The sound of jingle bells may still hang in the air, but I needed a bit of quiet and reflection. So, I took a few holiday ornaments (including one festive jingle bell), and went for a walk at Whitnall School Forest.

​It was peaceful, just the sound of downy woodpeckers, cardinals, and red-bellied woodpeckers calling through the trees. Low-key music to my ears, and a welcome respite from the holiday action.

I wandered the trails, propping my ornaments on branches here and there. Taking photos. My personal way of enjoying the season.  An attempt to lift my spirits. At least get some creativity flowing. I'm glad I went.

I would encourage you to do the same. Take a few ornaments along, or not. But treat yourself to a few moments of peace in the woods.

​It will be worth it.

Nature seems to reflect the best in us. The worst in us, too. As a human race, we live striving for balance. Forever teetering between awe and destruction. Just the existence of the human race wears on this planet called earth. But, like any other living creature, we do exist, and we deserve to continue doing so. 

The beauty of this planet, from the mundane to the glorious, imprints on us throughout our lifetimes. Even on our most difficult days, the wonder of nature exists, surrounds us, in a myriad of ways.

Shaken by sorrow or worry, we may not be fully aware of the wild world around us.  But if we step outside, or simply spend a few moments gazing out a window, chances are there will be something of nature in front of us. And a connection we share.

Even on busy city streets lined with buildings of concrete and stone, birds take flight. Insects tunnel. Seeds bust open and rise up through the sidewalk cracks.  

While I have experienced some of the most beautiful natural spaces in the United States, I continue to find myself drawn to the bits of wilderness within the cities and suburbs.  As a city dweller, I am constantly amazed by the wild spaces and wildlife around me.

Observing the natural world during moments of my daily life makes an impression. Memories of significant moments in life, good or bad, are often accompanied by recollections of the sounds of birds singing, or leaves rustling on trees in the breeze.  Was the sun shining, was it raining, or snow-covered and shivering cold? 

These sights, sounds, and sensations are not just fodder for a good tale. They are the realities of life we can all relate to.

​These are real and true things we share. No matter who we are.

At this time of year, when gift giving is top of mind, consider gifting yourself and your community a bit of support for the natural spaces we enjoy and benefit from.

​Local nature centers, neighborhood parks and preserves are always in need of volunteers, financial assistance, and getting the word out to advocate for their importance in our lives. And to simply share their existence with others.

​​If you're interested in supporting one of these local spaces, pick a favorite and contact them. If you're undecided, here are a few of my favorites to consider.

​The beauty of nature is ours to share.

Forest Exploration Center - 1800 Forest Exploration Drive, Wauwatosa

With a focus on education, wildlife advocacy, and reforestation, the center plans on serving the local community for years to come. They are always accepting donations and looking for volunteers for a multitude of hands-on projects, hike leaders, and more. 

​Currently, they are offering an Adopt-A-Seedling reforestation program, with donation packages beginning at $5 for a sugar maple seedling, and four other seedling options. A custom donation is an option as well.

If you live in the Milwaukee area, and haven't visited the Forest Exploration Center, get out for a hike and see the beauty and peace it has to offer.

Trails are open daily, dawn to dusk.  Dogs are permitted, on-leash only.  Admission is free.

Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - 4970 Country Club Road, Port Washington

The Lake Michigan Bird Observatory organization partners with Forest Beach to advance conservation efforts for birds in Wisconsin, and throughout the Great Lakes region. The efforts here are multifaceted, involving research, monitoring, and education.

If you haven't walked the trails at the preserve, I encourage you to do so. Particularly during migration seasons. It's beautiful all year round, too.

Pets are not allowed on the property due to the nesting nature of the preserve. Admission is free.

Lac Lawrann Conservancy - 300 Schmidt Road, West Bend

The focus is on nature education, supporting wildlife, and providing peaceful recreation for the community at large. This beautiful preserve is worth a hike any time of year. ​

Volunteers are needed in many aspects: education, hike leaders, land restoration and more.  Monetary donations are always needed.  Visit their website to make a donation, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Open every day, dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Van der Brohe Arboretum - 3800 Lincoln Avenue, Two Rivers

The vision at Van der Brohe Arboretum is to bring together nature, education, art and wildlife on the property of a former golf course. Great strides have been made in the past few years.

Walking trails are open, hundreds of trees of many species have been planted, and plants and shrubs to serve migrating birds are growing strong.

