(Transcript) NikiAnne:

So really what I want to be in life is a Columbine farmer. I don’t know if that exists.

This is just the beginning of the Columbine coming back after winter. The ones in this yard- the flowers are deep, deep, purple and then there’s another one that’s like red peach and orange yellow together. They’re just gorgeous.

They’re not flowers that you would pick and put in a vase because they kind of like face down.  But wow are they amazing!

Last fall when they had gone to seed I harvested some seed and I threw a lot of seed in other places I wanted the columbine to populate. We’ll see if it’s stratified and did well. I’m also going to seed some in trays this year with my friend, Eli, and see if we can populate the valley here with more beauty with these flowers.

Let’s do Columbine!

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Add value to your and your loved ones’ lives by spending quality time in nature… observing, playing, laughing, and exploring. Below are nature adventures and activities as well as some perspective from Lia Grippo, Reaching Nature Connection Conference Instructor and our colleagues at Wilderness Youth Project. Have fun!

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“If we want our children to have the courage, creativity, wisdom, and care for the planet that will most certainly be required of them, we must give them the opportunity to fall in love with Nature before we ask them to save it.”

~ Lia Grippo, Reaching Nature Connection Conference Instructor and Co-Director of the Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers

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Adventure: Look up!

Take a wander and keep your gaze up as much as possible. Try not to look at the ground. This is a time to notice the clouds, undersides of trees, flying birds, (maybe stars and a moon). So much is going on all around us so much of the time, it is good to remember to change our vantage.

Activity: Flower Pressing

Flowers are abundant this time of year and there is no better time to press them. Plus, when summer comes, they’ll be dried and ready to do crafts with! Gather flowers on a sunny day when there is no dew or mist on the flowers, and then choose one of the following:

• In an old phone book: Lay flowers between pieces of printer paper or newspaper, then put a book on top of the stack and leave them for at least a few days.
• Make your own cardboard press: instructions on the Wilderness Youth Project resource portal!

Send us photos of your journey! We’d love to see them and share with others in the Earthaven and Wilderness Youth Project communities.

The post The Value of Happiness and Connection appeared first on Earthaven Ecovillage.

Well, you’d be amazed at the number of plants with petals you’d see when you take a walk through our land in October.

Freezing temps have hit the last few nights but even now some of these lovely blooms are hanging on.

Spring is not the only season for flowers!

White Aster

Chicory

Echinacea

Goldenrod

Morning Glory

Nasturtium

Purple Aster

Smart Weed

Tansy

White Clover

Yarrow

Pink Yarrow

Thanks to eli Swiftcreek for all the wonderful photos.

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