Though I've had a nature tray (antique printer's tray) and other nature displays for years, I felt we needed something different--something more like a nature corner with some of our identification guides and nature journals nearby.
Nature tray:
Karl hauled up an old, unused table from the basement and we tucked it into a corner of our enclosed side porch and we've slowly been loading it up with our recent finds and some old favorites. I propped a mirror at the back because I love mirrors and it seemed too bare:
I like the idea of labeling our treasures--an idea I got from articles like this one in the October issue of the British version of Country Living magazine:
We've just begun labeling the most familiar finds and we will spend time this week identifying the others:
On the floor next to the table we gathered our most frequently used nature identification guides. Two of the children's three-ring binder nature journals are propped up next to a book basket:
Next, I'll fill a basket with our favorite Prismacolor colored pencils, sketching paper, and other essentials, and slide it under the table.
I'm pleased with this new nature corner and think it will encourage us to nature journal more often and enjoy our finds in new ways.
I love the birds' nest - and the hedge apples! It all looks so pretty.
Posted by: Gaynor | November 10, 2008 at 11:51 AM
i want to be like you when i grow up! tee-hee you're so clever & creative.. and actually follow through w/ ideas from magazines. ;) impressive.
Posted by: Kristin | November 10, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Beautifully done!
Posted by: Theresa | November 10, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Very nice! I didn't notice it on Friday night. ~frown~
Posted by: Deb | November 10, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Gaynor - I love those hedge apples, too! Too bad they rot quickly.
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Kristin - You're so sweet! I emailed you.
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Theresa - Thanks! I had so much fun doing it.
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Deb - It wasn't even finished Friday night, so don't feel bad! Besides, we had lots of other stuff to focus on, eh?
Posted by: Kathy | November 11, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Great nature table!! I read the same article in the British Country Living Mag to :) The new one has more great nature articles in it again! I have never seen a hedge apple, very interesting :)
Posted by: BChsMamaof3 | November 12, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Hi there - I just met you through the Crafty Crow - and had a lovely old browse around when I should have been schooling... then quickly googled New Hampshire Nature Study, my son just read The Journeyman for school and we wanted some background... there you were again - I had to just say hi and love your nature table! Now I really must get down to work!
Posted by: se7en | November 12, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Absolutely beautiful nature table- I love the window next to it letting all that natural light in. This is my first visit to your blog -I found you on Crafty crow. Your description sounds so like us -up until this year when the sleep deprivation kicked in. I'm looking forward to having a good read. All those books on the sidebars...it all looks great.
Posted by: Skye Walcott | November 12, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Absolutely beautiful! I found your blog through The Crafty Crow and have been delighted! We too are a CM homeschooling family.. your posts have been very encouraging! Thank you!
Posted by: Trinity Mommy | November 12, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I just found your blog through a link at the crafty Crow. Wow...what a beautiful place you have here! I plan to come back often for inspiration!
Posted by: Michelle | November 12, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Hi! I found you through Think!...love your blog; I'm sure I'll be gleaning a lot of great ideas from you. Thanks!
Posted by: Sherrr | November 12, 2008 at 01:57 PM
A wonderful post. I found it really inspiring, thank you.
Posted by: Lynn | November 12, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Hello everyone - Thank you for your lovely words and I'm happy to think of providing inspiration or ideas, as I've gotten so very much from others. At this point, I think I've emailed most of you personally. Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.
Posted by: Kathy | November 12, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Your nature table is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your ideas.
What a great idea to put the field guides and nature notebooks AT the table - it makes so much sense, and now they'll get used more! I can make use of that space under the table that had me stumped for a use too! Thanks :)
Posted by: Krys | November 12, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Your nature table is stunning!
Posted by: jessica | November 12, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I love you table and it's great to see your beat up copy of Handbook of Nature Study, it's well loved and well used indeed :)) Happy weekend!
Posted by: Meredith | November 14, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Thanks so much for showing this table - it is really beautiful; I love the effect of the mirror ... and by the way, as a very secondary effect it helped me finally to identify the fruit my five-year old found in a park in Speyer, Southwest Germany, the other day: a hedge apple (not at all common in our parts of Europe...). With the help of the English label, I could find the scientific name and eventually the German one. So - labelling is definitely a good idea ;-)
Greetings from across the pond! ... Sigrid
Posted by: sixfrites | November 15, 2008 at 05:24 PM
This is great idea we are just trying to figure out where to put it.
Posted by: Pecos Blue | November 16, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I just love your nature table! I'm writing to ask permission to use it on my website. It would be posted in the Earth and Green Theme- on the Nature and Science page. If you prefer that it is not used, please advise...
You have some wonderful ideas! I'll soon be back!!!
Barb Shelby
Posted by: Barb Shelby | July 16, 2009 at 10:23 PM