Volunteers are needed to keep the momentum going, and donations are accepted on an ongoing basis.

To inquire about volunteering, or donating, visit their website.

If you search "birdseed ornaments" on Pinterest, you'll get a plethora of results.  It's clearly a popular winter project. 

Two years ago I made frozen versions with water, seed, and fruits.  Of course, they melt, so they don't last very long, but they were fun to make, and the birds did enjoy them while they lasted.

This year I decided it was time to try a more durable recipe, although they will still melt if it rains, or gets too far above freezing. ​They are best served in very cold weather. Perfect for winter in Wisconsin.

I researched several recipes, and decided to give it a try.  My recipe is similar to most out there, but I did not use suet or corn syrup.

It's popular to use cookie cutters to make these ornaments, but I opted to use silicone molds. These come in a variety of shapes, usually with several good-sized cups for filling. 

​I decided to use snowflake and heart shapes. Since they are silicone, I didn't even bother with spraying or applying any non-stick cooking oil or spray. 

2 silicone molds - I used 2 6-pc molds
1 roll of twine for hanging, cut into 12 strips
A dozen  paper straws or sticks to make the holes for string to go through.
2 pouches of unflavored gelatin
1 large bowl for mixing together
1 spatula
1 tablespoon 
1 cookie sheet that will hold both silicone molds for refrigeration (in the freezer).
1 sheet of parchment paper
1 cookie cooling rack for drying/hardening
1/2-cup cold water
​1/2-cup boiling hot water
3 cups of Wild bird seed mix - I used Wild & Strong** brand peanut mix, which includes peanuts, black oil sunflower, millet, sunflower pieces, and corn pieces. I also added in safflower seed. 

**You can use whatever brand you prefer, but be sure to include black oil sunflower seeds, and peanuts or peanut pieces, as they are enjoyed by most songbirds, and woodpeckers.

Heat about a cup of water to boiling in the microwave. I heated it for 3 minutes. You will use 1/2 cup of the boiled water.

To begin: Add 1/2-cup cold water to bowl.

Pour in both pouches of unflavored gelatin. Stir until gelatin is mostly dissolved.

Add 1/2-cup hot water, stir for 2-3 minutes until fully dissolved.

Next pour all birdseed into the bowl and stir continuously until seeds are well coated, and you do not see any standing liquid in the bowl.

This should take 3-5 minutes.

If there is still liquid, add additional birdseed, maybe a 1/4-cup at a time and stir for another couple minutes until any standing liquid is gone.

Spoon the mix generously into the silicone molds, pressing with the back of the spoon to fill the entire space.

Once you have the molds full, use a paper straw to make a space for a hole. Placement of the straw should be far enough away from the edges so that the hole is surrounded by the seed mixture. Maybe a 1/2-inch or so.

​Press the mixture snug around the straw with the back of the spoon.

Now place the filled molds onto the cookie sheet, for stability, and place in the freezer for about an hour to begin the hardening process.  After an hour, you can remove them, carefully, from the molds, and place them on a sheet of parchment paper.

At this point, they should be hard enough so that you can add the twine for hanging. Then, place each one on the cookie cooling rack as you go.  They will need to sit on the open rack to fully dry and harden for a good 24 hours or so.

​Drying is important, as it will keep the ornaments from developing any mold (which you cannot feed to the birds).

Once the ornaments have fully dried and hardened, you can hang them outside for the birds, or gift them as you wish.  It's best to keep them in the freezer in order to keep them fresh until they will be gifted and/or used (again, to avoid molding). Any moisture or humidity, or excessive heat should be avoided.

I stored mine in the freezer in a sealed container with a sheet of wax paper in between layers. To gift, wrap in wax paper, or  cellophane goody bags, and box securely to avoid breakage.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 
Don't be intimidated by the possibility of mold. I was, initially, but by making sure the ornaments were placed on an open rack and allowed to dry fully, I have avoided any mold.

​They are nice and solid. And, they look delicious! I can't wait to witness the birds enjoying them.

I have to learn to take my own advice. I chatter on frequently about the importance of taking the time to get outside. To commune with nature, if only for a brief respite in the midst of hectic times. It really can do wonders for quieting the noise in our minds.

It's been a couple weeks since I really took some time to get outside, and my crankiness volume was getting louder. The year is coming to a close, the holidays are looming, and priorities are piling up. I was getting caught up in my own mental and emotional chaos, along with the external influences. The weather has been a bit static, and, as a nature photographer that can be a bit boring. We're always looking for the next visual fix, so to speak.

