Fungus Friday

Happy Friday! We have had an unexpected change of plans for the weekend here at Woodland Whimsy. It’s not a bad thing though. I should be able to get some felting in this weekend and that doesn’t usually happen. What are your plans for the weekend?

Coral Mushroom

Isn’t this beautiful? I love how delicate it appears to be. I knew before that these mushrooms were edible, but I hadn’t eaten them before my Idaho visit in May. They are delicious. A bit more robust in flavor than white mushrooms, but not over the top.

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First Encounter With a Goggler

I encountered the oddest creature the other day. He was very shy and I had a difficult time getting him to come out and talk to me once I spotted him. I took photos from several angles. The entry to his home was so interesting.

Peeking out

He was just peeking out of the entrance to his home. He was very timid, rising slowly out of his hole.

Watching me

As I sat patiently waiting for the creature to emerge, I noticed eyes appearing through holes in the log. I was being watched by more than the creature slowly coming out of the log.

Another angle

Not only was I being watched by eyes, there were little worms that popped out to watch as well.

From the back

Finally the creature started to talk to me. He introduced himself as Ewgles. Ewgles is a goggler. They call themselves that because they have so many eyes it is impossible not to be constantly goggling at everything around them.

Eyes everywhere

Ewgles and I had a lovely chat. Though, he never did come completely out of his hole. The gogglers are really afraid of getting caught by humans and experimented on. They live most of their lives in their underground communities, but they have to come out to find food. I hope I get the chance to meet more gogglers in the future. They sure are interesting creatures.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read today’s story. If you would like to see more of my artwork, you can do so either on my web page or my facebook page.

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Pierre Goblin Rides a Horse Part 2

Now that Pierre was feeling pretty comfortable with the horses. It was time to move on to riding.

One more bite

Pierre fed the horse one more bite of apple.

Testing

Then he got some help to see if he would be okay with being on the horse’s back. I’m glad that these horses were so patient with Pierre.

Saddle up

Finally it was time to saddle the horses. Pierre was too short to help, so he watched from the fence rail.

First ride

For his first ride, Pierre rode with Kyle. “Can I ride the other horse too?” asked Pierre politely.

Ride number two

Of course that was fine, so he went for a ride with Heather as well.

 

 

Solo time

Pierre was feeling comfortable and confidant after his rides with Kyle and Heather. It was time for him to have a turn on his own.

Tools for grooming

After they take people riding, horses need to be brushed and cared for. Pierre sat in the tool bucket while the process was explained to everyone.

Brushing

Pierre was happy to help brush the horses. He thought it was a great way to say thank you for the nice ride.

Water trough

That last thing was to make sure that the horses had plenty of water after their hard work. Pierre filled up their water trough for them.

Pierre had such a wonderful time on his horseback riding adventure. When he got home he sat on my lap and told me all about it while he showed me the pictures. It was certainly a day that he will never forget.

All photos in this post were taken by my husband Mike or my son Kyle. I really appreciate their help in telling this story. If you are interested in see more of my work, you can do so on the Woodland Whimsy web page or the Woodland Whimsy facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fungus Friday

Happy Friday! Do you have something awesome scheduled for this weekend?

Mushroom family

These mushrooms remind me of a happy mushroom family. I can see Mom, Dad, Big Brother, and Little Sister.

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Pierre Goblin Rides A Horse Part 1

Good Monday morning! I hope you are having an awesome start to your week. While we were on vacation, My fantastic mother in law arranged for some of the family to go horse back riding. I didn’t go, I was involved in a project with my father in law. Mike thought that Pierre would like to tag along and ride too.

Checking it out from a safe distance

“Please lift me up so I can see,” asked Pierre. He had never been around horses before and was a little bit nervous. (This is my beautiful mother in law, Charlotte.)

Going to meet the horses

Pretty soon Pierre was ready for a closer look. Mike(my awesome husband) gave Pierre a hand in getting closer.

Getting comfortable

They found a nice post for Pierre to hang out on while he was getting used to being so close to the horses. “They are so big!” exclaimed Pierre.

About ready for the next step

It wasn’t too long before Pierre was ready to get even closer.

