Find your place at Spring Bird
As a kid, I was often granted the opportunity to make cards for loved ones and friends. I took the job very seriously, designing and making custom cards with the receiver in mind. With Valentine’s Day looming and cabin fever setting in, making homemade cards …
Last year, I started working on an activity book intended to offer lots of fun, creative projects for families to make and do throughout the year. Anyhow, as the year progressed, my plans changed. One of the projects I had hoped to be …
These past couple of years I have enjoyed picking a “Word” for that year. This word can be an invitation of how you would like your year to go, and in my experience, my yearly word has made a difference in shaping my choices and …
As our days grow shorter, we are made aware of how valuable light is in our lives. It is precious, and whether you take time to bask in the sun pouring through the window, surround yourself with twinkly lights, or gaze at the moonlight reflecting …
Even though they are designed to sustain the weight of Winter, snowstorms can bring down evergreen branches and twigs. I like to collect the fallen pieces to make arrangements for decorating the winter season. You can make swags, indoor vase arrangements, or even wreaths. The …
I’ve been sharing that I was working on a nature and art activity book that is my love letter to oak trees. It’s called Great Oak, and it’s here! I am so proud of this book. I am proud that I put all of the pieces together, …
Forest Bathing can be really good for your health! According to Dr. Qing Li’s book “Forest Bathing“, forest bathing can: lower blood pressure alleviate stress improve the health of your heart and metabolism decrease blood sugar levels boost concentration and memory help with depression increase energy …
I finished off my walking stick! I decided to woodburn the name with some basic design decorations, and I tied on a woven strap from a Peruvian purse for some color. I was struggling to come up with a name. So, I turned to my …
I’ve written a bit about the fallen oaks that have traumatized my heart. I know intellectually that their falling literally makes way for new growth, but it is hard to let go of those who stand greatly around us. So, I decided to honor one …
Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing is a practice of walking through the forest while engaging all of the senses as a means to sync our systems with nature. It is a form of forest medicine. In his book “Forest Bathing”, Dr. Qing Li writes, “Shinrin-yoku is …
Spending time in nature can lead to many discoveries – some physical and others metaphysical. All are awesome. It also seems the more time we spend outdoors, the better able we are to notice things that are out of place- like a feather dropped or …
Question for Pat from Stephanie: I’m setting up a new office and want to create a bit of an indoor ecosystem with a collection of potted plants. Any recommendations on the best plants what will be happy indoors (in Johannesburg) and give off the best oxygen …
A couple of Summers ago, I was so fortunate to partake in my first and only official Forest Bathing experience here at Spring Bird. Even though I spend a good deal of time having magical experiences in the woods, the Forest Bathing experience was so …
