Away I go...

Tomorrow starts one of many camping trips this summer, though camp fires and tents is the last thing this particular session will hold. Instead, I am going to the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.

All today I have been preparing for the 12 day trip, as well as seeing to some things that need to be done, and things I will miss dearly while I am away.

After washing those last few loads of laundry, straightening my room, and packing the last essentials, I headed outside to my beautiful garden on the edge of the tree line. I pulled weeds and then sat for some time enjoying the cool breeze in the deep green of the woods, listening to the birds and the stream making wonderful music, and watching the beautifully somber gray clouds swirl above me.

On my way up I stopped by our koi pond and noticed some honey bees and wasps sitting on the slate waterfall, presumably taking a sip of the water as it cascaded down moss covered stones to the lily pads below.

Image by L Lemos via Flickr

After that I headed up front, where the lavender was growing tall and bushy near the curb. I cut quite a few stems off and enjoyed the hum of the fat, fuzzy bumble bees as they collected nectar, and waved hello to the neighbors on their afternoon walk.

And then I noticed that our blackberry bush was just bursting with dark, ripe berries. These I eagerly collected, before I headed inside to share the fruits of my labor with my adorable nephew (quite literally, too)!

I hung up the bunches of lavender from my bedroom ceiling to dry, and I can't wait to enjoy the marvelous smell when I return home.

All and all it's been a good day, and it's not even over yet! I can't wait to get back outside, so I will leave you all to go outside and enjoy your days as well!

There will be no books of the week this week, but I there will be some next week.