So, finally, I'd had enough of my own self,  and I decided to get out some of my holiday ornaments and go for a walk. This usually helps to perk me up, and get some creative vibes flowing during drab, moody days.

Yesterday was mild and sunny. Lots of blue sky. So I went to Kinsey Park, one of my favorite local parks with a small woodland trail, and brought some of my favorite ornaments along.

​I hung them from bare tree branches, and propped them up on tree stumps, and just enjoyed taking some shots with my camera. The sunlight popping through the bare branches really added a nice touch, and I was happy with the results.

Today, under gray skies, I did more of the same, but at the Forest Exploration Center, in Wauwatosa. Also another local favorite, it was fairly quiet, and I enjoyed walking the woodland trail and taking some photos with and without the ornaments.

​Today, along the trail, I kept spotting hearts among the trees. One of my favorite things to watch for when on a nature walk. Maybe I was just in the right state of mind to spot them this time. All of these trees have been there for ages, so...

Something unique also happened yesterday, as I was finishing up my walk at Kinsey Park. I was going to try photographing some of my ornaments in a tree next to a bench by the children's playground. But I didn't need to.

​There, in the center of the leafless tree, was a colorful ornament hanging.  A beaded hummingbird. I wondered who hung it there. What was their story?

My mom loved hummingbirds. She collected little trinkets and jewelry modeled after them. She put out hummingbird feeders outside her tiny apartment every summer.  After she died, I was out walking at another local park, Mary Knoll Park, in Brookfield. Along one of the wooded trails, I stopped to look around, and perched on a branch on high was a hummingbird.  I stood watching it for a while, as it preened and rested. Thinking of her, remembering how much she loved them. 

The next time I was there, on that same trail, it wasn't there. So I stood in place and closed my eyes, wishing it would return. Amazingly, it did. It felt like such a gift. Now, I know it was probably just off somewhere nearby, feeding on a flower, but it was still a reaffirming presence. 

Seeing the hummingbird ornament at Kinsey Park this week was like another gift. A reminder, that even though my mom isn't here on earth any longer, she remains with me. This little touchstone, seemingly out of nowhere, brought that back to me. I don't know who placed the ornament there, in that tree, but I'm certain it means something special to them, too. And I am grateful to have seen it.

There's a reason we often feel the need to take a walk when we're upset or overwhelmed. The physical movement, the fresh air, the temporary ​distance we put between ourselves and the place of anger or anxiety helps to give us a chance to find some perspective. To calm down. 

I'm not saying that every venture into nature will bring with it gifts to steady your heart and soul, but the more you're open to it, I think the lighter the darkness becomes. And on days when the sun sets so very early, I'll take any light that shines my way.

I know that I promised not to drive the northern route through the mountains, but it was late September, not December. I couldn't resist. I wanted to drive through the Rockies. So we did. And, as we drove through Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains, it began to snow.

As we drove, and the snow picked up, getting heavier and heavier, semi trucks passing us by, regret nagged at me. Our conversation toggled between laughter and fear. My mother was convinced my dad would find out. This was long before cell phones, and YouTube or Instagram or Facebook.  But logic won out (and we were already in the midst of the snowstorm).  Any snow on the car would be long gone by the time we returned to Wisconsin. Fortunately, within an hour or so, I pulled my grip from the steering wheel. We made it carefully through the snow, and back to drier weather, stopping for a break, and continued on our way. ​

As I look back at some of the photos of this trip I find myself so grateful that we had the opportunity to take the trip together. Never considering, at the time, that one day she would be gone. 

I think back to those last few months, in and out of the hospital, struggling with the affects of the cancer in her body, and know just how brave she was. Not always a bastion of positivity, but good-humored none the less, she was courageous and resigned at the same time. Once, as she lay in her hospital bed, she looked over at me and said "I love you". It wasn't a new thing. She told us she loved us, all her girls, often. But this time it felt different. She really wanted me to take it in. Accept it. Hold on to it tight.

Looking at this last photo, I feel on the brink of tears. At the time it was simply a photo of her on the trail. A visual souvenir. Now, to me, it resembles something deeper. More profound. The look of someone looking back at someone they love, with love, and the knowledge that they won't be returning. Stepping into that light, wherever it may lead.

Happy birthday, Mom.  Love you forever.