In Love: Cottonwoods

There was a time when I would have told you that I really like cottonwood trees...

But now, now I am in the middle of a full blown love affair. (Yes, I freely admit to being a total nature nerd!)

I can't take my eyes off them; with their sunny heart shaped leaves and their towering trunks.
It is like the sun grew limbs and kissed each one with bright yellow droplets that blow and flitter in the breeze.
The dark crevices of their deep fissured bark make me want to reach out and touch them each time I stroll by, trying to contain my giddy self. (And not totally embarrass the children by taking too many photos of tree bark.)

The kids think I am a bit off my rocker. They think these trees are pretty neat too, but love, well, that is a pretty strong word!

But.
I am in love.

I am in love with these trees and thoroughly enjoying this uniquely yellow fall.

In the quiet...

There has been time away

Time at home

Trails to hike

Bugs to catch

A future to plan

Amazing projects in the works

And quiet moments...

Some things that have made me wonder and smile:

The Cat Mantis

Sand and Sea

Salt Marsh Moth

Stitched Gray Whale by K

What has been making you wonder and smile lately?

Lovin'

Lately I have been really lovin' the many faces of the bluffs, the weather, and the wildlife out the backdoor. 

With the silly turkeys in the field chasing each other and gobbling in their throaty way, the occasional deer passing through, hawks and vultures over head, song birds and hummingbirds still swooping by, and the arrival of the many flocks of geese, it is a sanctuary. For them and for me.

This space is going to be quiet until Thursday when I will post a fun Make & Listen Along! Hope you will join in... 

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Lovin'

It seems like summer is whizzing by and there is still so much to do and see. I don't think my urgency is quite as warranted as it once was. Summer extends quite a bit longer here than in Nova Scotia, but with everything so new it feels like there is much to learn before fall sets in and life out in the world begins to tuck in for the winter.

This week I have been summer lovin'...

Time in the city garden with my girl and the grasshoppers. And the pure delight she gets from being around them... even when they hop into her hair, especially when they hop into her hair.

The way photos take on a whole new life when the subjects within are anthropomorphized.  What is that ant thinking?

Cacti. They have their own beauty.

Skippers. I have tried for years to get a good shot of a skipper but well... they do skip around quite quickly. There was a group of them in the garden feeding and they were more than happy to have me close by, as long as I did not skip around much.

 

Seed pods are already showing up here and there. They don't hold the soft beauty of a flower but have their own unique rustic beauty that I love.

These sweet little white flowers showed up this week. I used the wildflower guide linked below to identify them as whorled milkweed. What a great name!

Around the web I have been lovin'...

This Southwest wildflower guide. It is amazing.

The outdoor weaving in this Backyard Art Camp post by Crafting Connections.

Amanda's new class.

Audubon guides Butterflies and Insects and Spiders apps on sale.

Amy opening her new shop. Don't tell, but a certain girl I know has a birthday coming and a sweet little embroidered pouch from Amy is one of her gifts. The hermit crab embroidery is just too cute!

This post about the Jr. Ranger Program. It is a wonderful program that my kiddos love and it is great to see other families excited about it too!

What have you been lovin' lately?

Lovin'

 Life has been good busy round these parts and there has been lots to love both here at home and around the web.

I have mentioned them before and it is worth repeating, afternoon thunder showers are a favorite around these parched parts! And the porch swing is the most perfect spot for viewing.

The power of Dad coming home with petrified wood found at the job site is not to be underestimated around here. It set off a flurry of investigation. So fun.

The desk showing signs that we really need another table in the studio is a very good thing. Lots of good stuff going on back there.

More time in the xeriscape garden this week was both lovely and productive.

There are also some super fun things happening on the web.

I simply love Amanda's idea of a fictional road trip, and you know how much we love road trips! 

KC is doing her awesome Summer Post Card Exchange again this year. I think there are a few more days to sign up and join folks from around the world exchanging post cards!

There are some really neat project and art book related posts already up for the Backyard ART Camp series. I am excited to see what all of the wonderful contributors have to offer in the coming weeks. We love new art techniques and have been working on our contribution to the series as well. 

