Spending time in the woods is like an elixir for me, it is the cure for all the troubles that come my way. Many of my biggest decisions have been made among the trees, in the solace of Mother Nature. You will often find me in the woods alone, wandering with no particular goal in mind, just enjoying the pace of nature. I, of course, love sharing the woods with others too. Taking Reece to explore, climb trees, run free, find little treasures and so on, can fill an entire day. And our family hikes hold some very special memories for me. We are a nature loving family, and being out there, soaking up the gifts of Mother Nature is how we spend a lot of our time.
Over the years we have been very lucky to connect with families who feel the same way we do about the woods, and spending time in nature. Yesterday we gathered with one such family for a winter morning hike. The sun was shining and the winter air was cold, but we bundled up and away we went, chatting, laughing, running and climbing. We all had a great time, and walked off the trail with rosy cheeks and smiles.
We headed back to our home after, to warm up by the fire, drink tea and enjoy lunch. While the kids played, the adults continued conversations, and prepared lunch, and then we gathered around the table for our meal. It is during meals like this, that my heart overflows with gratitude for good food, shared around our table, with people who mean a lot to us.
Life really doesn't get any better, as far as I am concerned...time in nature, sharing a meal, and enjoying the company of friends. A simple pleasure really, that fills me up, and reminds me just how blessed we are.
Sounds like the perfect way to spend a day. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Enjoy your week :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, we had a lovely weekend. Hope you did too!
Deletelovely. and so fortunate to live near such places.
ReplyDeletei feel the same about the woods, and also a deep spiritual connection. the difference is that i'm an indoor person by nature and a wimp with the damp. lol but when we do get out there.... siiiigh... yes, an elixir. and with my broken toe we haven't been and now i'm missing it and needing to go out there and breathe in green and soil.
I feel very fortunate to have so much of nature within a short distance of our home. There is a deep spiritual connection for me too, among the trees.
DeleteI hope that toe heals up soon so you can get out there and enjoy a little nature connection. xo
Sounds like a beautiful day! Being outside, enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer is one of my favorite things to do!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was. She is pretty amazing, isn't she?
DeleteWhat a beautiful post Kim. I'm so happy that you have found so many like minded souls to share your passion and love for nature with. Looks like you had a wonderful day. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Yanic, we had a really lovely day.
DeleteLovely in every way Kim, yes mother nature and the woods definitely have that same soothing feeing for me as well. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a winters day!
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful, and the best part is we get to do it again this weekend, with a different set of friends :)
DeleteThat sounds amazing- it is surprisingly difficult to find families with like minds and when we do stumble across one, it is a delightful surprise! So glad you enjoyed the day!
ReplyDeletewww.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com
It is hard, but we have been lucky, and I hold these friends very close :)
DeleteYou are so right, it doesn't get any better. Alex is working on a few lessons this morning and then we are headed out to enjoy a little nature too, I need it daily.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your nature time Tracey.
Deleteyou have it right !!! Life doesn't get any better than that. xoxo
ReplyDeletexo
DeleteWhat a truly wonderful way to spend a winter day!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, we had a wonderful time!
DeleteSounds like it was a lovely day! You are so right, these are the things that are important in life!
ReplyDeleteAm I right when I say that you do not either have a lot of snow this year??
We did, thanks!
DeleteYou are right, we are lacking in the fluffy white stuff this year, sadly. But the good news is we are suppose to get a little storm on Thursday/Friday this week...whoooo hoooo!!!
Wonderful! I'd love to know what you had for lunch! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks KC!
DeleteI would be happy to share...pasta with tomato sauce (made with the last of our summer tomatoes), roasted cauliflower with nutritional yeast, roasted carrots, and sauteed mushrooms. There were also jars of my dilly green beans and gingery pickled beets passed around, and a big bowl of sprouts. Dessert was brownies and tea. It was delicious, and well enjoyed by both kids and adults.
This is the 3rd blog I've visited today with pretty snow pictures. I kinda miss the snow!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that time in nature, friends, and food is a great way to pass the time.
Enjoy your week!
It is that time of year :) Thanks, you too!
