Exploring Nature in Winter

The boys and I had to look for a park that was open. After all the snow we had some of gated parks stayed closed for a few days but we managed to find a nice spot to hang out in. For the first 30 minutes they hung out with a couple of friends on the playground equipment. Then we started walking by the little creek that runs through the park. It was really flowing well because there was melting going on. We stayed casual for a bit and I took the opportunity to notice some winter color and form.

I don't remember ever seeing this bush before. It was covered with these lovely reddish pink flowers.

The petals look like paper ribbon.

Sweet gum seed pod.

Bright green moss.

Wild strawberries peeking through the fallen leaves.

After a little while I asked the boys to explore and find two interesting things for me to take a picture of. This isn't something that I normally do, but they weren't really connecting at all with what they were seeing. I'm not sure why that was but the task definitely helped to get them going.

Here is one of Tigger's finds. He found a sweet gum seed locked into a snowy ice pack.

Pooh picked up a sweet gum seed pod too (they were all over the place) and asked me to come to this tree stump he found.

It wasn't the stump but this fungus that caught his attention.

Exploring we found the source of the little creek.

I then suggested that we hunt for tracks in the snow that was still all under the trees. I was surprised that we actually found some! I'm not good at tracks yet so this is just guessing right now:

Raccoon? (Edited: After looking thru a tracking book it's not a raccoon. I think it may be in the rodent family but with this picture it's just too hard to tell.)

Squirrel? Or Mouse?

Dog

Rabbit

After that it was time for some serious fooling around.






After all, boys must be boys.

I think we were out there for about two hours in case you're wondering. The longer we were out there the more natural our explorations were. I like ending on a positive note. It helps them have a happy memory of what we do. There weren't any notebook entries this time around. Hopefully, we'll be able to get those pulled out again soon.

The Pot Is On

When the cold winter weather sets in we all break out our comfort foods. In this family, soup is a favorite. We can be happy with simple fare or with dishes that are a little more complicated.

Our simplest soup is Ramen Noodles. Not the healthiest. However, ever since we've been married, my Latin King has taken a simple pack of ramen noodles and doctored them up. It becomes a vegetable noodle soup. We add stewed tomatoes, onion, garlic, celery and cilantro as basics. At times we add other things such as: corn, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach or green beans. He's even been known to simmer an egg in there. Evidently that was done commonly in his country and he enjoys that. It's a very inexpensive meal and I always feel better about it when we add all those healthy additions. (I don't have a picture of that right now--when I get one I'll edit this post.)

My pictures for today are of two other soup we love around here. The first soup is Leek & Potato Soup. So yummy that we hardly ever have leftovers!

I start by sauteing leeks and garlic in a little olive oil and butter. I used the stalks of 4 leeks.

Then I cut up and added about 16 red potatoes. The big lump you see in this one is a quart of turkey broth I had in the freezer. You should add enough liquid to cover the potatoes. I think mine came out to be between 3-4 quarts.

After the potatoes soften, I use an immersion blender to get a nice creamy texture. After that I added seasonings of salt, pepper, red pepper (just a bit for a little kick) and some dried rosemary. It's a hit with both boys too!

The green leaves of the leeks were left over to be used in the next soup.

The beginnings of my Olive Garden imitation of Zuppa Toscana. I love that soup! I've sauteed mild and hot italian sausage together in my cast iron pot (found at Goodwill!).

In the soup pot I add in chopped onion, the leek greens and more garlic. I used about half a head of garlic in each soup. Hey, it's good for ya!

I forgot to get photos of a couple of steps but here's the finished product. Basically, you proceed as follows: After the veggies have sauteed, add in your liquids in the form of broth and/or water and about 6 chopped potatoes. After about 10-15 minutes, add in your sausage and a few handfuls of chopped kale. For seasonings I added salt, pepper, and italian seasonings. The sausage will spice it up a bit so don't over do it. Little by little is the best way to add them.

Tigger prefers the Leek and Potato soup because this one has 'green stuff'. He ate around the kale. LOL

Pooh, on the other hand, loves the kale because it's so similar to spinach which he also loves. You go boy!

What's your winter comfort food?

It's Almost Time!!!

The Great Backyard Bird Count is almost here!!! Don't forget that it starts next Friday. I can't believe how time flies. We've gotten our feeders ready just because of all the snow happening lately. The woodpeckers have even started coming back. Having out a variety of seeds will attract more species of birds for your count.

Homemade suet for the woodpeckers. However, the Titmice like it too. I've also had a couple of starlings come for a taste.

Nijer seed is what the finches love. They will bankrupt me on it come spring time. Nijer isn't the cheapest seed but I love to watch the masses of birds it attracts. Last year we even had a small flock of Pine siskins come for this seed.

This little guy is taking a taste of the typical bird seed mix you can buy. I rarely get this kind. In the rest of the feeders I just use black oil sunflower seed.

