sunflower houses and more

:: a while back, we were lucky to have won a book, sunflower houses by sharon lovejoy. there is so much inspiring projects and stories shared throughout the book, it was hard to chose which one we would start with. remembering our trip last autumn through a sunflower maze, i knew a sunflower house would be wonderful. i reacall a mention of 8x8 but ours may be smaller as i am still trying to figure out where we could plant it, until then we are tending to the seedlings and have some morning glory seeds ready to sow in the soil, which will fill in the canopy.

jar of sunshine

may day blossoms

:: little blossoms grace our seasonal nature table. we gathered blossoms in the garden and around the yard and put them in small little bud vases and spread their goodness around the house. what flowers are you enjoying in your garden?

happy may day everyone

making flower children

:: we wait in anticipation of each blossoms we will see unfolding around us. each day brings even more beauty into our lives ~ snowdrops, daffodils, magnolias, cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, rhododendrons, violets, dandelions, grape hyacinth, bleeding hearts and our hyacinths anyday. 

:: my daughter and i made a little snowdrop in preparation of spring. we used the pattern in feltcraft. the little snowdrop has been sleeping under my little one's pillow every night and i can tell her love for him comes from us crafting him together. i especially enjoy these days when we can look at our festival resources together and decide what we would like to create. in the background is the flower book with beautiful ida bohatta morpurgo illustrations from 1946, which my little one found in her easter basket. 

 :: i found some violets and dandelions on my walk with the baby today. i arranged them on the nature table for my little one to discover. i hope you too are enjoying the beauty that is unfolding around you.

going into autumn

:: i love this time of year. with the crisp mornings, the warm sparkling afternoon sun, the soft ruffling sounds of the grasses in the breeze. and as the colors of summer fade, a display of vibrant warm hues comes into play.

:: the hydrangeas brings warm fiery reds to my little ones "rainforest". a beautiful lime green is hiding on the underside of the flowers.

:: "butterfly, butterfly, butterfly" is said with excitement. butterflies were scarce this summer around here. i think we are really able to experience the wonder and beauty of these graceful creatures more than in the years past.

tomorrow is the first day of autumn. i am planning on going up to the farm stand to get some apple cider and indian corn. indian corn is one of the highlight of my little ones daily autumn activities. lots of indian corn love here and here. the corn gets sorted and poured, baked into muffins and stews and some goes for feeding the animals. i also have a sweet little wool indian corn necklace from rosemary for remembrance.

Enjoy your first day of Autumn!

picking

:: we were off picking some berries at the berry farm. we appreciate each and every sweet berry and make plans for our pickings. blueberry soup, anyone? small signs that fall is coming.


:: out in the yard, the geologist has been collecting rocks. she has her process of digging, raking, washing the rocks and sorting them. the found piece of ceramic has been with us on our travels in a special little container, she reveals that the ceramic could be from a plate or a bowl or a mug.


:: after a few days, we have a handful of cherry tomatoes for our dinner. i love these 'sungold' ones.


:: golden touches in the garden

rhythm returns

my little guy's first tooth finally came. napping times are just starting to be on a schedule and we are starting to get some sort of rhythm going. baking muffins. painting. nature walks. ballet and gymnastics are coming to an end. (phew!) it was a huge commitment for us. and summer just flew by.













:: a shipping box provided a quiet morning of painting. i found myself enjoying my little one's puzzle for a short time until she came to see what i was up to. some beans were picked from the garden. treasures found at a state park were sorted. my daughter was so delighted to find the peach pit on the beach. the smooth beach pebbles were brought in to be explored in our sensory box. the sand was smuggled over to the play kitchen. the funnel always provides lots of fun for my little one.

midsummer perennials

:: Echinacea

:: Leucanthemun 'Becky'

:: Veronica 'Goodness Grows'

:: Monarda bee balm 'Colrain Red'

:: Echinacea 'Kim's Mop Head'

:: Veronicastrum virginicum Cultiver's Root 'Fascination'

:: Garden Phlox

:: Agastache 'Blue Fortune'

:: Sea Holly

:: Allium 'Mt. Sinai'

:: Allium Drumstick sphaerocephalon


:: Butterfly Bush

:: morning sky

:: a web discovered