Category Archives: Nature Study

This Moment ~ September 30

30 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Education, Gratitude, Nature Study, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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This Moment

Lately I haven’t been on the computer much until late in the evening, and some things are getting left on the back burner.  Late last week I woke the kids (late) and told them we were heading out for the day.  Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are 2 of my favorite places and we have not made the 3.5 hour trip in a long time, so we loaded up and headed north and west.

Mountain Run

Mountain Hike/Run

With the late start and a little dwaddling we arrived pretty late in the day, but still had time to walk to Alberta Falls.  With “baby kitty” the little short legged toddler with us,  some of us were moving very slow.  My two longer legged girls were itching to go for a run, so off they ran.

It was a blessing to hear their laughter and chatter as they dashed off.  It was also a joy to walk along with Mae and “baby kitty”.   I am so treasuring these days with my teen and preteen daughters.  The years are passing quickly by so I will continue to grab them from time to time and head out away from homework and screens to just enjoy a little outdoors time together.

 

Linking with SouleMama

Backyard Camping

21 Monday Jul 2014

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Backyard camping has always been a fun activity for our kids.  The idea of sleeping outside in the summer is appealing and we have the perfect backyard for it!  While the sisters were all away at a leadership conference, Chica and I “went camping”.  While I was busy with some other things Chica put up the tent by herself, inflated the air mattress and made the beds!

Backyard Camping

tent in the backyard

Finally I decided this summer to purchase a small fire pit.  We’ve had other fire pits around the yard but after the fires the last 2 summers (black forest, waldo canyon ) I wanted something a little tamer.

 

Backyard Camping

Backyard fire for roasting hot dogs & marshmallows

Looks like we need to chop smaller pieces of wood!  We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and sat around the fire talking.  We have skunks and raccoons in our neighborhood and I was a little nervous about being up too late.  We headed to bed in the tent before we had any visitors.  It was a blast and I imagine the kids will be backyard camping off and on the rest of the summer!

Looking for Spring in the Trees

29 Tuesday Apr 2014

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This weekend I took a stroll around through the yards and found further evidence of SPRING!  I enjoy the trees we have around the house year round, but find myself particularly excited to see buds and new leaves.

Post Oak

Post Oak

Pear Tree, that was destroyed by deer. There are only 2 other buds this spring.

Pear Tree, that was destroyed by deer. There are only 2 other buds this spring.

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet which is good. This week is very chilly with nights dipping below freezing

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet which is good. This week is very chilly with nights dipping below freezing

Lilac bushes are all leafed out. I am excited for the explosion of blossoms that may follow.

Lilac bushes are all leafed out. I am excited for the explosion of blossoms that may follow.

Fresh New Leaves on the Aspen

Fresh New Leaves on the Aspen

Apple Tree blossoms

Apple Tree blossoms

If you made it to this point I hope you enjoyed this photos of spring among our trees.  I’d love to hear from you about the signs of spring in your area.

 

First Signs of Spring, The Garden

10 Thursday Apr 2014

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The same day I took a walk to visit the trees in our yard, I also passed through the garden.  It was exciting to see the green popping up, and also sobering to see how much work needs to be done to clean up the garden & prepare it for planting. Hopefully we’ll get a good start on that this weekend.

Surprise, some onions overwintered, or came back

Surprise, some onions overwintered, or came back

Mint in the herb box

Mint in the herb box

 

Chives! in the herb box

Chives! in the herb box

 

Butternut Squash One emerging seedling

Butternut Squash
One emerging seedling

 

First Signs of Spring, The Trees

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

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The last week or so since the calendar’s declaration of SPRING has been very typical of early spring in the Colorado foothills.

Late March snow

Late March snow

Early April snow

Early April snow

 

Aspen Catkins

Aspen Catkins

Notice the Catkins on the Aspen, they are sure signs of spring.  Catkins are skinny clusters of flowers that if pollinated, drop tiny hairlike seeds in early summer.  The seeds need moist soil to geminate, which here in the Rocky Mountain foothills is not a likely find.  It’s a good thing that Aspens primarily propagate by root shoots.

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet

Peach Tree, no blossoms yet

The Peach Tree is 3 years old this year (I believe).  This past winter wasn’t as dry as the last few, but we still didn’t get as much snow as we hoped for.  I was very intentional about shoveling our back patio and heaping the snow around the base of the tree, with the hopes that it would get as much moisture as possible and be productive this summer.

Lilac Bushes

Lilac Bushes

The return of the lilac leaves and blossoms is always a delight.  There are several strong bushes with new shoots every year by our west fence.  Lilacs bring back sweet memories from my childhood, and are likely the reason for my lifelong love of the color of purple.  It is in this cluster of lilac bushes that our flock of ducks and chickens seem to like to hang out.

Post Oak

Post Oak

And finally, the Post Oak, my favorite tree in the yard.  It is always the last to leaf out, but I love how straight and tall it is, like a sentential watching over the driveway entrance.

If you are watching for signs of spring, what have you found?

And they came…

01 Tuesday Feb 2011

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I was working at my desk yesterday after lunch, facing the west window and, beyond, the tree where we hung the bird feeders.  What a delight!  There were many little birds flitting all around the suet feeder!
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How we enjoy having nature right outside our door, window.