Sunday, December 22, 2013

Four legged friends

December 22


It is wet and we are alternately stir crazy and sleepy. I know this feeling. Time for fresh air. Our four legged family members jump at the sigt of the leashes. Yes, these dogs should have been the reason for our daily outings since the beginning but I will admit I often let them play in the back yard rather than going for a real walk. 

As the year comes to an end I am contemplative. A year of getting outside most days has brought great joy to our family. I feel calmer and find moments of peace in nature that sustain me throughout the days. And I have discovered the peril of having an electronic companion always on hand to capture the perfect moment. Instead of being in the moment I found myself documenting the moment. And so I have become an intermittent photographer and a sometime blogger. 

For the new year I hope and plan to continue our daily outdoor time. And I hope to go on more walks with our dogs because I know they need to stretch their legs as much as we do. 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Hello Sky

October 14

This is the view from my new hammock. I have wanted a hammock for longer than I can remember. But I hesitated imagining my little ones falling out of the tippy fabric. Then I discovered the hammock mountaineers use to sleep in suspended high above the ground. A deep pouch of sturdy nylon! It mounts with straps and can be moved at a moments notice. This is the hammock of my dreams! 

It is evening and we just finished dinner. I sneak out to the deck and climb in. I gently rock while watching the sky. The crickets are out and I hear geese honking as they head south. I'm sure I will need to head inside for baths and bedtime routines in a bit. But right now I am on a mini vacation saying hello to the sky. 



Thursday, October 10, 2013

While off the grid

October 10 



While on vacation from my technology we have had many outdoor adventures and moments of wonder. I had to set down my smart phone for a while and just be outside with my family.  I missed looking closely at nature and capturing the details of our beautiful surroundings in photos but I also loved being unteathered and free from the digital world. 

My commitment  to being oustide everyday continues. But I am now giving myself permission to unplug. I will document as I can and continue to take photos when inspired. 







Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Off Line

September 3

I've been off line for a while. Taking a digital break. We have been outside every single day and loving it. I realized I want to be outside without a camera, phone or access to the Internet. 

I just want to enjoy the air, sky, and trees. My children much prefer my attention without a phone attached to my hands. And I find that if I park my technology and head outside I find more peace. 

And so I have not been taking photos or writing. But we have been living and enjoying our time outside every day. 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

MUD!

August 8


Squishy, gooey, MUD!

Drip drip drip

August 7


Cupped like a bowl, these beauties drink in the rain. We explore the dripping garden in our rubber boots. 

Flash rider 360

August 6


This is the craziest trike I have ever seen. We may never come inside again. Peddling backwards, turning circles, twisting and looping my daughter heads outside as soon as she gets up just to get a few moments on this contraption. 


Waiting for dusk

August 5


In the heat of an August day this night blooming beauty is shut tight. 


Scooter stroll

August 4


Big sister helps Little sister keep her balance on our scooter stroll. 

Stop theif!

August 3


Is this who is supposed to be eating our birdseed?

Friday, August 2, 2013

Hot pink!

August 2


There are crape myrtle trees covered in blossoms everywhere. 


Yellow!

August 1

The summer flowers have arrived! 

Little snail

July 31


My junior scientists find a little snail. They hold him gently hoping he will come out of his shell. Eventually he is placed under a shady bush and wished a fond farewell. 

Green leaves

July 30


I have missed the glowing layers of green in our yard. 

Playing with the hose

July 29


Our first day home and we play with the hose in the back yard. I feel jet lagged even though we are in the same time zone. 


Words to live by

July 28



We head home today. Back to regular life. Back to friends and routines. Back to sidewalks and freeways. I found this sign and decided it makes a pretty good family motto. It certainly has described our summer. 

We got for a last walk around the pond, get in the car and head home. 

Baby lizard

July 27


We find this tiny baby lizard sunning himself as we head out on our bikes. 


Sky

July 26


Here it is: the silver lining!


Fishing

July 25


Biking to lunch we see this guy. He looks ready for the catch of the day. 


Sunset

July 24


A sunset bike ride along the lagoon. 


Heart

July 23


Shadow play on the wall. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Full moon rising

July 22 (PM)


We saw the full moon rise out of the ocean tonight! Awe inspiring, magnificent, beautiful. We stood in the warm waves feeling the sand gently pulling at our feet. We held hands and I said, "see if you can remember this moment for your whole lives" 

Palms overhead

July 22


Looking up this morning while visiting the ducks I see the palms above me. I wish I had a hammock, I'd plant it right here. 

Dune flower

July 21



Today I find this little beauty hiding in the dunes. Smaller than a quarter, nestled down close to the sand. 

High tide

July 20


The tide is as high as we've seen it tonight. The moon is on its way to being full and the turtles are getting ready to hatch. 