DeleteI remember, as a kid, loving our walks through the woods when we'd go with other nature lovin' families. It brings a completely different dynamic, and you experience the woods in a totally different way.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice time.
Sounds like some lovely childhood memories. And yes, it was lovely :)
DeleteSo beautiful, I think I want to come and walk in the woods!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome anytime :)
DeleteI would love to come walk in the snowy woods with you.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was in the woods, in a tank top.
XO
I would love that Cory.
DeleteReally, that would be lovely right about now, especially after having to bundle up so much this winter.
xo
Wish I could come for a hike with you! Looks beautiful up there.
ReplyDeleteBefore kids, my jobs for many years involved spending entire days alone in the woods. I don't really get a chance to do that anymore, and I do really miss it. The solitude, the time to think, the enhancement of your senses.... maybe it's time for a solo trip to the forest.....
It is beautiful, and I would love to share it with you.
DeleteI do think it is time. I definitely don't get out there on my own as much as I used to. I think though, I just might head out there in the next little bit. Reece is crafting with Justin, and the winter sun is shining...a little solo walk in the woods would be lovely :)
we have friends coming over this Sunday for the game. I love them and how we always pick up where we left off. We celebrate each other's joys and worry about life's challenges. It's a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful Karen, enjoy!
DeleteLook at all your snow! Hope you are able to keep warm. Reece has turned into such a young man! I just can't get over it. Take care!
ReplyDeleteActually, we have very little snow this year, compared to what we usually get. It has been making us a little sad and been forcing Reece and I to do little snow dances for Mother Nature :)
DeleteAwe, thank you. He is incredible, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to be his mom.
No it truly doesn't Kim...what a delight to be surrounded by so much love :) mari
ReplyDeleteThank you Mari. xo
DeleteOh what a wonderful time spent under a blue sky - hopefully you're still nice and cosy warm and not covered with crazy amounts of snow now!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely, and we are not covered in snow, yet. Suppose to be getting some on Thursday, which we are pleased about. There is not enough snow for our liking this year.
DeleteIt is indeed to so wonderful to find like minded friends in this vast and differing world of ours. So glad you have. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend. xo
DeleteI love your outdoor spirit. Feeling sad that this area is lacking somewhat in our lives...
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexa. You know it doesn't have to be, step outside, talk a walk, nature is always waiting :)
DeleteWhat more could you ask for? ;)
ReplyDeleteWell...maybe a little more snow :)
DeleteA lovely day. I am missing nature right now. You are so right about it being a soothing experience. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was. I hope you can get out there soon. xo
DeleteSounds perfect! Our walks in the woods are almost always spontaneous affairs, and we're lucky to have woods right outside our door to accommodate us when the mood strikes, but planning ahead to share a hike with friends sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.
ReplyDeleteIt really was Andrea, and well enjoyed by all of us. Ah, yes for the spontaneous forest adventures we just walk across the road to the woods...always a good time.
DeleteSounds like a perfect day. Love seeing those wintery photos! I'm living vicariously through your winter. ;)
ReplyDeleteHaha, there should be some good wintry photos to come...snow is coming tomorrow!!!!
DeletePerfect! Indeed, l can't imagine life getting any better than this! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leisa. We have been enjoying many days with friends, just like this one, this winter, and I have to say they really are wonderful.
Deletegorgeous hike. i am a bit jealous of your snow. we may not get any of that this year. it's hard to tell at this point. it always warms up here this time of year, but sometimes we can still get a good snow in february or march.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny. Believe it or not, it is a low snow year for us, which makes us a little sad. We did get a lovely dumping on Thursday, but then the temperatures dropped back down to -25, which just isn't fun for playing in. We are suppose to be in the deep chill for a few days now.
DeleteHere's some snow finds you soon. Enjoy your weekend.
I love being outside in nature too! Wish we could take a hike or walk together sometime! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day my friend. xo
DeletePerfect way to spend the day, it's lovely that you have friends nearby who appreciate the same pleasures you do.
ReplyDeleteYes, very blessed to have like minded families to hang out with.
Delete