If you've read this blog for very long, you know that nature and I do not exactly exist harmoniously together. I'm an inside girl, when it comes to "things" that move around (and I'm not talking flowers blowing in the breeze!). I particularly do not enjoy the variety of creatures that attempt to take haven in my home.

I have come to find this part of myself rather disconcerting, where it concerns my children, and am hoping to come to terms with "the rest" of God's glorious creation. Whatever these "terms" may come to be. With that in mind, I took a big gulp and checked out Karen Andreola's book, "Pocketful of Pinecones".

I wasn’t too sure about this book at first. It’s written as a diary (strike one), by a homeschool mom in the 1930’s (strike two), and it’s about nature studies (strike three!). I have since come around.

Just picking through it, I soon found many suggestions—really good suggestions! Actually reading it was pretty good too!

Today we took the idea of tracing from a nature coloring book (good ‘ole Dover!) and then coloring the drawing. Son was not too killed with this plan, but eventually warmed up to it. He kept saying, "I can’t draw". I convinced him he could trace. We took about a half-hour and had a lot of fun with it. I had to join in, of course. When we were done, he asked if I would frame his picture. Success! I told son the plan of continuing this outdoors when the weather warms up. He was very curious how we will be able to convince a bird to sit still for half an hour. I told him we’d worry about that when the time comes.

At bedtime prayers he thanked God that Mama was teaching him how to draw. I choked back the laughter on that one! J That was especially nice after having a conversation with the husband about why kids who are homeschooled have to color so much and that at no time in his job, or the jobs of any of his friends, do they color. (Now that’s a man for you!)

I guess when it’s all said and done, son just might be able to put "artistic genius" on his resume, followed by years of experience. I’m sure he’ll never be turned down!

So if you have the inclination to read about "nature study with the gentle art of learning", get the book.