While you were working...

Day offs for me come far and few between, so when our day care needed drivers for a trip to a nature park in town, I jumped at the opportunity to spend the day with my kids, get outdoors and enjoy the moment. And we did.

We came face to face with American toads...

Went for a nature hike....


Played in the water...

And dug under rocks to find bugs and other creatures...

That's the way summer is supposed to be, and I think it's becoming lost in the land of Wii. Me, I'll take a morning like that any time.

Views from Puerto Rico

I realize most of the country is on vacation in some form or fashion this weekend, so I'll join the club.

Here are a few photos of part of our country you might never see. Last week, I was blessed to see a good friend who's spending this year in San Juan. While it's part of our country, it's a radically different culture and a vastly different climate. So enjoy the views!

Originally posted at the Green Phone Booth May 29, 2010

Spring in the eyes of a 4 year old (a photographic essay)

Today we took advantage of some cooler weather and a dry spell to wander outdoors. Armed with her very own camera, our 4 year old shares a preschooler's look at spring:

"I thought it looked beautiful. Because I like it."

"I always pick the heart flowers. because they're so beautiful."

"I planted the garden. I love carrots, strawberries, lettuce, green beans, garlic. That's all."

"I want to give this to Mama because it's wonderful. The flowers are gone. That's all that I want to say on that one."

"The dandelions for me, I like to pick the dandelions. They [the clover] don't blow very well, but the dandelions do. If they are white, the dandelions blow very well. I wanted them for my family."

"I like the dog because it's wonderful. I always want to keep this dog. I really love that dog."

I hope you enjoyed her first photo essay! We'll share more non-fuzzy photos of the seasons this year.

Snow day

Friday afternoon, we began to get the first of what would be about 9 inches of snow. Not much when you consider what was to hit the D.C. area, but it was one of the biggest snowfalls of the year.

When weather hits, you have a few choices.

1. Panic. Join hundreds of your closest friends at the grocery store (as if you couldn't make it 24 hours otherwise!). Fall to concerns that it may be slick (hint: it's that way when it rains, too) and drive home from work early.

2. Go with the ride and enjoy the beauty of the day.

December rose

Yes, it's December. Yes, I live in Indiana. Yes, I had quality time with my car's window scraper this morning. Yet, I came home to see this treat in my yard:

Just a little way to brighten a dreary day!

Happy Labor Day

Hope you're enjoying a restful weekend!

Last night's storm

Once again, I had an evening of great intentions. Get the kiddos to bed. Get working on the garden.

Mother Nature had other plans. Check out these photos from when the storm came rolling in from the north. The clouds almost look like they have fingers curling at the ground. (And of course, the camera didn't do it justice.)