Nature has always been a source of inspiration and wisdom for humans throughout time. Throughout the year, the ever-changing seasons bring about unique qualities and energies that can be harnessed to live a more authentic life away from the hurry society that we live in now. By aligning ourselves with the cycles of nature, we can optimize our planning and decision-making processes, leading to increased productivity and personal growth. In this blog, we will explore how to plan around the cycles in nature, focusing on the seasons of Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Nature’s cycles offer us valuable lessons in...
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Friluftsliv (free-loofts-liv): Wait what’s that again?
Friluftslive is the Scandinavian concept of spending time outdoors, directly translated to “open-air living.” It is described as “the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing.” The concept is closely linked to allmansratten – the right to roam. After talking with others about their excitement about this movement, I did a little research. I found that it is good for your physical and mental health, creates more energy, and most importantly in my life – a deeper connection with nature. In Sweden companies block 90 minutes a day for this or encourage flexible work schedule...
Back to School – Don’t forget Nature Connection
Well how did that happen? Summer was just a blur. For us it was a very full summer. We worked on our own garden, had a family vacation to Garner, Taught a Class in Beeville, Volunteered for Nature Nights in Austin while visiting family, and I took my first ever solo vacation. Now Sarah has started school and we are settling into a new routine, Jason is working too much and I am prepping for a Full Fall. What do I have in store for you? Well Let’s start with Corpus Christi Nature Journal Club. Aug 20 (Lemonade Day) 9am-11am...
Moving into Summer
ISEA Conference Well the spring has been busy and now here we are….moving into summer. How did that happen? Today is Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. Many probably wonder what we have been up to, as I’ve been quiet this spring. I spent my time making the difficult decision to move my mom into...
Nature Journal Clubs, Farm Camp & So Much More
Here we are in June looking for things to do together as a family. I have a few upcoming dates that might be fun for you. Me By The Sea – June 17 TAMUCC I’ll be presenting Nature Journaling for teachers. Let me know if I will see you there! Nature Journal Club 9am – 12pm 3rd Saturday of the Month June18 Hans & Pat Suter Park July 16 Hazel Bazemore Park August 20 Padre Island National Seashore Sept 17 Pollywog Pond Family Farm Camp – July 11-13 – 9am – 12pm Family Farm Camp Daily Schedule: -Farm Tour: Experience...
Nature Journal Week
We had a busy start to June, but it didn’t stop us from participating in Nature Journal Week. The prompts were June 1 Appreciation I was at home and wanted to make sure I captured the feelings in my heart for this one. June 2 Sharing I spent June 2nd sharing my passion with kids in Beeville. Thanks to the Beeville Art Museum for the opportunity. I hope it sparks magic in their imaginations. I also got a little photo heavy on this layout because they were all so cute! June 3 Creativity I love the creativity and connections kids...
Lari Jo’s Favorite Nature Journaling Supplies
People keep asking… “What’s in your bag?” So here it is. A list of my favorite supplies for journaling. My bag size changes depending on how long I’ll be out, but I’ll always have a sketchpad and pencil at the least with me. My Favorite Bag – Field Easel Bag – This bag has everything I have ever wanted in a bag. I added my own pencil holder because I wanted to hold more on the strap. Favorite Sketchbooks – Denik Sketchbooks – The artists are students, the paper is recycled, and a portion of the proceeds go to student...
Lead with Nature
A couple of months ago I took a couple of leadership courses through Earth Based Institute. It has created a community of friends and colleagues that think like me. I have spent the last few weeks practicing the tools I learned while going through my own busy time. Learning these leadership goals and tools taught me to slow down, be present, and connect with nature and my own passions through soul. I want to take some time and share with you my practices and and what I have gained. 1. Sit Spot – Every morning I let the dogs out...
A COVID YEAR STILL PRODUCES INCREASES IN OBSERVATIONS
Note: This is not research, this is a quick glance at a program I did with one classroom. Data shows that nature journaling is good for mindfulness and focus, but did you also know it creates neural pathways in the brain that also make you smarter? Ok I just made that up, but I do think it’s true. John Muir Laws says “Keeping a field journal develops and reinforces the most important science process skills; observation and documentation. All other parts of the process of science depend on these skills. We assume that we are naturally good observers, but learning...
First Ever Inner-Naturalist Journaling Retreat
Well I did it! I jumped into the deep end with both feet, and my first ever retreat seemed to be a success. Day 1 – I had 2 teachers and we went over John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren’snew curriculum. We took a hike, and we completed a few pages. It was an amazing day with so many questions and ultimately ideas about how this will transfer into the classroom. Day 2 – I had 8 people for a day of hiking and nature journaling. After introductions we struck out on a hike in hopes of missing the rain....
2020 A Reflection
Well, what a year this has been! I began 2020 with the word BALANCE as my overarching mantra. I wanted balance in my work/personal life as well as to find time for my passion of nature journaling. In January, my friend that taught in China was “stuck” in the US while they handled a little virus outbreak. We enjoyed a month of birding and journaling before she went back to China for the rest of the school year. In February, I worked a birding festival (with my friends and family) and in March, our whole world shut down. What is...
A Friday Ritual
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment with my nature & my friends and family that I want to pause, savor and remember
A Friday Ritual
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment with my nature & my friends and family that I want to pause, savor and remember
Nature Journaling as a Mindfulness Practice
If you’re anything like me, thoughts race through your brain all day. No matter what I am doing, I hear a constant inner chatter of what I SHOULD BE doing instead. However, when I take a short walk into the nature and sit down with my journal to record my observations or sketch something nearby, my thoughts slip from the chaos in my head to the object I am focused on… & I become fully focused and absorbed into my immediate surroundings. This is where I become fully present. Mindfulness, or ‘being in the moment’ is making a deliberate choice...
A Friday Ritual
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment with my nature & my friends and family that I want to pause, savor and remember
Holiday Challenge
Let’s have a little Holiday Fun. This challenge is easy. Email me your Holiday BINGO and journal pages with an address and I will send you a Holiday Surprise – Probably journaling supplies. Email me your Holiday BLACKOUT and journal pages with an address and I will mail you a box of journaling goodies. I can’t wait to see what we draw this month! yourinnernaturalist@gmail.com
Sit Areas
I have recently heard sit spots referred to as sit areas. This gives the freedom to move from one place to another within natural habitats. I like the freedom it instantly brings to mind. A sit spot (or sit area) is simply a favorite place in nature that you visit regularly to cultivate awareness as you expand your senses and study the patterns and rhythms of local plants, birds, trees, animals, etc. I am reawakening the habit of sit areas in my life. I have a spot at home and an area at work that I often visit. I will...
Journaling with Nature Podcast
Over the weekend I found a new favorite Podcast. This podcast was created by Bethan Burton. She started International Nature Journaling Week. I hope you will love it as much as I do. https://www.journalingwithnature.com/podcast
A Friday Ritual
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment with my nature & my friends and family that I want to pause, savor and remember
It’s Great Outdoors Month!
It’s a great month to get outside and smell the fresh air. We sure have been cooped up more than normal. Tell me what you will be doing outdoors this month. I’m sure photos will be posted of my fun adventures and I can’t wait to see yours too!
Nature Journaling Week!
Can’t wait to start the week! The topics for the week are: June 1st – Plants June 2nd – Animals June 3rd – Fungi June 4th – Nature Finds June 5th Landscapes June 6th – Skies June 7th – Ecosystems Visit me on social media to see what I create each day!
A Friday Ritual
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment with my nature & my friends and family that I want to pause, savor and remember.