tangles

photograph by rebecca wood

white flower weeds

i don't know what wild flower or weed this is, but it is full of glory in this end-of-fall scenario. love how it glows!

words and photographs by rebecca wood

by the river

if you're looking for the antidote to feeling hurried, stressed out, or anxious, the answer is nature. spend an hour or two at your nearest nature park, woods, or botanical garden. the japanese have a word that translates into 'forrest bathing', and studies have shown it reduces stress and calms your nerves and helps depression, too. pack a snack, your water, a sweater, and get lost in the woods! leave your phone in the car. unplug. breathe in, and walk. . . . 

photographs and words by rebecca wood

tapestries

not sure why i call these tapestries, except this explosion of life and color and birth and death is like a giant tapestry of life; full of color and pattern and life. if i had a ton of patience i would make big photorealistic paintings of these, or maybe a giant hooked rug, and just stare at it all day. entranced by the colorful chaos.

tree beauty

photograph by rebecca wood

green woods

photograph by rinne allen

dusk

photograph by kristen bach

shadows

photograph by kristin karch

swamp colors

i found myself by a creek lately. as i wandered along the edges, i passed a swampy place with opaque waters and barely flowing streams. the surface was dark, but all colors of elements and fungi were creating a floating abstract art.

photographs and words by rebecca wood

respite

lately, my head's been busy with cares, deadlines, inspirations, projects and concepts. getting to be a lot of static, so i headed out towards the country to clear my mind. i had far away in mind, but, on a whim, pulled into the nature center right outside of town. next thing i know, i found myself surrounded by a welcoming sea of green, relaxing and finding peace. there's nothing like being in the woods to clear your mind and reconnect with all your senses. it's like hitting a giant 'reset' button. it's why i will get back to the country one day…

words and photographs by rebecca wood

spring woods

i took a walk by the river and there was chartreuse everywhere. love this time of year!

photographs and words by rebecca wood

marsh landscape

photographs by rinne allen

woodland textures

photograph by rinne allen

last of winter

photograph by kristin karch

fern

photograph by kristin karch

nature sculptures by susan carlton smith

i took these photos ten years ago and originally shared them on our ‘ideas for creative living’ page, the old-fashioned precursor to beauty everyday…i couldn’t resist sharing them again, as they still enchant me, and my children…

these sculptures are on display at the state botanical gardens here in athens and were made by the artist susan carlton smith. the artist made the sculptures from found bits of nature and often wrote text to accompany them that pointed to the inspiration behind each piece. she also was a skilled watercolorist and illustrated many books; some of her watercolors are also on display.

one of my favorite things in athens…

words & photographs by rinne allen

muhly grass beauty

i was out at the bot garden and passed this beautiful white variety of muhly grass. it was actually a light celery color that was so pretty. i love how the pictures of this grass look like drawings or paintings. very energetic!

photographs and words by rebecca wood

river beauty

photograph by kristen bach

nest

photograph by kristen bach