After seven days in the woods if you asked either of my children (or me for that matter) what the highlight of the trip was the answer was the same: painting at Quartz Hill.
It was our first full day up north. Each of us picked our adventure for one day, and a hike to this giant quartz formation was Lupine's choice. (In an effort to maintain the rhythm of doing a bit of organized homeschooling work each day, I added the painting.)
After walking through the forest to the hill we ate a picnic lunch in the dappled sun. Then we sat beneath the trees making art. All day long.
It was wonderful.
We've painted outdoors before (when the kids were younger) but this time was different somehow. It was magical.
If we hadn't run out of paper we just might have spent the night up there.
So while I questioned it on the hike up the hill, schlepping that (big, heavy, awkward) basket of art supplies through the woods was absolutely worth it. Oh, goodness yes.
What a sweet idea. I’ve taken the easel outside but haven’t hiked with supplies. Inspiring.
Love it!! We crafted outside yesterday, and I hope one day when my little man is a bit older to take our crafting supplies with us when we hike…we can create whenever and wherever we want then.
How fun! I can’t wait till our kids are big enough for long hikes in the woods! Right now they are too heavy to wear and do we are content with short half hour hikes- maybe next time we will take our paints & papers! Thanks for sharilyn!
I discovered your blog some days ago when I was searching for a pattern for a baby cap. I didn´t really find that but – much better – the insights you give into your way of life which I find inspiring and encouraging. Today´s post is especially instructive for me: I´ve never known that the german “schleppen” has obviously found its way into american English. Thank´s for your great blog! Best wishes from a litte town near Berlin, Germany
Hello! I am enjoying your blog (I wish I were as creative as you!), and have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog and Inspiring Blog award. The link is here: http://beautifulsimplemeaningful.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/one-lovely-blog
Best wishes,
Sophie
How kind, Sophie! Thank you.
It was a little awkward (think big wicker picnic basket) but with better planning (and a backpack perhaps?) I recommend giving it a go!
Sharilyn, I thought about this transition myself while we were hiking. Neither of my kids were enthusiastic about hitting the trail even last year. It will come. It did for us!
🙂 I’m not sure how common it is in the rest of the country here, but in Wisconsin (heavy on the German ancestors, as well as Norwegian – I am both) it is a common and understood phrase. Welcome to my little space!
Blessings,
Rachel
I think you’ve just inspired me for my next cubscout hike 🙂 Lovely!
Cool, cheers Marie
I’m curious what kind of watercolors you use. I had a set like that when I was a kid living in Germany, and I loved them! Any info you could give me would be much appreciated! Thanks 🙂
I use these. And love them! In fact, I think they might be German.
http://www.stubbypencilstudio.com/product/FTEC_H2OCOLOR_SET/Watercolor-Opaque-Set/
Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for these for a long time.