Winner Announcement: Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {Giveaway}

 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the “Celebrating Spring Shutterfly Giveaway”. Many of you shared how you plan to celebrate spring and I hope that you've been doing just that! The weather here in the High Country has been up and down, but overall it's been wonderful.

Well, I know you've been patient enough, so without further ado, the randomly selected winner of the Shutterfly giveaway is...

Katrina from Wakeboarding Mama who said, “I will be spending spring by the pool and the beach on the weekends with my daughter and husband!”. Well, Katrina, that sounds like a lot of fun. I hope that this news helps to brighten your day too! Again, thank you all for participating in the “Celebrating Spring Shutterfly Giveaway”!

The next big giveaway will offer foodie photographers a chance to WIN a Sony Cybershot WX9 point & shoot camera courtesy of Sony Electronics. The official announcement and giveaway details will be posted on June 9^th, so mark you calendar! Until then, you should practice taking food photos...hint...hint! 

Interested in finding out more about the WX9? 

Check out this post: 10 Reason Why you Want to WIN a Sony WX9

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Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {Giveaway}

While it has most definitely warmed up here in the High Country, the weather still likes to yo-yo. Some days it's nice enough to keep the doors open, which the kitties really like, while other days, it's downright icy. Although not cold enough to warrant our monitor heater being turned back on. It's been at least a month or more since we shut it down, and I'm determined not to turn it back on at all to save oil. So far, our temperatures here in Boone, NC haven't dipped back down that far (knock on wood). Who knows, though, maybe we'll get one last snow?! I would be perfectly fine with that so long as it didn't kill all the precious plants people have begun growing, seeing them freeze is a crying shame.

After enduring frigid temperatures and snowfall during the harsh months of winter, spring is a highly welcomed and anticipated season for many folks across the country. A number of us are sometimes left aching for an inkling of days with warmer weather because those at lower elevations get to experience spring sooner than we do. It's torturous, and I find myself getting a little jealous of those enjoying warmer temperatures earlier in the season. What makes the transition even more difficult is seeing all the beautiful photographs of the blossoms blooming, because I am eagerly awaiting my turn to take some flower photos, too. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy getting a glimpse of what we will soon have coming our way, but it's such a tease! (I'm not the most patient individual)

As far as I'm concerned, we have officially crossed over into spring! The flowering trees, flip flops, and festivals are all sure signs that we are finished with the frosty days of winter. Whether or not it does decide to come back and pester us one last time, I'm over it. It's that simple. I'll stay focused on all the wonderful things I want to plan for the months ahead instead of worrying about what may or may not happen. Boone's weather has always had a mind of its own anyway, so being flexible (and prepared) is a must if you live up here in the mountains.

That's part of what makes being in Boone so awesome, though. This town is unpredictable and full of surprises! It's beautiful up here no matter what season it happens be. However, spring is so much sweeter since it follows the wintry weather most of us are desperately seeking a break from. I love spring and I'm celebrating it the best way that I know how; it involves a lot of time in the sun and being on the lookout for flowers!

Flowers are my favorite. I could take photographs of flowers for hours on end. Seriously, you let me loose in a garden, and you might be waiting days before I return. Some of the usual flowering trees that I like to revisit were just too quick for me to capture this year, but I'm keeping a close eye out now. One thing I keep reminding myself of is to enjoy spring while it lasts because it'll be gone before you know it!

The coming of spring brings many things (not just flowers), there are occasions to celebrate, new beginnings (and endings) to commemorate, along with other thrilling announcements to share with family and friends. Reasons to celebrate are all around!

How will you celebrate spring this year? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly for their Spring Announcements promotion. They will be providing a special giveaway that I am giddy about awarding. One winner will receive a Shutterfly promo code that is good for 50 5x7 flat or folded announcements/cards OR one 8x8 20-page photobook! You could use it for Mother's Day Cards, Birth Announcements, or any other occasion they have to offer. I'm excited about making a photobook, personally, because I have yet to do this with the plethora of images I'm hoarding on my hard drives. 

To ENTER the Shutterfly giveaway, all you have to do is leave your answer to this question in the comment section, “How will you celebrate spring this year?”. Extra entries (1 each) can be received by following Wayfaring Wanderer on Facebook or Twitter. Another entry can be gained from sharing a spring related photo (anything you choose) on the Wayfaring Wanderer FB wall. To let me know you have completed any of these steps for extra entries, just leave a message in the comment section of this post. Please be sure to include the pertinent information that I will need to contact you in case you are the winner. Thank you & Good luck! This giveaway is now CLOSED, the winner is announced HERE.

