Spring Beauties are Blooming & Outdoor Adventures Abound

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.  ~e.e. cummings

Happy Spring! Spring has sprung here in the Midwest. I hope you are enjoying some sunshine in your neck of the woods. If not, I'll share some with you.

setting up camp

We enjoyed an extreme outside weekend here at the ranch. My husband and the kids set up our new tent on tipi hill in the woods. We sat by the fire until thunder struck. We decided to stay for the adventure and test the tent as rain poured off and on and we all cuddled. Hearing the coyotes howl was a little creepy but my husband assured me they weren't "that close".

The kids all slept like babies but we did not, as three out of the four joined us on our floppy air mattress. I ended up down by every one's feet. Nice.

Morning broke with birds chirping and the smell of fresh spring woodsy air. My husband had stoked the campfire and was boiling water for coffee. We fired up the iron skillet with eggs, bacon, and sausages disappearing quickly. That's my idea of good camping.

After lingering over breakfast, we picked up and packed up and headed the short yet rugged distance back home.

Later, my mom brought out my two nieces and nephew for the day to spend outside and down by the creek splashing and smiling.

My son plucked a lobster sized crawdad out the creek which received many shrieks and squeals. Healthy creek it is.

I spotted some Spring Beauties blooming in patches of woods near the water.

The perfect ending to this nature extravaganza was fishing in the pond.

My little scout pulled out a cute sunfish, and my daughter caught a big ole catfish.

 We are looking forward to many more outdoor spring adventures. The kids asked us when we can camp again. And...Mushroom season is just around the corner.
Happy Spring,

kathy

My daughter snapped this of me as I watched them splash about.