AE Inspirations | Early February 2011

Isn't it wonderful to realize the life that goes on daily in your own back yard? I remember familiarizing myself with the squirrels that frequented my feeder that my husband put up when we first moved here. I recognized them and in time met there extended families. After forty years of watching them we had to have our "squirrel tree" cut down. I cried, much to the dismay of the men who were cutting it down. My squirrels were confused and had a hard time adjusting to there new surroundings, but all is well...the corn flows again.

That photo is breathtaking!! I also am like you in that we moved into our new house in July, and I am curious about what Spring will bring. Please keep us updated on what you learn about vegetable beds, I am very excited to learn about different methods.

I love reading your posts. My favorite bird book is "Stokes Field Guide to Birds - Western Region". Now I'm interested in reading "On Writing"... thanks for the tip.

We signed up for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project FeederWatch to help get us more familiar with birds in our area. It is a great family activity. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/

Thinking of a garden is almost incomprehensible (but nice) as I sit here in the middle of a Kansas blizzard. Just took some pix through the windows. I'm not about to go outside! And thanks so much for the links to Noell's site. I wasn't familiar with her and have spent the past couple hours reading her informative articles. I have that King book someplace in the basement and not sure I ever read it——probably for the same reasons, though I've had it a long time. Maybe I'll try to find it.

Ali I so love getting outside and playing in the dirt. I can't wait for it to warm up and see what will come up out all I planted last spring/summer/fall

So funny, I just grabbed Grow Great Grub last week- with great imaginings of my garden this year. I see lots of comments on Stephen King and I'm glad you picked up On Writing because it's fabulous. (I don't read the horror genre anymore, but Stephen King is an amazing writer & i have always felt that his truest calling is the short story-)
I'm going to have to check out those other articles mentioned.. i'm always newly inspired by things you recommend & since my word is RENEW... I'm all about something that will help feed my soul in creativity.

I love to hear that you're reading On Writing. I was assigned that book in a college photography class at Oregon State and unfortunately never read more than the first few pages... but I kept the book in hopes I'd get a chance to read it after college, when I could actually enjoy it, because I've heard it is so good. I've been out of college for a few years now and haven't started it yet, but you've inspired me to take it off the shelf and start reading it!

I love checking in with your blog every few days. Thanks for all of the inspiring photos, ideas and words that you share with us, your loyal readers! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us this spring!

Oh how I wish I had a sunny morning spot. Especially right now - the sun is shining today but it is very cold. I have to wait until the afternoon to get the sun in a happy place but it only lasts for about 30 minutes and then it goes down. *Deep breath* Spring is coming!!

That Portrait line is awesome! Love the colors the best! My kind of line!

One of my favorite parenting books is "Heaven on Earth" by Sharifa Oppenheimer. It has a great chapter on the outdoors as a play space, with wonderful ideas for living (with kids!) outdoors. You should check it out!

Steven King lives in my neighborhood...he shops at my grocery store just saw him the other day....and I have never read any of his books...way to heavy for me

peace
kim

I also enjoyed King's book,except for one thing: his claim that you cannot be a serious writer unless you devote a minimum of six hours a day to the craft - a luxury (and a discipline) I wish I had! You have a lovely blog!! So glad I found it.

Hi Ali, I intended to leave you this site a week ago, but now with your comments it is a must. It is a live hummingbird cam - in CA so the time is the same as yours. It is incredible to see mama putting her long beak into the two babies mouths - with the cam on you can hear sounds in the yard AND the buzz of mama coming in to feed her babies. Chec k it out:

http://www.ustream.tv/hummingbirdnestcam

Always inspired by these posts. It reminds and encourages me to pay attend to the every day things around me.

To tie in with with what Kathy said you could Google this: Square Foot Gardening. You will find lots of information on the system she mentioned.

Oh, I really like Stephen King's book too. I find it especially fascinating how he never knows where the story is headed when he starts. Another book on writing that was very good listening in the car was Janet Evanovich's book "How I Write".

I always enjoy your blog! Thanks!

I LOVE the photo in this post...gives me hope for spring here in MN. Today at the bus stop it was -2 with a windchill of -20. The snowdrifts at the end of my driveway are as tall as my hubby; he's 6 foot 2. I am just excited that this month we gain almost 1.5 hours of daylight here in the frigid north...believe me, that knowledge helps.

Another beautiful photo!! And Portrait was hands-down my FAVORITE collection wandering the floor at CHA last weekend. I must have all of it!!

Thanks for mentioning a gardening book. Last summer's garden (my first) was a bit of a flop and I was just thinking I needed to find a good book to read up on gardening. Since I want to have an organic garden, I will give this one a try. I was thrilled to see that my library had a copy.