This is the newly added little nature corner, a submission for Amanda’s Corners of My Home. I am participating so that I’ll be encouraged to dust and declutter the corners of my home. Actually, this little corner has a little collection of scrambled egg bits under the table that you can’t see in this picture. With clever photography, I was able to conceal it. See? I’m so smart.
Really, though, I don’t think anything can force me to dust and declutter. I was kidding about that. There will be much chaos.
This little nature corner is evolving from a plain white table that was originally intended to be a Little Art Corner. This was before I realized that my boys don’t do art in a little corner, just as they prefer not to pee simply in a toilet; they do it all over: even on the Bella rug. That poor rug.
The table is quickly growing into a little laboratory: here we have blooming shallots, pinto bean sprouts, what used to be a flowering cactus (I need to rotate that out already), a fickle pitcher plant (with button!) and a bowl of fruit that Ford just placed there.
I have big dreams for this little corner. I’m looking for a long but tall aquarium tank for a local stream fauna population (kind of a mini Bull Creek, which is along the hike we take so frequently), a microscope, and a little shelf beside the table for all of our nature books–as if they would all stay on a bookshelf! On the wall: seasonal art. Small shelf for gear: binoculars for a quick peek at the white wing dove, jars for looking at specimens, plant press.
I’ve enjoyed seeing other corners. Go ahead, take a peek!
Great experiments going on there – and beautiful photo. No lack of curiousity over at your house I see! (Saw the photo on flickr but can’t see it here — hmmm.
Oh, I LOVE this idea of a nature corner and all the things you can add to it…the microscope, the mini stream set up, a shelf of nature books, binoculars…what an awesome idea. I’m going to have to work on this with my kid. Maybe put something together for spring. birdwatching, flowers, a flower press would be fun, notebooks for sketching what we see. I love this idea steph!
are those the pinto beans with the tall sprouts in the glass container? emma has been wanting to plant some bean seeds…
Yes, those are the pintos! Target sells the tall cloches for about $12-15 (also great for terrariums) and we placed a damp washcloth in the bottom (or use a paper towel) and sprinkled the beans on top. Easy peasy! And they grow like MAD
Thank you for that wonderful idea … There are not many free corners in this urban nest but I will search one out … and experiment.
Thanks Molly & Richard. I’m so glad I could inspire someone to give a special place in their home to the study of nature, and to pass this joy to their children. The future is in their little hands, so growing up in tune with the outdoors, in all its detail, will found a lifelong motivation to nurture it and protect it.
Steph