Finding Autumn

Today we all piled into the Tarago and headed to Helms Arboretum. The idea was to get out of the house, do something as a family and have morning tea. But it has turned into so much more than a trip out.

I have been looking at ways to celebrate the seasons. It has been a little difficult to get a sense of how I am going to do this, but our visit today inspired me.

I took a photo of one of my favourite trees. I love this tree for its wonderful leaves. But today it was the bark that took my interest. I have never seen the bark of the tree look so beautiful and I wondered if this might be an Autumn thing. That's when I came up with the idea of returning to the Arboretum each season and take a photo of the tree and how it changes each season.

We collected some pine cones and a couple of fallen sticks and leaves to take home. I have finally started a nature table using our little found treasures. I have had a spot on our cabinet picked out for ages. It looked fabulous at Christmas but has been an empty space since. There is a lots I wish to do with the space but I am glad we set this up today. I have picked a space up high and away from where little hands can get to it. I want this space to be seen as special and a focal point of our celebration of festivals. I will encourage my children to contribute items to display here but it is not to be played with.