A Different Kind of House on Wheels

It’s no surprise that I rather love the internet. When I started blogging over a year ago I was absolutely amazed by the discovery of the blogging world. Falling into various pockets of blog communities was an endless discovery of  different “cultures” that I hardly new existed or had only dreamed of. One such culture was Steampunk. I have always been a great fan of the aesthetic and the ideas behind it, but I was only vaguely aware there was name for such a wonderful culture. When I was little I loved the idea of machinery that moved and looked like the inner workings of an old clock. In games, my little brother and I would often pretend it was the old fashion days and we would explain modern convention with the phrase, “It runs on cogs”. Yes, we were nerdy. I think I was barely 11 when I tried to sew a corset for myself because I wanted to be like a real Victorian lady. If I was a little more daring I would love to immerse myself in Steampunk, but for the time being I am an ardent admirer.

This incredible house appeals to both the gypsy and the neo-Victorian in me. Isn’t it breathtaking?!?! I believe it was photographed at Burning Man. I will include the link where I found them below.

{source}

Gypsy Musings

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. I had a perfectly relaxing time spending my four-day holiday weekend with family. Lots of food, knitting, conversation, and sleep. Just what I needed. I’m rejuvenated and ready to head back to work and craftiness. I’m so excited it’s the holiday season and I’m starting to come alive with creativity again.

As I wind down from this lovely weekend I’ve been reflecting a lot on the things that make me so very happy and that I am grateful for…

~You!  Thank you for visiting here and leaving words of kindness, encouragement, and friendship. These things mean a lot to me and I’m so very thankful for you!

~My family whom I love dearly and am so very lucky to live close to and be close to. My little brother is back from Iraq and out of the military. He will be home for Christmas this year for the first time in 3 years!

~Having a job. It’s not my dream-job by any stretch of the imagination, but when I get sullen about it I remind myself how fortunate I am to be employed.

~Music and books. Where would I be without them?

~Daydreams…

Someday I will have my gypsy wagon, but until that day I am content and happy to have Gypsea Tree!

Thank you.

{images via Life Image Archive}

Follow the Gypsy

I’ve made a few changes here at Gypsea Tree and I hope you will like them. I’m now keeping all blog links in the tab above called “Other Places to Wander”. If you would like to be added to the list please leave me a comment or send me an email. I would be delighted to link you.

I’ve also made it a little easier to follow Gypsy Tree. Towards the bottom of the right column there is now an option to join my gypsy campfire. I hope you will!

I’ve also added tabs of what  books I’m currently reading and what music I’m listening to. I’m always interested to know this about others so I thought I would add it here. I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead…

A Touch of Green

Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I have hardly ventured out of my apartment all weekend or perhaps it’s because I’ve been contemplating a little plant for my sparse office corner, either way, I’ve been thinking a lot about bringing the outdoors inside. Fall has gotten quite damp and rainy in my corner of the world and I’ve been spending entirely too much time inside. Maybe some of these things would help?

I would love to step onto this every morning!

And I would love to add this woodland faerie touch to my coffee table…

Or maybe just a new piece of jewelry. How nice to brush some feathery moss against your cheek when the day is wearing on too slowly!

Your New Favorite Recipe

My dearest Sally friend has been telling me of this amazing recipe for quite some time now. When she sent it to me last week, I couldn’t wait to try it out. It’s WONDERFUL!!! Try it for yourself. I made mine in extra big cups. I would have been more than happy sharing my mug although I did end up making two on the first go around. (One all to myself was a little more than I could eat.)

Add a scoop of ice cream on top and you have just found paradise in a mug…

Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) a small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. (Sally recommended skipping the egg, which I did and never missed.)

Ruffles and Lace

What girl’s heart doesn’t beat a little faster at the sight of piles of ruffles and spools of silky ribbons? And lace? Oh my… I’ve always thought it would be amazing to learn to make handmade lace, just to know. People often call skills like this a “lost art”, but thanks to the resurgence of crafting and the support of crafters, wonderful old-fashion traditions are made new again. As most of you know I am a big Etsy enthusiast and I always love to see how people find new ways to appreciate the old. I tend to (sadly) dress a little more conservatively than I would like, but any of these would be a lovely way to add a little artistic elegance. What “lost art”  skill would you like to add to your talents?

{All images link back to the little shops they came from}

Dragon’s Blood

Today’s Discovery: The Dragon’s Blood Tree

What a fascinating tree! Something like a cross between a banyan tree and a mushroom.

The deep red resin of the tree is believed to have exceptional healing properties and was often used in medieval magic and alchemy. (After all the actual dragons were gone of course!)

{photo sources and information are hyperlinked to images}

Breaking Free of the Cage

It’s much easier said than done… What would you completely change about your life given an extra dose of courage?

Haunted

Happy Halloween everyone. I hope you have a delightfully creepy one. We have plans for dinner out followed by a small Alfred Hitchcock film festival. (Netflix loaded and ready) What are your plans?

Here are some haunting images from an illustration of Henry James’ Turn of the Screw. This was a short story that truly got under my skin and left me unsettled. Have you read it? I always wanted to discuss it in a book club….

{images via this magical artist}

Spiced Tea Red

A little inspiration…

Mme. Florence

Toast

One of my Favorite Movies of All Time!

And your comments!

Well, you talked me into it! And guess what? I LOVE it! Why did it take me so long to do this? I don’t know if I will ever go back…

Never underestimate the wonders a new hair color can do. I feel like a new person! Red feels so perfect for me right now. It’s kind of funny because only two people at work noticed. Them and a very insane crazy man at my coffee shop. I walked in and he declared loudly, “Here’s an Irish girl!” I laughed and misguidedly responded. After confirming my Irish heritage he launched into a long story about his own and how he was directly related to or best friends with every famous Irish person you could possibly think of. (Most notably Michael Collins) Then he asked, “You’ve heard of the IRA War right? -Well I’m the one that ended it. But I’m sure you know that. I was in the papers…”

After launching into some pretty gory anecdotes he started genuinely making people nervous and was asked to leave.

See the adventure that red hair can bring?