I put out some peanuts too and because our dog was in the house we woke up to a couple of rare visitors. Once the peanuts were gone, they went to town on the seeds I scattered on top of the snow.

Got him with his mouth open!

It was such a nice morning sitting and watching out the window with Tigger. He was able to identify almost all the birds we saw that morning. I was so proud of him!!! It's great practice for next weekend when I hope to have a private session with each boy. Tigger drives Pooh nuts sometimes because he's so bouncy. He drives me nuts because he can't wait quietly while I give Pooh a chance to process information. Pooh has recently told me he's not Pooh, he's Rabbit. LOL He says it's because he likes to read so much. I think he's right about that. He definitely has some of Rabbit's characteristics. But he'll still always be my Pooh.

In conclusion, we're ready for our bird count. Are you ready for yours???

Greeting Card Fundraiser

Our local homeschool group is doing a fundraiser to raise money for our yearbooks. Yes, this is our second year having a group yearbook. Last year's was great and the kids were so excited. This year they are at it again getting pages ready for printing. We've had lots of activities to record and pictures are flying through everyone's emails in preparation.

The fundraiser consists of greeting cards made from artwork done by some of the kids in the group, Pooh included. We've taken photos of sketches or paintings they have done and had greeting cards printed with those creations. Here is the watercolor that Pooh did:


Here are some samples of other artwork included on the greeting cards:





I'm not quite sure how all this is going to come out looking. I was trying to achieve a look but the photos and words may be wonky once this is published.

If anyone would like to buy a set of greeting cards to support our group, I would be happy to email you an order form. Just click on my profile and click again on 'Email' and let me know you'd like an order form and I'll get it right to you!

You may buy a set of ten that includes different cards or you can purchase all one type. However you wish to do it. There are a total of 11 different cards. All cards are blank on the inside. We have two sizes to choose from as well-- 5x6.5 and 7x10. There will be a $2 shipping charge. They do include the envelopes.

Here is what a set of 5 looks like.

Thanks for checking them out!!!

January Snow Storm

This was our best sledding experience yet! Lots of good snow and deep enough you didn't start to hit grass after a few tries.

Big brother giving a helping hand. He's holding the sled for Tigger so it doesn't go down without him.

This was just too cute! They both got down the hill and they are working together to get themselves and their sled and board back up. You see how they are both all wrapped up and covered in white stuff? It was sleeting while we were there and soooo cold!!!

Dad is giving the snowboard a go. Whoops!

Some friends met us at the school and showed us how it's really done! LOL He has a real snowboard complete with the necessary footwear.

We ended up at the school both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, our friends brought their kayak! Isn't that hysterical?!? I even went down in it. It was fun! Hey! Whatever works is what you use. We even saw some people bring a camp air mattress and some others had inflatable pool equipment--they all worked really well.

Pooh's turn in the kayak.

Tigger on his snowboard.

He ended up with a load of ice in his face and was crying. Somehow that prevented him from being able to move so the King went down to rescue him with a little towel. Kids are so funny! This would be the same child who flips around and gets hurt all the time but a little ice in his face and the world has come undone! LOL

And the look of pure joy as he whizzes by me in the kayak.

Don't forget that just rolling down a snowy hill can be just as much fun. No need for fancy equipment! (Looking at the photo again I'm thinking "Please don't eat that!")

If the weather keeps up like the forecasters are expecting, you can expect to see more winter weather fun on this blog!!!

Winter Ice

You know, I kinda like freezing rain. As long as it doesn't make us lose power. We haven't really had any yet this year, but I remember years past when we've had 'ice storms' and despite the devastation to trees and power, it is beautiful. Especially, the next day when the beginnings of sunshine starts to make the whole world glitter.

These photos are more of the beauty of snow melting. My greenhouse is warm enough that water is constantly dripping off the roof onto my hanging planters. Here are a few creations:

This one formed down the entire chain length from roof to pot.

The next two photos are of a machine behind the school where we went sledding. I really don't know what the machine is but it has water running through it and it formed the longest icicles I've seen in a long time.


No matter what form water takes, it is beautiful. It's nice to live in a place where we get so much variety to explore. Next up, wintry mix coming this weekend. I can't wait to see what form that all takes!

Winter Bird Photos

They are just soooo cute!!! I filled my feeder, loaded up my suet cage and threw some seed on top of the snow. Then I sat at our picnic table and just waited. Within a couple of minutes they came to feed. This is as close as I've come to a towhee. The other one is a junco.

Don't they look like they are having a little conversation? Probably something like "Back off, buddy. This stuff is mine!" The white-throated sparrows are pretty spunky. They tend to chase other birds off, even other sparrows.

The view above my picnic table. Currently, we only have pines as mature trees.

Quite the charmer!

Ever seen a mockingbird's butt? You have now! He flew onto a wire above me and I just had to take the shot. At least you get a better idea of how his tail feathers look. (I was just hoping there wouldn't be a 'drop' mid-picture.)

Next up: Sledding photos and some shots of icicles.