Although the weather is still a bit cool-ish and the bugs have decided it's definitely OK to come out to buzz, whir, and bite now, we've been excited to get out for some honest-to-goodness nature walks!

We love Anna Botsford Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study (original copyright 1911) in which she does a masterful job of explaining the natural world in a way that's interesting and easy to understand--and even laces in some poetry to boot! My kind of nature book!

It's a book not solely based on plants and insects either. She also includes farm animals and refers to certain critters by their colloquial  names--like our fuzzy  'wooly bear' caterpillar. And now I've also found this Handbook of Nature Study blog that coincides with the book--very cool! Ambleside has a schedule dedicated to nature study with lots of great ideas and inspiration. You can also check out my scootin' Outdoors page, too!

We discovered a teeny pond at the edge of some woods across a field from our house that provides fascinating fodder for all sorts of 'natural' adventures--even if it's just dropping rocks in the mud for splat contests. How long do they keep at this kinda thing? A VERY LONG time! Long enough that I become quite convinced that Cutter's insect repellent was never actually tested in the state of Maine--or on bugs that particularly like scalps, neck, and ears. However, we'll take these flying ones to chiggers ANY day. And if you don't know what chiggers are, just go to TX and walk through some tall grass--you'll soon have a very up-close and personal knowledge of what chiggers are.

Of course Daddy's nature walks are even more thrilling than Mommy's tamer (lamer) ones...they get into the furthermost reaches of the back lands of our property with 6 ' beaver dams, mysterious splashing sounds, and bugs that threaten to carry them all away! But our kiddos never want to leave--and always beg for more!

My 8yo daughter's favorite poem:
(she's been SO wanting me to post up here!)

I'm surrounded by beauty
wherever I go.
Both sunrise and sunset
are a wonderful show.

Each season's a treasure,
a sight to behold,
From the roses of summer
to autumn's first gold.

From the lilies of Easter
to winter's first snow,
I'm surrounded by beauty
wherever I go.

Both mountains and valleys
bear witness to me
that God's in control
of all that I see.

From the stars high above
to the oceans below,
I'm surrounded by beauty
wherever I go.

 By Clay Harrison