woof

photography by lela unless otherwise noted

Next week, we'll be receiving 

the newest member of our family...

this little sweetie!

Today we had our home visit

with a rescue group

to see if the dog was right for us
and if we were right for the dog.

She was so super sweet 

with the girls!

(as well as our cat)

And we cannot wait

to welcome her into our home!

This week we'll be getting ready for her.

She needs a crate, leash, collar, food, treats

and toys, plenty of good toys.

Sweet girl, we are looking forward to bringing you home!

We know you'll love it here 

and we'll take the best care of you.

photo credit: mike

Once she's home with us

I'll be sharing more information about her 

and the rescue group she came from

as well as lots and lots of pictures!

carrie

little family on the prairie

One minute you're in a lush woodland.....

....and the next you're stepping into another world!

~ liv ~

 Today we spent the morning and afternoon

at our favorite nature preserve

out on the Piedmont prairie!

 ~ liv ~

Once common through the Piedmont of the East Coast

prairies are are now rare habitats.

There are many species of plants and animals 

that are only found in prairie habitat.

This prairie has two critically endangered flowers,

Georgia aster and Schweinitz's sunflower.

~ lela in sneezeweed - *not* endangered ~

Prairies offer "edge habitats" 

where open land meets forested land

These are zones of high biodiversity.

~ while unattractive, easements do provide edge habitat ~

If you're interested in learning more 

about this Piedmont Prairie

(and where my husband works)

please check out this link!

~ lela ~

We walked a long time through the prairie

before stopping in some of that edge habitat

for a snack and a rest

~ lazy little lotus ~

Laurel and Mike watch as Lela climbs a tree....

~ the blue eyed ones ~

... and I caught this funny picture.

Then back out onto the prairie.  

Liv enjoyed running her fingers through this soft grass.

She said that it looks just the place for faeries.

We made our way to a tiny pond

and broke out our fly-rod

and tied on a barbless grasshopper fly

in hopes of snagging a bream.

By now, the girls know the rules.

~ photo credit: mike ~

"Don't forget to give a fish kiss!"
and
"Quickly put her back in the water!"
and
"Bream have nasty spines, be careful!"

~ photo credit: mike ~

~ laurel catching a fish ~

While Mike and I took turns fishing*

the girls entertained themselves

by doing a little pond sampling.

~ success! ~

More play and exploration in the prairie grasses.

I have mentioned before how I feel

that this is a very valuable play-space for children.

~ liv ~

~ fledgling mockingbird ~

~ daisy, daisy ~

~ lela back in the sneezeweed ~

~ pretty little invasive exotic ~

~ old general store ~

~ wait, how did this one get in there? :) ~

Time to head back home, 

piggy-back rides for all three year olds!

Until next time,

Piedmont Prairie!

carrie

wash wednesday: the original

GardenMama is hosting a fun challenge

pictures of clotheslines here at

Wash Wednesday!

Won't you join her?

Drying clothes out-of-doors is very gratifying.

Their clean, crisp smell.

No electricity used.

Hanging out each garment is a meditation of sorts.

~ march winds dry our washing quickly ~

My first clothesline was of my own construction.

I jury-rigged this one with phone line, 

throw rope for my canoe and a couple trees.

Extended line tied onto the swingset.

~ when clothes are on the line, girls are in this maple tree! ~

We're thankful that this line has been replaced

with an official version.

Phone cord exposed to the elements

always sags and often snaps. 

(Ask me how I know.)

~ sagging phone clothes line and tub swimming children ~

Next week I'll feature our new clothesline.

Hurray!

carrie

happy momma's day

~ wearing them while i still can ~

carrie

Friday Waldorf Co-op

An amazingly beautiful day!

Wildlife in abundance.

Large black rat snake.

Tiny northern water snake.

and this beauty:

~ make that two beauties ~

~ question mark butterfly ~

A quick funny story.

When I identified her

one of the mommas thought

I was calling it a question mark 

because I didn't know what it was.

Silly momma.

Why do you think 

my brain is so foggy?

It is filled with random

lepidopteran knowledge.

The our Late Spring Rhythm

features the story of the Ugly Duckling.

 I told it, nervous at first, 

but quickly had fun with it!

We decided to move craft after lunch.

The kids ended up playing for a while

before coming back for craft.

I think it was positive change.

~ wildflower by liv ~

Our craft this week was making paper flowers.

I recycled old wet-on-wet watercolor paintings

by cutting out lots of hearts.  

Then punch holds in the point - a petal!

Thread a button onto a pipecleaner.

~ some of my button collection ~

Thread on plenty of petals (biggest first)

and then cap it off with another button.

Fan the petals out and admire!

~ laurel ~

What happened to all the babies?!  

They are getting too big!

Look at this cutie, melting my heart.

Favoring her youngest big brother, I do believe!

~ say it isn't so! ~

And how about this heart-breaker?

~ melt! ~

After lots of playing in the creek

it's time to circle round for a grounding story.

~ little cloud and lady wind ~

I treasure these special times

with amazing friends in a beautiful natural space.

Truly these families are a gift!

in gratitude,

 carrie

may day celebration

Our May Day celebration begins

appropriately

at the Farmers' Market

~ with friends ~

~ tables of yum! ~

~ variety of peppers coming home with us ~

~ a little bluegrass ~

Then we were off to Rock Hill

to celebrate with co-op friends!

~ making whipped cream ~

~ pancake with blueberries ~

~ feast of food ~

~ processional through the woods at twilight ~

~ and back to the maypole ~ 

~ here's a branch of snowy may, a branch the faeries gave me ~

~ dance away dance away, holding high the branch of may ~

~ tying everything in ~

~ father-daughter duet warmed everyone's hearts ~

A joyous celebration!

carrie