What have you been lovin' lately? At home or on the web... if you want to leave a link to share that would be fun!

Wishing you all a happy Friday and wonderful weekend!

P.S. I promise to edit photos and share our side trip from the road trip this weekend! 

Lovin'

 Lately I have been lovin'...

Our time down by the river. 

Designing some new patterns.

Sewing more of these with some pretty fabrics.

The cottonwood snow... although not loved by others round these parts so I mostly keep that to myself & the littles, who happen to help me craft wonderful stories about the summer snow.

Researching shop options. Esty vs. Big Cartel.

Collaborating with a wonderful friend on a very cool project. More on that and a launch of something super fun tomorrow.

Feeding the ducks.

Essential Oils. This one for focus, peppermint for calming my tummy, a special blend for my little lady.

Starting The Hobbit with the little ones. Not the easiest read-aloud but they are lovin' it so far.

This cookbook. So good and the recipes sized for big groups make for great leftovers!

Having the time to stay and watch a dragonfly emerge into adulthood. Always amazing.

This post has had me thinking a whole lot lately... in lots of good and positive ways.

What have you been lovin' lately?

Lovin'

This week I have been lovin' so many things...

Seeing the image I took of my little naturalist on a promotional banknote. And learning a bit more about how money is made. 

Hot weather has us inside a bit more doing projects. Being inside is not necessarily a love but projects. Yes.

Paper mache. We have not done a lot of paper mache in the past but that might just change. Very fun!

Yucca flowers. So pretty in the front yard and all around town.

Tracking our produce stickers for a week. I am not lovin' the waste but becoming aware of just how much those little bits of plastic add up. Below is three days of stickers for us.

Solving mysteries.
As I was photographing the roses the other day I noticed one had been munched on.

When I look a bit closer I saw who was having a delicious rose snack.

First tomato flowers. I don't know if this little desert garden is going to make it. The weather has been so hot, in the 90's, and I am having a hard time keeping everyone watered and happy. We will see...

From around the web:

Trash Backwards. A very cool site created by two mom's working to reduce their families impact. This video about their story is cool. 

Two paper mache sites we found this week:

The Family Crafts site as a neat video about paper mache bases ideas.

And Ultimate Paper Mache has a ton of inspiring ideas and techniques. Check out this dragon!

Chrissy at Heart box Studio has done it again. Making magic by weaving her beautiful words with 

photographs that draw you in with the grand and the small details of a place and time. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

What have you been lovin'?

~~~

Winners for the Kindred giveaway have been announced here. Thanks to all who entered!

Lovin'

Things around these parts have been a bit busy and a bit scattered lately. Two birthdays within three days... and lots of recovering from our super fun visit with Grandma. 

Some things I have been lovin' amongst it all...

Birthday carrot cake for the big guy that is so yummy and healthy that I don't mind serving leftovers for breakfast.

Double-decker paleo brownies at the request of the newly minted seven year-old.

Cafe umbrellas on a beautiful day.

Hummingbirds at the feeder.

And along with this inspiration, the Lego building they inspire (thanks to Lori for posting this link).

Releasing mantids to the garden.

 

Sewing with this bird fabric.

Watching goslings grow with Grandma.

Watching this little guy play baseball.

Watching the moon rise.

I have also been lovin' this post, this book and this photo.

I have lots more to share and will be back tomorrow with a Make & Listen post.

What have you been lovin' lately?

Lovin'

This week I have been lovin'...

Life in the growing garden.

What we hope will become apricots.

The first bean on the seedling before it has even been planted out. Seed started a bit early?

Squash doing the same. Have you ever cooked squash blossoms? So yummy.

Locust hunting kiddos.

Jars with holes for observations of things that creep and crawl.

Mantis eggs purchased at the garden center. Two very excited kids. Daily. Hourly watching for hatching.

Reading.

Sweetness and Light for me.

The Boy Who Drew Birds,  When Bugs Were Big, Plants Were Strange, Tetrapods Stalked the Earth & Chicken Feathers for the kiddos.

Around the web:

This new month long series about Starting and Growing a Creative Business.

This. This. And This. 

This idea for Mother's day. I want one!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with lots of things to love!

 What have you been lovin' this week?