Wednesday 2 September 2009

Nature Table

I love having a garden-even if sometimes I only go out there it to hang up the washing. I always look at what has changed, and get very excited when something has flowered, or even just survived. I have completely neglected the garden this year and want to get back to it from this autumn onwards. Luckily though, there are lots of things already there which are getting on by themselves perfectly well.
I thought of the nature table we used to have at primary school, in simpler days before league tables and the complete assessment of every single aspect of each child. (Can you tell I am going back to school tomorrow?!)
We had things such as birds nests and conkers-things we had collected and contributed as and when we wanted to. I still collect things from walks-especially beach walks, but not exclusively. Some of them remain around for years in small collections which get forgotten and then rediscovered. They make me happy.
I am quite amazed that the nest has suvived all the high winds we have had recently. It has been there all summer and looks quite fragile. The passion flowers are on top of the shed-so I got the ladder out to take a look. They rush up there to get the sun so we don't normally see them.
The last picture of the shed is just to remind me how tidy it is now. I WILL keep it like that for the year.

15 comments:

Renee said...

Sarah the pictures are a piece of fresh air.

By the way, I love the driftwood doll. Great job.

Wahid is an excellent cook.

xoxox

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Those passion flowers are beautiful, especially against the shed roof. Really lovely. So glad you climbed up to see them! xo

Chubby Chieque said...

So wonderful view. Am a flower lover and see that nice set up is awesome.

Thanks that you like my crayfish party. It's a Swedish tradition, that month of Aug. is a crayfish time with a native cheese pie. Wish I can invite you one day.

Just tell me if you visit Stockholm §;-)

The bread is an experiment of mine and I didn't expect the good outcome.

Have a nice day.

Anonymous said...

thanks for dropping by the blog, Sarah. Your garden is beautiful...cheered me up :)

have a nice day!

kendalee said...

Oh I used to LOVE our nature table at school! How sad that they're a thing of the past. I don't really understand why? And that passion fruit flower's gorgeous. Do you eat the fruit?

Impressively tidy shed!

Hope your first day back was a good one! :)

Diane Rooney said...

I love passion flowers. Beautiful. I do miss not having a garden for that reason. We only have like a little courtyard are but I'm putting together pots of my fave flowers and shrubs. And conkers. Yay! Reminds me of when my boys were little. They used to love going conkering! LOL

Great photos! x

Kat Mortensen said...

We have that in common then. My garden has been left to its own devices, but it looks pretty good. Certainly,we're not getting any complaints from the local inhabitants. As for my shed, well, that needs some work. As soon as it cools down and the wasps are gone for good, I'll get to that.
Your pictures are fantastic!

Kat

Tracy said...

Glorious photos, Sarah...can fairly smell the green through the computer screen! I love the idea of nature table...Something to think about for next year--great idea! Happy weekend, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

A.Smith said...

Oh so lovely! My garden is suffering because of my absence but as anything beautiful, it has a forgiving nature. I love passion vines, do they ripen for you? the fruit is so delicious and I like making juice to mix with tonic and bitters. The remains of the summer...

Renee said...

Sweet Sarah:

When I did the pictures today I thought of Nathan and Sheldon running around in batman costumes 24/7, and then I thought of Sheldon sleeping all the time right now and I pictured him comfortable on a bear, and the third, well the third I picture him on another adventure somewhere else.

Love to you dear friend.

Love Renee xoxo

Anonymous said...

love passion flowers! also love the leaves in salad!

Crafty Green Poet said...

oh i have fond memories of the school nature table too.

We found a fallen nest a couple of years ago, what a beautiful thing..., very sad that it had fallen though...

Sarah said...

We have a couple of nests in the cupboard at work-we get them out every so often to show the children. They are so soft and intricate, I love them!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures! Birds nest always amaze me. They do look so fragile but yet are so strong.

→lisa said...

I envy you - I would love to have a garden, or even just a little patio with some potted plants. Some small *private* outdoor space of some kind.

We didn't have "nature tables," but that's a wonderful idea. I suppose it's never too late to start one, though.