Charley 

Spring 2016  

A walk through the forest trail

 

Dress: Marshall's

Blue beads, gold leaf necklace, arm cuff: thrifted

A little bouquet

My mind was filled with frustrations on Saturday and I knew I needed a good run to clear it. I'm not a fan of running. at all. But I push myself to do it anyway. If not for the obvious reasons of health and conditioning, I do it because of the effect the endorphins have on the brain, taking me out of my frustrated mental state. It's also a time where I usually have a good idea about work, which includes life at home.

I prefer the quiet country trail not far from my house where I can take in the beautiful scenery. In a few weeks the leaves, some that are as big as my face!, will turn color and put on a show that I look so forward to every year. I can't wait to hear the crunch under my feet as they carpet the trail. After my run, I circled back up a bit and picked wildflowers to make a little bouquet. They were just too good to pass up.

The best trail

Simple wildflowers in a blue vintage Ball jar

Are you tired of my love for acorns?

Don't answer that. Look at how cute these are first.

On my walks around the neighborhood I gathered up some acorn caps and sewed up some fabric acorns. I didn't pay attention to the shape; just gathered and pinched the fabric as I sewed along. Then I stuffed them and hot glued the caps on top. They are not the traditional acorn shape but they work for what I need. Soon I'll have a whole bowl full.

Have a happy weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linked to Sugar Bee Crafts

Walking thoughts

"It is a great art to saunter."

~Henry David Thoreau

I think a leisurely stroll working our arms and legs in rhythm creates a kind of meditative state. We can open ourselves up to inspiration and gain better perspective about what's on our mind. It's where some of the best thoughts and ideas are born. And those simple surprises found along the way make a little stroll a grand adventure.

Happy sauntering.

Not so far off base - diy

As I was looking through Lonny Magazine, I came across this page and was really surprised to see the pear terrarium. It reminded me of my thrift store version but worth a whole heck-uv-a lot more moolah, $200-$1500.00

"Click" on photo to enlarge

Back then I thought it may have been used as a tealight holder but liked the idea of a terrarium instead. I'm glad I kept it because now I think I'll re-do it for summer with some succulents. It lasted a long time just sitting on my desk and receiving a spritz of water every now and then until Trae man decided to play in its dirt.

I'm glad to see I wasn't so far off base afterall...with the exception of the price.

Friday Finds - nature inspired

Why on earth would I buy a glass pear (.47 cents) with a grape motif on it, you ask?

Because I thought it would be cute as a windowsill terrarium.
Don't you agree?

For the terrarium, I washed it and pulled off the grape decorative sticker. Then gathered small rocks, placed them in the bottom and added soil that I saved from a plant that I killed died. (I had Trae put the soil in with a spoon which he loved doing.) I dug up some little weeds that were growing in some of my flower pots and planted them in the terrarium. I also pulled up some moss off the ground, placed it on top of the soil and added a few more rocks for decoration. Instant nature.

************
And since thrifting isn't all about what I like, I found this brand new shirt for Trae man kanski for 3 bucks. Did you know that some of your favorite retail stores donate their clearance items to Thrift shops? It's true.

More next week.

Have a good weekend!

And don't forget the Giveaway here, it's extended!

Linking to Funky Junk

Framing ferns - quick DIY art

When Jon saw that I was packing a book to take with me to camp a few weeks back, he smiled and said, "Oh, gonna get a little light reading done?" He was excited for a moment at the thought of me taking time to read, something I love but never can squeeze in any time to do.

I said, "No, that's for my ferns!"

Every few years I like to press ferns for quick art work and since I don't use a fancy flower press, I just use the trusty (and slightly dusty from all the non-reading and I guess non- dusting) books.

This is one I framed in 2003 when we went hiking in Maryland with the kids. I found 3 species that day and put them in 5 old frames which I picked up at a thrift shop. It has kept its color but some of the others have faded which is why I redo them every few years.

I loved that the frames all had their original prices on them. .39 cents for the 5x7s and .59 cents for the 8x10's. You can't even get those prices at a garage sale.

This time I'll put them in white frames which I happen to have a bunch of, just in all the wrong sizes of course. Time to remedy that.

Anyone making nature inspired art? Displaying a beautiful, twisted piece of driftwood, perhaps? Or still keeping that pet rock on the shelf?

Linking to Just a Girl

Somewhat Simple

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Frugal Novice

Farewell to birds

Our little friends have flown the coop. Flew the nest is more like it.

It was a daily ritual to peer through the deck and make sure they were still there.

On the second to last day that I checked, one bird remained. Sitting in her nest in stoic silence, she looked fluffy and mature. The next morning she was gone.

When the nest was so carefully constructed, there was no dog living with us. I'm sure the mama bird was cussing me out in her language the day we brought C dog home.

It was a great day for the kids. It was probably the worst day for her.

I protected them everyday and finally, I was relieved to see that they were all gone.

I let the dog out unsupervised that day and when I walked outside, birds began dive bombing me on the deck. I felt like Tippi Hedren and ran back inside with arms flailing, hitting myself on the head.

And then it dawned on me that the last bird may have come back and wasn't fast enough to take off if she felt threatened.

I ran back outside and witnessed frantic birds making a last ditch attempt to save their sibling and comrade but it was too late. Charli bounded up the steps and laid the bird at my feet.

And just as quickly, all of the birds flew and retreated in silence.

I felt bad about it all day.

What camping does

Girl's camp was great.

I was one of three adult leaders over the YCL's (Youth camp leaders) and we enjoyed a week of activities. Because the YCL's were busy helping the other year levels (1st through 4Th year camp attendees) there was some down time for me.

I was able to canoe with my daughter on a beautiful lake and hike up to a zip line which took me sailing over a wooded valley. I was able to shoot BB guns at targets and take aim with a bow and arrow. I listened to funny songs, played games and was able to sit around campfires and talk with girls who told me their life stories. One girl was a little scared one night and asked if she could sleep in my tent. We stayed up until 3 am and talked while she shined her flashlight at bugs.

I was also able to enjoy the splendor of nature and study its details while being shaded under lovely canopies of trees.

While waiting for the girls to return from a night swim, I sat alone by the fire and looked up to a wide open sky. I took in the breathtaking sight of bright, glorious stars. And in the stillness, I reminded myself there was no way that this perfection could be anything other than the grand design of God.

That's what camping does for me.

Nestlings

Each morning I step out onto the deck and quietly position myself to my knees. I pull back the outdoor rug and press my forehead to the deck floor.

Peering through the floor boards, I focus my eyes and take a quick scan of the area below; each time a flash of panic races through me. I wonder for a moment if the night's rain has done any damage or if mama bird could find food that day.

Quelling my fears, I see that my little friends are a bit stronger and a little hairier.
Their beaks point upward to me and I gently replace the rug.

My front row seat to the theater of nature is reserved again tomorrow.

No flash was used so I wouldn't disturb them too much.

Linking to Friendly Friday Follow

and Never Growing Old

The Girl Creative