Wednesday, January 25, 2012

BIRD'S NEST AND BIRD BERRIES

Play outside everyday!
It's been a mantra... a promise... a reminder... a commitment to my little bird. Somedays, however, when the wind is gusting at 90mph it's hard to keep that commitment. Is a venture to the mailbox at the end of our short driveway considered outside play? But lately we've had these incredibly mild days (save the wind) when crocs without socks is acceptable.... and Avi and I have been spending our afternaps afternoons outside... drinking up the last bit of sunshine before she falls below the foothills.  On this day, I was cutting back the dead flowerbeds while Avi was following the chickens around. Then he noticed my pile and....

...came to inspect.

With a little bit of work, this pile turned into...

a nest. Suitable for my little Avi Bird.

But he soon realized the location was all wrong.

With a bit of effort...

and a couple of trips...



Avi made his own nest by the sandbox.

Then he danced about the yard flapping his "nest wings"


Bird Berries
aka hawthorn berries.

With our nests behind us, we continue our venture toward the compost pile.  On the way we pass these three hawthorn trees on the east side of our yard.  The thorns could take out an eye (I'm always trimming them back) but the berries are beautiful -- on the trees or when they have polka dotted an early snow. Today we discovered them peppering the ground as these mild temperatures have melted all our snow. What a discovery for Avi. I am looking forward to learning what I can do with hawthorn berries here and here











He played "chase" with Red for about five minutes trying to give her the berries. 
"Bird Berries" as he called them.
How grateful I am for these afternoons.

10 comments:

  1. What a lovely afternoon. I really enjoy spending time in the garden with my little ones too. I just strap the baby to my back and let the toddler run wild. We've been doing a lot of pulling weeds from the veggie garden lately. And learning to ride a tricycle.

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    1. learning to ride a tricycle.... how fun!! wintertime weeding is the best!

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  2. Let's spend some outside time together today? I'm texting you now with a plan. ox

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    1. such fun we had this morning.... outside!!! thanks! let's do it more!!

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  3. What a wonderful afternoon. Kids exploring in nature is the best!!! Great pics.

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    1. Thanks Kim. Everyday outside... that's the goal!! :)

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  4. He is too sweet!! You can't help but smile at these pictures. :)

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    1. Amanda, thanks for visiting. I couldn't help but smile at him most of this afternoon. He's even sweeter in person!

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  5. What a good little helper you have there :). I love that picture of him and the chicken! So you all are having mild weather too! Is January typically the coldest month? We had 80 degree weather the other day. Even for FL, not typical this time of year.

    Cheers and have a good weekend Jules!
    xo

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    1. MJ, Yes, January is our coldest month, but we still do get these mild days from time to time... it just seems that we've had soooo many. Today is a bit odd.. the forecast predicted snow this morning and then 40 and sunny this afternoon (but it's still snowing at 1:20) and 50 tomorrow and 60 on Sunday. Growing up in Michigan, I appreciate these mild Colorado winters!

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