My new atomic earrings!

I bought these beauties in the gift shop of the Milwaukee Art Museum. They came with a festive little book explaining how they are made. These were inspired by the shape of an eucalyptus seed pod (yay for nature as inspiration!). All of the atomic earrings are designed with CAD and printed using a 3D printer by Bob Fields. Very cool.

wasp nest wonder

All this fall this wasp nest was highlight to be observed on our neighborhood walks. What a delight it was to find this natural treasure on the ground come spring. We took it home for closer observation of its amazing architecture. I am still doing some research to try and figure out what is going on with those white circular puffs. Are they eggs? Any wasp experts out there?

marvelous melting!

I took these photos a few weeks ago when the winter melt had just begun. My 3-year-old daughter and I frequently spend afternoons in the sunroom reading (we're on a classic fairytale kick right now) and doing "finding books" (Hidden Pictures thanks to the peeps at Highlights and Grandma). One such sunny afternoon we could actually hear the melt happening as these icicles drip-drip-dropped. We had a good time studying them. Some were melting at a faster rate than others.  Some had a pattern going and others were more sporadic.

spring is out there

Such a sweet sight to spy some buds patiently awaiting warmth.

tree sketches

One sunny day I noticed all these strange little markings in the snow. I realized they were made by tumbling oak leaves. Funny isn't it to imagine the trees creating a bit of art?

a trio of trees

Have you ever noticed that different trees have different style branches and therefore create different textures when they are bare?

Does it amuse you to know I was lying on my back in the snow, winded from pulling the girls around the yard on a sled, when I took this photograph?

red on blue

Why haven't the birds eaten these last berries?

adorable acorn people (you can make them too!)

I have gained a reputation as the craft queen on the years we do Thanksgiving with my husband's family (see: ornamental balls, felt Christmas tree ornaments). This year we made little tiny acorn people with wood bead heads. I did the hot gluing of cap, bead head, and acorn bodies for the kiddos. Then we decorated with fine tip sharpies and yarn for scarves. Credit due to none other than Martha Stewart herself.

a heart

Not to get all mushy on you this week, but here's another heart! Remember the one I saw this summer? I seem to have an eye for spotting them on trees! I heart nature.

mistiness

I love autumn rains! Makes me feel so nice and cozy inside.

late bloomer

A bit of summer resisting the fall of autumn. I should find out how often the honeysuckle blooms in a season.

framed-up fall mantel

I've featured the large crewel piece (created by my great-grandmother!) before but this is the first time I used an old window and empty picture frames. Natural treasures from the beach include driftwood and a large seagull feather. Natural treasures from the neighborhood include oak branches, acorns, various seed pods, and a pretty substantial piece of bark that I hauled home from a walk. Upon seeing it my husband only commented "Well, that's where the kids get it." A few pieces of glass including some of my milk glass collection and there it is. I am quite pleased with it and will probably leave it up until Christmas time.

a nature doodle

I made this while sitting on my backyard steps, on the phone. It all started with the dead potato bug that became the pupil of the eye.

portrait of a golden oak leaf

So I am certainly not the first person to take a photo of a beautiful fall leaf. But I did try to capture a unique view.

love this lily!

Can you believe the color?!

daisy delight

hidden heart

Do you see it?

I heart birch trees.

I heart sitting outside listening to Lake Michigan snuggling my baby (as I was when I spied this heart!).

I think they're pretty

My daughters love to give them to me. I choose to see dandelions as gifts, not as nuisances.

fantastic flowering… grass?

One of the first things to flower in my garden this spring were some grasses. Every spring I seem to be surprised by something that most likely happened all the previous springs. We really just need to take time to go outside and be present with our plants, don't we?

always loving a lime green

Who says nature's colors are muted?