. I'm getting used to falling down such holes and have learned to be prepared with a parasol in hand to counter the intended plummet (the queen gets a thrill out of it you know). After making my way through the Rosemary maze (it's harder than you think for someone that falls asleep f
rom the smell of the herb), I finally reached the tea party. So far I've met a the sneaky White Bunny, the Bluebird of Happiness and the Mad Waiter of Bangadish.

Later I'll be visiting my dear friends White Rabbit and Mad Hatter. If you see them, say I said, "HELLO!".





The internet reception fades in and out as much as Cheshire Cat down here, but I'll be adding more pix of the party when I can.

I'm off to visit some old friends and make some new ones :D

I'm back! Okay, so I met some more Wonderlanders. Let's see... the tea gets me a little forgetful... there was a caterpillar, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum... Oh - and Miss Cialito and Miss Holly showed up (remember them from last year?). Don't repeat this, but Miss Holly was obviously wearing Miss Kiki's dress and it was just a tad too small for her.


Oh, and then Miss Cialito and one of the white bunnies were hitting it off splendidly (they both speak fluent Malarkey), until she casually answered the white bunny's question about what exactly it is she does at the track. Well, the poor little bunny nearly hopped out of her chair at the thought of chasing white bunnies for a living.

Cheers,


May 29, 2009

A Mad Tea Party May Just Hit the Spot


Once in a blue moon you encounter an imaginative/playful soul that, through their actions, gives you permission to be yourself, let loose and play.  I had such an encounter last June, when I attended Vanessa's (A Fanciful Twist) first Mad Tea Party.  It was inspiring to discover other bloggers that enjoyed playing in their imagination as much as I do.  

I hope you'll come out and play with us.  You'll have tons of fun and meet some wonderful people at the same time. Maybe pick up a few friends too :D

Sign-up is going on now at A Fanciful Twist and the party will begin June 27th (it usually takes a couple of days to visit with ALL of the guests).

If you'd like to get a taste of last year's delicious party click here

Playfully yours,

May 5, 2009

Wandering Through Wonderland: Inside Scoop


Today is the big day!  We (Mixed Media Mischief Makers) are having our blog open house today.  So far I've spotted Alice, one of the White Rabbit's relatives, and a couple of the singing flowers  in Bloggerland.  See who you can spot by heading over to the Rabbit Hole.  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win one of seven prizes.  Here are a couple of them pictured below.  


Good luck!


My challenge piece:
"Dessert-ed Tea Party"

***Make sure you watch the slide show on our blog to see more "Wonderland Challenge" pieces***

Mischieviously yours,

April 13, 2009

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail: Happy Easter! (Part 1)



The sneaky little fae apparently enjoyed our last visit so much, that they decided to lock the gate to the trail we'd planned to hike this time.  So we had to hike the same one again. Maybe they just wanted to meet my son.




The Trail bunny left a basket for Justin (my son) and a trail of candy-filled eggs scattered along the path.




Continued (see part 2)...

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail: Happy Easter! (Part 2)



...continued from part 1.


After our hike we re-visited Green Spring, so Justin could see it too.  Take a look.  


My son took that photo Hubby wanted (I mentioned it in my last post) of me monkey- footing it across the fallen palm tree. 

Miss Monkeyfeet

Finally, we came across a nut tree with a great BIG nut hanging in it... and as the saying goes, the nut doesn't fall far from the tree.  Warning:  If you don't want to spit your drink on your monitor, don't sip it before you view the next slide show.



Hope you enjoyed your Easter Sunday too!

Hippity hoppity,

April 8, 2009

Adventures in a Land of Wonder: Finding the Fountain of Youth

Window of the Fae

My hubby and I love exploring our area on the weekends.  

This past weekend I told hubby I was in the mood for an adventure, so without a word he jumped on the web to find a place we hadn't been before.  All he said was wear shorts and comfortable shoes.  I grabbed my camera and off we went.   

Apparently the sneaky little fae of Sanford had other plans for us, because we ended up stumbling upon Lake Monroe Conservation Area instead of our intended destination.  It was great!  We saw holes to who knows where, creeks, fairy braided tree roots, winged critters, wicked tree creatures - I even got to see where the faery council hold their meetings every new moon (see if you can spot it in the slide show below).
  
Later that day we visited Green Spring.  If you follow the link, you'll see why they named it so.  I ran out of room on my memory card, so I couldn't take anymore pix, but I will next time we go.  We have to go back... Hubby wants to get a picture of me "monkey footing" it, as he calls it, across this fallen palm tree resting over a creek.  It was just begging to be walked across, so naturally I obliged.  

I was thinking about our adventure and how we were like kids exploring the wilderness.  I realized we had in fact found the Fountain of Youth that Ponce De Leon had been searching for when he discovered our state. It's not in a spring per se.  It's in a flower, a bug, a tree, a cloud - it's in your soul!







Youthfully yours,



April 4, 2009

Wandering Through Wonderland: For the Adventurous at Heart!


