A Closer Look at Ottoman

Details in the Forest

On a recent hike (we've been really lucky that our days off together as a family have been dry), Jeff mentioned that I seem to be able to notice all these little fungi, lichens, mosses, and such rather well...which is where that "tune into channel fungi" comment came from; I think it's just a matter of looking down rather than forward whilst walking, slowing down, and trying to find these bits on the edge of the trail. Here are some details I found on yet another hike:

A puffball!

Pixie Cup Lichen

Boo found this lovely, velvety brown moss.

This mushroom was absolutely luminous!

I think these may be remnants of the California Ground Cones I found in the spring.

I'm guessing that that is a slime mold.

And, by the end of the hike, Jeff was tuned into channel fungi as well; Boo's pretty good at noticing things that are small, especially because he's closer to the ground, so he has a lot of fun on our little nature hikes. I think that these fall fungi hikes are going to be a new family tradition.

Earthstars

I excitingly found a small grouping of Earthstars whilst hiking recently. They simply made my day. I know it seems that you've tuned into channel fungi around here lately, but it's what's inspiring me right now and it's simply the time of year for them. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

Sneak peeks of the new work is slow coming, I know. Frankly, this new work is time-consuming and I keep finding more and more ways to make it better and better...it's pretty exciting!

Thanksgiving Hike

The boys and I decided to go on a hike on Thanksgiving (I know, that was over a week ago already...crazy) since the sunny days now are limited, we just happened to luck out that day.

above: White Bird's Nest, according to the book in this post.

A good day for noticing the details.

Bird's Nest Fungus

I first spotted this fungus, I believe, in the spring. I noticed that the fungi looked like yellow lentils on the ground. Then, over the summer, I spotted brown cups on some of the bark chips and Jenny reminded me of those lentil-looking fungi...of course! This fall, on closer inspection, I saw little seeds or spores in the cups. Then, I happened to find a vintage book I had been pining for at Powell's during a quick weekend get-away.

There it is, Common Bird's Nest. If you're observant, you'll notice that the subtitle of the book is dated, but still, the book is a gem. On a wee bit of further research, I learned that there are five species of Bird's Nest Fungus and I'm not totally sure yet if the one I found is still called Common Bird's Nest. Those "eggs" it notes are peridioles that contain the spores.

I'm starting to achieve my goal of "mushroom" hunting for the fall.

Too Late

We didn't make it back to the paper wasp nest until after the first rain storm (and I wanted to wait until it was cold enough for the nest to be vacated, but it just didn't get cold). I was able to retrieve most of the paper however. It was the perfect nest too, not too big and beautifully built. Maybe next year (I think I've said this two years in a row).

I started a bit of a "to do" list for the fall in order to remind myself to enjoy the most of the season. It isn't always easy because workaday life just happens. This list, however, has been helpful indeed:

1. go to a pumpkin patch

2. carve said pumpkin

3. go mushroom hunting (disclaimer: I'm really not an aficionado, I just think the forms are beautiful and I love to photograph them. Maybe I should start learning more....)

4. Hike! (this one is tricky because my family really only has one day a week to do this and it rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest...no, I'm not a rough-and-tumble hiker...I like fair weather)

5. Get hot cocoa mix: regular and spicy

6. hang leaves on the wall with washi tape

7. get or make one great new Halloween decoration

8. get lots of local apples

9. eat lots of types of winter squash

Not too bad! The pumpkin patch was built-in a bit since it was a school field trip and my parents took care of the Halloween decoration by finding something at a vintage store for me. There is a vendor at the local farmers' market that has a variety of apples that change each week depending on what is ready to be picked and they are organic; it's been wonderful. I have been eating delicata squash, but I have a butternut and, I believe, a kikuza in que. I'd like to get a couple more...and it would be fun to do a taste test, but baking and eating them all at once by myself isn't going to happen....It would be a fun fall dinner party idea though!

Paper Wasp Nest

We spotted an active paper wasp nest last weekend. Maybe it will still be there after the wasps abandon it and I can retrieve it!

Three

I think I have three now.

Back to School

School starts again for Boo next week and it's been a busy summer. Here's a few highlights (with corresponding pictures):

1. Boo's birthday in which we had family visits.
2. Blackberry picking...I have been lagging on picking duty.
3. Visiting family. Since its been hot, we traveled down the coast which was lovely.
4. Visits to the farmers' market and a local farm...not as often as I should! Check out that cantaloupe seed kaleidoscope!

As the weather cools, I plan to hunker down with the woodstove's warmth and get to work...needlework seems to like cozy weather.

It's Summer

Well, it's summer. There's been birthdays and company and simply not enough time for everything.

You may have noticed that the shop is on vacation. Sometimes there's a need for a bit of time to gather ones thoughts and do a bit of revamping...it's time. I hope to have everything back up for the fall.

In the meantime, some spotted neon dots that are just fantastic...at least I think so.

Until next time, I'm trying to enjoy the heat before the rain starts again, but I must say that it's not easy!

Why did the Turkeys Cross the Road?

Whilst driving home today, a couple of mama turkeys and their babies were crossing the road. It was pretty darling.