Place – Woodland Trails

The day is typical of a Southern New Jersey July; the woodland near me called, the well-trod trails beckoning me to walk within their cool borders.

I’m so glad I did. I have never seen these small red mushrooms in the past. I’m sure they have grown every summer, but I only spotted them when I bent down to take a macro photo of the moss. Oh my! What a wondrous thing to find.

Smaller than a dime, they are purest red, sprinkled along the path. Maybe they’ve appeared due to all the downpours of rain we have had in the past few days. They look so bright against the green of the moss. Almost a Christmas-in-July combination of colors. I tried to identify them but had too many choices and could not narrow it down.

The woodland showers you with unexpected presents, you only have to look closely.

I find moss so beautiful. It is available to uplift the senses all the year through. Even in winter, if I brush aside the gathered fallen leaves, there I will find the glint of green moss.

Even in the throes of the hottest summer days, you will find a serene coolness in the shadowed canopy of trees. It bewilders me that the woodland trails are not ringing with the sound of children playing. Technology is great, I enjoy my computer and blogging, but if I had to choose…give me the outdoor life.

Planting – Terrarium/Glass Block

blog terrariums 019

A few weeks ago I received a surprise package in the mail from across the country. I saw by the return address that the package was sent from one of my nieces. I opened up the package and felt a surge of joy rush through me. Not only were the contents of the box amazing, but my joy was multiplied many times because the gift was so suited to me. Over the years my niece had noticed who I was, and the gift said to me that she understands the person that I am. Isn’t that what we all need most…recognition of who we really are inside? Need I say my niece is a beautiful soul! Thanks Natalie!

blog terrariums 017

Whimsical and bright, these mushrooms are the perfect component for terrarium decor. This week while walking around my local AC Moore I found the perfect receptacle for my treasures…a sturdy, heavy-bottomed glass block. As an added bonus the block has a lid that that fits perfectly, and is easily opened to add a breath of fresh air to the plantings.

blog terrariums 024

The terrarium turned out really cute, and I still have half of the mushrooms and stepping stones to use outdoors in our fairy garden in the Spring.

blog terrariums 026

Plants – Mushroom Monday

We camped in Belleplain State Forest over a portion of the Labor Day weekend. It’s been humid and moist in the past few weeks and the mushrooms are peaking. Here’s a sample of New Jersey Pineland’s mushrooms and linchen.