GardenMama

.: Crochet-Inspired Painted Stones :.

.: Crochet-inspired stones that were born today! :.

Recently we enjoyed time visiting with friends on a small secluded island.  Along with finding treasures of sea glass I enjoyed gathering flat stones that lay in the waters and along the shore that had been tumbled to a smooth round finish.  Many of these smooth stones were perfect for skipping over the ocean waters while enjoying the quiet of the day.

.: I enjoyed photographing these stones as much as I did painting them! :.

.: Blue Hydrangeas continue to share themselves with me. Today they became part of the creation!:.

A small basket of these stones also made their way home with us.  I knew that they would bring the peaceful energy of the ocean along with them to our home. Each time I gaze at them our time on the island is remembered.

I find inspiration through nature and creating with nature.  I knew that these stones that hold such energy of the crashing waves and the peaceful rolling in and away of the tides would be painted with additional creative beauty and expressiveness.      

.: I enjoyed painting Lace-like patterns on these ocean stones! :.

With inspiration found through Maribeth's crocheted stones, I took out my paint, fine brushes, and a basket of ocean-dwelling stones  on the porch on this cool evening.  Fireflies shared their lights in the distance and the house was fast asleep,  giving me these simple inspired moments of play.

.: Each additional stone that was painted was more enjoyable than the last! :.

.: Flowers paired with stones make me smile on this summer's day! :.

After painting a few of these crochet-inspired stones I lay my head upon my pillow.  Before falling asleep I dreamt while still half-awake of the new designs I would enjoy creating with the children in the morning.  

.: I appreciate the crisp clean appearance of white upon the gray stones :.

These creative supplies and creations were left out until the morning for the children to notice on their own. Without saying a word it always seems to work out that they find inspiration and begin their own inspired creating with only the quiet leading of the materials and finished stones set on the table.

.: Sea glass and ocean stones joining together once again in a new landscape :.

.: A painted version of crochet-adorned stones! :.

I found myself continuing to enjoy these simple materials throughout our day and found a peaceful rhythm through paint and brush.

.: I appreciate this stone on the left and found painting these crochet-inspired circles enjoyable! :.

.: Once again these treasures of the sea are gathered together! :.

.:Raspberry Jewels ~ A Gift Of Summer:.

 

.: We enjoyed creating raspberry lemonade at the close of our time gathering fresh berries! :.

Each new season always manages to convince me  that it's my favorite.  Happily this Summer is no different. I am amazed daily by the sweet gifts Summer offers to us through the garden and through her wild natural splendor. 

As the sun begins to fade and the air cools, we take a walk to where raspberry-colored jewels reveal themselves to us and we feast on these treasured treats as if we are little bears foraging in the wild!

Today with baskets in hand we picked some newly-plump berries that later refreshed us in lemonade!

.: The youngest one with raspberry stained lips and hands :.

Whether its gathering strawberries, blueberries, and now raspberries, my little one savors each bite.  As you can see with his berry-stained lips and fingertips, he is enjoying many that will never see the inside of his gathering basket! 

.: Three small sets of hands gathering raspberries together on this summer's day! :.

I appreciate process.  Today the process was enjoying a natural treasure hunt! Three small sets of hands excitedly gather up these fairy-sized treats! "Oh, look over here I found so many!" Excitement fills the air as these little ones focus on pushing aside green leaves to reveal these tender berries that will settle into gathering baskets and bellies!

.: Seeking and gathering the fullest raspberry jewels! :.

As we harvest together time slows just a bit. We work together to fill each basket, realizing that many hands working together brings this enjoyable task closer to completion.

 Later we will sit in the green grass to enjoy the fruits of our labors and decide what else these delicious berries will accompany while we create in the kitchen!

 

.: Many raspberries sharing themselves and many more hiding behind lush green leaves!:.

Each little raspberry proves more sweet than the last! I appreciate sitting back for moments to take in each child's careful attention, anticipation, and excitement over each new berry that is discovered.

The precious conversations that ensue over the greenery of the raspberry bushes are so beautiful.

I dream of my children remembering these summer days with their siblings far into the future.

.: Will this one make it into my gathering basket? :.

.: Each berry falls effortlessly into each hand  :.

As I place additional raspberries into each child's basket, I can clearly see there is more than enough to go around for sampling as well as for berry laden cereal in the morning. 

 My hopes for these berries are to include them into a special recipe for raspberry infused lemonade!
 

.: While the children enjoyed gathering berries, I enjoyed gathering wildflowers! :.

.: Our hands created bowls for these raspberries while we ate them in the grass! :.

