Natural Selections

Emma over at The Marion House blog has a new feature where she's highlighting some of her treasured possessions.  This week she talked about her penchant for picking up rocks and shells and the like when she takes walks.  Since I've been short on time for posting the last few weeks, I thought that I'd show a couple of my own natural collections that are currently adorning my house.

Moss picked up in the mountains and kept alive under a makeshift terrarium, bleached out crawdad claw from the ditch, owl feather (I think) and two pieces of wood with circular woodpecker holes.

Set of rocks with water holes that form a mask.  Found up near Abiquiu on one of our annual Thanksgiving hikes.

Cow vertebrae.  Found in the Jemez on this trip.

(Ugh, that's a really great view of my floors which need refinishing like nobody's business.  They always look dirty, no matter if I just mopped them or not.  So frustrating!)

How about you?  What are your favorite souvenirs from nature?

Friday Fun: Trip to the Mountains

On Friday my mom, a friend and myself took a day trip up to the Jemez.  I've been dreaming of a cottage on a lake lately, so some greenery and water was a welcome sight.  This time of year the alpine meadows are at their best, full of flowers and very green.  Take a little virtual trip with me!

The road up to Jemez Springs.

The Guadelupe?  All the rain we've been having puts a lot of sediment in the water!

Fenton Lake.  Forest fire ravaged slope behind.

Mullein and split rail fence.


Untitled from S@sha on Vimeo.

This meadow never fails to provide lots of green and lots of wildflowers.

Lots of bugs too-- butterflies, grasshoppers and mosquitos!

Almost missed this mask sculpture resting on a tree.  Looks like a bear from this angle.

My addition to the mask.  A little tribute.


Jemez Meadow from S@sha on Vimeo.

These thistles were so tall and gorgeous that I didn't realize what they were at first.

And just after this my camera battery died on me.  So our virtual trip to the Jemez is cut short.  You'll miss the red tunnels, sorry about that.  Hope you enjoyed the rest.

Oh, and on the way down we drove past this place.  

Lots of potential for a vacation compound.  The house isn't habitable, but I take that as a good sign.  No one has tried to McMansionize it.  Could make for a nice clean renovation.  Unfortunately the 10 acres of irrigated river front make it totally out of my price range.  Fodder for the dream.