tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26181627698212691502024-03-16T14:53:00.204-04:00A Natural Nesterlizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01863664496675602962noreply@blogger.comBlogger548125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-20822769378166716712015-06-01T08:47:00.004-04:002015-06-01T08:47:53.096-04:00Summer Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVpjwwn0l5E1repiEdy7gaLSsC02goO-HXJvtG3cQDF-f0nX-_DIl66turEFWM3Y_pIl8aercOpvNNr5p-i7jtl81_wHrDeM-_ebeTAdu0DYi6Ih-ZPBuApIB5Jt-l0NCM3CBUXNaEi0/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVpjwwn0l5E1repiEdy7gaLSsC02goO-HXJvtG3cQDF-f0nX-_DIl66turEFWM3Y_pIl8aercOpvNNr5p-i7jtl81_wHrDeM-_ebeTAdu0DYi6Ih-ZPBuApIB5Jt-l0NCM3CBUXNaEi0/s640/DSC_0309.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Hi friends. It's been super quiet here for weeks, making it a little late to let you know I'm taking a bit of a break. Nothing is wrong... I'm just taking some time to focus on our family business and to enjoy summertime with my gals. We'll be swimming in the pool, riding bikes, playing with friends, making art, going to the beach, and working our way through <em>Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</em>. I wish you a wonderful summer!<br />
<br />
PS - While I wont have regular blogs up, you can always check out one of my online summer course/camp offerings: <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/at-home-summer-nature-camp-ecurriculum.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/at-home-summer-nature-camp-ecurriculum.html" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8yPjP9u9LUs62gHGLRCKorNrlKC_fXXrIRrLX4FSPx3MAAi1aGMNAgRHIARTQG2hAVBRb0JJ2B9xlCjZ6EhyphenhyphenvNROoY1W13fFfvnue1H86JbfpJZ8BGrKFPR_rHypoKLXvR30Xwfybv8/s200/300+x+200+Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The <strong>At-Home Summer Nature Camp eGuide</strong> is packed with ideas and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">inspiration </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">to keep your kids engaged and happy all summer long.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">
</a><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">
</a><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">
</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rhV0FMUNrtLJwzruTbUwaqKSWEuzQTKWAw6ChLgXTZAI23f1p_toKFJW8YAs2bqEcYblZXRhLn0ZI4Sn1Pz_4yH5vB3zn-M6KeykLkysD9Thyphenhypheno4RB1giVbTtHLz6A1u6yB7TxDpzkdM/s200/500+x+500+button.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">Connect to "your place" in nature with this</a><br />
<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">self-paced nature journaling course. </a><br />
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/up-away.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/up-away.html" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo4-VVIMCfrlB81q-D2lb-QrcI2781BsoefN0w3eyNCLj7fAhXMFJmzzDRV-Bs9ieblkBZ_QHcGhXroIe3FmOCR8kcbak7Wi3DNeU5Qd9v0QTyyIJSEQYDAweZWccM-9IGflPnwgCBRo/s200/up+and+away+button++500+x+500.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">This self-paced, self-directed eCourse will guide and inspire </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">you as you record the details of your summer travels. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-18632291699482855642015-04-23T09:46:00.002-04:002015-04-23T09:46:32.003-04:00Hug a Tree for Arbor Day... and 9 Other Ideas!<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55eP-Hm5xtPxPxWt0fCPYzTx5aBMopMO4lqmOOFXSUuQ_xSUQRHS_sJ_3N8-79IMMUkk4T5a8R3u5dyFJOOPPHA1gHJdySknAZU9RDyw5BtCe0rfF0SJUevSIXsCnpkbwv8L5_KB-n5Xh/s1600/Hug+a+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55eP-Hm5xtPxPxWt0fCPYzTx5aBMopMO4lqmOOFXSUuQ_xSUQRHS_sJ_3N8-79IMMUkk4T5a8R3u5dyFJOOPPHA1gHJdySknAZU9RDyw5BtCe0rfF0SJUevSIXsCnpkbwv8L5_KB-n5Xh/s400/Hug+a+Tree.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span><em>*Originally posted April 26, 2013.</em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is National Arbor Day, a special day set aside for tree planting, a</span><span style="font-size: large;">nd a great day to recognize and discuss the important role trees play in our natural world. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Here are 10 ways you can honor this over 135-year-old observance as a family, or an individual. </span><span style="font-size: large;">(It's OK to spread these activities out over several days or weeks!) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1.</strong></span> The most obvious Arbor Day act is to <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>plant a tree</strong></span> (or make a plan to plant one sometime soon). Be sure to <a href="http://www.arborday.org/trees/index-choosing.cfm" target="_blank">choose the right tree</a> for the right spot, and learn how to properly <a href="http://www.arborday.org/trees/index-planting.cfm" target="_blank">plant and care</a> for it! </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span></strong> Go on a <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>neighborhood tree walk</strong></span>. Stroll around your neighborhood, or a nearby park, and observe all the different types of trees. Bring along a field guide to identify what you see, or alternatively, take photos and use the Internet to identify your neighborhood trees when you get home (visit <a href="http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeid.html">www.arborday.org/trees/treeid.html</a>). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3.</span></strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stop by the library and pickup a few </span><strong>books about trees</strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Consider picture books for little ones, such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Tree-CD-Shel-Silverstein/dp/0060586753/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366990443&sr=1-1&keywords=tree" target="_blank">The Giving Tree</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Nice-Janice-May-Udry/dp/0064431479/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366990443&sr=1-10&keywords=tree" target="_blank">A Tree is Nice</a>. Older children will appreciated non-fiction/resource books to learn more about trees; local tree identification guides; and even the classic coming-of-age story <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Grows-Brooklyn-P-S/dp/0061120073/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366990443&sr=1-11&keywords=tree" target="_blank">A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</a>. Adults, check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tree-John-Fowles/dp/0061997773/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366990443&sr=1-4&keywords=tree" target="_blank">The Tree,</a> a nonfiction look at how the natural world affects human lives.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4.</span></strong> Make <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>bark rubbings</strong><span style="font-size: small;"> using paper and crayons or colored pencils. Lay your paper over the bark of different trees and rub it with a crayon... watch the patterns and texture of the bark magically appear! </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">5.</span></strong> Make a list of all the different foods that come from trees (think beyond just apples and oranges to other edible tree products such as cinnamon [tree bark] and syrup [tree sap]). Pick a favorite from the list and <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>make a tree-grown snack </strong></span>to enjoy and share in gratitude. </div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">6.</span></strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Find a spot to</span> <strong>relax</strong></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>under a shady tree</strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">. Lie down and look up through the branches and leaves. Lean against the trunk and read a book. Pack a picnic to eat in the shade...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>7.</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Write</span></strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>a poem about a tree</strong> <span style="font-size: small;">in honor of Arbor Day and National Poetry Month</span></span>. Pick a tree in your yard to write about... or conjure up an image of the most beautiful - or unusual- tree you can imagine. Be creative! Read some of these <a href="http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/thematic_poems/tree_poems.html" target="_blank">famous poems</a> for inspiration.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">8.</span></strong> O<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">bserve </span><strong>what animals, insects, and birds live in and around the trees</strong></span> in your area. Think about what role the trees play for the wildlife (shelter, food, rest). Consider starting a nature journal in which to record your observations.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">9.</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Volunteer time or donate money to a local tree-planting organization</span></strong> and help grow trees <em>and</em> community! Visit <a href="http://www.arbordaynow.org/">www.arbordaynow.org</a> to find out where and how you can make a difference in your area.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>10.</strong></span> If nothing else, go outside and <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>hug a tree</strong></span> today. It's a sweet and simple way to express your gratitude for all the benefits trees offer to you and your planet. Plus, it feels great!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">***How do you celebrate Arbor Day?***</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Help this list grow by adding a comment!</span></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-61290065134241198632015-04-13T06:24:00.000-04:002015-04-20T08:10:09.106-04:00Enter to Win... 8 Weeks of Backyard Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdHCu0Gqn2TopHWLk3mWpaQZWYrJx6l6egtx1VAFMow6acHCVgzeAVvTaK21VeQ05HjIGdYjsO0E3YuG_Od91kQzWA5iQe7BXgMBJl1wdjEmEmKUdJJmKbu4vts9o4CwGBuZYLlNlUXk/s1600/mad+mimi+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdHCu0Gqn2TopHWLk3mWpaQZWYrJx6l6egtx1VAFMow6acHCVgzeAVvTaK21VeQ05HjIGdYjsO0E3YuG_Od91kQzWA5iQe7BXgMBJl1wdjEmEmKUdJJmKbu4vts9o4CwGBuZYLlNlUXk/s1600/mad+mimi+header.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/at-home-summer-nature-camp-ecurriculum.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The At-Home Summer Nature Camp eGuide</span></a> </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
offers eight weeks of guided fun, including outdoor activities, indoor projects, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
arts & crafts, kid-friendly lessons, field trip ideas, recipes, and more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Don't miss this fun & affordable family resource for summer!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>**Enter to Win a Copy**</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><em>see below</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are images from my family's adventures with the At-Home Summer Nature Camp </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when it debuted (And an overview of each week's materials):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbOrV0yL7SKdHGzk4vbsTZRxcGhjtTsIG0Wwj4xFfsZLx8_tkAAZzq14Vr4KtYSAvPKScAkbPRNK3Tk8cj4mb3dxqHJTv-HoZWxE8Nqp_mrS_Aor1qU9AJPJMzZeWmPI4kua44zCzZf8/s1600/Wishing+Tree+Basket+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbOrV0yL7SKdHGzk4vbsTZRxcGhjtTsIG0Wwj4xFfsZLx8_tkAAZzq14Vr4KtYSAvPKScAkbPRNK3Tk8cj4mb3dxqHJTv-HoZWxE8Nqp_mrS_Aor1qU9AJPJMzZeWmPI4kua44zCzZf8/s1600/Wishing+Tree+Basket+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>A Spot in the Shade Week</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simple Tent Making - Pack a Picnic - A Wishing Tree Basket</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nature Study & Play Bag: Insects! - Field Trip: Hop on the Bus, Gus!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: wishing tree basket craft</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEet-mb8lLZBchmdFKFQPdp8tB2JDiUTVUcuxsTIubRxxCjqRFQ_9AeYuaFvCJkHSf-C5X0KFMIFnLqq5ST1_YZ1mIUxXCXKznRfw1Rywzl5pmW6IgtMSycowhobvtocXTxaCnIhzwqs/s1600/5+Frogs+Craft+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEet-mb8lLZBchmdFKFQPdp8tB2JDiUTVUcuxsTIubRxxCjqRFQ_9AeYuaFvCJkHSf-C5X0KFMIFnLqq5ST1_YZ1mIUxXCXKznRfw1Rywzl5pmW6IgtMSycowhobvtocXTxaCnIhzwqs/s1600/5+Frogs+Craft+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong> </strong><strong>Ponds & Frogs Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raising Tadpoles - Pond Scum Smoothies - Five Little Speckled Frogs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pond Dipping - Field Trip: Visit an Aquarium or Zoo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: five speckled frogs on a log craft</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xEUrBdcGVxiKqSZtbaZyWbKLP-SYSovGns37u6UM6AuLolJUVE4elUyUsMAmowbDf90W4qlqXEpNZVqqAXh3cEc-0pKXv3pYZ02MUdIO2SoFyd-DA0wE5jlqduhm4_aMRDsD1yLtA5k/s1600/Fruit+&+Veggie+Stamping+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xEUrBdcGVxiKqSZtbaZyWbKLP-SYSovGns37u6UM6AuLolJUVE4elUyUsMAmowbDf90W4qlqXEpNZVqqAXh3cEc-0pKXv3pYZ02MUdIO2SoFyd-DA0wE5jlqduhm4_aMRDsD1yLtA5k/s1600/Fruit+&+Veggie+Stamping+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>An Edible Garden Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Farmer's Market Photo Scavenger Hunt - Farmer's Market Recipes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fruit & Veggie Stamping - Plant a Pizza Garden - Field Trip: Visit a U-Pick Farm</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: local fruit & veggie stamping craft</em></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfdr6GE1WlMN4JXe2Gn3oJYuDF4f0UsyU9E2Emc5jKQmX_Fj1ZUtBZ-Ngk-VmEES9MPQOY8bxYqmdF8l7eVtoNKVA-42kdNFhamHBlc_QKza-YzNNchO7GB1QqekPH5vWCHPzXvqUUE/s1600/Rain+Rain2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfdr6GE1WlMN4JXe2Gn3oJYuDF4f0UsyU9E2Emc5jKQmX_Fj1ZUtBZ-Ngk-VmEES9MPQOY8bxYqmdF8l7eVtoNKVA-42kdNFhamHBlc_QKza-YzNNchO7GB1QqekPH5vWCHPzXvqUUE/s1600/Rain+Rain2+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Rain, Rain Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make a Rain Gauge - Cheesy Croutons & Tomato Soup - After the Rain Color Quest </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raindrop-Inspired Watercolor Painting - Field Trip: A Puddle Walk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: make your own rain gauge project & rainwater art</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFhXn56BJgeFuqAxXD4arGJgDb0rw0teMa9zT5nYmbSTmvXOb4Q9Wt95Y15k-yvtKhrIcEP9LwXTGY8D42P7epjGsl22CsKFX0X0DTQxH32YqHq2IRq8NLjMmrp5Og3L6xBzI5sBo7e4/s1600/The+Night+Sky+Week+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFhXn56BJgeFuqAxXD4arGJgDb0rw0teMa9zT5nYmbSTmvXOb4Q9Wt95Y15k-yvtKhrIcEP9LwXTGY8D42P7epjGsl22CsKFX0X0DTQxH32YqHq2IRq8NLjMmrp5Og3L6xBzI5sBo7e4/s1600/The+Night+Sky+Week+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The Night Sky Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Batik Star Maps - Honey Popcorn Planets - Star Mobile & Pins </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make a Telescope - A Virtual Field Trip: Blast Off to Space</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: star map project, honey popcorn planets treat, star pin board craft, virtual field trip</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhVk8NKr3-ZQCwc9JHAud2-eelvjijD5cnKHgzexEaLiJ8U4Wm9BhwpH9PwPp92LXjTVdq6mBs1z29yg21crB0-THCEBNM4Jn1tVSjBnp0zH0dqFZ4UDHsAtA5DZ0LOIXCD9WDlS4fF0/s1600/Sun+Fun+Peg+Dolls+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhVk8NKr3-ZQCwc9JHAud2-eelvjijD5cnKHgzexEaLiJ8U4Wm9BhwpH9PwPp92LXjTVdq6mBs1z29yg21crB0-THCEBNM4Jn1tVSjBnp0zH0dqFZ4UDHsAtA5DZ0LOIXCD9WDlS4fF0/s1600/Sun+Fun+Peg+Dolls+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Sun Fun Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make a Pizza Box Solar Oven - Honey Herb Lemonade - Icarus Myth Peg Dolls </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make a Shadow Sun Dial - Field Trip: Take a Dip in a Swimming Hole</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: Icarus myth peg dolls (story telling, art & play!)