We give thanks for these treasures and enjoy a rich feast as our hands are full with the freshness of summer! Each raspberry holds the energy of the sun and rain and of the wildflower fields surrounding it.

.: A refreshing drink of raspberry lemonade sits happily in front of a freshly gathered bouquet! :.

After the harvest we chilled some glasses and looked forward to the natural flavors of Raspberry lemonade with a sprig of garden mint. Process never tasted so good!

{To create your own Raspberry Lemonade!}

.:  Pour one cup of fresh lemon juice into a pitcher. Stir in 3/4 of a cup of honey until dissolved.  

.:  Using a spoon, mash 1 cup fresh raspberries into a small bowl. Press this mixture through a fine strainer         into the pitcher.

.: Complete by adding water to taste.

.:  We enjoyed adding a fresh mint leave and a single fresh raspberry into our glass to add a burst of flavor at       the end of the last sip!

.: independence day :.

.: A sparkler adds enchantment to the evening celebration :.

These past days were celebrated on a tiny island that was full with the beauty of nature and the warmth of friends. 

Conversations were enjoyed in the kitchen that was richly scented of hand made tortillas, veggie burgers from scratch, freshly baked breads and newly gathered herbs mingling with homegrown vegetables. 

Visions of glowing campfires and fireworks illuminating the evening sky danced in our dreams as we slept and the cool breeze from the ocean washed over us...

 

.: My sweet friend and I smiled over each Island clothesline exclaiming:"Wash Wednesday!" :.

 

.: A little blueberry boy collecting sweet treasures! :.

Both cultivated and wild berries grew very happily on this island. We joined our friends and together gathered and enjoyed tasty varietals that were warm from being kissed by the island sun. 

.: Many plants burst with  blue treasures! Some for later and more for now!:.

.: Grape-sized blueberries are joined with  two little green ones hitching a ride!:.

.: The ocean was dotted with sailboats that sailed along with the wind :.

The ocean served as a divide and kept us far away from shops or restaurants but rather busied us with gathering jewels of sea glass which shared itself plentifully as treasure along the shores.

  

.: A heart-shaped stone sharing itself so beautifully with my daughter today! :.

This heart-shaped stone was discovered by my daughter. When she first presented it to me I thought that somehow she had carved it on her own.  On closer inspection  I felt the smoothly worn edges and could hardly believe this heart was formed so perfectly all on it's very own in nature!

.: A favorite pastime when we visit the island is to collect smooth tumbled sea glass! :.

Sandals served as a lovely tray to place our newly found sea glass into.  I could sit and sift through the sand and stones unearthing these colorful pieces for hours!

.: Sliding down the side of a grassy hill on cardboard that was used like a sled! :.

One evening before sunset the children raced down steep knolls of wild grasses. Spread before them lay the sparkling diamond fields of the sea.   This was all a special  part of remembering a woman that many called a friend who has been spending her summers on this island for many, many years since she was just a little girl. 

.: Many trips down the side of this hill were enjoyed by all of the children :.

 Just last summer my family and I sat and talked with this woman and watched in awe as her elderly body swam fast and strong in the currents of the ocean.  She collected a few white stones that she would add to her gardens and then don her swim cap for her daily laps in the sea.

This past winter Mary passed away and a tradition that she had begun was celebrated on this day with all of the friends from the island gathering for a potluck dinner under a tent in her yard. They recited her poetry and shared stories of remembrance.  I could not think of a better way to celebrate her life in this beautiful place that was such a part of her.

.:This float was driven by a ride-on lawnmower with each child riding along in rain barrels!:.

The Fourth of July was greeted with a sweet island parade! It was filled with homemade creativity, happiness, and fun! The participants who rode on the floats as well as the parade spectators drenched one another with water balloons and squirters to playfully cool all of us down on this summer day!

.: Wondering if candy or jets of water will be sent their way! :.

{We joined our friends in crafting our own colorful celebratory crowns to wear at the parade. }

 

.: Old-fashioned cars brought an added element of fun into this parade! :.

Homemade decorations were affixed to bikes, cars, and handmade floats by the islanders who all enthusiastically anticipate this annual traditional celebration. 

.: This was a lane we travelled each day :.

.: Each evening we appreciated the setting sun and the glow that it brought upon us :. 

.: My family illuminated by the sun that seemingly was melting into the ocean :.

Starfish and delicate creatures of the sea revealed themselves to us as we swam in unison in the crisp ocean waters. 

Each sunset was more magnificent than the last as the sky was tie-dyed in brilliant hues of bright orange. My family became dreamy silhouettes who happily played on the twilight beach. Underfoot I could feel the contours of flat stones that were polished to a smooth finish by the ebb and flow of the tide. :.