Happy Summer! Oh, I'm so glad it's finally here. I still have a few work days until the break, but that summery feeling is seeping in, and the lightness and openness of days spent outside in the sun feels sooooo good! And lunches of cracker and cheese and pickles, watermelon slices, and popsicles. (I have plans for healthy, delicious popsicles this summer - Thomas thought that water popsicles sounded good.) On one of my walks in the woods last week, I was soaking in all of the beautiful June greens. Even the light was green. Any ideas what this plant is in the top photo? It looks edible, but the super shiny leaves made me pause before taking a taste. So I took a picture instead.
In a couple of months, these will be blueberries! We have a few patches of wild ones, and this specific spot was a new discovery for me. Hopefully I'll get to it before the birds do.
*
I'm looking forward to many more woodsy excursions with the boys over the summer. If you're not accustomed to it, but want to get out there, there are a few things to remember:
- bug spray at this time of year (I make a spray using lemon eucalyptus essential oil; there's a good recipe guideline here)
- sunblock
- snacks and water
- magnifying glass if you have one; we have two super cool magnifiers for the boys that work really well; this kids lighted one (only $9.00!) and one which holds water that I can't find a link to which is perfect for water bugs! It's sort of like this one, except there's a bottom compartment that can hold water
- a camera is great for taking pictures of things for later identification
- a ziploc baggie or two in case something needs a closer look in water
And don't forget to breathe deeply - there's nothing as sweet as the scent of the woods. Unless it's the scent of the ocean. Or lilacs. Or the bees. You know what I mean, though. Speaking of green and plants, this book specifically about the nature in Yarmouth County is just lovely. The boys have been enjoying the Bumper Book of Nature, (Phillip especially) and Thomas likes the Gruffalo Nature Trail book. We have a few basic nature guides including this one, too. Edited to add: Mud Puddles to Meteors is a great resource for all things kid & nature related. Definitely check it out!
There is plenty of fun to be had flipping through them before, during, and after a walk in the woods. Have fun!