Cattail Study

Yesterday, before my "fall from grace,"(see post )we began our cattail study from the Outdoor Hour Challenge ebook . MeiWei and I and Mr. Bingley, the dog, walked down to the little pond on the neighbor's property, which

I suspect might have been the irrigation pond that provided water for the horses who once were raised here.

It is a picturesque setting. Edged on three sides by lawns that roll down to it, bordered behind by woods, and watched over by the original farmhouse, it attracts geese year-round and is our source for spring peeper choruses to herald the season on warm nights .

It also hosts a small stand of cattails.

We didn't have much time because of our date to go skating, so Mei shot these pics for referencing later. Then she made a quick sketch of the flower end of the plant and filled in a couple of notes on the jounaling page from the study's ebook.  Tomorrow I'll have her finish the page, now that the photos are on the computer. But for now, I will recuperate and enjoy her great shots.

photos by MeiWei

Outdoor Hour Challenge: "Old Man Winter" Tree

Inspired by Barb at "Handbook of Nature Study's Outdoor Hour Challenge" blog, and needing a real-live breath of fresh air after spending hours purging A's room (the Indoor Hour Challenge?), we grabbed the dog for our daily walk.
But instead of just walking and maybe commenting about the scenery, I "took a page" from the Barb's "Winter Tree Challenge #2" and brought our attention to three trees on the hill. In an old book I own called "Trees Every Child Should Know"   (read online ), the author points out that winter is an excellent time to study trees, allowing us to really see the structure--bones if you will--of a tree. But it also says that the tree is best observed isolated from others, allowing its full shape to be appreciated."
So we compared the neighbor's large specimen red maple tree to the giant oak that stands sentry on a hilltop in the pasture, a magnificent tree that must be one hundred years old.
It was very easy to see what the book talked about. First the proportions were so evidently different. The oak was wider than it was tall, and the maple the opposite. We used our thumbs, held at arms' length artist-style, to measure. Then we observed the general shapes. The maple was rounded, like most of us expect a tree to be shaped. But the oak was rectangular-ish. I didn't have my camera that day, but will try to get pics soon to share.
Later I will ask what direction the branches of each will follow and we will study the bark and twigs. Who needs leaves?
I'm enjoying discovering trees in winter more than I expected!

New Nature Study

Got my eBook, "Winter Nature Study" by Barb McCoy at Harmony Art's Outdoor Hour Challenge blog. It covers nature study, art and music appreciation all around the topic of the season. Looks like a great resource that will give our schooling a little jolt during the drab days of winter.

This Week's Menu

Monday Dec. 21-Sunday Dec. 27

Monday
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes (make double), green beans

Tuesday
McCormick Seasonings Slow-Cook Italian Herb Chicken Thighs
peas, leftover mashed potatoes with garlic sesaoning

Wednesday
Linguine with Seafood and Sundried Tomatoes

Thursday Christmas Eve
Stouffer's or Soup

Friday Christmas Day!
Ham, etc.

Saturday
Leftovers

Sunday
Bill's choice

This Week's Menu

Monday Dec. 14-Sunday Dec. 20

Monday
Sundee's Chili (in honor of their moving)

Tuesday
Spaghetti and Italian Sausage

Wednesday
Tai's Birthday!
Ginger Beef Stir-Fry

Thursday (Dad's out)
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Friday: Celebrate Tai's Birthday!
Dinner at Crab Shanty

Saturday
Bill's Choice

Sunday: Mary's Nutcracker
Ham BBQ at Linda's