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Every thought is a seed...

To kick start my lack of blogging, I have decided to take part in Susannah's August Break 'challenge'.

Funny that it's called a break since that's exactly what I've been taking for over two months now. 

This is just what I need, though, to put less stress on blogging so I can get back into the swing of things.

10 Things You Can Do with Dandelions (Part 2)

 

 Welcome to Part 2 of 10 Things You Can Do With Dandelions.

If you missed part one, I would encourage you to take a look back by visiting the above link.

Among the other five dandelion recipes, you will also find a list of potential health benefits on the previous post. If you weren't aware, the plant can be a remedy for all sorts of ailments. I have only attempted a couple of these recipes so far, like adding the greens to a salad, but I have plans to try more.

I had no clue that so many different things could be done with dandelions. It was rather difficult to trim down my extensive list for these posts. You'll be pleased to know that nothing in this mash-up is too complicated or time consuming, although simpler recipes can be found in part 1. I'm hoping that this will be a useful starting point for anyone who might be interested in putting these prevalent plants to good use.

!WARNING! Dandelions should only be harvested from areas that you know haven't been contaminated by pesticides or fertilizers, since digesting those substances can be toxic or lethal! Gathering dandelions from busy roadsides is also not a good idea due to the fear of contamination, so it's better to avoid them altogether. The best place to harvest would be your own yard or that of a friend. 

 

6. Dandelion Fritters
Gather only dandelion flowers for this recipe. Ideally, you would want to harvest them and go straight to cooking, so attempt this when you have time to complete.

For the batter, mix one egg and a cup of milk. Add one cup of flour to the mix to complete the batter. Heat just enough oil to cover fritters on medium.

Once heated, dip the flowers in the batter by holding the green bract. Be sure to cover the flower head. Drop into the skillet, flower side down. Proceed with covering the flower heads in batter and dropping them into the oil. After the bottoms are a light brown, turn the flowers over and brown the green base. When brown on both sides, remove from the pan and allow the excess oil to be absorbed by a paper towel.

To make a sweeter fritter honey or maple syrup can be added to the batter or used as a dipping sauce.


Fritter Variation: The flower heads could alternatively be removed from the green base, leaving only the petals (and white fuzzies). Add to the batter instead of dipping and use batter as you would to make pancakes.

7. Dandelion Aperitif (liqueur)
Pick dandelion flowers on a bright, sunny day. Place flowers in a large jar with a ½ cup of sugar and lemon peel. Cover with 100 proof vodka, and after appropriately 2 or 3 weeks, you will strain the flowers from the liquid. Bottle into a clean glass  bottle that has a tight cork or top. Afterward, you are left with a delightful concoction that will serve as a lovely reminder of summertime.


8. Dandelion Jelly
Ingredients:

• 2 cups dandelion blossoms, separated from leave and bracts
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 ¼ teaspoons pectin

Preparation:
Boil flowers in water on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Strain petals from liquid. Return to pot, and bring to a boil. Add sugar, lemon juice and pectin (follow instructions on pectin label). Boil and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon, skimming the foam, until the top surface becomes blobby and glasslike (2 or more minutes).

The rest of this recipe involves canning techniques that would require an entire post of its own that I have no clue about, yet! We are looking to explore methods of canning that don't require extra equipment.

9. Dandelion Coffee
Later summer dandelion roots are best for this purpose as they are bigger. Once cleaned and dried off, put on a cooking sheet and heat in an oven at 200 degrees for an hour or so. From here, the roots can go straight into a grinder, and prepared just as you would your normal coffee.


10. Dandelion Wine
This is a link to the wine we are currently attempting to make:
http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/Book_Healing_Wise_Recipe_Dandywine.htm

And, here are two other resources with different recipes for the adventurous:
http://www.gardenguides.com/1394-dandelion-wine.html (I would like to try this one next)
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/dandelio.asp (This website has multiple recipes to try out)

 I know that the thought of eating dandelions isn't appealing to everyone, but you can't deny that some of  these recipes sound pretty tasty! Besides, they are low in calories and provide a good source of Vitamins A, C and E, and contain healthy amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Folate, Dietary Fiber and Potassium, plus many others.

 By no means is this meant to be a comprehensive list of ALL that can be done with dandelions, it's merely a compilation of the recipes and ideas I found to be the most interesting. To leave a comment, please scroll back to the top of this post as the link can be found below the title.

