#ladybuglove

Before I visited the Land Trust as a young person I did not know what community meant. When I was 15 I lived on a busy street with no sidewalks. We did not know our neighbors and no one ever waved at each other. I was not sure how to navigate this world as a young person and did not see many bright spots. One day I was brought to the Land Trust for a drum circle. I was in total awe. People smiled and said hello to me! This magical space welcomed me in a way that made my heart grow and shine. Before that I felt unimportant, unconnected, and invisible. I began coming to the land trust regularly. It was a true haven throughout high School and college and of course for years after. In some ways I think the land trust saved my life. When it comes to feeling connected to a beautiful place and beautiful intentions the Land Trust showed me what was possible. My intentions are to embody that welcoming energy in my work and especially with youth. My heart glows as I reflect on the many programs and events we celebrated , we learned, and we played. From hilarious stage productions and collaborations with artists of all ages to harvesting loofah and honey ...to dancing with fairies on magical treasure hunts..oh we share so many sparkling memories and stories! This past Sunday was my last official event at the Land Trust, the first in 2 years, and the first smore party without my Dear Ms. Mel and Mr. Greenthumbs. As I built the fire in the heart shaped pit in preparation for our last smore party, 2 college students showed up and asked if they could help. Then my friend Ms Brook, who is leading family programs now, came and we all philosophized life in that special by-a-fire-at-the Land Trust kind of way.Our new garden guardian Terri came and we talked volunteer projects and teared up over the bunny stump story. The awesome Drew Cohen and his son rocked synths with long time friend Matt Donald on Jembe. Families played along with shakers n bells.It was a truly beautiful time and I was So Blessed to see students and families I've missed over the years!!!! This is community and I'm grateful to be in it, near or far... #followladybug #ladybuglove #communitylove (at Lake Claire Community Land Trust) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLLpvXunom/?utm_medium=tumblr

Behold, Jazzy muffins in our garden! Also, wow it's pretty up here. Also woah, Ryan is building an outdoor pavilion and 2 wheel chair accessible open air bathrooms from wood he milled! We are going to have a sweet little farm venue & Jazzy is ready to greet you. #gardenkitty #simplylove #growyourown #ladybuglove #farmvenue (at Lone Oak, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGOM-Drnrg/?utm_medium=tumblr

Lots of little hands make light work. I received great help from 2-4yr olds yesterday. With focus, they weeded, added compost, planted strawberries, garlic, and shelled beans.A teacher said. "They could have shelled beans for hours". Ha! I think there may have been one or two that could have. A key I use teaching is to break up several connecting activities, while highlighting senses, and move through our space with hands on learning with context. Having purpose, learning skills, and sharing in the excitement keeps us flowing. Directed learning at this young age is not a perfect model for every being. (There are no perfect models) Timing and many other factors are in play as well. Some little people just need to move and explore without close parameters, just like us all. But also like us all, I'd say lots of little people also need/ want "lightly" guided times to be purposefully engaging and growing with the world around them. These class/ wkshps had students this young engaged for over 45min. Even though I don't teach at the school often I teach here seasonally and throughout the year. The director said that she could tell that this particular group had been with me through the seasons.<3 #teachoutside #teachboldly #outdoorlearning @farmtoschool #manyhandsmakelightwork #ladybuglove #earlychildhoodeducation (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVxnT3PLnDF/?utm_medium=tumblr

Hello Hibiscus! You so pretty! Your magic caylx is the high C of our Garden. Even your funky leaves, once chomped, bring puckered flashing smiles of delight! Thank you for your beauty and for your gifts outside and inside our bodies! Holla if you feel the same! #happyhibiscus #lowerbloodpressure #hearthealth #ladybuglove #grateful (at Lone Oak, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVjK-wbJMrC/?utm_medium=tumblr

So I got to hang out with one of my favorite gal pals and make flower crowns today! She exclaimed that she is a queen is now very strong. This is a great activity for ages as young as two or three on up to 120. Its Especially a great activity to do before all the flowers go to sleep for the winter. There's so much Discovery in our garden and I was thrilled to see our first praying mantis today. So much is popping up after the rain and the mushrooms are beautiful! As a teacher and a human its so important and connecting to be present for those magic moments....the moments where we are in awe of this beautiful planet we get to share. #teachboldly #teachoutside #earthlover #naturebasedlearning #ladybuglove (at Lone Oak, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUyNfe5Ja99/?utm_medium=tumblr

Like the bees I needed to hop from flower to flower after all that rain. Flowers still bee Poppin! Oh and thanks to my neighbors for letting me trick or treat mushroom hunt. We found chicken of the woods!! Then I had to keep filling my basket and found lots of chantels in our woods. 😁🐞💖 #pollinatorgarden #beelove #ladybuglove (at Lone Oak, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUvcWIglOI-/?utm_medium=tumblr

I've loved, learned, and grown with the community of Little Ones Learning Center in Forest Park, Ga. From making seasonal dishes for staff to expanding my nature based and farm to school lessons for infants on up, the fearless director of this learning center has challenged me in the best kind of ways. I'm so grateful for helping and learning with them on their journey . I'd say they are a beacon for me and for many! As a thank you my fiance (🥰) and I built this bench for the school who has supported my Ladybug Journey so much. Ryan milled the wood himself. We designed and built it together and it was fun. Thank you to him and to Little Ones! #ladybugfun #ladybuglove #woodwork #grateful #workwithyourhands #madewithlove #farmtoschool #bench (at Little Ones Learning Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbeQk9phLz/?utm_medium=tumblr

Life is all around us even in the smallest of places! “Overlooked Beauty” is an ink painting I did demonstrating that. A ladybug is so small often we don’t even see them, yet they are so important in the role they do! Please follow me for more animal artwork! #inkart #ladybug #bugart #beetlelove #ladybuglove #animallover #animallover #wildlifelovers #wildlifelover #inkpainting #inkpaintings #buglover #animalartist #animalart #animaladdicts #ladybug🐞 #ladybugs🐞 https://www.instagram.com/p/CFH3FtJAGE9/?igshid=wgja58atmn6x