I would take you by the hand, dear reader....

What an unexpected, beautiful surprise, now at the end of the year, to discover a completely new path in the woods. As you know, I walk our dogs every day. And I admit, our usual dirt roads have begun to lose some of their magic for me, considering I see those same trees and logs and bushes every day, and now is the season where things look the same for a long, long time. Bare, brown, wet. Beautiful, yes, but I wasn't feeling as excited to take our morning walks anymore. 

There is a wooded hillside that we look at from our kitchen window, and when we moved here, we saw a large herd of wild boar digging their snouts through the snow, looking for food in deep winter. Although this was a beautiful sight, looking out from the within our warm, secure home, it made me a bit afraid of that part of the forest. Then some other dog owners told me there were also a lot of deer in those parts. This all made me hesitant to enter the woods on that side, and so years have gone by with a whole area of wilderness that I had never explored right in front of us. 

I had a morning off the other day and was feeling a mixture of bored of my regular walks, and brave enough to try something new. I thought, Today is the day, I'm going to finally have a look at those woods...I need inspiring to take photographs of!

I headed into unknown territory, going up the steep path that was ankle deep with fallen leaves. At first I wasn't very impressed; it was basically the same as the other way I go every day. But then I noticed that there was sky shining from behind the trees up at the top of the hill, and I got curious about what was on the other side. I went quicker, motivated by curiosity, noticing how happy the dogs were to have a fresh path to sniff. 

Finally I reached the top and the thin path I had been on joined a wide dirt road. The sky was big and there were birds fluttering and chirping in that wide open space. A valley, tall grasses bleached by the cold, dry brown thistles and gigantic piles of logs. Silvery birch, bare and blue against the tan, camel hillside. My heart was beating fast as I took pictures. I was dumfounded that this beauty was right behind my home. 

If I could, I would take you there. I would take you by the hand, dear reader, and lead you up the papery path, up up up, til the trees spread and the sky stretches and you feel small under a big sky. You feel far away from the cars and houses. Time stops. There is only sky, birds, trees, tall grass, and the road under your feet.

At the first chance I took Rafael and Ramon to see it. 

I want you to know how happy I am to have this new place to photograph, to share with you. The next four seasons will be so much sweeter because of this.

xoxoxo

A Little Piece of Paradise

My friend Steffi asked me, "What are you going to do tomorrow afternoon, when Rafael is with the babysitter?" In the past the answer was always, "Clean in peace." This time it was, "Visit Gerit, and take my camera with me."

I am learning to clean while Raffi is home, and enjoy hobbies and leisure while he is away. It's still not easy for me to just step out of the house, leaving behind piles of laundry and a floor scattered with toys and books. But I am getting better at it. If I want to have some balance in my life, if I want to take photos or have meaningful conversations with friends without being interrupted, this is the way I need to do things. 

My hours spent at Gerit's home were wonderful. She spoiled me with homemade chocolate cake, and showed me the ducklings, and the raised beds with tender pumpkin vines and blossoms. She also took me up to the hay loft, where she strings up herbs to dry, and generously gave me a bundle of oregano and hyssop. 

When Gerit and I meet up, we always end up talking about plants: wild edibles, herbs, medicinal uses. I learn so much from her. Often when I take walks, I'll come across a plant I don't recognize. I take a picture and send her an email: "Do you know this one?" She either answers herself or forwards my email to a few 'kräuterhexen' (which translates from German to 'herb witches') for them to help identify.

I love Gerit's home. The little kitchen cluttered with treasures: a jar of especially pretty chicken feathers, a bowl of dried rose petals, honey from the local bee-keeper, blue and white eggs from the coop, and countless jars of dried wild herbs that she has gathered from the near by fields. I love her garden, with giant forests of stinging nettles, dead nettles, and elderberry, and ducks and chickens picking quietly at the clover-covered ground. The thin winding path leading to the brook in the back, and the gigantic old pear tree where crows have nested. It truly is a little piece of paradise.

I am grateful for her friendship, and happy that there are people and places like this. 

xoxo

P.S. To see more of this little piece of paradise, click here. 

Late July

Fresh organic watermelon juice, ice, and wild mint in a mason jar. The first hay fields cut under a big hazy sky. Tattered little vintage books. Roses wrapped in brown paper. That's late July.

The sun is shining today and dragonflies are everywhere, drying their wings I guess. Swallows are flying high again...they swoop down low when it's going to rain, and soar high up in the great wide blue when the weather is fare. Old fashioned weather forecasters. On grey days they fly so low that their wing tips skim the wheat fields.

My belly has hard spots all over. A knee? An arm? A foot? I rub, press, and guess. I've been pregnant so long now that I think this boy will never come, and will just stay in there, making me wonder which little body part he is pressing up against my hand. He likes it when I take bubble baths, which I do almost daily now to relieve my back and feet. He rolls and squirms when I squeeze the loofa over my belly. I think he likes the sound of the water.

