(Photo by Desirea Rodgers)
Two days ago we went for a spontaneous winter picnic. My plan was to drive to a beautiful spot and eat our lunch. In the car. But after we parked, the sun was shining and the woods were calling. So we decided to brave the cold and venture out.
A magical hour followed. I felt incredibly thankful and blessed that the outdoors could be our classroom for the day. Watching the children explore while taking in the chilly, fresh air really lifted my winter spirits.
The imaginative play I observed included making bats/balls from sticks/pinecones, chopping down "cherry trees" (wonder where that idea came from), and building a "cabin."
I couldn't bear the thought of leaving that beautiful scene, so we brought some home with us.
I first read about indoor nature tables in Amanda Soule's book and blog (one of my favorite spots for a dose of inspiration). And I loved the idea of it. But I wasn't completely convinced that sticks and branches inside our house would work out. I pictured three children throwing pinecones at each other across the living room.
And that could happen. But I figured it's worth a shot. As you can see, ours is simple and took less than five minutes to arrange. When I look at it, I remember our walk in the woods. I breathe deeply and smile. I've found myself thinking today about what I can add in the Spring.
There is something very peaceful about bringing the outdoors in.
If you have a nature table, what do you include? If you've never had one, why not give it a try?