If you are interested in seeing the other 5 recipes, here's a link to Part 1:

http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2010/04/10-things-you-can-do-with-dandelions.html

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10 Things You Can Do with Dandelions (Part 1)

 

When you think of dandelions, does it evoke nostalgic childhood memories? Maybe it conjures thoughts of what a nuisance it can be for a 'well-maintained' lawn?

I don't know about you, but I happen to love when yards are blanketed with a thick sea of sunny  clusters, especially mine. However, dandelions can be viewed differently depending on who is asked. Some might see these ubiquitous yellow flowers as a pesky weed instead of a helpful herb. Truth be told, I'm new to the wonders of what a curious cook can do with a freshly harvested batch of wild weeds. And, like any recent discovery, I've spent too much time scouring the www for ideas on what to do with the plentiful bounty awaiting us.

I had no clue that so many different things could be done with dandelions. It was rather difficult to trim down my extensive list for this post. You'll be pleased to know that nothing in this mash-up is too complicated or time consuming.  I'm hoping that it will be a useful starting point for anyone who might be interested in putting these prevalent plants to good use.

Health Benefits of The Dandelion

• Diuretic
• Detoxifier
• Dandelion is used for treatment of:
• constipation
• acne
• eczema
• psoriasis
• arthritis
• edema (swollen ankles)
• osteoarthritis
• gout
• gallstones
• high blood pressure
• digestion problems

!WARNING! Dandelions should only be harvested from areas that you know haven't been contaminated by pesticides or fertilizers, since digesting those substances can be toxic or lethal! Gathering dandelions from busy roadsides is also not a good idea due to the fear of contamination, so it's better to avoid them altogether. The best place to harvest would be your own yard or that of a friend. 

1. Dandelion Green Salad
It's ideal to use tender young leaves for salads, but they can really be eaten at any time. However, the mature leaves will be a little more bitter. These would be a great addition to a salad with other leafy greens to add more variety.

2. Dandelion Tea
Simply simmer  1/2 ounce of dandelion root in 1 1/2 pints of water until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain. This will yield (2) ½ cup servings. This same recipe can also be used with the blossoms as well if you want something lighter.
 
3. Dandelion Oil & Dandelion Vinegar
Oil: Harvest a jar full of freshly picked flower heads and cover with almond, grapeseed or olive oil. Use a skewer or chopstick to eliminate the air bubbles. Cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth, coffee filter or another type of breathable lid. Put in a warm, sunny place to steep. In about 4 weeks (2 weeks minimum), the dandelion essence will have absorbed into the oil that will be a remedy for joint and muscle pain. This is said to also work for various skin problems as well.

Vinegar: For this tonic you can use both flowers and leaves. Once gathered, chop leaves and strip the stems from the flowers if still intact. Place in a jar of your choosing and cover with a bottle of cider vinegar (we use Bragg's). In 4 weeks, you will have a pretty mild vinegar to use in salads, for cooking, or as a tonic.

4. Dandelion Honey
Ingredients:

• 4 cups dandelion petals
• 4 cups water
• 3 (1/4-inch) thick lemon slices
• ½ vanilla bean, split in half
• 2-1/8 cups granulated white sugar

Preparation:
Select only those flower in full bloom during mid-day when the sun is brightest. Remove petals from the green bottoms by just pulling them apart, measure the petals only.

Place petals in heavy sauce pan along with water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 6 hours.

Strain the dandelion tea through cheesecloth and dispose of the organic matter. Place in a heavy saucepan and bring to a low boil. Gradually add sugar while stirring until dissolved. Lower heat and let simmer to desired consistency (may take up to 4 hours). Can be used in the same way as regular honey.

5. Dandelion Tincture
Collect as much dandelion root as you'd like, approximately 1 or 2 cups. Thoroughly clean the roots and thinly slice. Once you have selected a jar that your harvest will fit in, cover with 100 proof vodka. Set the jar in a cool, dark place. Within 8 weeks you will have a tincture that can be taken daily with water as a health tonic.

I know that what may be a beneficial weed to me is another man's nemesis, but there's not much we can do about them stubborn folks (sorry if that's you). However, maybe someone who is curious as to whether or not dandelions are edible or have a medicinal use will take away a recipe or two from this list. They are low on calories and provide a good source of Vitamins A, C and E, and contain healthy amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Folate, Dietary Fiber and Potassium. 

