I always thought fall was the best time to ID any tree. But just a few months ago I learned that identifying sugar maples in spring is easier than I ever imagined. Which means spring is the ideal time to start preparing for the best maple syrup winter ever. And, yes, we make some amazing maple […]
Identify Sugar Maple Trees in the Spring Read More »
What is a spring peeper? Henry David Thoreau might have been thinking about the chorus of spring peepers he was greeted with at his New England home, after the snow had thawed in mid-April, when he wrote, “When we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream…The voice of nature is always encouraging.” DISCLOSURE:
Spring Peepers & 3 simple steps to getting kids excited about nature study Read More »
Seedling planters tend to overrun our sunny window ledges and counters around this time of the year. And they come in all shapes and sizes. My teen gardener has experimented with quite a few ideas over the years, and I thought I’d share a few of our favorites. Edit to Add: I’ll be sharing in an upcoming post
Try These 6 Ingenious Seedling Planters! Read More »
Nature study in our homeschool turned a little loony this week. And it was spotty. And uncolorful… The lake who stretches her clear waters out northward from the base of our slopping property supports an array of wildlife and picture-perfect sunsets…
Looney Nature Study Read More »
I’m always somber this time of year; sad to see summer fading. To get out of my funk, I focus on the vibrant beauty that next month will bring and think of things to do with autumn leaves. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. ♥ While I realize that Sweet Summer can only offer a few more stray weekends
12 Things to do With Fall Leaves Read More »
I just recently learned some pretty interesting facts about the Iris flower. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. ♥ When I think of Irises I think of a day when there were three guys. And three flowers. But no one told them which flower was for which guy. One white rose and two violet irises arrived that
Blooming With a Story Read More »
I’m learning to enjoy a lot of things these days that are… well… pretty unenjoyable. Cow patties, for example. They smell awful.
How to Enjoy Learning About Slimy Amphibians Read More »
In The Book Thief, Markus Zusak describes words as “clouds, waiting to be held and wrung out like rain.” Zusak is right. When dropped gently–like summer-day raindrops–or strung together painstakingly, on tip-toe, the perfect combination of words rumble through one moment of our life and never leave. But did you notice what Zusak did with his allegory? Much to my
Loving science, even if you’re a Language-Arts-kinda mom Read More »
Our move to NH has officially come full circle. And I’ve officially discovered a new jewel. As a flower I’d never know before awakens in our woods, another circle closes. You see, one year ago today marks the end of an almost 6-year process that led our family from suburbia to our humble New England homestead. Taking
What you want to know about trillium (before you forage it!) Read More »
Bittersweet. Summer’s final breath. Boxes, a mini fridge, and baking pans neatly stacked in her van. An exuberant college Junior ready to return to friends and professors and her life, apart from me. This time of year always reminds me that amidst my feelings of sad separation spring joyous pride and immense gratefulness that God helped me
Shards of Little Moments Read More »