I stumbled upon photos of Boston's first day with us today, taken about a year ago, and marveled at how brave little puppies are, leaving their familiar surroundings, their siblings, and their mother...taking the long journey to a new home, with unfamiliar smells and strangers.

I looked at the expression on his face and thought of how is little body trembled in my lap during the car ride home, and my heart broke all over again for him, knowing it must have been so scary. I glanced over at him, all confident and grown up now, sleeping soundly on a blanket with Kiki stretched out next to him, and was glad that he was with us...people (and a dog) who love him. A new family.

Now there is another new member of the family on the way. Helpless, dependent, putting all his trust into us to take care of him and hold him when he is afraid of how big this world is. He is counting on us to be his family, to be there for him, to not hold it against him that he is so fragile and needy, and to not be frustrated with him when he needs our help all hours of the day. To not be impatient with him while he learns the ways of this world, and gets to know the difference between day and night. To smile at him, kiss him, bath him, feed him, and comfort him.

Such an amazing journey ahead of us all....

Every Day Love

I wish you could have tasted this cake. Simple chocolate with cream cheese frosting, topped with perfectly ripe strawberries. So perfect. Turning 30 was a joy!

This winter is dragging on, but good things are happening, despite the fact that I haven't been here much to write about it.

Even though the forest was white with snow this morning, the birds were singing like it was Spring. I couldn't believe how loud they were! I thought, They really do carry faith within them, to sing like that on a day like this. I am hungry for green, so impatient for growth and new beginnings! But then my heart tells me to use these last cold weeks for creativity, tea, and cookies.

On this day, Valentine's Day, I want to wish you all Every Day Love. Love every day. Not just on a holiday. Every day. That's my wish for you!

xoxo country girl

Magical False Spring

Sometimes, mid-winter, the temperature climbs, the snow melts, the creek runs strong and singing, and the sun shines. It's what we call a 'false spring,' because although it sure feels like spring for a few days, it won't be long until chill and snow return.

We have been enjoying these days of sun, no one as much as the dogs, who immediately jumped into the creek and ran like mad over the pressed carpet of brown leaves. Birds are chirping like it's spring, too, and the air is warm and friendly with their song.

Everything is brown and green, the colors of March. I try not to let it trick me into believing that winter is over. Though today I saw unfurling leaves on a naked stalk of elderberry, and the round dark green leaves of wild violets that grow so close to the ground almost convinced me.

But there will be snow again soon enough; birds and plants and creeks will go back to sleep under ice and grey skies. False spring gives us the gift of hope and reminds us what it feels like to be warm...reminds us that green and growth are on their way, if not quite yet.

xoxo country girl

baby swallows & great news

Here's a painting I worked on yesterday and today. Just look at those hungry little mouths! So cute. 


The great news is that I signed my publishing contract; it's official! My book, Kiki's First Year , will be a published e-book and audio book some time next year. Very exciting! I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity.


Those hungry little sparrow babies will be in the book. Along with the wild strawberry and so many other wonderful pieces of nature. All the more reason to get offline and get back to my paper and watercolors!


xoxo country girl




One Year Ago Today: i'm back! 

green blessings!

I took these pictures on a sunny morning; it was my first walk in the woods since spring has begun. I usually walk on the open fields...it just feels safer to be able to see long distances in every direction. But this time, curiosity got the best of me, and I just had to see what was growing in the forest. 
This walk, and all the beauty I found while on it, renewed my deep gratitude about living where I do, and having Kiki as my companion. When you are walking down a path lined with wild wood anemone and violets, with the gentle spring sunlight shining through tender new leaves, how can you not feel amazingly blessed?

Tree stumps frothy with oxalis blossoms....bird song....Kiki exploring every bit of moss and mud with me. Glorious!
This was just one of the days I wanted to share with you...more to come!

Love to all of you...hope you are enjoying the weekend.

xoxo country girl 

p.s. here are the best pics i could manage of mr. chaffinch!

on the water cooler, giving his own reflection the evil eye

and eating loads of oats and hemp seeds...fighting your own reflection apparantly builds a healthy appetite!

hello!