  If you noticed, this post was entitled, "10 Things You Can Do With Dandelions", but there are only 5 recipes listed! What gives?!? Well, you're just going to have to wait until Friday for the rest of them. Update: Part 2 has been posted, you can visit the rest of this post by clicking here: http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/2010/04/10-things-you-can-do-with-dandelions_29.html

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Pearly White Posies

Posted in: My World Tuesday

    I'm sad that the Bradford Pears have pretty much passed their prime here in the high country. At least this spring I was motivated enough to get out and shoot some photos of the pearly white blossoms before they faded.

     Right now, I'm seeing more of the Japanese cherry trees, redbuds, and dogwoods. It seems like I can find something new every day if I look hard enough, so I'm always on the lookout for what will pop up next! How about you? Any spring beauties to share?

Spring has Sprung!

I get a little too happy when the flowers begin to bloom. And I am especially loving the bursts of bright yellow frequently seen while out and about. This forsythia bush (pictured above) was just a street over from the house, I couldn't resist popping over to steal a few shots. Okay, maybe more than a few :D I'm looking forward to going back out to take pictures of the other spring beauties blooming. Say, what are you finding in your neck of the woods?

Posted in: My World Tuesday

A Hint of Spring in the Dead of Winter

I'm sitting here staring out my dining room windows to see a scene engulfed by white-out conditions. The tree-lined road and our closest neighbor have all seemed to vanish, the wind gusts of up to 70mph are rocking this rickety cottage to its core. But, it's beautiful. And for once, I can say that I've endured a "real" winter! Even though I feel like we're in the home stretch, I know that this is far from being behind us though.

Since I have this unexpected snow day, I figured that I would share with you the last real outing that Cody and I have been on. You'd think that I would have more time to blog about things since we really haven't been anywhere lately, but I can't seem to fit it in when I have free time. Truth be told, it's really because I haven't made time for it, that if I really wanted to, I'd find a way to make it happen, right?!?!

Nonetheless, I have enjoyed this extra snowy winter, although at times I have still found myself dreaming about that first taste of spring. Oh, how sweet it will be! Until then, I have to satiate this longing with scenes and things that only resemble what is just out of reach. The fastest and easiest way to trick my brain is to start digging in my archives to find samplings of whatever escape is on my mind. That's what prompted me to tell you about the most recent trip Cody and I took to Callaway Gardens in Georgia.



Now, the last place you'd think to go in the dead of winter would be a garden, but I'll tell you right now that you may be pleasantly surprised at what some of them may still have to offer during these cold, hard months. At other times of the year, Callaway Gardens is a place where you can almost endlessly explore the natural environment by doing hikes and such because it's so huge, but the winter months are an ideal time for visiting more of the indoor attractions. And since we only had a limited amount of time there (just one day) we chose to hit those popular targets first.



Naturally, we ventured to the "Discovery Center" first, which is the equivalent of a visitor center - they just wanted to give it a fancy name. From this very busy epicenter you can easily find an overview of everything you can do during your day at the gardens. I found the staff to be extremely pleasant and helpful. They even offered a suggestion that led us to the first attraction of the day. But to kill some time before the suggested show, we walked around the lake and checked out the exhibits currently on display.

After puttering around we made our way to the amphitheater to see the upcoming Birds of Prey show. We witnessed the typical feathery creatures that most people can easily identify, such as an eagle, falcon and an owl. Fascinating stuff, those birds. I've been to a falconry show before, but this one was different in that these birds were flying from the front to the back while swooping down closely overhead. I couldn't help but wonder if a sharp talon has ever snagged an unsuspecting spectator; this thought caused a slight amount of concern. It was sort of scary, but mostly awesome :D



The next stop was the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, which for obvious reasons made me the most excited. I mean, come on, butterflies contained in a space where pictures could 'easily' be taken! Woot! The thought of a glass-encased conservatory with over 1,000 butterflies fluttering freely thrills me to no end. One thing I didn't expect, though, was how stiflingly hot it would be once inside the structure. It was seriously like stepping into a sauna.

I quickly stripped my jacket and left it near the front doors, so that I could walk around unencumbered. I was also surprised that I wasn't immediately swarmed by the many residents said to be housed inside. It appears as though that number doesn't look nearly as impressive when there are so many nooks and crannies for these sneaky little buggers to be hiding. They were super skilled at eluding the camera wielding crazies cluttering the walkways.



