My Nature Table and a Family layout
Welcome to my autumnal show and tell.
While gathering leaves, and enjoying the glorious recent Autumn weather, I have also been collecting various other nature items with my kids. We have found conkers, beech nuts, acorns, berries, toadstools, leaves, twigs…….
We brought home a selection (but not the toadstools) and arranged them in a bowl in our hall. I have commented on several lovely blogs recently, admiring their beautiful autumn/fall decorations in their homes.
So, in honour of that, and breaking with our tradition of NOT decorating for the seasons here in Ireland, apart from at Christmas time…….
…….here is our nature bowl
and I have placed it on our hall table, so I guess we now have a nature table – it’s just like being back at Primary School!
For more Show and Tell (even more like school!) please visit There’s No Place Like Home.
The kids were particularly intrigued by the conkers (and yes, he has had his face painted as a lion, in case you were wondering!)
I was never great at conkers myself, but have great memories of my brothers “secret recipes” designed to make their conkers the hardest and strongest.
However conkers as a favourite playground game is in danger of dying out all together if health and safety conscious school head teachers have their way!
In other news, I was delighted to be given the opportunity by the lovely Cathryn of (Cathryn Designs at After Five) to create a layout using her beautiful Zen Attitude kit.
I used one of my many recent group portrait photos of my kids, and found this lovely poem by Glenda Campbell.
There’s a special kind of closeness
That begins with childhood trust
and deepens as you grow.
There’s a special kind of happiness
in sharing little things,
The laughter, smiles, and quiet talks
that daily living brings.
There’s a special kind of comfort
in knowing your family’s there,
To back you up, to cheer you up
to understand and care.
Of all the treasures life may bring,
your family means the most,
And whether near or far apart,
That love will hold you close.
Coming soon – more photos and another autumn layout.
Until next time, take care.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=59f18e69-2ab1-44b2-badf-aacd4211f07e)
So neat. I just love seeing all the things you create. It’s such an inspiration!
We keep our conkers in the hot press!
My three-year-old loves to go on nature walks and collect various things to make crafts with. I enjoyed visiting your blog.
I love your natural Autumn gatherings, JanMary, and the poem as well. I’ve been meaning to tell you, the photo you end your posts with of your children is just beautiful!
Kathy
I haven’t seen conkers in years! What a beautiful nature bowl and your scrapbook page is lovely. The sentiment is very touching.
How wonderful!! I’m sure glad you decided to break tradition for us show n tellers! The collection you found is perfect, and so pretty for the decor.
My Show n Tell this week is entitled ‘BEE CAREFUL’….stop by if you can find time. And, have a glorious weekend.
I love using things of nature that are left for us. You did a nice job here.
Susan
I love your nature bowl and your little “lion” is adorable.
What a lovely post. You’ll have me outside today, collecting and creating. Thank you.
I think the one looks like the open mouth of a hippopotamus!
I see one comment where she says she keeps conkers in the ‘hot press’. What is a hot press?
Why were we painted as a lion? Is this a celebration? Do you ever do the craft of pressing leaves in between sheets of wax paper?
How INFORMATIVE your blog is – I’m looking forward to your next entry.
Thinking Fall!
Barb
Jan Mary You always do the prettiest things. BEAUTIFUL!
I love your nature bowl! Clarice at Storybookwood (do you read her – I think you would enjoy visiting her) did something similar with a box. Anyway, I love the idea!
Manuela
I enjoyed your blog post. I had never heard of a conker before. I followed the link, but I’ll be looking for more info. Your nature bowl is lovely. Your children are also beautiful. It was nice to meet you. Take care.
Your nature bowl is just beautiful and what a sweet lion you have. :0)
~Kelli
Thank you for visiting my blog and directing me to more information about conkers. It sounds like a fun game. Too bad I don’t have any idea where to get horse chestnuts. I’m going to think of something to use in their place. I don’t think my grand children will be in any more danger playing conkers than they are in some other games they play. Anyway, kids love to get conked, don’t they? Take care.
Love the nature bowl. Nature walks are so fun and children learn so much.
Thanks for sharing your nature bowl and your findings are really unique. I was telling someone I remember going on a walk near my husband’s childhood home with his late mom and collecting bittersweet. We have two chestnut trees on our property.
I’m having family issues with my male siblings (that’s all I have) and your poem made me smile.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Dianne
Hi there *waves* Love the idea of the autumn bowl and the tree picture with the leaves, might do something similar myself.
Nice nature bowl! You have a very interesting blog!
Katherine