GardenMama

.: Ice Mandalas :.

   

.: Pink petals suspended in ice create an ice mandala :.

To live presently with the rhythm of each season is a true joy of life. It helps us to soak in each inspiring and beautiful element of the season with gratitude, mindfulness, and artfulness.

.: Cranberries and Evergreens suspended in ice  :.

It is a yearly tradition for my family to make Ice Mandalas in February. The deep cold this month has to offer perfectly maintains this outdoor gallery of art while the monochromatic landscape offers a complementary backdrop for this bright display of color!

.: Berries and greens starting to freeze :.

With much excitement I shared with the children it was time to create ice mandalas. Soon we set out our supplies to create a dream-like world under the trees in honor of the winter season.

.: Baking pans with water set outdoors while nature does her part to freeze each mandala :.

Circular baking pans were filled with water, jute rope was taped to the edge of the pan, and then came an imaginative session of placing in each object that would soon be frozen in ice!

     

.: Each ice mandala sparkles as it catches the light :.

It is wonderful to step outside and behold the morning sunlight slowly returning to sparkle through the colorful objects suspended in ice. 

.: Petals on ice :.

The early evening light highlights the bubbles and swirls that form in each ice mandala. This brings great beauty and a big smile into our day!

.: Cranberries and Evergreens on Ice :.

Nature collaborated beautifully on this project, freezing each icy disk.

  

.: This doile is set in water outdoors to freeze, creating an Ice Mandala :.

A crocheted doile was captured in ice today and was set out in the branches of an old cherry tree to share with us the details of its pattern.

.:The sunlight illuminates each Ice Mandala as it hangs from branches:.

Soon the sun that is shining brightly once again will melt all of the snow and ice and hand back to us this doile that will be placed on a spring table set with fresh tulips from the gardens.

.: Adding petals to water creating an Ice Mandala :.

While we place each medium into the pan of water, we enjoy the yearly traditions we take part in together. These traditions are a way for us to mark the seasons and remind us of what is to come...

   For a look at last year's 'Ice Mandalas', visit the link here.

.:May you capture beauty, tradition and magic with your family!:.

.: Snow Girl ~ A Photo Journey :.

While my thoughts drift to the green of spring the snow drifts continue to rise...

When the snow finally ebbed into a gentle flurry, I told my husband  I was planning to set off into the woods with my camera to capture the energy of the end of the storm.  My daughter said: "Wait for me mama!" She always has her camera at the ready and creates her own beautiful places that she captures in her mind as well as on her camera.

This time spent capturing moments with my daughter was a memorable one. I watched her as she took her time along the trail in the woods finding beautiful spots on her own. Soon my own photos reflected her journey of enjoyment, entering into the peace of the woods and the mindfulness that nature brings.

This little one has such creativity swirling within her mind and heart. She has more talent and beauty in her mind's eye than I could ever imagine.  I am thankful to be on this journey alongside each of the children, watching them find meaning in their lives through their interests and mediums of choice.

I am thankful for this time with my daughter doing something we both love--walking together in the snowy woods finding beauty while bonding with one another.

This time for me in the woods turned from a time of appreciating nature to a time spent appreciating the beauty of a child appreciating nature. 

I am thankful for these quiet, unexpected, and unplanned moments.  They are cherished moments in time that will never be repeated in exactly the same way but will last a lifetime in my heart.

Children in our lives are remarkable creatures of light. I am thankful to be let into their world and to share these moments of seeing the world through their eyes, while watching them grow and learn.

 

I look forward to many more moments with each of the children--finding beauty in life together in quiet unexpected times that are truly magical.

.:Magic In The Woods!:.

.: Three snow children on an adventure in the woods by the sea! :.

Tiny snow babies danced from the heavens over the past few days. When they had finished their dancing they settled here on earth giving us a great surprise with their visit! 

On this day we gathered up our mittens, hats, and snowboots and set out to enjoy our own dancing and stroll through the woods!

.: Mesmerizing ice sculptures all along the way! :.

.: The artists of Winter always inspire and amaze us! :.

When the snow babies come out to play they often inspire other friends of Winter to also do their work. We enjoyed many beautiful ice sculptures left by King Winter!

.: Frozen ocean mist creates prisms as it clings to the reeds :.

A delicate mist from the ocean lands all along the reeds and grasses growing along its waters. The mist clings to the reeds and is left frozen in it's tracks. There it basks in the sun, creating beautiful prisms!

.: Dripping diamonds are perfectly placed and sparkled throughout the forest! :.

A winter fairy clearly enjoyed a time of play here in the woods while decorating the forest in sparkling diamonds that dripped from each branch.

.: A log table set with many mushroom seats set for a moonlit meal! :.

We noticed a log table out here in the woods, complete with numerous mushrooms that served as seats for all the fairies, gnomes, and small creatures of the forest. Surely they will dine together this evening under the snowy moonlight!
 

.: We were lucky enough to see Queen Winter's magical wand! :.

A magical wand glistened with snow and ice. Queen Winter takes in the artwork in the forest she has recently completed.

 

.: We followed  footprints in the snow left by others also appreciating the magic of Winter! :.

We follow tracks through the snow left by deer and other visitors here on this day who also enjoy the work and play that Winter shares with us!
 

.: Snow children enjoy the adventure and beauty of this day! :.

My own snow children enjoy the magic of the woods! The adventure and beauty surrounds us all on this sparkling white winters day! 

.: Sparkling and bright, the winter brings joy to our spirits on this day! :.

Everything is sparkling today, bringing such light and magic to our hearts!