We're having an open house blog party for one of the online groups I co-own.  
If you'd like to find out more about our group, meet our members, view their artwork, browse their shops or join our group, please join us for this event (see details below).  




You could win a prize! :D  Our very own Dormouse will be giving out dor prizes.  
Just drop by our blog on May 5th, 2009 (Tuesday) to leave a comment for a chance to win.
All winners will be announced on May 7th, 2009 (Thursday), so don't forget to check back to see if you've won and claim your prize.  (You'll need to provide us with your mailing address via email to claim your prize)

Bring a friend, some tea, a tarty tart and your curiosity.
"The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity." ~Ellen Parr

Don't be late! ;D


Mischievously yours,


April 1, 2009

Foolishness





Sorry, no prank for you today, but I'll leave you with a couple of quotes to tickle your funny bone.


"The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected."  ~Will Rogers


"Every fool finds a greater one to admire them." ~Bioleau


"It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor."  ~Max Eastman


 "Only a fool knows everything.  A wise man knows how little he knows." ~Anonymous 


Just remember she who laughs, lasts :)


Foolishly yours,

March 16, 2009

Happy Birthday, Justin!

Happy 20th birthday, Justin! :D



I LOVE YOU!!! :D

BIG hug,
Mom :)

March 11, 2009

Overflowing: Life is Good!

I really hate jumbled posts, but I have so much I've been intending to share; just accumulating in a massive heap in my mind and I'm afraid of what will happen if I don't release it soon.  This is just SOME of it! :O

Justin                                                                                           

First off, my son is moving out west.  I've been helping him with moving preparations.  I'm so excited for him! It's so nice to see him filled with so much enthusiasm.  He's looking forward to the journey just as much as the destination.  I remember that adventurous feeling from when I was younger, but obligations make it less possible to act upon as we grow older.  I love the area he's chosen (lived there as a child), so I'm excited about visiting him once he's had a chance to settle in. He celebrates his 20th birthday March 16th :D.  Still trying to figure out what to get him; besides a map - LOL.  He's getting his cast off the 20th and hopefully it stays off this time, since he's on his 3rd one now.  I took pix of all of them, but the camouflage one didn't show up - just kidding - LOL.

Enchanting Sun Catcher

Secondly, I'd like to introduce you to a beautiful line of handmade sun catchers that are crafted by an online friend of mine, Heather Robertson (we happen to share the same first and last names), and her mom.  Their Etsy shop is called HB Seagems and they carry the most enchanting little sun catchers that are made using found sea glass from the beaches of Cape Cod.  Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?!  I had a tough time deciding, but I finally chose the one pictured above.

Mosquito Lagoon

Next in the heap... my hubby and I were going to spend some time with my in-laws this past weekend.  They go back home the 1st of April, so we're trying to spend as much time with them as possible.  My mother-in-law wasn't feeling well, so we decided to let her rest, while we did something in the area.  

Beach Glass

We ended up going to a beach we don't normally visit.  It's in a nature preserve; and we got to hike the boardwalk up to the top of Turtle Mound. We walked the beach and to my surprise, we found some beach glass.  I think I'll send it to the other Heather to use in a special edition Cape Canaveral sun catcher :D.

The Respected Flame

Kiln Full of Barb's and My Handiwork

My Beads

My Pendants

When my niece, Barb asked me if I wanted to join her for a bead class at Galleria di Vetro, while she was vacationing here in Florida (she and her hubby come every year to visit my in-laws), I had no idea what was in store for me.  Turned out to be a flameworking class. Yes, someone was crazy enough to grant permission for me to work by an open flame!!! :O  We spent four hours learning how to use the tools of the trade and make beads and pendants.  There's so much more left to learn, but I can't express how much fun it was to be completely out of my element and trying something new for a change.  I have always stood in fascination as the flameworkers created artwork behind those glass walls, but never dreamt of trying it myself. 


Holly Wearing Gift from Barb

Barb loves creating jewelry for herself, friends and family and when she got back home from her trip she mailed me a beautiful charm to hang from my rearview mirror.  Holly (my pooch) insisted on modeling it for us.  Thanks Barb! :D  

Watercolor Artist at "Flagler Avenue Art Walk"

There happened to be an art show down Flagler Avenue, "Flagler Ave. Art Walk", the day after our class, so we got to stroll through the artist's tents in addition to picking up our beads and pendants.  I've been to 3 art shows in the past month.  My timing is usually off and I end up missing most of them, but not this year.


"Legendary Silver Kings"

We picked up this fantastic piece from Florida artist,  Mike Williams at one of those art shows.  He has an amazing ability to capture the Florida lifestyle with his ink and pastel work.  To see the full picture and more of his work visit his site.


Loving life,

February 14, 2009

Birds of a Feather Blog Party! :D

Happy Valentine's day everyone!  Welcome to my blog (daydream).  Today I'm going to introduce you to a dear friend of mine.  She doesn't have feathers, but she wears them occasionally.  Say hello to the delightful darling, Petals.  She's one of the critters I created for my traveling circus.  I hope you'll be kind and wish her a happy Valentine's.


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Thanks for visiting.

XOXOXOX,