We recently began watching the Netflix series Connected as a family. The show is fascinating. The concept of connection had me thinking about all the ways we are connected in nature and our world. I’m in awe of the mini ecosystem happening right now in our little corner of the world, our backyard.

Growing a garden doesn’t just bring visual interest and joy to our table with fresh veggies, herbs, and cut-flower bouquets. Even in only an eighth of an acre, our home garden is host to a thriving ecosystem of lizards, birds, squirrels, pollinators, snails, fireflies, and frogs all dependent on each other.

Mother Nature is the greatest teacher. To fully understand her lessons, we must slow down enough to observe and listen. If you’d like to immerse yourself in the magic of nature’s intricate web, here are a few books and shows to get you started.

The Hidden Life of Trees ($) by Peter Wohlleben

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop ($) by Tristan Gooley

Nurture Nature book list ($) on Bookshop.org

*Connected on Netflix

*My Octopus Teacher on Netflix

*If you see an asterisk next to a link, it links to a video with sound. Just a heads-up in case you need to turn the volume down or pop on your headphones.

($) If you see this dollar symbol in a post, the link is an affiliate post. I will receive income or a discount on products if you purchase that item on Bookshop.org or anything on the Etsy or Prana website using my link. Income from the products in these links helps me to keep this blog growing.

HOME

This week I’m highlighting a few summer essentials that will help me prepare for summer UNLIKE all the rainy weather we’ve had for most of May! The rain has been great for the plants, but not so great for my mood. I’m ready for sunshine and summer days (to be honest maybe not the humidity and mosquitoes, though!)

To cut down on tan lines and skip the damage from the sun, I recently gave Beauty by Earth’s Self-Tanner a try. They have a brand new self-tanner mousse that I’m looking forward to trying as well. I love the Self-Tanner Basics Bundle with both the face and body self-tanner.

Visit Beauty by Earth’s Website ($) to get a head start on summer. Receive 10% off with this link below.

Before I apply the self-tanner, I use the Pacifica Lavender Moon Body Exfoliant on my body and face. Once the self-tanner dries for about 15-20 minutes, the color will develop over the next few hours. I use the Pacifica Lavender Moon Lotion for the rest of the week to keep my skin moisturized. You’ll need to re-apply the self-tanner every 4-6 days. Click here to get 10% off Pacifica products by visiting this link ($)

It’s mosquito season around Central Texas! Here are a few ways to keep them away. Keeping the air moving with a fan always helps as well!

Adding these Tidal Wave Ibiza Soludos sneakers my wishlist now…

This Frigidaire Retro Portable Fridge has a car adapter and would be perfect for road trips! This cute little fridge up is currently in my workshop office keeping the creamer cold for my tea.

Don’t let unexpected expenses catch you by surprise. Watch *this YNAB video to remind you of an expense you might be missing in your budget. I’ve been using YNAB for several years and love it! Maybe You Need a Budget, too?

If you’re in need of a few gift ideas, be sure to check out my Etsy Favorites ($).

GARDEN

What’s growing in the garden right now?

Pictured in the gallery

(1) Wild Bergamot/Bee Balm (2) ‘Royal Snap’ Peas ($) (3) ‘Blue Giant’ Hyssop (4) Fig (5) Pink Zinnia (6) ‘Sunrise Bumble Bee’ Tomato (7) Tomatillo (8) Horsemint/Lemon Bee Balm (9) Bishop’s Flower

WELLNESS

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Chance to Start Over

Share what you’ll be doing differently in post-pandemic life in the comments below this post.

CREATIVITY

Add a little whimsy to your garden!

How about a little fun for your squirrels? *Backyard Squirrel Maze 2.0 - The Walnut Heist

Eric Carle passed away this week at 91 years old. He inspired so many young people with his simple and colorful collage picture books.

BOOKSHELF

Taking a road trip soon? We loved The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser on audio when we were traveling through Colorado a few years ago. This family-centered story line is a great series to listen to if you’ve got miles ahead and a car full of elementary-(or younger)-to-middle-school-aged kids. There’s plenty of animals and sibling dynamics throughout the story to keep everyone engaged. Be sure to check out Karina’s family and all their pets on Instagram.

The newest book in the series, The Vanderbeekers Make a Wish, doesn’t come out until September 21, 2021, but you can pre-order the book on Bookshop.org. ($)

Reading: Crying in H Mart ($) by Michelle Zauner, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous ($) by Ocean Vuong and Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man ($) by Emmanuel Acho

Listening to: We’re Going to Need More Wine ($) by Gabrielle Union

Recently Finished: Midnight in the Blackbird Cafe ($) by Heather Webber, The Downstairs Girl ($) by Stacey Lee, and Work in Progress ($) by Leanne Ford and Steve Ford

Up next: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together ($) by Heather McGhee, Refuge by Dina Nayeri, People We Meet on Vacation ($) by Emily Henry, The Stationery Shop ($) by Marjan Kamali, Caste ($) by Isabel Wilkerson

In case you are looking for book recommendations for kids (or yourself!), gift ideas for all ages or want to peek into my TBR List for 2021, head over to the 52 Seasons Book Shop on Bookshop.org or give a Bookshop.org gift card!

COMMUNITY

Empowering Youth

Austin Library Foundation’s Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp - Writing is such an important way for young people to express themselves and find confidence in their voice.

What Addy Taught Me About Black Hair Freedom and Myself (found this link in the Modern Mrs. Darcy newsletter last week)

This weekend I finally watched the movie *Moxie on Netflix (PG-13). You can read more about Moxie on Commonsense Media. The movie is based on the Moxie novel by Jennifer Mathieu ($).

* “I had to learn not to agree with things just to be agreeable.” - Wise words from Paola in the latest video by The Cottage Fairy on YouTube

I found these Empowered Women Empower Women shirt ($) and On Wednesdays We Smash The Patriarchy ($) shirts to help spread the message.

Let’s make sure all voices are represented in our communities. What actions will you take to make it happen?

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read 52 Seasons. I’d love to hear your feedback and ideas so that we can grow together.

Check out some of my favorite resources here.

If you’d like to receive the 52 Seasons blog post each week, be sure to subscribe to the blog. I’ll see you next week in your inbox!