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjhYk8Iq6vTyQVMpBP7_TVQbIGs6FiscsjPy_fNADHTCu1lDFyRbeQptSZqkjiwR9uG2Mm0DvFA5VDg8_u0ZGVM7L3bG0C4nCxZ2YmQrlK-kI-bXnNVJVmiU0x6aXiCyPUPO2dcTqbmY/s1600/Sandollar+SnickerdoodlesCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjhYk8Iq6vTyQVMpBP7_TVQbIGs6FiscsjPy_fNADHTCu1lDFyRbeQptSZqkjiwR9uG2Mm0DvFA5VDg8_u0ZGVM7L3bG0C4nCxZ2YmQrlK-kI-bXnNVJVmiU0x6aXiCyPUPO2dcTqbmY/s1600/Sandollar+SnickerdoodlesCollage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>At the Beach Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beach Small World Play - Gluten Free Sand Dollar Snickerdoodles - Sand Candles </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Family Beach Mandalas - Field Trip: Dig Your Own Sea Turtle Nest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: sand dollar snickerdoodle cookies</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGGfFRXxXBQXqrb-KPlNJzgDIEeoE6RpnVqvy3hucMmO8QS0zQuKEv_PsFQro2RwzqXlKQiFoRl06bhg5RBfsOXtI6vZ6P1lHrBvp44ZrPiBHGLkESkqiUPV-pjtOxneL0jPTSR2M0rU/s1600/wildflower+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGGfFRXxXBQXqrb-KPlNJzgDIEeoE6RpnVqvy3hucMmO8QS0zQuKEv_PsFQro2RwzqXlKQiFoRl06bhg5RBfsOXtI6vZ6P1lHrBvp44ZrPiBHGLkESkqiUPV-pjtOxneL0jPTSR2M0rU/s1600/wildflower+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Wildflowers & Bees Week</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make a Native Bee Condo - Homemade Honey Ice Cream - Meadow Branch Weaving</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Wild" Flower Mud Pies - Field Trip: Go on a Wildflower Hunt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>pictured: wild flower mud pies & bee condo project</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This one-of-a-kind resource also includes two all-summer-long projects, and custom-selected book and media suggestions to accompany every weekly theme!</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/at-home-summer-nature-camp-ecurriculum.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Learn More & Purchase for Instant Download Here</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Giveaway over.</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: orange;">Congratulations to Megan Lunt!</span></strong><br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="fa56f5fd1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fa56f5fd1/" id="rcwidget_ffh6hrs5" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-7857176217823024272015-03-30T13:20:00.002-04:002015-03-30T13:26:12.080-04:00A Place of Enchantment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkaB2p9EAaQV5jgUvJqpovBnRxjg2wQAkv-xjz-n2YaCKC6ulgWQGjeO6aNwqyGKuldwu_CgyJHxtb2LfTkhSem76mJ9H5ixJB7modIw2n990YaiO8Q_dCRYwJW0AZRn5txwQZSbtVAY/s1600/Rawlings+1+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkaB2p9EAaQV5jgUvJqpovBnRxjg2wQAkv-xjz-n2YaCKC6ulgWQGjeO6aNwqyGKuldwu_CgyJHxtb2LfTkhSem76mJ9H5ixJB7modIw2n990YaiO8Q_dCRYwJW0AZRn5txwQZSbtVAY/s1600/Rawlings+1+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
I've <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/07/inspiration.html" target="_blank">written before</a> about visiting the Cross Creek, Florida estate of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. After a third, recent visit, I remain enchanted. Something about this place just speaks to me, from the typewriters on the front porch and in the bedroom...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcflyoltSBprE43Cfx3NR6Xz_D2bDphTEWPYG0RlTz0M814vNaHV08lIo4FJsaYi7RsDV7pDjSBaAgRlVK5Uxct_vIHJScMto6kvetjcZujmrKTgeHsxp9ENdpp0DG2rH6mIBhUiZ9duk/s1600/Rawlings+2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcflyoltSBprE43Cfx3NR6Xz_D2bDphTEWPYG0RlTz0M814vNaHV08lIo4FJsaYi7RsDV7pDjSBaAgRlVK5Uxct_vIHJScMto6kvetjcZujmrKTgeHsxp9ENdpp0DG2rH6mIBhUiZ9duk/s1600/Rawlings+2+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The books on the shelf are all by authors who visited Rawlings at her Florida home - including Robert Frost, Zora Neale Hurston, Margaret Mithcell, and Thornton Wilder!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...to the tiny kitchen showcasing cast iron, fresh eggs, and home-canned produce.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBDZ-I8-wu2DYVUhOSMmEAZ2DF0VAXq78rVjSfP0RrkdYEVv_tvEmhy5WhDtKZIYaDQ59SzfjZYPzEpIRQObdDqxsCL5CJySpVe8V1soXpQFIhX7L-CmBihR4kdcsvBSJhsSbUpZzch8/s1600/Rawlings+3+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBDZ-I8-wu2DYVUhOSMmEAZ2DF0VAXq78rVjSfP0RrkdYEVv_tvEmhy5WhDtKZIYaDQ59SzfjZYPzEpIRQObdDqxsCL5CJySpVe8V1soXpQFIhX7L-CmBihR4kdcsvBSJhsSbUpZzch8/s1600/Rawlings+3+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nature collections in baskets on the porch included treasures ranging from antlers and gourds, to wasp nests and a turtle shell, to pinecones and sea shells. I even spotted a found nest tucked in a berry basket up on a shelf!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3XvlpsVPsm1xOBgAgTBxesTDEOgT0Dmz-toQnj_T5dcGdZlIwCb5ltHuned30FLiTcCiHW1gR2WUlRa-g7N0nSRiEI-Y2lyQ5RwOU2J0Mdz-2764AROWJcyf5ssyxM-8a2pkUqoPp08/s1600/Rawlings+4+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3XvlpsVPsm1xOBgAgTBxesTDEOgT0Dmz-toQnj_T5dcGdZlIwCb5ltHuned30FLiTcCiHW1gR2WUlRa-g7N0nSRiEI-Y2lyQ5RwOU2J0Mdz-2764AROWJcyf5ssyxM-8a2pkUqoPp08/s1600/Rawlings+4+Collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fresh flowers, picked from the property, adorned every room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPu3QV87mUXiqtWog389MZBZ4p5UBxI7dgsPb8sJ1QUxeM9sO8sCPfv0zbDsCWx6IYp8c2qcwZQmDgCc1OAWQu-dqYb2NiEGqBjF15lrYFBZs3T9OERke-Xw17CeLR5-qNxRx6Pe_Lz0/s1600/Rawlings+6+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPu3QV87mUXiqtWog389MZBZ4p5UBxI7dgsPb8sJ1QUxeM9sO8sCPfv0zbDsCWx6IYp8c2qcwZQmDgCc1OAWQu-dqYb2NiEGqBjF15lrYFBZs3T9OERke-Xw17CeLR5-qNxRx6Pe_Lz0/s1600/Rawlings+6+Collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
And in the back, a gorgeous kitchen garden, chickens, and ducks. All this, tucked into an orange grove that was in full bloom - a scent that takes me back to memories of my childhood home, surrounded by a dozen citrus trees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYhApijzSu-TEm1eWWvKrcEc3MwAhqk_d9oEN_p8NaxC6xxGQlcrOp_xIedCVRoXAzQjDEHA8tRNo7vBBSYGCyRtCvSOTOqEbiQyLJc5DV4yJVAp5BhSVmqa1W8nblFskmf00Tuv-eh0/s1600/Rawlings+5+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYhApijzSu-TEm1eWWvKrcEc3MwAhqk_d9oEN_p8NaxC6xxGQlcrOp_xIedCVRoXAzQjDEHA8tRNo7vBBSYGCyRtCvSOTOqEbiQyLJc5DV4yJVAp5BhSVmqa1W8nblFskmf00Tuv-eh0/s1600/Rawlings+5+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>“I do not understand how anyone can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to.”</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have more to say about this... about creating a "place of enchantment" for oneself... about writing and cooking and nature and flowers and gardening. Things I hold so dear. But for now, I just wanted to share this bit of inspiration via photos taken on a lovely weekend retreat with a dear friend. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-52976726065111199792015-03-25T08:13:00.003-04:002015-03-25T08:17:05.231-04:00A Welcome Spring Celebration (+ Easter Basket Prep)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SHj3Ik5TTxyR35FQTevo428rAAvR4bySrb7X74XoxfNuAI3JwWJN0RWYleWnUhxvmbs8CmJPERbRVdhcXv75h2lwmxIiGPFzN63AUcPs0oeFVTTi-CMsEIJO0b2UOyx_OgChsB8JzeA/s1600/Welcome+Spring+Party+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SHj3Ik5TTxyR35FQTevo428rAAvR4bySrb7X74XoxfNuAI3JwWJN0RWYleWnUhxvmbs8CmJPERbRVdhcXv75h2lwmxIiGPFzN63AUcPs0oeFVTTi-CMsEIJO0b2UOyx_OgChsB8JzeA/s1600/Welcome+Spring+Party+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
We had a little celebration of spring on Friday, the Vernal Equinox. When the girls came home from school, they were welcomed with fresh flowers (from our garden & yard!) and some favorite spring decorations. The spring books, a clear nature table, and baskets of plastic eggs awaited them. (My gals still love to play "egg hunt" - they take turns hiding and finding plastic eggs around the house.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88SzX6kinUa9iYj5HZKyu4nlowK6d6_CcKekOtzqlZPfza1hIm2xiZSppW__9w-sEP3Ku_3gYGB2TVaEBuRqovov3XjoFM1aAOIreUmvI7ru-0PScPK_dMP_RWLpjXUJpxgHucKtnhVs/s1600/Welcome+Spring+Party+Food+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88SzX6kinUa9iYj5HZKyu4nlowK6d6_CcKekOtzqlZPfza1hIm2xiZSppW__9w-sEP3Ku_3gYGB2TVaEBuRqovov3XjoFM1aAOIreUmvI7ru-0PScPK_dMP_RWLpjXUJpxgHucKtnhVs/s1600/Welcome+Spring+Party+Food+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Our snack was simple, and all straight from Trader Joe's this year. It was a busy week, and homemade treats were forgone for colorful, sweet goodies (I love that TJ's uses fruit & vegetable based coloring). We had strawberry lemonade, chocolate sunflower seed drops, carrot cake cookie sandwiches, and gourmet jelly beans. It was a sugar-bomb of a party, followed by lots of outdoor play to burn it off! Later in the weekend, we planted the girls Easter baskets with wheatgrass seed - it's become a tradition to have real grass in their baskets. Here are last year's on Easter morning:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkP5wOM7CCGL1O0tsoclPevybTWiFxMqibmgoa9RxTAq6j320DXky70yhDBSBfrTwNoFB5hykIK17JVEzhlHs3-6qjmMcb7pKPRmnVXMrrX7NkxuBD4pAc2zPwZGFId2TOQi9iB9MjZI/s1600/Easter+basket+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkP5wOM7CCGL1O0tsoclPevybTWiFxMqibmgoa9RxTAq6j320DXky70yhDBSBfrTwNoFB5hykIK17JVEzhlHs3-6qjmMcb7pKPRmnVXMrrX7NkxuBD4pAc2zPwZGFId2TOQi9iB9MjZI/s1600/Easter+basket+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></em></a></div>
Need ideas for your baskets? Last year, ours included: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surf-Sweets-Vegan-Variety-Ounce/dp/B00IJN5MGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284841&sr=8-1&keywords=surf+sweets" target="_blank">Surf Sweets jelly beans</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eden-Organic-Blueberries-Pocket-Snacks/dp/B00HZO4RCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284937&sr=8-1&keywords=eden+dried+fruit+snack+pack" target="_blank">Eden dried fruit pocket snacks</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Friends-Natural-Chocolate-Coconut/dp/B00E98TY10/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284893&sr=8-4&keywords=wild+friends+chocolate+coconut" target="_blank">Wild Friends chocolate coconut peanut butter packets</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glee-Gum-6-Flavor-16-Piece-Packages/dp/B00JS2DNNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284764&sr=8-1&keywords=glee+gum" target="_blank">Glee Gum</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endangered-Species-Bites-Smooth-Chocolate/dp/B00O0X1PHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284723&sr=8-4&keywords=endangered+species+bug+bites" target="_blank">Endangered Species Bug Bites</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aura-Cacia-Aromatherapy-Cheering-Tangerine/dp/B000U5W710/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284552&sr=8-4&keywords=aura+cacia+cheering+foam+bath" target="_blank">Aura Cacia Cheering Foam Bath</a> (all these came from our local natural foods store). Also: honey sticks, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-42573-Play-Doh-Eggs-Count/dp/B002XQ7QJW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284880&sr=8-1&keywords=play+doh+eggs" target="_blank">Play-Doh eggs</a>, a votive candle, markers, <a href="http://www.magiccabin.com/Plush-Toys/Set-of-Two-Spring-Wind-Up-Animals.htm" target="_blank">wind up toys from Magic Cabin</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lindt-GOLD-BUNNY-Chocolate-Ounce/dp/B00B96KPXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284797&sr=8-1&keywords=lindt+chocolate+bunny" target="_blank">Lindt chocolate bunnies</a>, a book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Endangered-Species-Bites-Smooth-Chocolate/dp/B00O0X1PHK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1427284723&sr=8-4&keywords=endangered+species+bug+bites" target="_blank"></a>and plastic bird water whistles.<br />
<br />
<strong>Feel free to share basket filler ideas in the comments below!</strong><br />
<br />
