Remember Batik and Red?  My family talked me into keeping it.  So sweet of them!  I do adore it, and just couldn’t bear to let it go.  Anyway, on a beautiful spring day a couple weeks ago, I decided the time had come for its first adventure.  We didn’t go far, and it didn’t carry any fancy foods.  But it was a picnic, and therefore was fun.  We packed up, and off to the backyard we went.  (Odd assortment of containers there on top, but the mason jars are in there somewhere!)

The menu:  Annie’s mac and cheese, clementines, bread, and juice or tea.

Under a blooming dogwood tree, no less.

The girls sat in their hammocks to eat – not sure how we managed that without disaster…

After a bit more exploring and swinging and whatnot, it was time to go back inside.  Beautiful day.  :)

wild plum

;

blackberry

thistle

ferns

I love to wander outside this time of year. In the cool and damp, where the bright green moss and lichen stands out in stark contrast to the dull, dormant grass and trees. We don’t have much of a winter in the tiny forest; maybe a little snow, but hardly enough cold to slow down the growth for a season. Even though most of the leaves are gone, if you look closely you will see signs of life everywhere.

My wild plum has buds, preparing to burst out in leaves and blooms in late winter. I fear it may have some kind of blight, though – waiting to see what happens. These do not transplant well. It took several tries before we got one to live, so I hope it makes it.

This blackberry already has new leaves, even before all the old ones have fallen. And the thistles really stand out from the dead grass now. They look like big green snowflakes to me at this stage. My sweet husband tolerates them because I love them. I may have to thin them a bit this year, though. With blackberries and thistles everywhere, it’s a very thorny yard!

And the ferns are coming along nicely. It’s getting a bit crowded in those sheltered areas; I may have to pull some of the other plants to give the ferns room to grow. The weeding never stops here, not even in winter.

As I look through the trees, though, I see a sad sight. The house next door burned over the weekend. No one was home, so thankfully they were not hurt. Still waiting to hear how much of the house and possessions will be salvageable. Such tragic events make my heart ache for their loss; but simultaneously remind me how very, very blessed I am, and remind me to never stop being thankful.

One of the things I’m thankful for is you! I am cheered by your visits and comments, here and on Facebook, and this little business has grown in the past few months beyond my wildest, craziest dreams. And it would not be possible without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Here in the tiny forest, we celebrate Christmas; if you do, too, then Merry Christmas! And to all of us, I wish a peaceful and prosperous New Year!