Startled

Pierre climbed up on the fence close to the horses. This horse neighed at Pierre to greet him. He was so startled he almost fell off the fence. Heather(my daughter in law) explained to Pierre that the horse was just saying hello.

Making friends

“I can’t believe how soft their noses are,” whispered Pierre as he stroked the horse and fed her a bit of apple.

Pierre’s adventure with the horses will continue in my next blog post.  If you would like to see more of my art work, you can do so at my web site Woodland Whimsy or my facebook page.

The photos in this post were taken by my husband, Mike and my son, Kyle.

 

 

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Fungus Friday

Happy Friday! This week has been the week of the nasty summer cold here at Woodland Whimsy. Here’s hoping that today is the end of it.

Frilly Fungus

I found this pretty fungus growing on a fallen birch tree while I was tromping about in the woods near Chase Lake. I reminds me of frilly skirts that look so cute on little girls.

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Little Red Bug

On the same fishing trip where we found Wiggles, I was also taking photos of flowers, fungus, and insects. There was a red beetle flying around and around. I told him that if he landed, I would take his picture.

Touch down

The bug landed right on my shirt.

Settling in

It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of bugs, as this one didn’t seem to have any where else it wanted to be.

Hanging out

I love the color and the texture of this cool beetle.

Checking it out

I was able to get a lot of photos. I’m only posting a few of them here.

Still here

This little guy stayed with me for over half an hour.

Time to go

I finally scooped him off of my shirt with this leaf. It was fun to be able to get so many close up photos of this lovely insect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fungus Friday

Happy Friday! I hope that all my friends that live here in the US had a great day yesterday.

Pretty fungus

I thought this fungus was really pretty. It is growing on the end of a fallen log that was cut to clear the  hiking trail.

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Fred Works out in the Woods

Like many of us, Fred is concerned about keeping active and being fit. He doesn’t like to go the gym though. He gets his workout in the forest.

Workout Tree

All Fred needs for a good workout is the right tree.  “It is great exercise climbing up and down the tree.” Fred explained to me.

Lichen Climbing

“Finding the right tree is very important.” Fred continued, “It needs to have long lichen to climb up and slide down.”

Pull ups

Fred is very serious about his pull ups. He wouldn’t pause, or even slow down so I could get a good clear picture.

Moss yoga mat

After his vigorous tree exercise, Fred likes to slow it down and do some yoga on a nice moss mat to round out his workout.

 

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Fred Plays in the Woods

Happy Monday! A new week is started with all the promise that comes with a new beginning. Fred not only went fishing with the family while we were on vacation, he went out tromping around the woods with us too.

Tree stump

This little stump made a perfect seat for Fred. He sat on it and looked at the beautiful forest that surrounded him.

Coral Mushroom

Fred saw some coral mushrooms from where he was sitting. He ran over the check them out. “These are really good to eat!” Fred told me. He was right. They were delicious.

Slime mold

“This is not good to eat,” explained Fred. ” It is pretty to look at though.”

Sitting on a split log

Fred found a split log to sit on. He likes to sit for a while to figure out what he wants to see next.

Thimble berry flowers

“I want to see those flowers!” exclaimed Fred, “but I can’t reach them.” Fred got a boost up the steep embankment so he could get a close look at the thimble berry flowers. “When they have berries, these taste very good. I wish they had some berries now.” said Fred wistfully.

Rock climbing

Fred clambered up to the top of a rock for a better view. He saw something else he wanted to see.

Penstemon

Fred found some beautiful penstemon blooming in a rocky hill side.

Where is Fred?

It was time for us to head back home. I couldn’t see Fred anywhere. I called him and he answered, “I’m over here.” I still couldn’t see him.

Closer

“Over this way! Come closer.” Fred shouted. Ah, there he is. “I wanted to see this woodpecker hole.” said Fred, “It would be a good home for a little goblin that needed one.” We gathered Fred up when he was finished exploring the hole and carried him to the truck. He was a bit sleepy from his fun day out in the woods. He was happy to get home to his nice, soft bed.

I hope you enjoyed Fred’s day in the woods as much as he did. On Wednesday, Fred will show you how to get a good work out in the woods.  You can see more of my sculptures here Woodland Whimsy or here Woodland Whimsy’s Facebook. Thank you for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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