xoxo - LizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-5217580970967991662015-03-16T11:04:00.000-04:002015-03-16T11:26:02.037-04:00Spring = Strawberry Picking <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdr9Inc1SIiEKoRgHDnq2hKTRP-hzaXh2tj7OidgYZigyi25GKMIC63o3KRv4fc6e7dTgozKgTU_s1TneWAcOJ7HfKfTBrVbYYJXFrHEZoSz2oHiaCUi7SwPzXvOtTLdePcJmtYeL1Dw/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+2015+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdr9Inc1SIiEKoRgHDnq2hKTRP-hzaXh2tj7OidgYZigyi25GKMIC63o3KRv4fc6e7dTgozKgTU_s1TneWAcOJ7HfKfTBrVbYYJXFrHEZoSz2oHiaCUi7SwPzXvOtTLdePcJmtYeL1Dw/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+2015+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Spring is the height of <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2009/02/strawberry-jubilee.html" target="_blank">strawberry season</a> here, and it's become an <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-break-day-5.html" target="_blank">annual tradition</a> for us to visit a <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2011/02/strawberry-traditions.html" target="_blank">local u-pick</a> and <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2012/02/season-kick-off-strawberries-and.html" target="_blank">gather a few berries</a> straight from the source. Over the weekend, we checked out a new hydroponic farm nearby, where rows and rows of vertical planters dripped with juicy, red jewels. It was an idealistic setting and a gorgeous cool, sunny morning - a perfect ending to a full week of spring break fun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKGI43v7A_ZjXKCalaDMO-i4l2w-UNYtVal1Siai-9EL9egqlGXEPcKnwdF4EL6rfj5GUt581jrpud9bXUkq8_iC7-TARVi5r_9u4xU-e_HEc8FIkJH_JUcmkm_So_UKkbM_NX9fLJsc/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+3+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKGI43v7A_ZjXKCalaDMO-i4l2w-UNYtVal1Siai-9EL9egqlGXEPcKnwdF4EL6rfj5GUt581jrpud9bXUkq8_iC7-TARVi5r_9u4xU-e_HEc8FIkJH_JUcmkm_So_UKkbM_NX9fLJsc/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+3+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My niece, my gals and a friend, my husband, and my mother all joined in. After filling our baskets, we explored the farm and took a little swing in some shady hammocks next to the chicken coop. On the way out, I stopped at the market stand for some produce and a few potted herbs & bell peppers to put in the garden. This is my kind of place!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtBsJZPvLdeeHyS9sWECWJO2iMuGNNXAlH8TD9VRaLWZvAnpM1rEMlW1p38qYQdbJed-FWtN3Iyno6Qn4LqhsqWNYlcm-oWWcDE8lgouxPxMFB9-FDrGtIu5AthS6t3Fgy45ajfuz9Pg/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+4+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtBsJZPvLdeeHyS9sWECWJO2iMuGNNXAlH8TD9VRaLWZvAnpM1rEMlW1p38qYQdbJed-FWtN3Iyno6Qn4LqhsqWNYlcm-oWWcDE8lgouxPxMFB9-FDrGtIu5AthS6t3Fgy45ajfuz9Pg/s1600/Strawberry+Picking+4+Collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've been enjoying fresh baby spinach, radishes, and lots of strawberries (sliced and sugared) all weekend long. <em>Spring!!</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em></em> </div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Read my </span><a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/online-magazine/winter-2013/in-the-dirt-u-pick-it-a-sweet-deal/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Strawberry U-Pick It Guide.</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And get recipes for </span></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/desserts/quick-strawberry-jam-hand-pies/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Strawberry Jam Hand Pies</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span><a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/condiments/strawberry-poppy-seed-vinaigrette/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">!</span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
PS - It's not too late to join <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">A Natural Nest, the eCourse</a> ... we're kicking off Week 1 today! And a group is gathering over on the <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">A Sense of Place</a> Community page where we're ramping up for some spring nature journaling. You can get the self-paced course guide <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/nature-journaling-e-course.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Join in one, or both, for more spring goodness!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-39678062065118721612015-03-09T08:42:00.003-04:002015-03-09T08:48:53.240-04:00It Starts Next Week!<h2 align="center" class="madmimi-text-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, "Lucida Sans Typewriter", "Lucida Typewriter", monospace; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></h2>
<h2 class="madmimi-text-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, "Lucida Sans Typewriter", "Lucida Typewriter", monospace; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The inaugural session of <a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html">A Natural Nest, the eCourse</a>, </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">starts Monday, March 16th! </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Join in as we focus on creating a holistic home.</span></h2>
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm pretty excited to start the first session of </span><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" style="color: mediumaquamarine; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A Natural Nest</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> next week! It's a six-week eCourse packed with information, guidance, ideas, tips, projects, recipes, and more to help you create a seasonal, family-centered home. Will you be joining in?</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRJPDrqIFssOEdkSxiVNTNqvVuyycIGH5zwowYk8ckTJ_ecU-xcJFVubc3nOhxb7ZAFdw0GNks4dX37FYjiGYIiyvUnef4HDHGUWl0JQC-Ez9z34XxZ74sQmS7C-zhyphenhyphen26mjvrGmsK7VM/s1600/topics+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRJPDrqIFssOEdkSxiVNTNqvVuyycIGH5zwowYk8ckTJ_ecU-xcJFVubc3nOhxb7ZAFdw0GNks4dX37FYjiGYIiyvUnef4HDHGUWl0JQC-Ez9z34XxZ74sQmS7C-zhyphenhyphen26mjvrGmsK7VM/s1600/topics+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This course:</span></div>
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Gives you building blocks to lay the foundation for a beautiful and functional home.</span></span><br />
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
</span><br />
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="outside-block" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; border-width: 0px; display: none; float: left; margin: auto; mso-hide: all; text-align: left; width: 12px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mimi-bullet" style="clear: both; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; width: 0px;" width="12"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
</span><span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Offers the framework to develop your family culture and create meaningful and memorable family time.</span></span><br />
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
</span><br />
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="outside-block" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; border-width: 0px; display: none; float: left; margin: auto; mso-hide: all; text-align: left; width: 12px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mimi-bullet" style="clear: both; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; width: 0px;" width="12"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Provides direction in strengthening the heart of your home by creating a conscious kitchen.</span></span></div>
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
</span><span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"> </span><br />
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="outside-block" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; border-width: 0px; display: none; float: left; margin: auto; mso-hide: all; text-align: left; width: 12px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mimi-bullet" style="clear: both; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; width: 0px;" width="12"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
</span><span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Shares basic ideas for growing some of your own food right outside y</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">our home.</span></span><br />
<span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"> <div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="outside-block" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; border-width: 0px; display: none; float: left; margin: auto; mso-hide: all; text-align: left; width: 12px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mimi-bullet" style="clear: both; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; width: 0px;" width="12"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Helps you foster creative expression as a family, including making space for creativity in your nest.</span></div>
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="outside-block" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; border-width: 0px; display: none; float: left; margin: auto; mso-hide: all; text-align: left; width: 12px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="mimi-bullet" style="clear: both; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; width: 0px;" width="12"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-ul" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span class="mimi-bullet">▪ </span>Encourages you to build a community that will support your family, and ideas for gathering your tribe.</span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk-ZvXeAKFh4qJ8gMlXM4Li6jCP68zSNbH3tat1kDds7TPUtoYfiw_BzcpoNqAgT6Im9VK6AJSWzeFNRTNYNQ0RizyF8JJ17sYXAj6YayV1L05ckww4HV6mX9K6YlAxSafsKv8Q-ZCJI/s1600/sticker+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk-ZvXeAKFh4qJ8gMlXM4Li6jCP68zSNbH3tat1kDds7TPUtoYfiw_BzcpoNqAgT6Im9VK6AJSWzeFNRTNYNQ0RizyF8JJ17sYXAj6YayV1L05ckww4HV6mX9K6YlAxSafsKv8Q-ZCJI/s1600/sticker+Collage.jpg" height="214" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">PLUS: fun ideas for family time, decorating with nature, hosting a potluck, a unique DIY meal plan calendar, a welcome spring party plan, homegrown smudge sticks, a family creativity journal, creating a peace center, and SO much more!</span></div>
<div class="madmimi-text-container" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> </div>
<h2 align="center" class="madmimi-text-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, "Lucida Sans Typewriter", "Lucida Typewriter", monospace; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Don't miss out on the inaugural, spring session of </span></h2>
<h2 align="center" class="madmimi-text-container" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, "Lucida Sans Typewriter", "Lucida Typewriter", monospace; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">A Natural Nest</em>. Learn more and </span><a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" style="color: mediumaquamarine; text-decoration: none;" target=""><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">SIGN UP now</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">!</span></h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-15662161913234270962015-03-06T08:49:00.003-05:002015-03-06T09:00:07.566-05:00Gardening at School + A Kale Feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizrBsei0t3beJSBCIyaHHo7ucftPEEjgiPmZd_2Z6-yzXbAEUgzQV_phnVF_1WlIemBqABWucH6Fu-LHHD0TRiA_DhKtU0MH9776SK-ah5Nzh4g18bV_s-H5xKhrxyJX3iVFdeNE8vyE/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizrBsei0t3beJSBCIyaHHo7ucftPEEjgiPmZd_2Z6-yzXbAEUgzQV_phnVF_1WlIemBqABWucH6Fu-LHHD0TRiA_DhKtU0MH9776SK-ah5Nzh4g18bV_s-H5xKhrxyJX3iVFdeNE8vyE/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+1.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple months ago, I shared my adventures <a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2014/12/nature-journaling-at-school.html">nature journaling at school</a> with my daughter's class (4th-6th grades). We also did a bit of gardening in the fall. They have four garden beds in their classroom's yard; we filled them with starts of lettuce, spinach, kale, a mix of herbs, green onions, tomatoes, and peppers. We also planted seeds for beans, radishes, and some edible flowers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZwMygqdE_qz6sgkq90dxX4NtalRUc9leJ8N4dDlHcI-9jjCfO2ETHbbqF2_LaAzQgG3ma7g5aIOuuVuceftf-oMVdU_3-x47uXShlcuuCaiti9MghlXv1FXE-goRWs_6EaPnovUQBnc/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZwMygqdE_qz6sgkq90dxX4NtalRUc9leJ8N4dDlHcI-9jjCfO2ETHbbqF2_LaAzQgG3ma7g5aIOuuVuceftf-oMVdU_3-x47uXShlcuuCaiti9MghlXv1FXE-goRWs_6EaPnovUQBnc/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+2.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon after planting, visiting rabbits nibbled away most of our tender green starts. But a few things survived... and thrived under the care of these young gardeners. To my pleasure, kale was one of them, along with parsley, mint, arugula, and green onions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiocAIA82GMpLXI4x_ul7pvYiGHOSmXpyf3yxz2auDkWvivniDakCm3OqxgSYUH2IrvfKefN-YswCTLX38gQ-Tg47-b2xWj1yBY2iEZIvQWNvWcXD5rU4iwUXbsYQByfc1H0wI1az5N6o/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiocAIA82GMpLXI4x_ul7pvYiGHOSmXpyf3yxz2auDkWvivniDakCm3OqxgSYUH2IrvfKefN-YswCTLX38gQ-Tg47-b2xWj1yBY2iEZIvQWNvWcXD5rU4iwUXbsYQByfc1H0wI1az5N6o/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+3.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
On Tuesday, we had a harvest party and feast. Two large bowls of kale were collected from the garden, as well as a hearty amount of fresh mint. The kids were super excited to see the abundant return on their efforts over the past months.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsaE1Ec6SeK8tmFckJuQ-WNVvQMFGVhTmN5lesnKZ_trntu5paflkzjk3TWKRUChV4SApdm8UX0hwrL1OOhHjiYkEp5sMX3bK-jgyYJRM0E8TNCCSmT7BiBVd5W3GIW874nvXcvfvw-o/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+6+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsaE1Ec6SeK8tmFckJuQ-WNVvQMFGVhTmN5lesnKZ_trntu5paflkzjk3TWKRUChV4SApdm8UX0hwrL1OOhHjiYkEp5sMX3bK-jgyYJRM0E8TNCCSmT7BiBVd5W3GIW874nvXcvfvw-o/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+6+.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
