GEOBOARD WALL

I love to create and touch things, so it's only natural that I love to provide the means for others also ..an invite to create.  I find if you put it out, it gets used, or at least touched.

 I have always wanted a wall of geoboards and was inspired by my friend, Rue, who has one. She also a magnetic word wall.

We decided on the perfect spot, a narrow wall between our great room and kitchen, and found the black, wooden, 9x9 geoboards online. When I wanted more they were on clearance and 

I was very happy about the price reduction.

 There are 144 wooden pegs in each 9x9 geoboard. The blunt ends are especially good for younger children and those who might bump into the wall or lean against it while walking past.

The fifteen geoboards were placed three across and five down to fit the narrow wall we chose. They were glued together onto a piece of  3/4" plywood that was painted black to match the geoboards. We used a heavy duty construction adhesive  

We made the plywood three inches longer on the top and bottom so we could screw the whole board into the wall. I didn't want to glue it because I wanted to be able to take it down if I wanted to, but so far we haven't wanted to. I just stuck some black electrical tape over the screw holes so they wouldn't be noticable, until I thought of something better.

A basket of rubber bands is always accessible.

Most every person, from toddler to adult, uses the geoboard, people that live here and people who visit. It's one of the best things we have done!

The littliest ones are also quite proud of what they can do . . . 

and often find other ways to use the rubber bands  :)

ONE WORD WEDNESDAY

 ~ enough ~

(Please feel free to join in One Word Wednesday. Just leave a link in the comments where your photo can be viewed .)

TIME TO REST

This house is usually a bustle of activity at this hour of the morning but not today. The children are still asleep and all events have been cancelled for the day as we take time to rest and nurture ourselves back to health.


There is not a sound heard inside only the joyful symphony of birdsong coming from the outdoors through closed windows.


Napping is good and even our animal friends (who are all in the great room) agree.

As for me, after witnessing the antics out the kitchen window in the garden with a squirrel, two chipmunks, a  cardinal, and a hare,  I have had my daily dose of laughter and need to slowly but surely make my way to the barn. Animals still need care no matter how we feel.

And perhaps I will come back to the house and take a nap.



Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap. ~Barbara Jordan

WORDS ( postponed)

My weekly posting of WORDS...a poem, a quote and a passage from literature ..is taking a break this week. See you next week.

happy day!
~marcia

IN AWE OF NATURE

Has something in nature ever touched your heart so much that you can't even describe the feeling with words?

 I am enamored with these little creatures, birds, and I find myself having new and endearing experiences about them that have enriched my world.

Is it because I am so taken with them that it leaves my being wide open for all these new experiences?  Is it because I am in nature day in and day out that I have become so in tune with the natural world, and hence, notice every little thing ?  Is there a higher being that points to me and says, it's her, she understands, she's the one?

I am so taken with these industrious little creatures who build their intricate, artistic nests using what they have on hand, who fill our world with their song, and have freedom to fly the skies .

This past week I have noticed a sound coming from the grove of pines not far from our deck and often think , there must be a bird's nest in there, but once I look I find nothing. The last two days I have noticed a catbird flying lower to the ground and into the grove of pines.

Tonight, with the sun going down and no bright light as a glare, I peeked in again and sure enough, a NEST! The catbird waited high up in a nearby Sassafrass tree during my observations.

At first glance, I could see the nest was made of twigs, Beech leaves, white duck feathers, grapevines, a thin string unraveled from an old blue tarp, and a piece of yellow baling twine. Thank goodness for digital cameras, which allow me to stand on tip toes with camera held high and lens pointing down to get a glimpse of what else the nest is made of and perhaps of any occupants in the nest.

This is what I saw, each picture giving me more information, and melting my heart.

I also noticed a piece of a tan plastic grocery bag in the left corner ...also lots of wings!

Here is a picture using the flash.

How many birdies can you find? 

Aren't they absolutely precious?

 I have had so many cool bird experiences I haven't even written about yet.  Perhaps I will include one bird tale each week lest this be considered just a bird blog  :)

SUNDAY STROLL- GARDEN

I took an early morning Sunday Stroll in the garden today.

Tomato seedlings have been planted: Chadwick Cherry, Yellow Pear, Arkansas Traveler, Cherokee Purple, Stupice, Wisconsin 55,  and two other yellow cherry tomato plants a family member gave to me.  Swiss chard, carrots, mesclun mix, lettuce, cukes and beans are also in.

The peas are growing . . . 

 and there are more strawberries to harvest.

Flowers are in bloom and we have an abundance of daisies near the house and in the meadow.

Other flowers are in bloom . . . 

  

and others are waiting for a new trellis . . . 

  

And still others are waiting to burst forth . . . 

If one is still enough , even garden visitors can be captured on camera . . . 

"I used to visit and revisit it a dozen times a day, and stand in deep contemplation over my vegetable progeny with a love that nobody could share or conceive of who had never taken part in the process of creation.  It was one of the most bewitching sights in the world to observe a hill of beans thrusting aside the soil, or a rose of early peas just peeping forth sufficiently to trace a line of delicate green. " 

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

FRIDAYS FLOWERS

 You could close your eyes while walking and know when you get close to our pond. 
The roses are in bloom and the fragrance is intoxicating. One step you don't smell anything and that next step has your world filled to the brim with excitement and joy as the abundant scent permeates your soul. 

Once you open your eyes, your sense of sight is deeply inspired by Mother Nature's artistic talent in the delicate and exquisite blooms, and it is only fitting that I choose these roses for Friday's Flowers hosted by Renee at Fimby.

I chose a vase that used to be my mother's, that she had parted with long ago. I have always loved its detail and have kept it close by in my glass cabinet.

I love the quote by Terri Guillemets, 

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom" 

 a good reminder to all of us to take time, to make time, to smell the roses.