At times, you'd have to almost wait in line to take a shot or two. And you were lucky if it was still even sitting there by the time it was your turn. It's safe to say that the people to visible butterfly ratio was severely imbalanced. I walked around the conservatory at least 3 times in hopes that I would find one perfectly perched upon one of the many tropical blooms, but this didn't really happen as often as I envisioned. Oh well, the sweat sacrificed was worth the few glimpses we did encounter.



Dying to cool down, I really wanted to bathe in the cold air once we finally made it back outside -- that place was ridiculously hot! The last attraction of the day was way less likely to induce a heatstroke as it was somewhat open to the outdoors. The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center consisted of many different areas that spans over five acres. Amongst the greenhouses were a wide variety of both native and exotic species of plants.



As you explore, you will find many grand displays housed within the walls of this structure. The most eye-catching of these is the 22 foot waterfall towering above head. The seasonal poinsettia display was also one of oversized proportions as the extremely colorful and larger-than-life Christmas tree dwarfed anyone who went near it. Apparently, things change in there at least 8 times a year, so you might get to see some other equally opulent display depending on when you go.



These indoor, wintertime-friendly attractions are only a small sampling of all that Callaway Gardens has to offer. I hope that we can go back during the spring or fall one of these days to experience more of the outdoor landscape, because it is truly a beautiful place.

Alright, I know that not all of us are fantasizing about spring, ready to bid winter farewell, but those of you who are, I'm wondering if you've seen any early signs of spring yet? Or, is there anything exciting on the horizon when the first inkling of spring decides to show? Please share :D

Currently, I am eagerly anticipating an upcoming trip to the island of Puerto Rico - I know, it's more summery than springy, but still! 9 days to go...

~Callaway Gardens Website

No Need to Get Technical

I'm not a doctor and I don't know the technical terminology, but I
do know that sunshine activates our happiness glands.
~Jessi Lane Adams~


I am so ready to soak up all I can!
Cody and I piggy-backed a few vacation days onto the July 4th holiday.
We will be spending this time camping in the woods of Shenandoah National Park, VA.
Hope you have a great holiday whatever you do. See you on Sunday!

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

The Crown Jewel of DSBG

Upon stepping through the front doors of the glass-encased oasis, you don't quite know whether you are hot or cold. I suppose that it would be most accurate to say that I was on the brink of both, hot and cold, teetering somewhere in between. After the sweltering heat we encountered outdoors, I half expected to be greeted by a refreshingly cool blast of air as we walked into The Orchid Conservancy, but alas, we were not.



What we were greeted by, though, was a landscape of lush foliage, and around every corner we were met with the most engaging plant life. One of the most stunning displays in the entire exhibit were the Tillandsia Archways. We spent quite sometime time admiring those amazing little air plants throughout that corridor. So many varieties that I hadn't seen before.



Although, the real shop-stopper was just around the bend! Directly after the last archway, you run into a 16 foot stone wall with a cascade that is full of epiphytes. Unfortunately, the orchids in this display weren't accessible, which was a little sad because some of them had the best smells! I remember a few from our visit to the Fuqua Conservancy in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.



As we slowly weaved our way through this horticultural display, we witnessed more than 14,000 plants and flowers. I went ahead and passed through twice just in case I missed something the first time--which normally happens. Now, I don't know how we missed it on the first walk through, but there was a little room off the back that was cranking out some bone chilling a/c! It was GLORIOUS!



Reluctantly, we left the chill-zone to finish out our 2nd-time-around-tour. Even though we were eager to find refuge in the next cool spot, we still took our sweet time making our way around the 8,000 sq ft ecosystem. If you ask me, there really is no other way to appreciate this artistic representation of nature!

Well, this is it for the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens 'Series' :)
If you missed the last post, you can view it here.

p.s. I finally set up my facebook page.

How we beat the heat at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

After sitting in a classroom-like setting nearly all day on Saturday, for the NC Wildlife Federation Leadership Summit, we were dying to get out and about. Speaking of dying, the heat was unbearable! Nonetheless, I still managed to persuade Cody into making a trip to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens before retreating back to our beloved mountains.



Botanical gardens, for me, are all about unearthing new and fascinating plant life. Normally, during our usual treks through the woods, we are on the lookout for interesting and unusual flora, but being in an area where everything is in one place is like a FREE FOR ALL!



Armed with a map, we began our leisurely 'stop and stroll' through the lush landscape. Unlike most ventures when Cody is stuck waiting for me while I capture images, he actually joined in on the flower-photo-frenzy. Flowers are the most amazing subjects to study with their varying colors, smells, and designs. We spent hours appreciating them. In my eyes, they are works of art.