Working between their classroom kitchen and back porch, they split into groups and washed, tore, "ribboned," and massaged the kale. They crushed the mint and added it to lemonade. We made a kale salad for 30, dressed with fresh squeezed orange juice & extra virgin olive oil, and topped with roasted sunflower seeds. We also made three trays of kale chips, coated with olive oil and liberally dusted with sea salt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxb78LoZ1v68ls_dftQsisadJQ-LKdZsNAF5GXztAiW5BH4674QObLdfuYm4eNyrIzuyARJz2k0bh025nDm-4YJRXfVDIBx1bWugpCa2gxHQ2omFDn2U_qjiMICkFPzhE3VyWDqJ5Dpg/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxb78LoZ1v68ls_dftQsisadJQ-LKdZsNAF5GXztAiW5BH4674QObLdfuYm4eNyrIzuyARJz2k0bh025nDm-4YJRXfVDIBx1bWugpCa2gxHQ2omFDn2U_qjiMICkFPzhE3VyWDqJ5Dpg/s1600/Gardening+IVMS+7.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a kale feast, washed down with minty lemonade. I was so very impressed with these kids - they have <em>skills </em>in the kitchen! And almost all of them (my gal not included) scarfed down the kale. Every last bite. Next up from the upper-class kitchen - green onion & mushroom quiche and frittata. And a tabouleh salad. I do believe some spring planting is on the docket too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
****************************************************</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0rSqq4V23qIk8UTbCQwp_g4GS8C2_SkI6OAy9EO6HJPGskGxFB4fyg4h-ifz2IvszKZdnISffR65z7nfGNZ7Mg-iMXWlzu2Yvj9W8CzCDWddXUzGVurbO8sYEHOVozX-stdOTdVIDik/s1600/DSC_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0rSqq4V23qIk8UTbCQwp_g4GS8C2_SkI6OAy9EO6HJPGskGxFB4fyg4h-ifz2IvszKZdnISffR65z7nfGNZ7Mg-iMXWlzu2Yvj9W8CzCDWddXUzGVurbO8sYEHOVozX-stdOTdVIDik/s1600/DSC_0720.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Our Garden-Harvest Kale Salad</strong></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2 large bunches of kale (we grew lacinato, aka Tuscan, black, or dinosaur kale) </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Juice of 2 medium oranges</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper </div>
<ol>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remove kale leaves from stem. (Hold leaf upside down; grasping top of stem in one hand, pull downwards on the leaf with other your hand, stripping the leaf from the stem).</div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stack 5-6 leaves at a time and roll them up longways. Slice the "roll" into 1/4-inch-thick ribbons. Repeat with all the kale. Place kale ribbons in a large bowl.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whisk together fresh squeezed orange juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the kale.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Massage the dressed kale with your hands, working to break down the fiber in the leaves, and rendering it more tender. Massage for 2-5 minutes, until the kale looks wilted and feels tenderized.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the salad and toss to combine. Add additional salt & pepper to taste. Enjoy! </div>
</li>
</ol>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-60867163173242942542015-03-03T09:32:00.003-05:002015-03-03T11:52:46.223-05:00Quick Garlic-Dill Pickles for Busy MamasSince January, I've been back working at my husband's business 3-4 days each week. Although my passion is writing, my education and background is in communications and public relations. And over the past 15 years, I've been in and out of the scene at the office, handling marketing & communications. Right now, I'm back in as the company is expanding. I'm also still maintaining my freelance gigs, <em>and</em> my eCourses/blog, <em>and </em>my household, <em>and</em> well, you know, all the things life with kids entails. So needless to say - I'm busy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit75llF2Gtmie0OmfwXTlyjgwQsLlPeq2Te7y-5dGdxVsNiFoF2QwhIkAFUhtKAwMddNel39s7WI7jMTRWBFEX_nQ085QG-XGLjEBuDeksoVOR2E_SIZu7oVCa472LWlDfScu9dYwkHMY/s1600/PickleCollage.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I find myself squeezing in the <em>extras</em> in all sorts of odd moments. Yesterday, during the span of time between after-school snack and my youngest daughter's dance class, I made pickles. I also ran a load of laundry, changed the water & filter in the aquarium, emptied all the trash cans, and cleaned out the fridge. But back to the pickles... I <em>had</em> to make a jar because my dill had gone to seed (a plus of a neglected garden), and I had this magnificent seed head begging to join some cukes for garlic dills. So I made 1 jar of quick refrigerator pickles. It took about 10 minutes, including time to photograph them. Here's the recipe, in case you want to squeeze in a jar too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Quick, Refrigerator Garlic-Dill Pickles</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 tbsp. kosher salt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 1/2 tbsp. organic cane sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/4 tsp. black peppercorns</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/4 tsp. black mustard seeds (or any color, I just had black on hand)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 tbsp. chopped garlic* </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2-3 sections of dill + 1 dill head</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/2 cup white vinegar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4 pickling cucumbers, quartered</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
warm filtered water</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Place the salt, pepper, mustard, garlic, dill, vinegar and cucumbers into a 1-quart mason jar, and then fill it to the top with warm water. Screw on the lid and shake the jar until the sugar and salt dissolve. Refrigerate for 24 hours for maximum flavor. Store up to 3 weeks, in the refrigerator. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>* TIP: I recently bought a jar of pre-peeled, whole garlic cloves. I love having these on hand in the fridge. It seems silly, but peeling fresh garlic always seems to add time in the kitchen and this has been a real help.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After dance class last evening, I came home to a very active sourdough starter that I'd pulled out of the fridge and fed right before I made the pickles. It had bubbled up and spilled all over the counter, which my girls found hilarious. So as I cleaned up the mess, and boiled water for a pasta dinner, and urged the girls to take their showers... I mixed up a batch of bread dough and left it to rise on the counter overnight. This morning, while packing lunches, I shaped the bread and preheated the Dutch oven while it rose. Shortly after, I did my morning workout to the smell of sourdough baking in the oven. Here's to another day of squeezing it all in! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-80155893108439027152015-02-20T08:44:00.003-05:002015-02-20T08:44:37.242-05:00The Back of the Bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFdwcGRJ0tdXHvE6dKi-YCNlea6iqyqjg9gquadZ80g7B12btsVyl-jrVI85KIxfmF6lzTuJRuaTQCfReyWnAxhrgM4J5eSi9hfRq3LlZ4eDVYjQpaHgy3c_RQZVCuNhSaiE_b_wlRbQ/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFdwcGRJ0tdXHvE6dKi-YCNlea6iqyqjg9gquadZ80g7B12btsVyl-jrVI85KIxfmF6lzTuJRuaTQCfReyWnAxhrgM4J5eSi9hfRq3LlZ4eDVYjQpaHgy3c_RQZVCuNhSaiE_b_wlRbQ/s1600/bus.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
It's particularly cold here in Florida this morning - 36 degrees. Just a few minutes ago, bundled in my warmest coat and, cradling a hot mug of coffee, I opened the side door of our minivan and watched my girls scamper toward the school bus, their breaths puffing out before them. My 7-year-old wore her warmest coat - a big, puffy, purple number she was delighted to adorn on this rare cold day. My 10-and-a-half-year-old donned only a thin, long-sleeved shirt under her uniform T-shirt; her lightweight hoodie just slung over one arm. Too cool for enforced warmth.<br />
<br />
So, as I sat in the warm silence of my car, I watched my little one's blonde, curly head bop down the aisle to her seat in the middle of the bus. And then I saw my first-born, so tall and lanky, make her way to the very back row. This is where the big girls sit - the older girls. I watched as a 4th grader vacated a back row seat; my girl stood watch and then slipped into place next to her fellow fifth-grade friends. She had rank.<br />
<br />
The pony-tailed heads of the girls in the back rows bent low and close toward one another. This is coveted time - a sacred 20 minute drive to talk and laugh and share. I know how much my daughter craves and cherishes social interaction right now. Her friends are top priority. <br />
<br />
A lump formed in my throat and my stomach tightened a bit as I watched and realized there is no going back. A decade made up of long, often-trying days has flown by in the blink of an eye. The cliché smacked me in the face - <em>they grow up</em> <em>so fast. </em>I searched to see my younger one's head among the rows - she still snuggles up on my lap, and craves mama time the most. I know how truly short-lived this is now, and I'm grateful for her middle-of-the-bus position. <br />
<br />
I'm home now, and my nest will be empty and quiet for the next seven hours. This is not new... but on this unusually cold Friday, it feels different somehow. I feel the space, the silence, the stillness a little deeper. It's bittersweet. This alone time I used to crave with all my being has become, well, more commonplace. And I wonder, will I blink again and find myself yearning for the closeness, the noise, the chaos of these fleeting days?<br />
<br />
In no time, I'll be back at the bus stop, collecting my girls, who will be hungry and happy to start the weekend. Tonight, we'll make and eat homemade pizzas together. We'll snuggle under blankets by the fire and finish the last couple chapters of <em>Harry Potter.</em> I can hardly wait!<br />
<br />
Happy weekending, friends! <br />
<br />
xoxo - LizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-29631728774628903012015-02-18T09:53:00.000-05:002015-02-18T10:03:37.910-05:00Sunday, At Dusk (+ a 2-for-1 Deal) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVjTAlO58ZtrMOj-fxYgKh-GI_0uF3xk1UPC7AttYWleCZ-ogIma8MUDkwo6wNgGZ9GRx2HP136ZjNu2-PGnHZy30Id7DIc8_VZD_JG3Tkuk5Fc_WnkrxE3LHQ9q2TRUBPn4TZnHMENg/s1600/At+Dusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVjTAlO58ZtrMOj-fxYgKh-GI_0uF3xk1UPC7AttYWleCZ-ogIma8MUDkwo6wNgGZ9GRx2HP136ZjNu2-PGnHZy30Id7DIc8_VZD_JG3Tkuk5Fc_WnkrxE3LHQ9q2TRUBPn4TZnHMENg/s1600/At+Dusk.jpg" height="640" width="594" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The gorgeous Florida-winter weather of sunshine and cool breezes drew us all outdoors over the weekend. The girls played in their <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2012/11/children-in-nature.html" target="_blank">backyard play space</a> for hours with neighborhood friends; and I spent some time in the garden cleaning up and preparing for spring. As the sun set on Sunday, a sweet contentment fell over me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwBo3CPNDjtUothI04MjPRTSeyrHOdyL1malBFUEfQ4CHWgd-rXl07lX0lNQxL6DhtbQ27qmioRCCcjB26r1Hn3L3tGfJpDfY9fDG1w8GVdr0b_yay6VCpSBKldGp7PT6cLrtek77LJE/s1600/At+Dusk+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwBo3CPNDjtUothI04MjPRTSeyrHOdyL1malBFUEfQ4CHWgd-rXl07lX0lNQxL6DhtbQ27qmioRCCcjB26r1Hn3L3tGfJpDfY9fDG1w8GVdr0b_yay6VCpSBKldGp7PT6cLrtek77LJE/s1600/At+Dusk+Collage+1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While my eldest lingered in the backyard, my husband fired up the grill, and my youngest swung in the hammock chair on our back porch. I sat with a glass of wine, enjoying watching the descending sunlight illuminate my little world, and snapping pictures. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa8k_IWyWOtqpKBQ8FnarfBxvl7Eme3L1DVFP4-5SCly55hm19veOeD4Pnr-F6HXKev1UwHgSC_od0xxVdphPmMRbVvUdT5MwaXYn68WDgmv5Yoyeh_rA4LWEsCsdSlgyY2D31PUC6To/s1600/At+Dusk+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa8k_IWyWOtqpKBQ8FnarfBxvl7Eme3L1DVFP4-5SCly55hm19veOeD4Pnr-F6HXKev1UwHgSC_od0xxVdphPmMRbVvUdT5MwaXYn68WDgmv5Yoyeh_rA4LWEsCsdSlgyY2D31PUC6To/s1600/At+Dusk+Collage+2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a sweet moment. One to pause and take in the beauty of nature, the bounty of my garden, the warmth of my family, and the promise of what's yet to come. My cup runneth over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*******************************************************************</div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Join in <em>A Natural Nest</em>, the eCourse... 2-for-1!</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm super excited about the wonderful group of women forming for <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">A Natural Nest, the eCourse</a>. This 6-week, guided course is all about creating a family-centered, seasonal home. Beginning March 16th, we'll be harnessing spring's energy of renewal and growth to explore the themes of: Nest - Nurture - Nourish - Grow - Create - and Gather. I'll offer simple, yet meaningful, ways to build a holistic home that runs smoothly, supports a conscious lifestyle, fosters creativity, and honors nature & the seasons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I would really LOVE for you to join us! In fact, I've decided to extend my <a href="https://madmimi.com/p/0451d5?fe=1&pact=27829292838" target="_blank">2-for-1 newsletter deal</a> through the end of February. That means you can bring along a friend for free, or you and a buddy can split the course cost! (<em>Just include your friend's name and email address in the notes when you register... or </em><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank"><em>contact me</em></a><em> direct about a split payment option</em>.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddjBLRpkgJyPq2P8UxV6DbjnfbOsRytz_5NTP5xrJdgR6sw9JAmsGcac1JodznSCN42Jz-flBclxM7vHmtkaSjUzu9oThjnLJC6Bkv-NOE1wUQX8Q2oVwSaXyPPM3hOk8bjcpL8VwOqE/s1600/Natural+Nest+Course+-+500+x+500+button.jpg" height="320" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">Learn more and sign-up now!</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-9163827765724340632015-02-12T09:31:00.002-05:002015-02-12T09:35:21.252-05:00Handmade with LoveThis year, I'm committing, as much as possible, to only giving homemade, homegrown gifts. Partly for budget reasons, and partly for the principle. There's something about giving something you have crafted with your own hands, or nourished over time... Even the smallest, simplest items feel special when they are handmade, infused with love and intention.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfTnUzOhVdWnUXt5K9vLxokDgtKyZmy4Rrf5H6myjbjyC43j9ynYAKvgIhLSLHEZlJspE2bCyVhhu5qrlIClMLRglOFp6Tz-Ohwqn18O1neX3QI2inCnJZmLYeQ3j7WbGH9-XqdpHtPM/s1600/Kokedama+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfTnUzOhVdWnUXt5K9vLxokDgtKyZmy4Rrf5H6myjbjyC43j9ynYAKvgIhLSLHEZlJspE2bCyVhhu5qrlIClMLRglOFp6Tz-Ohwqn18O1neX3QI2inCnJZmLYeQ3j7WbGH9-XqdpHtPM/s1600/Kokedama+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Last weekend, we had my parents over to honor my father's birthday. This man loves plants. As a child, I spent many a Saturday alongside him, pruning and weeding the meticulously crafted landscape around our home. Over the years, he's maintained glorious orchid collections and practiced the Japanese art of Bonsai. His love is deep - even after suffering a debilitating spinal chord injury over a decade ago that left him with the use of only one arm, my daddy is still propagating and styling bonsai trees.<br />
