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Monet expressing her cat-ness yes, I am Gray Queen royal bed and rest doth call stop bothering me |
by Angie Quantrell
Category Archives: Nature & Photos
The Curious Nature Guide
The Curious Nature Guide, Explore the Natural Wonders All Around You
Written and illustrated by Clare Walker Leslie
(Storey Publishing, 2015)
I first noticed the cover of this book while on vacation with some girlfriends in Coupeville, Washington. Hidden amidst a crowded display of books, toys, and souvenirs, the cover popped out and caught my attention. I wanted that book. But I resisted.
Fast forward to post-Christmas gift card shopping. As I perused my local Indie bookstore, Inklings, guess which book again popped out and grabbed my attention? Yes. The same book. And it was on a display of favs and book suggestions by staff.
I did not resist.
The Curious Nature Guide is a beautifully illustrated guide book written for children, teens, families, and others who love exploring the outdoors. I fell in love with this colorful edition.
I enjoyed this book so much, I used it as a reward. At the end of the day I would carefully read each page and inhale every photo, drawing, and illustration. Reading this book was almost as good as being outside.
While vocabulary will be difficult for young readers, they will love hearing it read aloud. The Curious Nature Guide contains nature information, suggestions of things to look for and do, maps, charts, plant labels, and more.
NO. It is not overwhelmingly encyclopedic.
The Curious Nature Guide is a nature journal filled with inspiration of both the exploring type and the creative sort. I want to go out and investigate the outdoors AND sit down with my art supplies and recreate what I find AND grab the camera to capture my nature.
Two thumbs up for The Curious Nature Guide, Explore the Nature Wonders All Around You.
Happy exploring!
I’d love to hear what nature exploring you like to do.
Gigantor and the Tiny Chair ~ A Haiku of Proportions
GIGANTOR
if there is a chair
find it and recline therein
size does not matter
CREAK. GROAN. WOBBLE.
What is your favorite chair?
Share a photo in the comment section.
Does it fit you well, or are you like Gigantor and size is not an issue,
just comfort?
Hugh’s Photo Challenge: Week 11 – Rust
Rust
evocative form
contemplation of purpose
usefulness transformed
Haiku by Angie Quantrell, 2-4-16
TJ’s Household Haiku Challenge – Calendar
blank pages stretch on
imagine, dream, plan, journey
possibilities
Angie Quantrell 2016
Adding Text to Images
I’ve been playing this morning.
For quite awhile, I’ve been trying to figure out how to add text to my images, as I’ve seen so many other talented photographers and writers do. Using my computer programs has given me a total of zero successful moments.
But thanks to Sue Vincent and her post “Looking good -10 simple tips for adding images,” I have now found an online program that helps me add text to my images. Thank you, Sue!
I chose an image I took in the Napa Valley. Of course, these grapes could have been growing in my own Yakima Valley, as our vineyards are abundantly heavy with weighty vines each fall. But the Napa picture was right on the computer, waiting for some attention.
I used pixlr.com/express/ as my first foray into visual + words experiment. This program is quite simple to use and the options are wide and varied. Best of all? FREE.
Oh, I do believe this is just the beginning of playtime for moi.
Caramelized Onion and Ricotta Tarte Soleil
The whole house smelled of caramelized onions, thyme, and butter this weekend. Which is to say, I didn’t want to leave the kitchen. I’m going to go ahead and ignore the negative 10 degrees outside that caused a winter scene of ice to develop on our kitchen window. That may have also had something to do with […]
Source: Caramelized Onion and Ricotta Tarte Soleil
I really really need to make this dish. Delish!
Happy New Year!
Today as I began 2016 by working on a deadline, I had plenty of help.
Too much help, in fact.
This one, Mabel, jumped up right after sister, Monet, left.
I sense a new year trend in my office.
What work? You are doing that?
I think I should help you. Yes. Let me scooch right here.
Move? You want me to move?
Fine. I will sit over here. I’ll just watch my sister.
Mom, what is in the basket? Can I get in the basket? Let me chew on some things in the basket.
What book? You need this book? I’m sitting on it . . .
And so went the day. There have been times when my mind was so focused, I didn’t even see or hear the approaching kitty until she leapt in the middle of work. This was especially troublesome when her paws were wet and a touch muddy.
We have new S.O.P.
(standard operating procedures)
1. Be prepared at any moment to quickly and calmly gather all ready-to-mail papers in a pile and remove them from work counter.
2. Try very hard to hear the tiniest pitter patter of kitty claws on the wood floor. This will give warning of impending assistance on the work desk.
3. Give loves. This allows kitties to purr, shed fur, and roll around on paperwork. This also encourages kitties to vacate the project zone in a timely manner.
Paws up to 2016!
May your year be fulfilling, joyful, and overflowing with peace.
And may your clothes always bear fur from the administrations of 4-legged children. For that means you have provided a home to loving pets.
Happy New Year!
I Support Trees, But I Can’t Plant them in December
I adore trees. I love trees. I want to have my own personal Hundred Acre Wood.
Our first summer in our new home, we planted 6 new trees. We’ve since added 2 more very large trees.
Our tree selection and planting usually occurs in early spring or late fall.
It has NEVER taken place in December. When there is several feet of snow on the ground. And said ground is frozen. Shoveled drifts stand all along the perimeter of our yard.
There. Is. No. Access. To. Dirt.
So tell me Tree Experts, aka Arbor Day Foundation, why would you ship my new baby trees to me (in Washington state, in winter, in December, in a very snowy year) right now?
Sure, I would love to plant them. I would have fun heeling them in to grow for a few years before transplanting them to their new location in the yard.
But that is not going to happen right now. In fact, it won’t happen for several months. I’m pretty sure the snow will not melt within the 2-3 days of approved wait time to plant. I’m actually confident that even if the snow melts in January, the ground will still stay cold enough to be undiggable. That is also true about February as well.
So here we go. What to do with my lovely little sad baby trees. And such nice varieties, too.
I am fortunate that I never got around to putting away a large clay pot. Dirt is a different matter. Come on honey, bring me those dead poinsettias so I can steal the dirt.
We are all going to be cozy baby trees and snuggle up in the same pot until the ground is actually ready for planting. What, maybe 3-4-5 months?
I hope they like each other.
Love, Laughter, and Life 