Quack x 12

July 19


Welcome to the new ducks! Twelve young quackers have made a home near the small pond nearby. We have begun making daily visits to share snacks with our new waddling friends. 

Palm flowers

July 18


This amazing stalk of white flowers is growing out of a palm plant! Who knew those unassuming palms produced these beautiful creamy bells. 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Flower by the lagoon

July 17


On an afternoon walk by the lagoon we found this flower. Just bigger than a silver dollar it sat swaying in the breeze on a slender green stem. The sun was just low enough to shine in under the overhanging palms and kiss this little guy. 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Afternoon pool time

July 16


After a nice afternoon nap we visit the shady, refreshing pool. 


Monday, July 15, 2013

Pink clouds

July 15


The setting sun lights the clouds as if from within. 

Pelicans in the sunset

July 14


One of the most magical nights on the beach. Sun setting behind us, tide pools slowly filling in as the tide rises, and pelicans gliding by. 

Marsh at low tide

July 13


The tide is out and the marsh grass is glowing in the evening sun. The clouds look painted. 

Kite

July 8


We head to the beach this evening and send up out new kite. It hovers above is in the breeze as the sun sets and the tide slowly moves in. 

Rain rain rain

July 12


It pours all day. We sneak out for a bike ride during a break and ride between the drops as they begin to come down again. 

Crab fishing

July 11


We head out on the water to go crab fishing. Good news about this adventure: we catch lots if crabs, none are big enough to keep, everyone is happy (including the crabs). 

Mermaid

July 10


We visit the mermaid fountain and stroll through the shops today. 

My view

July 9


Friends are visiting this week and I have a rare moment to sit under the beach umbrella alone and just gaze out at the water. 

Sand castle

July 7


Today is a sand castle day, complete with garage and drawbridge. 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Stretch the heron

July 6


This is Stretch the 15 year old heron we met today. He hangs around the crab boat we went out on and waits for gifts of extra bait. Evidently in his case age has brought wisdom as he has found a very efficient way to get his daily meals. 

Summer feet

July 5


This photo sums up what I love about summer. Bare feet. Outside. Plenty of time to play. 

On the grill

July 4


Happy 4th of July!

"Let's eat outside!" suggests my almost 7 year old. We set the picnic table and enjoy a feast. There is a little breeze and the day has cooled after the rain shower earlier. Our wind chime tinkles and I count my blessings. 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Ahinga

July 3


This morning a the pond near us my new favorite bird the Ahinga was sunning himself on this very handy sign. It says, "Alligators may live here." 

I'm sure he doesn't need a sign to remember. 

Turtle tracks

July 2

D0D73087-3A8E-425A-B9AC-8DCE5FB7AD05

On an early morning walk we see the tracks of a mama turtle. She must have come in on the high tide durning the night and deposited her precious eggs in a nice deep nest in the dunes. 

Good luck little guys, happy trails mama turtle. 

Beach flower

July 1


As we are coming off the beach from our morning walk I see this flower nestled in the dunes. I do not notice the delicate dew drops until I am right up close. I am grateful to have paused. 

We are half way through the year of going outside everyday. It has changed the way I think of our days. And it has given me permission to stop and notice. 

Tide pools

June 30


My little one comes to the beach with me this morning. We stroll and stop to look at shells and crabs. She dances from one tide pool to another. 

Sunrise

June 29



I get up with the sun this morning and head to the beach. The sun bursts through the clouds reflecting on the water below. This is a magical time at the beach. I grew up watching the sun set into the ocean. Now I am on the opposite coast with a different ocean. Warmer, gentler and home of the rising sun. 

Fishing

June 28


Today we go fishing in the lagoon. It begins to sprinkle and we move under a little bridge. There, standing tall and still is a magnificent blue heron. He seems to be fishing too, or possibly waiting for us to fish so that he can share our catch. 

More outside than in

June 27


We spend more of our days outside than in. We walk and bike, only taking the car to the supermarket. After dinner we head outside and play until dark. We rest in the afternoons. 

Waves

June 26



Today we play in the waves. Summer friends cluster around the sand toys covering legs with sand from the tide pool. My little one holds tight to the boogie board as I pull her through the few inches of water where the waves meet the sand. 

The older kids go out deeper to body surf. Parents help them get in position to ride the gentle waves onto shore. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Fireworks

June 25




It is Tuesday, fireworks night here at the beach. We step out onto the empty expanse of the golf course at night. Behind the trees on the horizon we watch bursts of light and color. The booming of the explosions dampened by distance. Perfect for little ears. 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Spray park

June 24


We bike to the beach town a few miles away and spend a mellow morning playing in the fountain. Bursts of water shoot up intermittently and children squeal. There is shade from several overhanging trees and benches populated by parents and tired toddlers. 

We mosey to an outdoor cafe' for smoothies and ice coffee. On the way home I feel the weight shift behind me. I glance back to see my little one nodding in her seat, fast asleep.