<br />
So when I saw Japanese moss balls - a planting style derived from bonsai and known as <em>kokedama</em> - on my Pinterest feed, I knew what I wanted to make for my father's gift. They were super easy (I followed the directions <a href="http://www.knowhowshedoesit.com/search?q=kokedama&m=1#.VNV5WiMo7qA" target="_blank">here</a>) and affordable to make; and he absolutely loved them! I used young ferns that I dug from my yard, and potting soil I had on hand. My purchases were peat moss, new garden twine, and sheet moss - about $12 at Lowe's. Of course, I practiced first and made one for myself with a bulb I had on hand. Kokedama can be hung with twine, like I did the ferns for my dad, or they can sit in a bowl or on a saucer, which is how I left mine. I just love these, and I even have materials left to make more!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgKhj1aXWkiAz3x2HepIqDNvkhA91sYmDquuQDrscZ-r_86kYv5oy9iQHK6oZQF0eijYm5-vKxFEx6w7xJXRmLBcp8Xn9o1LcTVvUHBEnoy9-6dkTmxe1gQBgaL89UUOszDBuHhUGTYM/s1600/Flour+Sack+Towel+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgKhj1aXWkiAz3x2HepIqDNvkhA91sYmDquuQDrscZ-r_86kYv5oy9iQHK6oZQF0eijYm5-vKxFEx6w7xJXRmLBcp8Xn9o1LcTVvUHBEnoy9-6dkTmxe1gQBgaL89UUOszDBuHhUGTYM/s1600/Flour+Sack+Towel+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a><br />
At our gathering, I had a (belated) birthday gift for my mother too. For her, I embroidered a flour sack towel with a cute little hen and chick design from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Doodle-Stitching-Collection-Embroidery-Designs/dp/1600595812" target="_blank"><em>Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection.</em></a><em> </em>My mother is an avid cook. To her, making a pot of soup from whatever is on hand is the definition of pure joy! I spent as much time by her side in the kitchen as a child as I did by my father's in the yard. She taught me how cooking and creativity go hand-in-hand just by doing what comes naturally to her. Hence, a kitchen towel, stitched with love for her French-country inspired kitchen, seemed an ideal gift. I wrapped it simply and tucked a small bag of saved loofah seeds into the ribbon, as my mother has raved about the homegrown sponge I gifted her at the holidays. A gardener herself, now she can grow - and ultimately gift - her own! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What are your favorite handmade, homegrown gifts to </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">give (or receive)? </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'd love to hear your ideas!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-3692291916922865992015-02-05T09:13:00.002-05:002015-02-05T09:13:29.076-05:00A Nature Walk, a Picnic, and a Possum StickWe went on a picnic and a nature walk over the weekend at a favorite park. The weather was divine - cool, crisp, sunny. We packed a mash up of what was in the fridge and pantry for our picnic: tuna salad, leftover kale salad, crackers, peanut butter, oranges, pears, and cheese sticks. We call this a "snack lunch," when you have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Snack lunches are best enjoyed picnic style, outdoors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ten8Ni_CKMAwqWZh4c_76wY4cWm2JSx1dwMwyz4T0mjcV1D8xTv47rwS0LXuiLzeDFNykULL6k1zfGuBdFWybJos-0QgJAGuzzS6T1kumi6xFcIc77IxLrbR_7TCYJx1xagudXHVyXI/s1600/nature+walk+main+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ten8Ni_CKMAwqWZh4c_76wY4cWm2JSx1dwMwyz4T0mjcV1D8xTv47rwS0LXuiLzeDFNykULL6k1zfGuBdFWybJos-0QgJAGuzzS6T1kumi6xFcIc77IxLrbR_7TCYJx1xagudXHVyXI/s1600/nature+walk+main+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
To go for our walk in the woods, my girls both wore dresses... I wished they wore play clothes, but I said nothing. They really like dresses, and I'm practicing not nagging them. They also both carried huge water bottles onto the trail, despite my warning that I was unwilling to carry them should they get tired of lugging them around. I'm also practicing setting boundaries.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9emm6DJfRCckjQU-z_t63imHL5xZzUST9vmPYOy9oSbIyA_p4Zzuw2-K_ZRB7VinfkF5tIrm1d6ftzt20x5dVPtrj5dHe-6xtyNfItpQdNCD2kv6MZiRw5FMEIebyY4YAqWbVbgTcO8/s1600/possum+stick+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9emm6DJfRCckjQU-z_t63imHL5xZzUST9vmPYOy9oSbIyA_p4Zzuw2-K_ZRB7VinfkF5tIrm1d6ftzt20x5dVPtrj5dHe-6xtyNfItpQdNCD2kv6MZiRw5FMEIebyY4YAqWbVbgTcO8/s1600/possum+stick+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></a></div>
Kids have minds of their own, for sure... and their own ideas of how a nature walk should go. My girls decided to bring along a huge "walking stick," a fallen branch they had brought home from Nana's yard a couple of weeks ago. It was loaded in the car and traveled with us... and from it they hung two stuffed possums. Yes, <em>possums</em>. These guys joined us for our picnic, and then the smaller one went with us on our hike, hanging from the stick. I once again warned I was unwilling to carry the possum stick at any point. Boundaries.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwFySSs77dftz-JwzVN8MVwwHc8wzVbZM1wpeFuIiYIaQK_kAxyedjm2HDUHr1AxwVrw8ir3ds0XxzrCzSGZ1A-p4zNBgSQp-rc0SUAP4pr65ubQYayWX9ltdJ-41YhbGQfdcdaiPOgY/s1600/nature+walk+3+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwFySSs77dftz-JwzVN8MVwwHc8wzVbZM1wpeFuIiYIaQK_kAxyedjm2HDUHr1AxwVrw8ir3ds0XxzrCzSGZ1A-p4zNBgSQp-rc0SUAP4pr65ubQYayWX9ltdJ-41YhbGQfdcdaiPOgY/s1600/nature+walk+3+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
Toward the end of the walk, both the stick and my youngest gal's water bottle became a burden. No big surprise. My husband carried the possum stick for a while; I assured him it wasn't too weird as we passed other non-possum-stick-carrying families. My daughter whined and kicked her water bottle along the path dramatically; I bit my tounge and said nothing. When the bottle was left on a bench, I didn't pick it up. She went back for it, and kicked it along a bit more. She never once asked me to carry it. I held her hand and talked to her of other things. And she made it the whole way, responsible for her own bottle. (<em>She did tell me next time she will leave it in the car</em>.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoU7RGimJzL9qlSg6CFrhS_Bx2iAfSejLM5NzVWET2eOzBqKWwBOpMLpV1DVCPIB9jehyphenhyphen3Qf2zsu56WRqN1Y2Iz_aZN7qVSgYQ21j5SL3NUVhXwXZcIUnHJyEdoVDjfDO514HA7dqhjI/s1600/wildlife+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoU7RGimJzL9qlSg6CFrhS_Bx2iAfSejLM5NzVWET2eOzBqKWwBOpMLpV1DVCPIB9jehyphenhyphen3Qf2zsu56WRqN1Y2Iz_aZN7qVSgYQ21j5SL3NUVhXwXZcIUnHJyEdoVDjfDO514HA7dqhjI/s1600/wildlife+Collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
From the path, we saw five deer back in the canopy. We stood watching them for some time and they watched us back. We spotted a pileated woodpecker on a tree, a hawk on a fence, and regal ospreys soaring overhead in clear blue skies. Along the way, we admired wildflowers with zebra longwing butterflies flitting about them, Spanish moss dripping from the oaks, and the sun peeking through the fronds of tall palm trees. This is Florida in January.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOiSjHOUrJZGVwiddyQkjr6HJzpcOS4322g70E_iCa2icKwAZbwWlIdlHQgGPfDkGDLWKMKjJXo7Xgyo5GS8Ym8jozQEWdhl9KAONJ3gU1XLwslw1s8sGhXQBykLsFZIb-qSxOtfGwSM/s1600/nature+walk+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOiSjHOUrJZGVwiddyQkjr6HJzpcOS4322g70E_iCa2icKwAZbwWlIdlHQgGPfDkGDLWKMKjJXo7Xgyo5GS8Ym8jozQEWdhl9KAONJ3gU1XLwslw1s8sGhXQBykLsFZIb-qSxOtfGwSM/s1600/nature+walk+Collage.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
The day was an odd mix of magical, weird, ordinary, irritating, and deeply fulfilling experiences. Which pretty much sums up parenting. As we returned to our car, there was a man down near the water playing a flute. Yes, a <em>flute</em>. So strange, yet so beautiful. He faced us in the parking area and played us out as we packed up and pulled away. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_KlJZNAAjM0wkDlYXFMwXDZxXk0Lasog6Ukk8LQ8kbMmcrMERI6cFbcJsg2iAx4RB_1CSJTnYwpCPhh26IuqoTG7pB-pMhJro8mufULDW1ylODR1ZQo45hKzUwyDci_5n6wNWyn5vVA/s1600/nature+flute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_KlJZNAAjM0wkDlYXFMwXDZxXk0Lasog6Ukk8LQ8kbMmcrMERI6cFbcJsg2iAx4RB_1CSJTnYwpCPhh26IuqoTG7pB-pMhJro8mufULDW1ylODR1ZQo45hKzUwyDci_5n6wNWyn5vVA/s1600/nature+flute.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Life is never boring, friends.<br />
<br />
xoxo - LizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-83830743134850801922015-02-01T16:40:00.002-05:002015-02-01T16:44:04.795-05:00Garden Harvest + Inspired Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS7ck8Msz1gQ7dHBUXsVrWbAOfgYK3dlMHMaAb5upSEq0nQYe_puSfzDRu8-Lwy5bLtZIcR6ApNx8ue67dTYnMGJDQC2BY2g7pqUV9VYXOGNUkhjF_ysCTR4GBTetqtGflb8DMi3KudQ/s1600/garden+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS7ck8Msz1gQ7dHBUXsVrWbAOfgYK3dlMHMaAb5upSEq0nQYe_puSfzDRu8-Lwy5bLtZIcR6ApNx8ue67dTYnMGJDQC2BY2g7pqUV9VYXOGNUkhjF_ysCTR4GBTetqtGflb8DMi3KudQ/s1600/garden+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I feel like I've been pretty negligent in tending my garden this season. Yet, it's still producing. I went out on Friday to harvest some collard greens, which were to be part of a meal I was preparing for a family going through a very challenging time. The lighting was great, so I ran back in to grab my camera and shoot a few pics. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMTtA1UDn9gSdZjpdK3dWZXGRTF4Rz4z1m8QtAUXMWjuLW99Sv9RMesZgLMA2dFIWcCAt4FrwT-4RJomhzWnXRq2UmHExxev9gDrFUzguJxY_JKnU9gQpfSTfRgXmSrqrxBSx4ivTRxI/s1600/garden+2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMTtA1UDn9gSdZjpdK3dWZXGRTF4Rz4z1m8QtAUXMWjuLW99Sv9RMesZgLMA2dFIWcCAt4FrwT-4RJomhzWnXRq2UmHExxev9gDrFUzguJxY_JKnU9gQpfSTfRgXmSrqrxBSx4ivTRxI/s1600/garden+2+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
So, I ended up harvesting a lot more than collards... the bounty filled my dining table: collard greens, kale, mixed greens, swiss chard, tatsoi, green onions & chives, cauliflower, tomatoes, nasturtiums, herbs, zinnia, and a couple of loofahs. I also picked a few oranges and lemons, though clearing those trees is another day's work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NuTQZZAjn7fXIaA9CpML8zzw44alk1COrDsVG2Uhn_vEhwVYSN0m5eLbUsQIH3vY_uewukqGiJ50C-S1kciBklCffdJRqXGzuN969yGaNCkaWd9GaX39hnxZt6j3GRr9reL40HTWZy0/s1600/garden+harvest+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NuTQZZAjn7fXIaA9CpML8zzw44alk1COrDsVG2Uhn_vEhwVYSN0m5eLbUsQIH3vY_uewukqGiJ50C-S1kciBklCffdJRqXGzuN969yGaNCkaWd9GaX39hnxZt6j3GRr9reL40HTWZy0/s1600/garden+harvest+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
I feel so blessed to have all this fresh, homegrown food - and happy I could share some too! I cooked up the <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/sides/healthy-southern-style-collard-greens/" target="_blank">collards southern style</a>, along with some <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/entrees/slow-cooked-honey-bbq-ribs/" target="_blank">slow-cooked honey BBQ ribs</a>, a<a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/sides/slow-rise-sourdough-bread/" target="_blank"> sourdough bread boule</a>, and apple crisp. The meal - and an edible bouquet of nasturtiums, basil, rosemary, parsley, and dill - was all packaged up and delivered to my grateful friend and her family. Yesterday, I roasted the cauliflower and turned the kale into a house-favorite, <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/salad/massaged-kale-salad/" target="_blank">massaged kale salad</a> - perfect with backyard-lemon-and-herb roasted chicken. Harvest inspired meals to come: <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/breakfast/tatsoi-basil-feta-quiche/" target="_blank">tatsoi, basil, & feta quiche</a> (love this with a creamy tomato bisque); pasta with swiss chard, tomatoes, & chicken sausage; and quite a few mixed greens salads.<br />
<br />
It's a good time to live in Florida! (Somebody please remind me come July.)<br />
<br />
xoxo - Liz<br />
<br />