One thing that was especially unpleasant, though, was how stiflingly hot it was in Charlotte! I really don’t know how I survived in Florida for all those years. The mild mountain climates have spoiled me rotten!

Lucky for us, it wasn’t hard finding flowing water throughout the gardens with various fountains spewing liquid gold. Occasionally, I would dip my hand in and splash myself for a few moments of much needed relief.



Imagine my delight when we crept up to this inviting canopy of geyser-like proportions shooting through the air from both directions. It was basically daring you to walk though the tunnel without getting wet. Nearly impossible. I don’t know about you, but my main objective was to time it just right for maximum soakage! Ahhh….sweet relief!



Another saving grace was the very friendly golf cart shuttle driver who was more than happy to give us a ride back to the front of the grounds. He even told us to come back and he’d take us on another breezy cruise!

Join me on Monday for Part 2:
Next stop: The Orchid Conservancy!

Posted in Hooked On & Photostory Friday

Sneak Peak: Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Posted in Wordful Wednesday


Come back on Friday for a field trip to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens!


Until then, you could revisit our trip to the
Atlanta Botanical Gardens back in October.

Reminder {8}

Shine Bright.

Someday perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us,
and then we'll need no other light.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe~

Reminder {7}

Keep it Simple


I am loving my peony right now. She smells so lovely!
I know I promised a field trip, but I am too tired.
Have a great weekend!

Posted in: Photostory Friday & Hooked On

Ready for the Weekend

Sick of grim gray days
blue skies are coming our way
there's no time to waste

Pacing Myself

Pace Yourself.

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use. ~Earl Nightingale~

I came across a rather thought provoking post today, something that is congruent to the thoughts that have been swimming around in my head lately. Until I decided to reply to this particular post, I hadn't really thought about forming my thoughts into any sort of conclusion about what my "deal" is right now, but I did.

Explaining that I have found myself in a slight respite when it comes to photography. Currently, I am not putting a whole lot of emphasis on that aspect of my life. It is not because I don't think it's important, because it is-very. But, I am coming to recognize that there are equally important things going on in my life that need a lot more attention than my camera. Deciding to let it be what it is (for now) because I don't want to force it. Otherwise, I am putting myself in exactly the opposite position of where I would really like to be.

Jokingly, I admitted that I hadn't a clue as to where I really wanted to be. That's not entirely true. I do know. I'm working on it. However, it is not going to happen overnight and I can accept that.

Lately, my focus has been on:

~Preparing for a garden
~Rebalancing household duties
~Going to bed & waking up earlier
~Actually doing things with other people (flesh friends)
~Lending a creative hand to PACT (Newsletter, flyers, t-shirts)
~Design ideas for a book containing remembrances of our last trip
~Organizing piece by piece (Currently working on my bedroom--clothes)
~A Cooking Class that will teach me various ways to prepare what will come from the garden and our CSA.

This week has been especially busy, but I'm enjoying it (I will also enjoy my 3-day weekend!). I am really making an effort to open myself up for new and interesting experiences. Things I have been foolishly sheltering myself from for far too long now. If I take a few less pictures because I'm too busy thinking about other 'stuff', so be it--my harddrive will thank me!

Posted in Photostory Friday, Hooked On

Reminder {4}

Be Inspired. Stay Inspired.


How are you doing this right now? Do tell....

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Reminder {1}

Be Light.

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

Wildflower Medley

As promised....
Wildflowers found along the Gentry Creek Falls Trail.


Spring Beauty

Wild and Free you Grow
much Beauty and Joy you Bring
Treasure I have Found


Yellow Violet


View Large On White

The links below will take you to the resources that helped me identify what we found. Identifying flowers is like a treasure hunt for me; I like playing detective. The only ones I knew were Wake Robin, Violets & the Trout Lily.

From left to right: Dutchman's Breeches, Fraser's Sedge, Cut-leaved Toothwort,
Wake Robin, Chickweed, Trout Lily, & False Hellebore.


Question of the day:
If you were a wildflower, which one would you be?

Posted in Hooked On, Haiku Friday, & Photostory Friday

Moments : Insight

This week I am hosting the prompt over at OSI

There are countless ways
that a being can express
what they feel inside


I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!
We chose to enjoy a lovely spring day by taking a hike this past Sat.
Please come back on Wednesday for a walk through the woods!
I told you we'd get back to nature :)