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Winter Buds

Backyard· Plants· Shrubs· Winter

29 Jul

All the wonder of springtime is hidden in the bud of a waiting flower; and when you come on millions of them at once – well, you just hold your breath and give yourself over to the marvel.

~ Amy Mack (A Bush Calendar, pg. 104).
Wattle Buds

(Winter’s) resting time is over, and millions upon millions of little buds are justing waiting for the signal to busrst into flower.

~ Amy Mack (A Bush Calendar, pg. 103).

Even though it’s been the coldest, most wet July I remember, I ventured into the woodlands in search of winter buds. I wasn’t disappointed as buds were bursting forth, waiting for the hope of spring.

Early wattle buds had begun to dust the bush with gold, and spring hung in the air as their sweet fragrance danced around me. I could hear the whisper of humming bees feasting amongst the blossoms.

My senses were engaged as Amy described, “every sense responded to the fascinations of the season, and my eyes and ears and nose were keenly aware of the delights around me.”

As I wandered, I was charmed by the bud of a Scented Sundew as it nestled in the plant’s leaves. It reminded me of how we cradle and comfort our babies in the arm, and of how God says he comforts us.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”

Isaiah 66:13
Scented Sundew

A Tall Sundew captured my attention as it clung to a stalk, its hairs glistening with sticky sap attracting insects it intended to trap.

Tall Sundew

Its bud hung delicately on a slender stem and I wondered how it weathered the winter storms.

Tall Sundew Bud

I was hoping to find the first flowering orchids, like the Greenhood perhaps, but I came upon the orchid bud of a Caladenia instead. I was satisfied as I remembered how profusely they bloomed last year and I anticipate the promise of their blushed pink petals waltzing in spring breezes soon.

Caladenia Bud

The bells of the Correa promised to ring as their buds waited for sunbeams to break through the dark, heavy clouds and pop them open.

Correa Bud

On my way home, I noticed an Almond tree. Its roselike, pink buds stood to attention, waiting to flower. I wondered if there was a signal they were attuned to that would open their white blossoms?

Almond Buds

I wonder, what buds and promise of spring you will notice in your area? Don’t let the gloomy, weather keep you inside. Refresh your soul, as I did mine, searching for the signs of spring in winter buds.

Isn’t there a special charm about all buds? They hold the poetry of the future folded in their tiny sheaths, and a joy of expectancy that no fulfilment of opened flower can surpass.

Amy Mack, (A Bush Calendar, pg. 104).

Your senses may be sleepy after winter’s resting period, so remember to look intentionally, engaging all your senses. Smell the air by breathing deep (don’t if you have allergies). Gently touch velvet or sticky buds, and listen to birds waking, preparing for spring’s courtship season.

See past the mundane to the marvelous by being attuned to wonder and awe. Learn to ‘see’ again, uncovering spring’s mysteries. Watch God unfold His secrets to you, and as you stand in awe of the details, remember that He cares for the details in your life too, no matter how small or insignificant.

Simply, share the magic you encountered with your family by discussing your sightings and wonderings over a cuppa of hot chocolate.

Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy.

Psalm 100:2

Follow the seasons through a year-long study of nature alongside Amy Mack in A Bush Calendar and A Handbook for A Bush Calendar.

Amy Mack is a favourite Aussie author who captured the Australian bush through the seasons. In this guide, we walk alongside Amy as she identifies wildflowers and observes nesting birds throughout the year. We can choose to investigate Amy’s nature finds with field guides indoors or explore a local park for wildflowers and wildlife while recording our own sightings in a year’s cycle.

Listen to bird melodies while enjoying an outdoor breakfast or take a sunset walk and collect nature treasures to journal. Learn to identify birds with song and field marks while bird stalking. Observe wildflower’s bud, blossom, and seed while examining their flower and leaf arrangements.

Capture birds and wildflowers within a nature journal with sketches and paintings, or a nature scrapbook with photographs on a weekly basis. Alternatively, explore the bush once a month and create a Penology Wheel to record your sightings.

A Handbook to A Bush Calendar by Amy Mack is a year’s nature study curriculum that is flexible; explore indoors or out, weekly or monthly. The guide features poems from C.J. Dennis and optional literature from Nuri Mass and Amy Mack. Explore the outdoors with living books.

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/
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