Happy Holiday Nature Goddess!

This is definitely one of my favorite things!

Just before the holidays I went on an annual trip to The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I hit the jackpot! I found a book I've been looking for, I'd say, 20 years, easy. We decided to stop at this funky antique shop right near the book store. I was ecstatic when we discovered this wonderful collection of local beetles and butterflies. I'm always looking for a collection like this to put in my nature studio and share with my students. The glass in the frame had to be replaced because, according to the shop owner, a clumsy customer knocked it over and broke the glass in the frame. Fortunately there was very little damage done to the specimens and I was able to walk away with a treasure.

Seasonal Birthday Celebrations

What was happening on the day you were born? Put a new twist on your birthday celebrations by bringing your loved ones or students closer to nature. This will be the greatest gift they receive and remember(economical and green too).

What better way to bring the children you know closer to nature than to have a special area set up with items and objects that represent the time of the year they were born. Each birthday celebration can be as unique as the individual you are celebrating.

Changes occur as the season unfolds. Think about it! Is the beginning of autumn the same as the end of autumn here in New England? NO! The leaves are green at the beginning, then gradually change color and eventually fall off. This is an important lesson to a child who is learning and gathering information about their environment and natural world.

Regardless of where you live though, there are always natural objects and changes that occur. This is what should be focused on and then you create something wonderful for individual you are celebrating.

So, start gathering and collecting and remember, you are on the road to starting something unforgettable. If you need guidance, just write me and I can help you get started. The most important thing is to have fun!

Winter Birthday
This picture includes fresh assorted greens, Winterberry, Poinsettias (poisonous, don't use with little ones), pinecones, birds seen at the feeder and in the woods this may include Chickadees, Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Blue Jays and a Great Horned Owl.

Spring Birthday

This picture includes Pussywillows, Daffodils, Forsythia, Johnny Jump-Ups, Pansy, a Robin, a nest, a baby rabbit, a lamb and a spring fairy.

Autumn Birthday

This picture includes Chrysanthemum, Aster, colored Maple leaves, gourds, apples, mini pumpkins, acorns and an autumn fairy.

Pumpkin Fairy Houses

Nature Shelves

My current nature shelf.

Empty nests, birch bark, empty cocoons and fossils.

Skulls, lichen, empty cocoons and nests.

Snake skins, beetles, Cicada cases, broken eggs, moth and butterfly wings.

My collection of feathers.

Ever since I was a small child, I always had a special place for my collections. I collected feathers, snake skins, butterfly wings, dead bugs, empty nests, cocoons and animal skulls. My nature shelf was the perfect place to store these treasures along with my nature guides and favorite books. This way my parents always knew that these things were sacred to me and should NOT BE THROWN OUT. Help honor your budding naturalist by finding an old shelf that they can repaint and store their treasures. This way you know where to put those objects that you often find in your child's pockets. It's also fun to have a family shelf too. Look how beautiful and interesting they can be!

Happy Birthday, Nature Goddess!

What a wonderful surprise! A female Promethea Moth. On one of those warm summer nights, this gorgeous female Promethea Moth flew to the light at my backdoor. I saw the shadow from inside and raced out to see what Saturniidae moth it could have been. She flew right onto my shoulder. I imagined she must have finished mating and would find a host plant to lay her eggs. The next day I looked under the Lilac, Sassafras, Apple, and Peach tree leaves to see if I could find her eggs. No luck. I will have to wait for winter to look for a cocoon. The story continues though. On my birthday, which was a few days later, I woke up and went outside and there she was listless and lethargic , tattered and ragged. It appeared her life was over and she had fulfilled her duties of laying her eggs. She died a few hours later. I saved her to show the small children I teach. A lovely gift of nature for my birthday. I will treasure her.
If you want to know more about Promethea Moths click on the suggested link.

Fairy Houses

Can you see that little fairy sleeping on her canopy bed? Oops...she must have flown away. Click on photo twice and get a close look. If you would like to learn more about people like me building fairy houses go to the link www.fairyhouses.com

Fairy Furniture

An arbor to the fairy garden.

An arbor and swing in the fairy garden.

A lovely chair for a fairy.

A fine place for biscuits and tea for the fairies.

A soft and cozy bed for a fairy!

I made this furniture about 15 years ago for my college roommate. It inspired her to create many more pieces. I hope it inspires you too!

Click on each picture and enlarge the photo to get a better look.