PS - To me, keeping a basic kitchen garden & growing fresh flowers are important parts of creating a holistic home. I'll be talking about this - and more - in my upcoming <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2015/01/creating-seasonal-family-centered-home.html" target="_blank">new eCourse <em>A Natural Nest</em></a>. Won't you join in? Learn more and reserve your space <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-12036330280040084272015-01-28T11:54:00.000-05:002015-01-28T11:54:20.154-05:00Recipes from my Nest: Beyond Waffles & Lemon Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcNGikEt_bhaRB1MzlLtAo0eeIvdY_TnhX42otqdld2MRMK57wQZkCDqqcPj097Te7dh1Q1ekB5jXFo5wdyvKJTe3NhFPVzcKzZWkYuDtg49ZfdML5Qu0oPVbcMf4sSALeapTgGrDocY/s1600/waffleDonuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcNGikEt_bhaRB1MzlLtAo0eeIvdY_TnhX42otqdld2MRMK57wQZkCDqqcPj097Te7dh1Q1ekB5jXFo5wdyvKJTe3NhFPVzcKzZWkYuDtg49ZfdML5Qu0oPVbcMf4sSALeapTgGrDocY/s1600/waffleDonuts.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO BY KATHRYN BRASS-PIPER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a couple of new pieces that just published in the winter issue of <em>Edible Sarasota</em> magazine. Hop on over to read the <a href="http://onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=242310" target="_blank">digital edition</a>, or jump right to my articles:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/online-magazine/winter-2015/in-the-kitchen-on-the-grid/" target="_blank">On the Grid: Beyond the Basic Waffle</a> with waffle-maker recipes for doughnuts, crab cakes, and spinach & mushroom quesadillas. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/online-magazine/winter-2015/seasonal-recipes-pucker-up/" target="_blank">Pucker Up: It's Lemon Season</a> with recipes for preserved lemons, honey Meyer lemon curd, and caramelized sea scallops in lemon-butter sauce. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Share your favorite ways to use a waffle maker, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and your best uses for seasonal citrus in the comments!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-40773897489375454642015-01-21T20:40:00.005-05:002015-01-21T20:40:34.934-05:00Creating a Seasonal, Family-Centered Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzdavKOKxVNhbsWmAx773u6-BAiiy6movfMDi9Ae0POiYG8sItpqrgXNOgc-v-2YfP-6MiXMNIDFZQ9qvDIMc7xvI1sMMbUShRfVSupSa1wHSy66DuYRLKiK-2buGgdrcVeawu1li1g/s1600/A+Natural+Nest+Collage+w.+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKzdavKOKxVNhbsWmAx773u6-BAiiy6movfMDi9Ae0POiYG8sItpqrgXNOgc-v-2YfP-6MiXMNIDFZQ9qvDIMc7xvI1sMMbUShRfVSupSa1wHSy66DuYRLKiK-2buGgdrcVeawu1li1g/s1600/A+Natural+Nest+Collage+w.+words.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been writing here in this space since the fall of 2008... that's about six and a half years, friends. When I started, my eldest daughter was newly 4, my youngest was 9 months. I have learned and grown so much over these years as the mother of two young children. I've watched my life and my home morph and change with each passing year as I pursue creating a seasonal, family-centered nest. It's been my ongoing goal to build a holistic home, a supportive and loving family culture, a strong connection to community, and a full-family commitment to living mindfully.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxauYVfGsiePuRXJnBbxJmIJ2vonY8ziTS0q2Qh47VCuQ1gYJrfzWVwFgYMN-_HsTLp1EuQI_XQ35f_bmATrimOde3wBpFE2nO7LenbIOICaTGLrgsWnfmtNDqT0UPpk_1Y6Ev6E20hI/s1600/the+girls+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxauYVfGsiePuRXJnBbxJmIJ2vonY8ziTS0q2Qh47VCuQ1gYJrfzWVwFgYMN-_HsTLp1EuQI_XQ35f_bmATrimOde3wBpFE2nO7LenbIOICaTGLrgsWnfmtNDqT0UPpk_1Y6Ev6E20hI/s1600/the+girls+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures from an early blog post... to present.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next year, my big gal will begin middle school! Like all parents, I am aghast at how quickly time is passing. As I reflect on my years mothering small children - and my new ventures into the realm of preteen - I'm grateful for all the efforts I've made to create a steady, nurturing, family-centered home. I believe it will serve us well in the years to come. So it is in this spirit that I have created <strong>a new eCourse - <em><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">A Natural Nest</a></em> - which shares many of my core principles and tools for creating a strong and healthy home base.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first session of <em>A Natural Nest</em> debuts in March, and focuses on <strong>creating a holistic home</strong>. Over the course of six weeks, the eCourse will cover broad topics such as creating rhythms & routines, living within your means, and identifying guiding family principles. It will touch on everyday ideas for developing a decorating style, sharing family fun times, and creating kid-friendly spaces in your home. I'll talk about gardening, meal planning, celebrating the seasons, fostering creativity & a love of nature, and building community. Each week, I'll share what has worked for me... what has become the foundation of my home and family life. Plus, some of my favorite creative and simple ideas, activities, projects, and recipes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A compilation of all I have learned during my first 10 years of creating a family-centered, natural nest, this course is ideal for families with young children. And I believe it is equally well suited for families with children of all ages... I simply haven't walked the full road yet myself. I hope you'll join in!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Want to learn more? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/a-natural-nest-ecourse.html" target="_blank">Check out the info page on A Natural Nest ~ the eCourse</a> and reserve your spot today. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks for stopping by!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-2608965214345323262015-01-14T09:53:00.002-05:002015-01-14T10:00:34.663-05:00A Peek Inside My NestA couple of months ago I offered to give you a peek inside my nest, showing the goodies I scored at the <a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-from.html" target="_blank">Country Living Fair</a> this past fall. I finally got around to doing a little photo shoot of my treasures. Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrUNsyWoCJlWwwQAQAlLCN6zL3ROeWv-qjCMQmjEKxSqehtnggQe-lUBsTJc8VJcngQEF3bKl8_iVxR0jarwNgEyWx0W4zrn4YC0TXiIsOfJxFSRl67Vl72PCewPt6N2-V1xPeSoOHWA/s1600/Typewriter+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrUNsyWoCJlWwwQAQAlLCN6zL3ROeWv-qjCMQmjEKxSqehtnggQe-lUBsTJc8VJcngQEF3bKl8_iVxR0jarwNgEyWx0W4zrn4YC0TXiIsOfJxFSRl67Vl72PCewPt6N2-V1xPeSoOHWA/s1600/Typewriter+Collage.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Vintage Typewriter Table</strong> :: I've been looking for a table to display my vintage Royal typewriter on, and was thrilled to discover this old beauty that includes a pull out side table and a narrow storage drawer (stocked with aged, old-fashioned typewriter paper and a nubby pencil!). Initially, I planned to refurbish it, but the table's shabbiness has grown on me. It sits in the foyer near our front door.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtI7W3OwplGrBtjj_yvp7cHQ4w6RUBRYq4BSKILAErDQK8F27cSFVcj8ar8NWAPEFboQiK7lEm-2rvldspJpIMTXDPApeFQs3YB2OPMo_LoPr1qZSD7jeC6bNT3iRG3BuU3zQq2mcUus/s1600/Sheepskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtI7W3OwplGrBtjj_yvp7cHQ4w6RUBRYq4BSKILAErDQK8F27cSFVcj8ar8NWAPEFboQiK7lEm-2rvldspJpIMTXDPApeFQs3YB2OPMo_LoPr1qZSD7jeC6bNT3iRG3BuU3zQq2mcUus/s1600/Sheepskin.jpg" height="640" width="534" /></a></div>
<strong>Sheepskin</strong> :: This was my biggest purchase and I just love it draped over an antique chair that's been in my family for generations. The fluffy texture and creamy color really cozies up this corner next to the fireplace. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dr35LWWvLdcrbsjC5GWppNzwiMXKmCO-oQOHAPAOxIcdQpt_C4zvO4V__FKK0_Ti2whObRzu2-ZfxKaKKDmiEPCJ0z2o7n-oJ773sQyyiWYDVSygqrfboxWj0LaQ63JdTMyEKsPdqUE/s1600/Mushroom+Prints+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dr35LWWvLdcrbsjC5GWppNzwiMXKmCO-oQOHAPAOxIcdQpt_C4zvO4V__FKK0_Ti2whObRzu2-ZfxKaKKDmiEPCJ0z2o7n-oJ773sQyyiWYDVSygqrfboxWj0LaQ63JdTMyEKsPdqUE/s1600/Mushroom+Prints+Collage.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
<strong>Mushroom Prints</strong> :: So, these were actually pages torn from "an old gypsy book," as described by the vendor, who displayed them in her booth clipped to twine with clothespins. I mounted them on inexpensive canvases that I painted with acrylic, and hung them in my living room. (I love the way they turned out and plan to do the same thing with some butterfly images from an old book that came out of a neighbor's trash pile!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIxiHLYqliRWc0iiVRcZAdSM89Gkxq7Cq5fi5WJ5KLT_5fFKPKmk7YX-ct6dmo_D0UQovP9ZFkRx8SU7Uz1TZOT3lf4M4Io9nQTwdP362BeJ-K9L2TuYDvskxq6BKnvnj4feNMWvRPLw/s1600/Antlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIxiHLYqliRWc0iiVRcZAdSM89Gkxq7Cq5fi5WJ5KLT_5fFKPKmk7YX-ct6dmo_D0UQovP9ZFkRx8SU7Uz1TZOT3lf4M4Io9nQTwdP362BeJ-K9L2TuYDvskxq6BKnvnj4feNMWvRPLw/s1600/Antlers.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></div>
<strong>Antlers</strong> :: I've been digging a rustic boho décor vibe, so these antlers fit right in. They sit upon a cherished copy of <a href="http://www.thesocietyinc.com.au/" target="_blank">Sibella Court</a>'s <em>Gypsy </em>(a favorite, along with <em>Bowerbird</em>). The brass coffee table was my grandmother's; it lives in the "fireplace room" - a cozy little space off the kitchen. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cFg32zD2upxq-tyoDY3ws_hs0wVSXXKBIzSWgffkWuSvVGa6EWZzWFNfLctA7Qpgyr6RKtPXGuK1AhC2piX9Kw_VqvXmv8HI4u5OHFIt0HjhbVIda1-0nx8BWgzx81HznhxtKWt_8Pw/s1600/Nest+&+Candle+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cFg32zD2upxq-tyoDY3ws_hs0wVSXXKBIzSWgffkWuSvVGa6EWZzWFNfLctA7Qpgyr6RKtPXGuK1AhC2piX9Kw_VqvXmv8HI4u5OHFIt0HjhbVIda1-0nx8BWgzx81HznhxtKWt_8Pw/s1600/Nest+&+Candle+Collage.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a><br />
<strong>Bird's Nest & Candle</strong> :: I found this sweet little nest in the <em>Country Living</em> shop as we were leaving and had to have it for my nest collection, which I recently dispersed about my home (it was formerly displayed together atop a secretary desk that we repurposed as a bar for the holidays). I made a little vignette with the nest, inspired by some I saw in booths at the fair. It sits, along with a candle I picked up, atop our TV console in the main living room. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfMiua0YWHrHe8clG0rjsFjmNJmmAf_C02CeCB5RwvIh1nhv1ccF1-iiZ6z6jnqZVuqwK0pdnEYNYAHLR89KGWIHBBwauc2p8F3OesapRnolOONH7iqffqY3djjWxQ9jKHbsL0Z-RGXw/s1600/Globe+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfMiua0YWHrHe8clG0rjsFjmNJmmAf_C02CeCB5RwvIh1nhv1ccF1-iiZ6z6jnqZVuqwK0pdnEYNYAHLR89KGWIHBBwauc2p8F3OesapRnolOONH7iqffqY3djjWxQ9jKHbsL0Z-RGXw/s1600/Globe+.jpg" height="508" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Globe</strong> :: I brought home this sweet little vintage globe as a gift for my girls. It's situated on a shelf above their art desk.</div>
<br />
And so that's it, my lot from the Country Living Fair and a peek inside my nest. I'd love to hear what you think... and if you'd like to see more of my home in future posts. <br />
<br />
xoxo - LizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-29689694371648721422015-01-07T11:09:00.000-05:002015-01-07T11:12:44.127-05:00A Holiday Recap <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I completely dropped the ball on holiday blogging this season. It was very full, with lots of time spent with family and friends. So here's a (lengthy) recap for the archives, and for those of you who can stand one more (belated) holiday post. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReVhGejQjdL2NMPLHxmqT4W6W9-LsQVybO4uZ4_V7XHIqQKj3M4xMiOSd7PC0BPqcEe0I3X5qyYjldQv3-8OhSMc4FgSjBeFjldv7i9KwqazgdcuyNkt8ewJeOlmTr7j6Rmt-ASkogq0/s1600/Advent+2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReVhGejQjdL2NMPLHxmqT4W6W9-LsQVybO4uZ4_V7XHIqQKj3M4xMiOSd7PC0BPqcEe0I3X5qyYjldQv3-8OhSMc4FgSjBeFjldv7i9KwqazgdcuyNkt8ewJeOlmTr7j6Rmt-ASkogq0/s1600/Advent+2+Collage.jpg" height="602" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We kicked off our holiday celebrations of light on the last day of November. The first candle of our nature-based advent devotion was lit, and our biggest-yet Christmas tree went up. Shortly after all the lights and decorations were bestowed upon this grand tree, it went crashing to the floor in a Griswold-worthy scene of shrieking children, broken glass, and tears. A new stand was procured... and we got to decorate our tree twice this season!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWQRBgS5PPaPafq_31Qtq-qtGCxsoAT9HjQKVB47W_YU5CM4HlNbtIxaCB30OvDsE-kQzwwSqMCyWBFH7Jjfv1ns57ZMwan_VGVe8_PsECplmrl9UE1v1n6cdN5jX23BA9tnykBZK_U/s1600/sT.+lUCIA+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWQRBgS5PPaPafq_31Qtq-qtGCxsoAT9HjQKVB47W_YU5CM4HlNbtIxaCB30OvDsE-kQzwwSqMCyWBFH7Jjfv1ns57ZMwan_VGVe8_PsECplmrl9UE1v1n6cdN5jX23BA9tnykBZK_U/s1600/sT.+lUCIA+Collage.jpg" height="596" width="640" /></a><br />
St. Nicholas Day (whoops, not a picture was taken!) and St. Lucia Day were celebrated for the fifth time. But it was the <em>first</em> time we had TWO Lucias wake us with homemade Lussekatter buns, ginger cookies, and fresh coffee. It was also the first time mama didn't have to help out in the morning! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jYi5yWjV4hSvesz2QAg1XHku8ta1ofDsL0hRsljvjOVk6YHXKEWwzKLRAV3n_ZAGKe6RIWtg_29oeMV33VbhdE8GwtA7GAldaktxK_PphL0RdIxW16mpI2RpJB2zPkUNnD8nWApPQuo/s1600/Winter+Show+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jYi5yWjV4hSvesz2QAg1XHku8ta1ofDsL0hRsljvjOVk6YHXKEWwzKLRAV3n_ZAGKe6RIWtg_29oeMV33VbhdE8GwtA7GAldaktxK_PphL0RdIxW16mpI2RpJB2zPkUNnD8nWApPQuo/s1600/Winter+Show+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a><br />
Just before school let out, the girls showcased their budding musical talent in a winter performance. Selby played the violin and Sage played the harp!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsgVZMDkmZfdWab_3mprHYcddhj_a7gonqzTCQxHm9_8BrCuTz1A2j-wi7dg2kV65eWbh0PR2-jjEPSlorVq-nFZ_TlhuJwp8zbT_32Xu6XH2WfgXlDEhHdpX6POWraAXx-SDIWmrSQE/s1600/Solstice+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsgVZMDkmZfdWab_3mprHYcddhj_a7gonqzTCQxHm9_8BrCuTz1A2j-wi7dg2kV65eWbh0PR2-jjEPSlorVq-nFZ_TlhuJwp8zbT_32Xu6XH2WfgXlDEhHdpX6POWraAXx-SDIWmrSQE/s1600/Solstice+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We honored the Winter Solstice as we always do with a nature-wrapped yule log and a candlelit evening. This year, the girls decorated their gingerbread houses by candlelight too. The photos look all cozy and wintry... but it was way too warm here (we're in Florida folks!) for an indoor fire. Our windows and doors were open, and by the end of the evening, the girls were rubbing ice packs on their bodies to cool off by the blazing fire!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkXE5Mc60cWFrvy4v3JoO6XUBuOzdnESmP14DNua8xTFw3fkrcnK1f-ssN-KPrZGdtRQGVzcalmsmV2yj9BqnbPt09bowleB0nTuPud3utezneaXTMX-QfDupHIYd8oVBgUcK0VbxoH4/s1600/Clay+ornaments+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkXE5Mc60cWFrvy4v3JoO6XUBuOzdnESmP14DNua8xTFw3fkrcnK1f-ssN-KPrZGdtRQGVzcalmsmV2yj9BqnbPt09bowleB0nTuPud3utezneaXTMX-QfDupHIYd8oVBgUcK0VbxoH4/s1600/Clay+ornaments+Collage.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
