Seeding...and a Half

We are so happy to be back into our normal routine after a much-needed and enjoyed vacation. 

We did some winter seed collecting late last week.  It is amazing how many seeds we found!  Deer tracks.  Birds.  Old branches to haul back to our yard for fairy houses.  It is easy to hole up inside in these cold and often gray months and think there's nothing "out there" of interest.  But, oh goodness!  There really is ALWAYS something to discover. 

Heading Out

Collecting stripey seeds at the base of one of our neighborhood "grandmother trees".

Looking for treasure in the deer stand.

Following the deer tracks---he found pee and poop and oh! was it exciting!

We found some great branches that fell in a heavy snow to use for our creations.

Proud of his catch.

Ella's.

5X and 10X.

Recording observations.


__________________________________________

We have a tradition in our house of celebrating half birthdays with a half a cake (and no presents).  Ella's half ninth got skipped over in December---most likely because we all got quite sick in the midst of what is usually a fairly busy month already.  So, we celebrated with a whole cake (that Ella helped me bake) and ONE present (from Ethan....he took great pains to wrap one of my books in paper and write a note).  

Nine and a half!

This is what chocolate and sugar will do!

Ethan wrote and spelled this all on his own.

I'll end this post with a quote that is perfect for those cold, gray times of the year or life:

"Look to the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you."