Ensenada - Memories of My Youth

(L to R) Ivy, Julip, Simone and Bridget enjoy the beachside campfire of this Ensenada-inspired container garden.

Ensenada is a popular tourist destination, often via cruise line, but this inspired scene for me represents my time in this city with my family in my early 20s. My father was a dirt bike enthusiast and would haul his family and his bike down to Ensenada to race. He would rent two trailers for the week and we'd settle in on top of a cliff near the beach, he and my mother in one trailer which allowed my sister and I to share the second. We would walk down the cliff to get to the beach and practically had the place to ourselves, listening to the waves crashing. I remember strolling through town checking out the little shops, enjoying the authentic food (which my sister refused to eat - my father would joke that it made our trips less expensive) for a lovely family vacation.

I eventually settled down and got married, starting a family of my own, all while my father continued to race well into his 60s. Unfortunately, after a broken arm during a race, his health declined and within a month took his last breath. It's good to know that he was able to do what he loved for so long.

If you have memories of Ensenada, feel free to share them in the comments below.

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Fairy Garden Class - Wheelbarrow Garden

Wheelbarrows are a necessary tool for gardeners. I bought one quite a few years ago when I began gardening so it had become a bit weathered and run down, causing me to buy a new one recently. Instead of throwing out the old one, I decided to turn it into a fairy garden. Home Depot is where I bought this one for $20 so they're not too expensive and because it's plastic, my husband was able to easily drill holes in the bottom for drainage. As you know, drainage is very important. Also, while I was at Home Depot I noticed they have different colored wheelbarrows now to help bring color to your yard.

Of course you want to fill your wheelbarrow with rocks, wood chips (this is basically for filler to cut down on the amount of potting mix needed) and potting mix. The wood chips will decompose causing the soil level to lower over the season, but I will add more potting mix at that point (since most of these plants are seasonal and I'll be redoing this garden).

I planted a few different plants here and kept them on the outskirts of the wheelbarrow, allowing a lot of room in the middle for fairy related decor. The tallest plant is placed in the rear which will accent the fairy house once it's placed.

Once the plants are all in place, I decided to put a few different rock sizes and colors.

I placed this house in the middle of the scene on top of a saucer (as we know, they provide a level foundation) and a cluster of moss. I also made a rock path leading to it. 

Fairies come as soon as a garden is finished.  Ivy and Simone enjoy the new scene.

Julip plucks at a rose and enjoys the afternoon.

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Explosive Celebration

Reginald was spotted leaving his house with an armful of fireworks. It looks like the July 4th celebration is kicking off early this year!

He shows off some decorations he helped put up around the community. 

Some fairies gather and chat it up, waiting for the BBQ to begin. From left to right is Simone, Ivy, Julip and Bridget.

Tink has been invited to spend time with some new faces. To the left is Dreagan who is a magician. Seated on the ground is Caspian who is telling a story to an enamored Tink. Behind them is Twyla and she is the sister of both Caspian and Dreagan.

Dreagan holds a magical wand and boasts that he is the most fashionable of his siblings (although it may just be to annoy Twyla who has always taken pride in being a fashionista).

Tink seems mesmerized by Caspian's chin dimple as he rambles on and on, but she doesn't mind. Also, fireworks are very difficult to photograph but here's a video!

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Winter Non-Festival, Oops

As the days lingered, the Elves realized that there was a lot less activity in the community than last year. The packs of customers who constantly filled the store last year were no where to be found. Finally, the elves discovered that due to the huge celebration to commemorate the King's Return, year-end holiday celebration funding was cut short. The majority of the community members were out of town but here you can see three fairies gorging themselves on sweets. Simone on the left, Julip on the right and sweet Ivy in the middle who seems to be suffering from a toothache from all that candy.

Myleene is very photogenic and shows off her holiday decorations.

Myleene's home looks quite festive.

The trees in Woodland Grove are frosted over, giving a natural looking decor.

New to Woodland Grove but not to the community, Loopy (left) and Zoe-Zoe decided to move their home for a new view.

These Frosted Ferns are gorgeous and festive.

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