Gifting was very simple this year; we made homemade goodie bags for family members that included ornaments made out of air-dry clay with nature impressions (whoops again, no pics of the finished painted products!). Homegrown loofahs and jars of sweet & spicy roasted pecans were also in the bags.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhj9Twp2eZYhUhV6IykSH3cv532p5KiTq2_aBpOICN_W9a7vrfC5oUcBabTb4lfSVm9XPSU5sBuzUIlNyANqW5mfFWlYBxU8ja8pjaU-N69q-zpY17Xebq2JC53R3inu0bGGHNVHN4Hs/s1600/holiday+feast+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Christmas day, we welcomed extended family to our nest for a comfort-food feast. A spiral-cut ham from the farm market was accompanied by homegrown <a href="http://nourishedkitchen.com/creamed-collard-greens-recipe/" target="_blank">creamed collard greens</a>, homemade sourdough rolls, macaroni & cheese, and slow cooker hot cinnamon apples. The time I spent in the kitchen the day before, slowly and mindfully preparing this meal, was one of my favorite parts of the whole season. Harvesting, washing, and chopping greens... peeling and slicing apples with my girls... kneading dough and watching it rise. It felt simple, mindful, and soul-satisfying - everything the holidays <em>should</em> be. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope your holiday season and celebrations were full of comfort and joy! Now, on to the new year...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-vCKbWT-MnR4%2FVK1KqiaKsdI%2FAAAAAAAAJlI%2FVuCCc60uJXQ%2Fs1600%2FAdvent%252B2%252BCollage.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReVhGejQjdL2NMPLHxmqT4W6W9-LsQVybO4uZ4_V7XHIqQKj3M4xMiOSd7PC0BPqcEe0I3X5qyYjldQv3-8OhSMc4FgSjBeFjldv7i9KwqazgdcuyNkt8ewJeOlmTr7j6Rmt-ASkogq0/s1600/Advent+2+Collage.jpg" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-7479599271403261402014-12-16T09:55:00.001-05:002014-12-16T11:59:04.071-05:00Nature Journaling at School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the past seven weeks, I've been spending Thursday afternoons nature journaling with my oldest daughter's classmates. Their small Montessori school offers an abundance of natural spaces to explore, including a trail through the woods, a sun-drenched lake, fields with tall grasses gone to seed, and peaceful shady areas right outside their classroom doors. We've discovered them all.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeVVJL5g9BNW5EUlPqOzj9ey9fBbWThRIosDjOZEZYlpRBk7gzIDBqMQLQJiTcn7DdTWHo0F_e0QxvfpnA-WT8qOcquobfWQDqjd8HFIXw9d8wBCNtjrbHQUkmotZiip3ocHZg6L0LOM/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeVVJL5g9BNW5EUlPqOzj9ey9fBbWThRIosDjOZEZYlpRBk7gzIDBqMQLQJiTcn7DdTWHo0F_e0QxvfpnA-WT8qOcquobfWQDqjd8HFIXw9d8wBCNtjrbHQUkmotZiip3ocHZg6L0LOM/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been my true pleasure to guide these eager-to-learn children through the basics of observing nature (use all your senses!), as well recording their observations on the blank page (write, draw, create, express!). They've explored seeds & seed vessels; collected fallen leaves; followed animal tracks; and gathered lichen-covered sticks, colorful mushrooms, wild grapefruit, and even a large animal bone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLLmNUEOk1FUCdQzrqzimhI3wg6M45Xe-2uMI2kSWxbDvXEClSyeotsp8ijaM4nwMJGyXTFG3DNW4Nt6komjW8GnNh3FTL1vl3n-hIgBJbmWW3UkaRaqbTjcoIo-CstDsEHSCG60ONPw/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLLmNUEOk1FUCdQzrqzimhI3wg6M45Xe-2uMI2kSWxbDvXEClSyeotsp8ijaM4nwMJGyXTFG3DNW4Nt6komjW8GnNh3FTL1vl3n-hIgBJbmWW3UkaRaqbTjcoIo-CstDsEHSCG60ONPw/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+4.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Week by week, these budding naturalists have written haikus, made field notes & lists, rubbed leaves, sketched objects & scenes, stamped with harvest vegetables & fruits, created nature collages, and explored with color.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37y06xNlQ2rVKvi-m69NVuWj2b7ykqzzZa1p5iW13Zdcb7_sN0QC6gzYka4K5S19f7ZdIoccBeUzri2ux88POk2giiEfETVHT3bNKe90uLB2gC_FOgyhmlZe_74sTViOq-WPd0dzb10A/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37y06xNlQ2rVKvi-m69NVuWj2b7ykqzzZa1p5iW13Zdcb7_sN0QC6gzYka4K5S19f7ZdIoccBeUzri2ux88POk2giiEfETVHT3bNKe90uLB2gC_FOgyhmlZe_74sTViOq-WPd0dzb10A/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
And all along the way, we've discussed how keeping a nature journal can help one foster mindfulness, practice gratitude, and express their creativity. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxrgZgUZPROvfXjGEeTzOIk68_eGRMKWURZF1Atf9gg3669aS0edpnGo_qaszJeE83mvfkF4DAd2RxiJTyu0xTFhs3MHBockgYiK_BUKYynF9Ed6ovA5pzSqTD5Fd_P1OzSp1mgSEXEw/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxrgZgUZPROvfXjGEeTzOIk68_eGRMKWURZF1Atf9gg3669aS0edpnGo_qaszJeE83mvfkF4DAd2RxiJTyu0xTFhs3MHBockgYiK_BUKYynF9Ed6ovA5pzSqTD5Fd_P1OzSp1mgSEXEw/s1600/Nature+Journal+Collage+5.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
This week, we're wrapping it up, completing any unfinished pages and "binding" the journals with found sticks. Each book will have a few blank pages added in to the back in the hope that the kids will keep journaling even after our workshop has ended. I'm so proud of their work, and truly honored to have shared this special time together!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-11608228028386975112014-11-19T09:27:00.002-05:002014-11-19T09:30:27.176-05:00Cover Story!A few weeks ago I gave you a <a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2014/10/style-shoot-la-vie-boheme-special-deal.html" target="_blank">sneak peek </a>at the photo shoot for an upcoming article I wrote - <em><a href="http://onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=233757" target="_blank">La Vie Boheme</a></em>. It officially hit the stands this week and guess what? I finally got a cover featuring my <em>Naked Olive Oil & Orange Blossom Cake</em>! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Gt5PVPsd_Acqh4c42tfwL42tUFA01jrtcbRTlxj9zxqH5jYaR5koWWGlN26PZn6U_8CIi7xZFXkAHApJZ7Tz_ZVwtjQadKvJDBp8ibfhLc6jVhN6acA0Zvwbzk-1F_0my0jOOKPEsc/s1600/Cooks+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_Gt5PVPsd_Acqh4c42tfwL42tUFA01jrtcbRTlxj9zxqH5jYaR5koWWGlN26PZn6U_8CIi7xZFXkAHApJZ7Tz_ZVwtjQadKvJDBp8ibfhLc6jVhN6acA0Zvwbzk-1F_0my0jOOKPEsc/s1600/Cooks+cover.jpg" height="640" width="491" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm so excited to share this piece with you... it's the manifestation of an idea I've had brewing for some time - a bohemian-style dinner party featuring a French Provençal menu. The recipes include the <strong>Typsy Gypsy Cocktail</strong>, a <strong>Cheese Board with Honey-Herb Candied Nuts</strong>, a <strong>Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Maple Apple-Cider Vinaigrette</strong>, <strong>Provençal Lamb Stew</strong>, and the cake, which is layered with an <strong>Almond-Orange Buttercream</strong>. You can see all the recipes and style inspiration in the <a href="http://onlinedigeditions.com/publication/?i=233757" target="_blank">digital issue of <em>Edible Sarasota COOKS</em></a>! This article starts on page 37, but start at the beginning and see the cover, plus all the other goodies in this annual keeper-issue. Oh, and...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzVHPgEbJX6U4O2I7amDZtCOngu0xzSh6JkGXc_Ra7V3cEWZr0HXeE1ldKnyx1EeXyYJvhDbXeRkemMakI3DZVuDh4fqJW1l0TB5vHUuheOzGRGX-OKXDonkP8DEnE4gv2FXGOa4VJg/s1600/freezer+meal+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzVHPgEbJX6U4O2I7amDZtCOngu0xzSh6JkGXc_Ra7V3cEWZr0HXeE1ldKnyx1EeXyYJvhDbXeRkemMakI3DZVuDh4fqJW1l0TB5vHUuheOzGRGX-OKXDonkP8DEnE4gv2FXGOa4VJg/s1600/freezer+meal+Collage.jpg" height="522" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...be sure to go all the way to pages 52-55 to get my go-to <strong>Freezer Meals</strong> - Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onion & Spinach Lasagna, White Bean & Tomatillo Turkey Chili, and Curried Chicken Pot Pie. These are real life savers during the busy holiday season that is now upon us! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you enjoy the whole issue; it's such an honor for me to work with this publication! {If you want to view more pictures from the boho dinner party, see my <a href="http://www.anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2014/10/style-shoot-la-vie-boheme-special-deal.html" target="_blank">previous post.</a>} </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>xoxo - Liz</em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-88073973925597792402014-11-06T09:22:00.001-05:002014-11-06T09:22:11.686-05:00A Few of My Favorite Things... (from the Country Living Fair)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFbyi5mMYEZFEKVnyx1zpqKNV8PIBWxT6m7WouTyCzcQFYMP7mtfAuIXnNbT1BKIkc30fAiurDAQlI9iE_ZZs5JQGXK3TT3weUnwR6yJOAMWIOZPmpGIlTpMqY5dNT1UVXPzFTCo5hp8/s1600/CL+Fair+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFbyi5mMYEZFEKVnyx1zpqKNV8PIBWxT6m7WouTyCzcQFYMP7mtfAuIXnNbT1BKIkc30fAiurDAQlI9iE_ZZs5JQGXK3TT3weUnwR6yJOAMWIOZPmpGIlTpMqY5dNT1UVXPzFTCo5hp8/s1600/CL+Fair+2.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a>A couple of weeks ago, my mother and I took a road trip to the Country Living Fair. What a feast of inspiration! We stood in line on the first day with droves of ladies who looked, well, just like us. Armed with a modest stack of cash, a push cart, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, we tackled the expansive fair with the gusto of kids on Christmas morning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pOfZ1s-byMqbuUyNADtwmCc6ZxnKY8luA1ndwJkW4QGFHYAZfWvruaHGBuks1q49XvPA1oYemqpsmzoLPAAq9_FMPcvpOjyD3lFUPgiZ1KHf2tAKP62qIn34Dayeoqh9KMfsh3bxl94/s1600/CL+Fair+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pOfZ1s-byMqbuUyNADtwmCc6ZxnKY8luA1ndwJkW4QGFHYAZfWvruaHGBuks1q49XvPA1oYemqpsmzoLPAAq9_FMPcvpOjyD3lFUPgiZ1KHf2tAKP62qIn34Dayeoqh9KMfsh3bxl94/s1600/CL+Fair+1.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everywhere we looked, we saw things we loved... old typewriters and dried flowers... rustic bread boards and salvaged windows... sheepskin throws and crates of antlers... It was a mix of vintage, salvage, handmade, repurposed, and only a dash of commercial products. I picked up a few treasures to bring home, including a fabulous old typewriter table to hold my blue 1950s Royal machine. The table has a pull out desk and a small drawer that is stocked with aged typewriter paper (remember, that nice textured, thick paper with a watermark?). The kids are having a blast with it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7M64IepY7XJKprbs2YjACt77ZcmSS3X8EqzVmuXp1tYmyYS86ODXp2wTgq0Cr-T_Kb7Hi7dWDULpTfABa1283qoNveKfzMOG9P8_9_0H8kxfpuWq_Wr9os1rioSItPNvkOlivxgaXSQ/s1600/CL+Fair+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7M64IepY7XJKprbs2YjACt77ZcmSS3X8EqzVmuXp1tYmyYS86ODXp2wTgq0Cr-T_Kb7Hi7dWDULpTfABa1283qoNveKfzMOG9P8_9_0H8kxfpuWq_Wr9os1rioSItPNvkOlivxgaXSQ/s1600/CL+Fair+7.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many of the vendors wowed us with their creative displays and booths. Those rustic chairs in the top image were balanced atop a fence railing! And I really loved the vignettes created at another booth, like the ones pictured below - little curio cabinets and displays of found and repurposed objects, mixed with ferns, moss, and bits of whimsy. The whole fair was like taking a stroll through my Pinterest pages!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYDdtZmONtfBaSYe_Jx3lu-vQhLfgCSULh7cr-tOGCDwtoL2fvzV9Wp_BjGfRQ_1mCdRe5uUBcMrPEOJPaAl3JZ9cPTkhifRzAE2ZsN6PAPTQ8PaCbtfOi_uwEiym3apk81KZofy7LMU/s1600/CL+Fair+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYDdtZmONtfBaSYe_Jx3lu-vQhLfgCSULh7cr-tOGCDwtoL2fvzV9Wp_BjGfRQ_1mCdRe5uUBcMrPEOJPaAl3JZ9cPTkhifRzAE2ZsN6PAPTQ8PaCbtfOi_uwEiym3apk81KZofy7LMU/s1600/CL+Fair+4.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></div>
Check out these huge signs hanging among the trees. Yes, there is also a bike, a deer head, and a chandelier suspended in the top picture! (I bought some great mushroom botanical prints "torn from an old gypsy book" from this creative vendor. I plan to mount them on canvases and hang them in my living room.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoIc3iitbhgcfifA_63DmeKZnoEtjP53ui-lrIpdxdk9QbPhQjLWB-yU07mJcs4Gfei-8RGXQ-6ArgkzYMXsPF2QYjKLO8ztodtjt18PI3pBjutsd3gIpV7a9JaW2C_McMUI1zZ6INZQ/s1600/CL+Fair+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoIc3iitbhgcfifA_63DmeKZnoEtjP53ui-lrIpdxdk9QbPhQjLWB-yU07mJcs4Gfei-8RGXQ-6ArgkzYMXsPF2QYjKLO8ztodtjt18PI3pBjutsd3gIpV7a9JaW2C_McMUI1zZ6INZQ/s1600/CL+Fair+6.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
So, I'm curious... do you like this kind of stuff too? If you want, I'll do a follow up post featuring the goodies I brought home and showing how I'm incorporating them into my nest, using inspiration gleaned from the Country Living Fair. Leave a comment and let me know if you're interested!<br />
<br />
xoxo - LizUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-80259207647216484772014-10-30T08:18:00.002-04:002014-10-30T08:19:29.891-04:00Happy Halloween (+ Easy Costume Ideas)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO3LYz-TBsAO1Ig99Iss27qoOuGL7oAJyYArdN3MJlKER127RYp8PliplD3Hg_E2D1iOGrVVPQ7nXRfyUuEC5UnmVAxg1hS4YeaRAqrslsqi84zX8pjWBldGqbZDlQbIB-2DQ9yHHV6Y/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO3LYz-TBsAO1Ig99Iss27qoOuGL7oAJyYArdN3MJlKER127RYp8PliplD3Hg_E2D1iOGrVVPQ7nXRfyUuEC5UnmVAxg1hS4YeaRAqrslsqi84zX8pjWBldGqbZDlQbIB-2DQ9yHHV6Y/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you've never worn false eyelashes before, you should really try it. Halloween is a perfect excuse! We dressed up for a Halloween party and I was a scarecrow. Obviously. This costume was so easy because I had everything I needed on hand... flannel shirt, jeans and boots, straw hat, and a package of raffia. If you need a quick costume, this is it! (Don't forget to try some big, fluffy false eyelashes, because they are just too fun!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmSBW3vV2kwoV5tS_vAaawJ7yXCzv22VARTtaSGMYiJqAMSiUDfRP1hKHGQ1Vd_znGWDuprLNREgRLZLsLV69yRy3ciOtAmoTQySqqUIwnmxESq8yF-nQYubjIFr0V_E1kkqbBb5looU/s1600/Spooky+&+Sweet+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmSBW3vV2kwoV5tS_vAaawJ7yXCzv22VARTtaSGMYiJqAMSiUDfRP1hKHGQ1Vd_znGWDuprLNREgRLZLsLV69yRy3ciOtAmoTQySqqUIwnmxESq8yF-nQYubjIFr0V_E1kkqbBb5looU/s1600/Spooky+&+Sweet+2014.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The girls are scary & sweet again (<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/11/sweet-scary.html" target="_blank">see this post circa 2010</a>) - one a corpse bride and one a candy corn witch. I bought both their costumes on Amazon for under $40 total. They are super happy, and frankly, so am I. Easy and ready to go!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iUTf46wP-lNiyzMqsJtAJsEXbZgvbSt5EW693bPBjxGrA9yFpDLY2m5-qhbAsrAXNUlatg7kZLcmvJKQfEqYFuwwZRdfLiun_QUb5Gekjx3-e0kRat5F37CftwwzycoZ7MyY0x1bf10/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iUTf46wP-lNiyzMqsJtAJsEXbZgvbSt5EW693bPBjxGrA9yFpDLY2m5-qhbAsrAXNUlatg7kZLcmvJKQfEqYFuwwZRdfLiun_QUb5Gekjx3-e0kRat5F37CftwwzycoZ7MyY0x1bf10/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