You are all so kind a patient, thank you!
I've been having the most amazing walks with Kiki in the woods this past week, and can't wait to share the photos with all of you...hopefully tomorrow.
In the meantime, there is a beautiful male chaffinch which has been eating oats and hemp seeds from the feeder and then attacking the window, all afternoon! He is so amazingly hungry, has been eating for hours now. If he's back tomorrow I will try to take a photograph of him for you. Here's an image from google so you know what I'm talking about:

I can't help but wonder if there is a Mrs. Chaffinch, and possibly little babies, which he is bringing some of the oats and seeds to. I hope he is back tomorrow so I can capture this brave, curious little fellow in action.
Life does have it's ups and downs, it's winters and springs. I am really doing my best every day to count my blessings and not allow my mind to sink into those dark places which leave me feeling lost and lethargic. Depression runs in the family, and I am fighting it tooth and nail lately. The sunshine and blossoming trees help, as do, naturally, my husband and my Kiki. It isn't a lie when I say that I'm an optimist, that I look on the bright side of life and appreciate all the little, simple things. But it's also true that I am struggling to stay afloat in joy lately, and I want to be honest with you about that. 
After considering going down the pharmaceutical path for a few days to get me back to my usual 'happy' self, I decided that I don't want to take that step right now. I'm not saying I think it's bad, or wrong, and I am certainly glad that it is helping people. But I want to try and heal through other channels; through what I eat, what I think, how I spend my time, fresh air, and yes, therapy. I already live a very healthy lifestyle, which makes it all the more frustrating when I don't feel healthy and happy because it doesn't seem there is much room for improvement. But I am sure there is a way to heal from the inside out, without medication. 
I am glad to be back here with you, in this supportive community....thanks for all of the kindness and truth you give me.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
"I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well."

-Henry David Thoreau

I'll be back soon! Hopefully tomorrow! :)


xo country girl

nests in a dozen beautiful ways

With March approaching and the snow melting, birds have begun to once again fill the air with their sweet melodies. The black amsel serenades the melting-sorbet sunset again, and I know spring can't be far away.

I love the intricate weaving and secrecy of nests, and I love the shiny blue or speckled eggs inside.

I went in search of beautiful nests to share with you, and loved what I found.

:: printed card, handmade on peconic bay  ::

:: wedding favor, martha stewart weddings :: cupcake, dahlia bakery  ::

:: felted titmouse couple in handmade nest, gotcrowcreations  on etsy ::

:: nest with truffle-filled eggs, williams-sonoma  :: handblown nest bell jar, williams-sonoma  ::

:: tiny woodland terrarium robin's nest necklace, woodlandbelle  on etsy :: aqua nest tile coaster, robotcandy  on etsy ::

:: modern nest party favor project, country living  :: pussy willow nest project, martha stewart  ::

:: blue bird nest soap set, loveleesoaps  on etsy :: robin egg ornaments in nest, jenniferarndt  on etsy ::

The beauty of it all!

Though, the most lovely of all nests are those built by careful beaks of wild birds.

Those are free....and priceless.

Tonight the moon is so full and round, white and gray in a pastel evening sky.

The earth is sopping wet and so full of promise and potential.

It was so warm on my walk to the grocery store this afternoon that it seemed strange that the trees didn't have their leaves on yet.

All in due time.

So far, I've seen ten wild primulas, two earthworms, and the beginnings of snow drops in a neighbour's yard.

And I brought home the most tender head of bib lettuce....I was no less pleased than I would have been with a giant rose. It's leaves like petals, it's center a fist of delicate crisp folds.

I'm swooning over lettuce.....it must be spring!

Right now, in this moment as I sit here writing, there is a bird outside my window singing the most lovely melody as the sky grows dark. I have missed bird song this long winter!

Hubby is picking up chinese take-out.

We're cozying in for the german version of American Idol. It's very entertaining, and we have our contestant who we're hoping and calling for. This is him singing I'll Be There if you're interested!

He's had a hard life, comes from nothing, and is so talented...we hope his dreams come true.

xoxo country girl

the most amazing morning!

We awoke to blue skies and birds singing. I snatched up my camera and Kiki and I were out the door. The most amazing morning followed, with exciting discoveries, the sound of water running in fingers of melting snow, and the sun warming our faces and souls. I hope, when you look at these photographs, you will be able to hear and feel what I did, in your own way.

 

  

 :: the first wild primulas! i couldn't believe my eyes. but there they were, yellow and delicate. ::

  

 :: a heart, thawing in the snow ::

:: rivers of melting snow and crows looking for food on the wet fields ::

:: patches of grass and sunshine, where we paused to soak up the warmth and birdsong ::

  

:: a slice of apple pegged to the branch of a birch tree for the birds; the colors were so pretty against the sky ::

 :: on the same birch tree, a piece of turqoise-painted wood, nailed to the trunk, with no apparant  purpose other than looking like a piece of art ::

:: tiny treasures to share with you in today's wonderful tiny nature table! ::

:: top row: bird's nest, four leaf clover, stick of birch with colorful fungi growing on it ::

:: bottom row: wild primulas, edible wild herb called yarrow, pheasant feather, mound of pretty moss ::

  

:: the precious first primulas are on my dining table now...I can't stop looking at them! ::

:: tell me about one of the luckiest aspects of your life...a reader will be picked at random to win this first four leaf clover of the year, which is currently pressed between the pages of a Gladys Taber book to dry ::

A kind reminder: Keep your eyes open for the tiny treasures along your path!

Wishing you a magical day,

xo country girl