to the woods, in search of white

Yesterday there was a break in the rain and we all went outdoors. Much of my worktime lately has required sitting and I've been needing movement to balance it. My body wanted to move and get out for a bit and my brain needed a break too. Jeff had pointed out that there were two trilliums blooming along our driveway, so Bracken and I headed up into the woods in search of white. Jeff was working on a project and while we were within earshot, we let him know we were finding what we were looking for. The forest floor was scattered with bright white trilliums. They were dripping wet and the sunlight shining on them made them seem to glow. It was a wonderful sight. And of course all the moss and lichen lit up in the sunshine was a wonderful sight too. It started pouring and then hailing so we headed back inside. That time in the woods, though brief, was good for the soul and I so look forward to the trilliums every spring!

swimming at the river

This week we did the perfect summer activity- swimming in the river! All these years I've lived here (eight and counting), I still didn't know a good swimming spot along the river that flows by our house. We had favorite river spots, but not one that was great for swimming. That changed this week when our dear friend, who also adores swimming, shared a special place with us. It wasn't very far from our house either! She showed us the overgrown trail and as we neared the water, there were giant cedar trees with entwined roots. It looked really magical and enchanted. Near the water there was a nice sandy area and a shallow spot for swimming, next to a deeper spot for swimming. It was a great spot.

I didn't expect Bracken to be interested in going in the water. He loves the bathtub and our tiny pool in the backyard, but when it comes to large bodies of water he has never wanted to go in. I've gently tried dipping his feet in the river and in the ocean before, which he made clear that he was not into, until our last trip to the ocean where he had his feet in the water for a moment. But this time he loved the water, much to my delight. It was a really hot day and the water felt incredible. The more we swam in it, the warmer it felt. Bracken quickly went from playing along the edge with a bucket, shoveling sand, to holding my hand and wanting to go deeper and deeper in the water. Then he'd say "all done" and we'd go back to the edge, where he'd say "more" and we'd head back out. He saw mama swimming and friends swimming. He learned to kick his legs and to paddle with his arms. He was so confident charging into the water, it surprised me. He had a blast. 

It felt incredible to dive into the water. When was the last time I went swimming? Far too long. I love swimming. So so much. I've avoided chlorine pools after learning about how toxic they are and enjoy swimming in natural bodies of water- rivers, lakes, oceans. I can't even express how happy I am to have a good swimming spot nearby to go swimming more often!

Every time I visit this river, I'm in awe of how beautiful it is. Actually anytime I go anywhere around here, I'm amazed. The mountains, the trees, the lush green, the moss... I look around and it truly feels like home to me. After moving to Oregon, I've often looked around and thought "I get to live here?!"

There was rock skipping, crawdad watching, and exuberant splashing.

As we headed up the trail towards home and I turned around for one last look, 

I thought: "I will remember this day forever!"

we spotted white

The trilliums are here! Every year we wait for them and this year they showed up while my mom was visiting. We were driving up the driveway to our house and I saw something white. I looked again- trilliums! We tooks walks to visit them and Bracken kept requesting to go again. Do trilliums bloom where you live? I had never seen them before I moved to Oregon. I think they are so breathtaking. 

(For a little something fun, a post from a few springs ago: The Full Moon Trillium Dance.)

flowers in february

 This week I was out taking pictures of new things to post on our Etsy shops, when Bracken came over and showed me what he found: the first flowers to bloom here this year. (I'm not counting the primroses since they were already blooming when we planted them.) These tiny daisies (that's what I'm calling them) pop up amongst the grass in the front yard. They are such sweet little flowers and Bracken loves them. He was quite pleased with his find. After showing them to mama and dada, he put them in his watering can with some leaves and some sand and other nature treasures he gathered. Add some water to that and you've got some of Bracken's garden soup.

It's February and already I feel a touch of spring.

surprise

 Thursday morning we awoke to snow. Bracken was excitedly pointing out the window, ready to go out and play. By the time we made it out there, some hours later, it was melting fast. But there was still plenty to keep Bracken happy.

 Eating some.(The first thing he wants to do when he sees snow lately.)

 Going to get more.

 Then yesterday the sun came out. There was no sign of snow to be seen.

Here is Bracken sitting in one of our favorite hobbit seats (that's what I like to call them.) He only sits still for a moment before he is on the go again. When it's wet out, we bring out cloth diapers and put them on our seats before we sit down, to keep us dry. I sat there for a few quiet moments yesterday while Bracken and Jeff were getting firewood. The sun felt so warm on my face. It was wonderful.
Today it's overcast and cold out. We're keeping warm by the woodstove this morning.
Happy Saturday to you friends.