So here's the whole lot of us. My hubby is the cute farmer - a real departure for my city boy! After enjoying a good laugh at the sight of him in overalls, the look grew on me. The farmer costume is another easy one, especially if you're looking to dress as a couple. We went to every thrift store in town looking for overalls, then ended up snagging a pair at Walmart (<em>oh, the shame</em>). Check out <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2008/10/rockin-halloween.html" target="_blank">this rockin' family Halloween shot</a> (from 2008!) for another easy couple costume idea. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Happy Halloween, from my family to yours!</strong></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-35843195397033210762014-10-22T10:30:00.002-04:002014-10-22T10:30:19.206-04:00Slow Risin' and Slow Cookin' <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJqs51OX1UOs-t6JGM9GY74Qijqdb9lVlowmYdSAZA_p4IE499mCcYW7Hyhjrc3-hmbWe3Gz5_1v7PoLJHS3RUANmaeIaiSetDXsCn7V4QWUnonVZ0jzKTQEbKn6QTRimsT3L-VzKLA0/s1600/slorise+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJqs51OX1UOs-t6JGM9GY74Qijqdb9lVlowmYdSAZA_p4IE499mCcYW7Hyhjrc3-hmbWe3Gz5_1v7PoLJHS3RUANmaeIaiSetDXsCn7V4QWUnonVZ0jzKTQEbKn6QTRimsT3L-VzKLA0/s1600/slorise+Collage.jpg" height="284" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="right">
<span style="color: black;">Photos by KATHRYN BRASS-PIPER</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's me, mixing up some sourdough bread! Remember the photo shoot at my nest I mentioned last month? Well, the articles and recipes are now available online. Read <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/online-magazine/fall-2014/in-the-kitchen-slow-rise/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Slow Rise: The Art of Breadmaking</strong></span></a> with recipes for <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/sides/slow-rise-sourdough-bread/" target="_blank">Slow-Rise Sourdough Bread</a>, as well as good stuff to make with it: <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/maple-cinnamon-sourdough-french-toast/" target="_blank">Maple-Cinnamon Sourdough French Toast</a><span id="goog_1024440105"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1024440106"></span>... <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/grilled-brie-bacon-and-pear-on-sourdough/" target="_blank">Grilled Brie, Bacon & Pear on Sourdough</a>... and <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/sausage-and-chard-sourdough-stuffing/" target="_blank">Sausage & Chard Sourdough Stuffing</a>. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZV-cBTDUyMdCPWNnfkkjZXJR5rBHrIER3iJ3I66n51BOiE7VCxIeKqTVlxaY38zsASoIQar6qCe7jOU7YmCDjl7yt-3fgs8y625Vx4oTQRgkMFD8W6F6BGvaH0t3JbAyCrfB4f3elko/s1600/sloCookedRibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZV-cBTDUyMdCPWNnfkkjZXJR5rBHrIER3iJ3I66n51BOiE7VCxIeKqTVlxaY38zsASoIQar6qCe7jOU7YmCDjl7yt-3fgs8y625Vx4oTQRgkMFD8W6F6BGvaH0t3JbAyCrfB4f3elko/s1600/sloCookedRibs.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="right">
<span style="color: black;">Photo by KATHRYN BRASS-PIPER</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the BBQ ribs photographed atop an old whiskey barrel on my back porch? Here they are! Get the recipe for these <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/entrees/slow-cooked-honey-bbq-ribs/" target="_blank">Slow-Cooked Honey BBQ Ribs</a> in <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/online-magazine/fall-2014/seasonal-recipes-southern-comfort-from-the-slow-cooker/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Southern Comfort from the Slow Cooker</strong></span></a>, along with recipes for: <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/entrees/shrimp-slow-cooked-cheese-grits/" target="_blank">Shrimp & Slow-Cooked Grits</a> and a <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/recipes/tomato-cobbler-with-cheddar-biscuit-crust/" target="_blank">Tomato Cobbler with Cheddar Biscuit Crust</a>. Plus, some slow cooker tips & tricks!<br />
<br />
Speaking of southern comfort... I'm hitting the road with my mother tomorrow - we're headed to the <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cl-fair/country-living-fair-atlanta" target="_blank">Country Living Fair</a> in Stone Mountain, Georgia. So excited!! Anyone else going? I'll be back next week to share whatever country goodness I find.<br />
<br />
Have a super rest of the week & weekend!<br />
<br />
xoxo- Liz<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-91965674925339585492014-10-20T21:20:00.001-04:002014-10-20T21:25:48.773-04:00Style Shoot - La Vie Boheme {+ a Special Deal}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A sneak peek of ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAj3_3Vn6uX6Mue50m20FA4KvBwALDQCG_9m9lPJWRffjuUuJxfCKCIERVCZ2eWC8A29jGOK7oUbUp_5UNCn4JN8TDGu7_WIkl9-eXuQW5Yl5KB_OEtvpVAVnqUG8By44cV6azfC1Y0A/s1600/Boho+Scene+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAj3_3Vn6uX6Mue50m20FA4KvBwALDQCG_9m9lPJWRffjuUuJxfCKCIERVCZ2eWC8A29jGOK7oUbUp_5UNCn4JN8TDGu7_WIkl9-eXuQW5Yl5KB_OEtvpVAVnqUG8By44cV6azfC1Y0A/s1600/Boho+Scene+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...the table,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QrTmZDJn_fKV1g4pSOv4XZ8NeSMyj0ZZ4ZnrWxpeZy325V8WBWbJhwrtiWeljj5mq4Q-6bOCb_Q1GYZ7JAnb0mx5aNZ7n6yBxyKu_VBdbL8JlVMLOx08u-UmjG2Bi1iHP_me9itzAh8/s1600/TypsyGypsy+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QrTmZDJn_fKV1g4pSOv4XZ8NeSMyj0ZZ4ZnrWxpeZy325V8WBWbJhwrtiWeljj5mq4Q-6bOCb_Q1GYZ7JAnb0mx5aNZ7n6yBxyKu_VBdbL8JlVMLOx08u-UmjG2Bi1iHP_me9itzAh8/s1600/TypsyGypsy+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... the cocktail,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW_YvtWEKuYGbbx0T_tHdfvyMZp7R7QoW8yZfLvUwUJHLp-HQ4RTJk134d4iOpUZoiI7Ug1aTH83Uu2PZ77saXglpIDacdsylZQkXSq2nwHQ1UJ2-DIwEg2BH3-_Zy8IBsvPwLPiaTNY/s1600/Dreamy+Decor+2+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW_YvtWEKuYGbbx0T_tHdfvyMZp7R7QoW8yZfLvUwUJHLp-HQ4RTJk134d4iOpUZoiI7Ug1aTH83Uu2PZ77saXglpIDacdsylZQkXSq2nwHQ1UJ2-DIwEg2BH3-_Zy8IBsvPwLPiaTNY/s1600/Dreamy+Decor+2+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... the scene,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrxdm6c4Zl2eLDYidN6lSUss2v_66zkRyPZ_873Y73gSQnjizyCcns74mPgFP2Qyg68icB31FZn-wAPIpgKXRpGJwkKXwvilriNntzhov-hYMLArOLG3-jFy4fZYMnhd-H1FqqkFGgxM/s1600/Provencal+Food+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrxdm6c4Zl2eLDYidN6lSUss2v_66zkRyPZ_873Y73gSQnjizyCcns74mPgFP2Qyg68icB31FZn-wAPIpgKXRpGJwkKXwvilriNntzhov-hYMLArOLG3-jFy4fZYMnhd-H1FqqkFGgxM/s1600/Provencal+Food+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
... the food,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYdrmxqVMsnSXb_2M37bUG_JzAZm0cRaAWZJ2qjcazATK000fOp5jPYQ3YgZ5ZjwxKxWnKHZYdGIkzR-Pdu_O2999vRZOcEuck9NshbIsXM3GzO8lq5mfasVaOBqEI-APGAtJe8gJWdE/s1600/Naked+Cake+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYdrmxqVMsnSXb_2M37bUG_JzAZm0cRaAWZJ2qjcazATK000fOp5jPYQ3YgZ5ZjwxKxWnKHZYdGIkzR-Pdu_O2999vRZOcEuck9NshbIsXM3GzO8lq5mfasVaOBqEI-APGAtJe8gJWdE/s1600/Naked+Cake+Collage.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
... and the cake. <em>Oh, the cake</em>!<br />
<br />
I recently worked my first full-fledged style shoot for an article in the upcoming, annual <a href="http://ediblesarasota.com/" target="_blank"><em>Edible Sarasota</em> <em>COOKS</em></a> issue. I helped style the food for the recipes I wrote. Then, I ran around behind the official photographer to get a few shots of my own. It was so exciting to watch my idea for a Provencal bohemian dinner party come to life. I can hardly wait to share the full piece with you next month... the recipes are divine! {Watch this space mid-November for a link to the article.}<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A Special Deal</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile... a quick thank you for all the kind comments on my </span><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2014/10/its-just-around-corner-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">last post</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> about </span><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/celebrations-of-light.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Celebrations of Light</strong></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, a wintertime family eGuide.<strong><em> </em></strong>I really want to share this holiday resource with all of you, so I'm offering <strong>$5 OFF with the discount code WARMTH, through Monday, October 27.</strong> Enjoy! {<a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/celebrations-of-light.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to order.}</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618162769821269150.post-51984403710588900782014-10-17T10:19:00.001-04:002014-10-20T17:49:25.238-04:00It's Just Around the Corner... {+ a Giveaway!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhFtdJEKqyjiFzzRoFEMaV9PuOok80LRyo99OzmmLsikXCtd5TX-5fO0RNxn85GZjgl_pt3GLC_Hla76fBPKIftJGtl-9antMS1RjVPrfJDJGYp5kbVT25nFyN6TDFsOoZoZeukeIptQ/s1600/Candle+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhFtdJEKqyjiFzzRoFEMaV9PuOok80LRyo99OzmmLsikXCtd5TX-5fO0RNxn85GZjgl_pt3GLC_Hla76fBPKIftJGtl-9antMS1RjVPrfJDJGYp5kbVT25nFyN6TDFsOoZoZeukeIptQ/s1600/Candle+.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I know it can be hard to face it, but really, the holidays are not that far away. While most of us are still scrambling to figure out Halloween, and possibly starting to think about Thanksgiving, the stores are way ahead of us. They've already decked the aisles for the winter holiday season... yikes! It always gives me a bit of a jolt to see it all come out so early, but over the years I've come to understand the value of planning ahead for the holiday season. Little efforts here and there lead to less-stressful celebrations. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P2Wb7W7csRvjZ0fZ43BNf7XIF4GK1MnvhCNBXLmD4PcDbsI0MSnch-_L4bggQzF5iiME2xX4S2tVB43U4q8-l6froXfoWmq0r-trKK8DMDc9xR-1y8faiVhC0SDeGc_mmw_1UOKg0jE/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P2Wb7W7csRvjZ0fZ43BNf7XIF4GK1MnvhCNBXLmD4PcDbsI0MSnch-_L4bggQzF5iiME2xX4S2tVB43U4q8-l6froXfoWmq0r-trKK8DMDc9xR-1y8faiVhC0SDeGc_mmw_1UOKg0jE/s1600/Untitled.png" height="640" width="288" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, in that spirit, I wanted to remind you, albeit a bit early, of the Wintertime Family eGuide that I compiled with some of my favorite bloggers and writers - <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/celebrations-of-light.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Celebrations of Light</span></a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This digital guide walks you through five wintertime celebrations of light and warmth: Advent, St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia Day, the Winter Solstice, and New Year's Eve. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Each celebration includes:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- a non-denominational ritual</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- a seasonal craft or project</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- a warming recipe</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- and a meaningful "bright idea.</span><span style="font-size: small;">" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This guide is so thoughtfully written, and full of beautiful, inspiring images - it's truly a one-of-a-kind resource for creating sweet wintertime traditions for your family. Here's a little peek inside:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq2z4sN_ZwfEefyCiAeLnC0NKgtrufo78NYasfJ4Dg4rh_9jL3j-k-BgdnyTr_mZoEgZsIHIorNg2eniKrm4_hG9ejrPyCDKOUn-Z88JGzKjz9P0WXN6re8wuN5xtKGRLRdYhgL6zWDo/s1600/Advent+-+Potpourri.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq2z4sN_ZwfEefyCiAeLnC0NKgtrufo78NYasfJ4Dg4rh_9jL3j-k-BgdnyTr_mZoEgZsIHIorNg2eniKrm4_hG9ejrPyCDKOUn-Z88JGzKjz9P0WXN6re8wuN5xtKGRLRdYhgL6zWDo/s1600/Advent+-+Potpourri.png" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19AgAnLRBdXPbahrcuF_olNNcKKPnTScyTNFsxtzhv9E_FepTImspjbNbGe1_SjUKeu1PzGtt64vQM2OEa_o6MoAGzzilUHeypqpAebcWTPPJf7gzlY9ksO6tL6hkYXouyPPbVi5x6TA/s1600/Sample+Page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19AgAnLRBdXPbahrcuF_olNNcKKPnTScyTNFsxtzhv9E_FepTImspjbNbGe1_SjUKeu1PzGtt64vQM2OEa_o6MoAGzzilUHeypqpAebcWTPPJf7gzlY9ksO6tL6hkYXouyPPbVi5x6TA/s1600/Sample+Page+1.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb4MAwt_rJwY9Jrwn1GrQQJ2B0paB7epk1fLR3Du1D8OZjtyLRza9GdyFH5e2kVJa5udnwS76HONkJKkeduptX_gDDqoyP3iP3NT6rP4Pq4ZcDOw5m5VVDYmGE7tlz9urukiuxBJOqsI/s1600/New+Year+-+Spiral+Walk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb4MAwt_rJwY9Jrwn1GrQQJ2B0paB7epk1fLR3Du1D8OZjtyLRza9GdyFH5e2kVJa5udnwS76HONkJKkeduptX_gDDqoyP3iP3NT6rP4Pq4ZcDOw5m5VVDYmGE7tlz9urukiuxBJOqsI/s1600/New+Year+-+Spiral+Walk.png" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For more information about the Celebrations of Light eGuide, or to order your copy for immediate download, <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/celebrations-of-light.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Giveaway! <em>- contest closed</em></span></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WINNERS: Kimberly Huff and Fantask MayClan</span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Congratulations! Please send me your email addresses so I can send your copies out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: red;">Thank you to everyone who entered. I really want you ALL to enjoy the <em>Celebrations of Light eGuide</em>, so I've created a special discount through October 27th. Use the discount code WARMTH at checkout and SAVE $5 on your copy!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">For more information or to order your copy for immediate download, </span><a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/p/celebrations-of-light.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">click here</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><strike>Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Celebrations of Light - I'm giving away 2! </strike></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strike>Help me spread the word for more chances to win: share links to this post on any social media site and receive more chances to win! Just be sure to come back and leave a separate comment here for each post you make.</strike></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strike> Winners will be announced on Monday, October 20th.</strike> </span> </span></div>
</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
xoxo - Liz</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20