Flower Press

A million years ago, my darling daddy made me a flower press, which I have utilized off and on for... dear lord... probably 25 years (jeez.... Since when can I talk about anything I terms of multiple decades?). Anyway, the kids are really getting into collecting things on our hikes, so I dug the press out yet again for use in preserving leaves and flowers. There were some dried aspen leaves in it that must have been at least a few years old, but since I vaguely remember putting them in there, they must not be 10 or more years old. Even though they're a bit faded, I can see why I saved them: they have a remarkable mixture of green and red that rarely seen in a single leaf, even aspen.

So- we've got some leaves and flowers, squashed away in the press, up in Rhys's closet. I read not long ago that the best and proper way to press flowers is to put them in a press, or a big dictionary (which I've also done), stash it somewhere "safe" and promptly forget about the whole thing. Then when you find them after a while, it's a pleasant, unexpected surprise, which brings back memories and provides a good afternoon of entertainment. Any other method for pressing is absolutely

unsatisfactory. 

Works for me.

Rhys was pretty excited about it, so we sent this photo to my dad, along with Father's Day wishes, since after all, he was the one who enabled me to save so many memories starting so many years ago.

Venus Fly Trap

Rhys has been wanting a Venus Fly Trap, and we finally had the opportunity to purchase one. And it caught a fly and is slowly digesting it!

 

Mumford and Sons Last Night!

We joined some friends in Taos last night for an awesome concert: Mumford and Sons. Had a GREAT time!!

 Katie and Marie

The line to get in was at least 1/4 mile long.

 Opening Acts

 Proof we were there!

 Well, they're up there somewhere...

Really, I know you can't see them, but that's Mumford and Sons putting on an awesome show...

First Nature Day of the Summer

In order to make the most of our summer, the kids and I (mostly me) have put together a calendar that includes all the things we'll be doing, including art camps, dance camp, visits from grandparents, and music we'll be seeing. We've loosely given a theme to the days of the week to help us plan our activities so that we don't drive each other crazy for the next 10 weeks. Tuesday is now Nature Day! There aren't any hard and fast rules, but in general, we're going to get outside, hike, examine, observe, and enjoy nature on Tuesdays. Of course if the week's schedule doesn't allow for nature on Tuesday, it can happen any other day that's convenient, but this at least will help us focus. 

Our hike today was at Gate 7 off the highway toward Bandelier, also known as Sunset Canyon between me and Aaron, because of the lovely oranges of the rocks at the top of the canyon. I was reminded how s-l-o-w the kids sometimes hike, but we were not out to set any land speed or distance records, so we trudged along and enjoyed the now.

Heading down the trail...

  Rhys insisted we go off trail for a bit...

So they scrambled up by the cliffs.

The view across the valley.

Alanna's primary goal in hiking is to get to a snack spot..

And here it is- about 6 minutes from the trailhead.

Rhys is following along, too.

About 8 minutes after we started hiking again, we reached our 2nd snack spot.

Everyone spent time observing and collecting. Rhys filled up a container.

Before heading out we stopped by the hardware store to pick up two magnifying glasses for $1.

We saw lichen...

And cactus...

And sunlight through scrub oak leaves.

And a quite a few signs that this drought is slowly killing everything.

Despite the dustiness, and learning that we need to start earlier than 9:30 to beat the heat, we still had a lovely hike. Yay Nature Day!

Red Sun

The view from our backyard this evening...

The Thompson Ridge Fire is burning to our west. And the Tres Lagunas fire is burning to the East. Hot times!

Happy Anniversary To Us

Our morning's activities involved building our last (planned) garden bed. I've been wanting to have the space to grow pumpkins and this a great place for that: the front of the house. And, the tree we're hoping won't succumb to drought will surely like the regular watering. 

We still need to fill it with dirt. Sigh. 

(12 blissful years! Which is why we can spend the day in the dirt "discussing" a project like this... Ha!)

First Camp Fire of the Season

With roasted marshmallows!

(And a first attempt with mobile blogging...)