Friday, September 11, 2009

Friday Nature Study

"And God said, 'See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be given as food.'"
--Genesis 1:29

We headed out back this morning, with our picnic blanket, apple slices and oatmeal cookies, a basket for collecting -- and my camera.


I've found myself shooting less lately, and I miss it. My blogging is uninspired without it! I still have so much to learn, but this morning was just about hanging out with the boys and being present to whatever we discovered.

We spread out the picnic blanket in the shade of my parents' backyard, and I read to them from "A Kid's Herb Book." They climbed the giant evergreen magnolia tree, collected unripened pecans as the birds above us threw down their rejects, and made seed piles.

Littlest found a tiny ladybug larva on the stem of fallen branch...

After about an hour, it started to warm up, so we headed to our own very sunny garden, and pulled up arugula, parsley, basil and carrots for lunch.


Then we came inside to make pesto and pasta. It was extra spicy from all the arugula, but full of vitamins. I've found that picking their own greens inspires my kids to actually eat them! They wouldn't touch pesto otherwise!

Go read Jimmie's post about why nature study is important for Christian homeschoolers. But, first! Could someone direct me to the blog hosting the Friday Nature Study meme? I can't find it anywhere! Thanks. :)

Edited to update: I found it! Go see more Friday Nature Table at The Magic Onions blog!

9 comments:

John said...

Don't know if this is it, but if it is can I have one of those oatmeal cookies?

http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/2009/07/works-for-me-wednesday-nature-study.html

Amanda said...

Aww, you googled it for me, John! That's so sweet! But, no, that's not it. You could have a cookie anyway, but I think the boys finished them off. ;)

Toni said...

I have found that blog too, I will have to got through them and see which one,I think its one hour nature study or something like that.

fresh pesto sounds so good. yeah my kids will eat things that they can pick out at the farm stand or in the garden with out much problem. They eat eggplants and fresh lima beans which shocks my mom all the time.:-)

mandi said...

***gasp!!!***

i have that herb book! i love it!

i didn't know there was a whole online group for nature studying...i guess i should start bringing a camera along!

Perrin S. said...

Pesto is the greatest green.

Melinda said...

Sounds yummy, Amanda! What a fun day. I love to hear about you all getting down and dirty.

Mandy said...

we better start growing our own greens then!

themagiconions said...

So glad you found it, LOL! What a lovely day you had. I love watching my kids playing with pods, seeds, bark... things they have just found. It amazes me how my 5 yo will turn anything into anything... a leaf becomes a princess, a flower a giraffe... isn't it amazing how their imaginations are limitless?!
Thanks for sharing on Friday's Nature Table. Hope to see you next Friday too.
Blessings and magic.

Lisa said...

I'm the same about needing a photo to inspire my writing. I'd be lost without my camera!

lisa

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