Wordless Wednesday - Seed Pod

For more wordlessness, check out Live From Waterloo and the Wordless Wednesday hub.

Wordless Wednesday - Lizard

For more wordlessness, check out Live From Waterloo and the Wordless Wednesday hub.

Wordless Wednesday - Taking Off

For more wordlessness, check out Live From Waterloo and the Wordless Wednesday hub.

Beauty from Ashes

....or smoke. From fires in Arizona and southern Colorado.

The Birds

The birds of our neighborhood have taken an interest in us this year. More than just we like you cause you give us birdseed interest. They now stare in the windows at us. They've been on the window ledge in the living room, perched on patio furniture peering in the sliding doors, and then this.



I was sitting at my desk, working in peace and quiet, when there was a thud on my window. I turn to see what it was and this robin was sitting on a branch which was bouncing up and down from its rather heavy landing. I think the robin whacked into my window! What in the world is going on here?

Yesterday, one of the little finches was perched on the same window ledge, peeking in the window while the boys and I were doing Bible. This is getting very strange. The bird feeder has been empty for a little while, but I refilled it. And the robins never get any food there anyway, since they're so large.

But this? This is just weird. I am not inviting them into my house.

Although the cat might enjoy it.

Wordless Wednesday - Dual Dueling

For more wordlessness, check out the WW hub and Gabriel's blog.

Wordless Wednesday - Way Too Early

For more wordlessness, go here, here, and here. (I've posted early - kind of fits the title - so they won't be up until later tonight.)

Wordless Wednesday - Pond Reflection

To see what others aren't saying, go here, here, and here.

Wordless Wednesday - Knocked Out of Their Tree

For more wordlessness, go here and here.

p.s. - Sorry I haven't made the rounds of late - school plans have been rather occupying. I look forward to checking out the rest of the WW entries this week!

Wordless Wednesday - Falling Water

For more wordlessness, go here and here.

Wordless Wednesday - Fungus Amungus

Go here and here for more wordlessness. Enjoy the view.

Wordless Wednesday - Not So Early Bird

For more wordlessness, go here and here.

Spitting Fish

Hubby's surfing around on tv and he just paused at the Science Channel. They're currently highlighting the Archer Fish, which is AMAZING. This little fish has a very interesting hunting method for sustenance. It lines itself up under a bug on a branch hanging over the water and then SPITS at it. It shoots a concentrated beam of water up to 6 feet away with enough pressure to knock the bug off its branch!! LUNCH!

You can see a photo here or a video here.

I love the creativity and variety that God used to fill our planet!

Nature Journaling

There's often talk of Nature Journaling in the homeschooling world, but it's something that we have not looked into.

Until last week.

It was a fairly nice day, so the boys & I headed over to Hobby Lobby and purchased sketch journals and a nice set of pencils. Fortunately, all drawing pencils, pens, charcoals, and pastels were 30% off. We were able to get a very nice set of assorted lead pencils, complete with an eraser, a sharpener, in a handy, zippered case for each of the boys.

Next stop? Chipotle. I mean, really, you can't go off into nature without a good meal.

It was a short drive to Garden of the Gods. I have to say that I just love this place. It's a stunning witness to the creativity of God (I once heard it called "God's Garden" which I find quite fitting). There are amazing red rocks jutting out of the ground in a variety of angles. In the midst of all the red, you'll also find some very chalky, white rocks.

It was a bit breezy that day, but we found a calm place to hunker down in a rock formation for some solitude, pondering, and sketching (I never even turned on my cell phone).

We were in between the slanted rocks on the right side

Once we found a comfy (as comfortable as rocks can be underneath one's derrierre) place to sit, we reviewed some information from a library book on nature journaling. Then the boys each found a spot to hang out and sketch.

The Comedian found some egg sacs


Sketching the landscape


Close-up shot


Clay Guy finds his spot and contemplates the view


He gets busy drawing


Clay Guy found a tunnel. I thought the rocks were calling my name.


Checking out the landscape


Evidence of a self-portrait in my lens


On the drive through the park, we stopped at Balanced Rock


With Clay Guy


A shot from the road


It's that time of year - lots of deer (one's hiding behing the trees)


Ever famous Kissing Camels

Can YOU see the camels kissing? I have a silly story about this, but haven't been able to come up with a good visual on it, so I haven't posted it.

It's absolutely gorgeous today, so we may head out for some more nature fun and scenery.