Nature Lovers

So, happy Earth Day 2009! We spent the day doing back-to-nature stuff. Namely, trying to beautify that plot of dirt we call our garden. Sadly, it has always looked like it suffers from mange. Plants scattered here and there, with ugly patches of rock/dead leaf/weedy dirt in between. Not a pretty sight. I've always had aspirations to make it look better, but no matter what I've tried (and I've spent more money and sweat and time than I care to recall), the garden looks rather pathetic.

Today we went to a local nursery as a family. Then, as a family, we worked the earth. We dug, we mixed some newly purchased organic soil with our own, we planted, and we watered. It looks better already. And the best part was the time we spent out there together. The kids loved getting covered in dirt (yes, my daughter is wearing a white, long-sleeved, ruffled cuff shirt. Don't you dress in a fancy white shirt when working in a muddy garden? ;) ) and looking for worms.

I've forgotten how wonderful it feels to get my hands in the dirt! I took off my shoes and climbed right into the garden, where I could plot and plan what to plant where. My husband joked about me standing barefoot in the mud. I said, "Just call me Earth Mama!" Roo then said, "You're Earth Mama and I'm Earth...um...Earth Sister!!" Such a sweetie. And it's true too. She is all about dirt, bugs, and nature.

In fact, because she is currently obsessed with the life cycle of trees, I bought her this book for Earth Day:
This one is another favorite on the same subject:

And because you can never have too many books about dead and decaying trees:

So, we had a good day around here. Busy, but well-spent. Hope you all did too. Off to watch Lost (they say it's a "special" Lost. Hope it's not all a lot of hype! Because they never do that, do they? ;) ).

"He's Got the Whole World in His Hands..."

In celebration of Earth Day tomorrow, we made Earth Day eggs: dyed hard-boiled eggs decorated to look like mini planet Earths! It was fun and quick to do (we were able to dye all 7 of our eggs during Rascal's morning nap -- he takes a speedy 25-35 minute one). Had I known it would turn out so well, I would have boiled more eggs to dye.

The supplies are simple: vinegar, oil, and food coloring (well, and hard-boiled eggs, of course). I followed the instructions from this website. And it wouldn't be complete without step-by-step pictures, would it?

First, dip your egg to make your "oceans"

Aren't they pretty? I was tempted to stop at this point, for fear we might ruin them! :)

Then, add your "land" (some with green, and some with green and yellow):

Once Rascal woke up, he was drawn to them like a magnet, making my photography session quick and painful ;)

Reaching...reaching....just a bit more.........

A-ha! We have contact!
Needless to say, we will be eating these eggs sooner rather than later, as they all suffered some major damage after being investigated by Rascal (no name ever seemed more fitting!).

I think they turned out pretty cool. I think it would be really neat to add this technique to Easter egg decorating next year (I'm thinking some pinks, purples, yellows, greens). If you decide to try this yourself, make sure you follow the instructions on the website to create "whirlpools" in the cup before dunking your egg. This whirling, swirling action is what makes your egg look "earth-like" rather than an all-blue egg that was dipped in green. Found that one out through first-hand experience (patience is a toughie with 3 year olds!).