This week, I have been trying to tackle tasks that have been on my to-do list for far too long. One of them, was setting up a nature table for the girls (and all members of the family, adults included) to enjoy a little bit of outdoors inside. As summer is soon officially here, and we are spending a lot of the day outdoors – new treasures abound just about every day!

I have to admit, part of my hesitation for setting up a nature table prior to now is the intimidation factor – I have seen some beautiful tables that really showcase the beauty of nature as well as the creativity of the families who put them together. The concept is fairly new to me although it resonates with me – so I knew my table would have very humble beginnings. But – it has to start somewhere! :)

The place I wanted to set up is in the corner of our living room. There is a lot of light there and it already is home to our fountain. I liked the water element & wanted to incorporate it in. The nesting tables it is on are fairly small; eventually we will look at getting a nice round table for the space, but for now, small is good for the very tiny hands that will tend to it. :)

Monday started off rainy so this was a good project to get started that morning. Then we donned our rubber boots and rain coats to go look for flowers to add to our table.




Sophie was happy to arrange the flowers in our flower holder (actually made to be a pencil holder – but I thought this would be a great flower holder with lots of holes for arranging).





Phase I of our table. Most of these items were purchased on Etsy from a lovely little family run business called Natural Earth Farm in Vermont. We consider Vermont our second home Рthe American extension of Qu̩bec Рso we were honored to have items straight from their property, lovingly made by them.

The little candle holders are from Imagination Kids. They also double as flower holders.



Even my one year old enjoyed observing the set up.


It’s a start – with plenty of room to add new treasures we find throughout the summer! :)



We added coloured felt – brown for the earth, green for the grass and blue for the water. Also two postcards – one with a lovely village scene with cows – I wanted to add a farm animal element into it as Old McDonald is a song well requested in our home :)). The other is of a fairy child sitting n a flower. Two rocks that Sophie lovingly collected last summer also adorn the table. The mermaid & child in the water is a creation by the daughter of Kristie Burns of The Dream Angels.



Underneath our table is a basket of felt balls (mostly made by us- see this project) & scarves, shawls and handkerchiefs that I gathered from my closet. Eventually we may add play silks to the collection – but I really believe that creative objects for your child really do exist already in the home.



I’ve had this plaque for awhile – before I had children – and I decided to place it on top of the fountain not so much for them but as a reminder to me, that I mean so much greater to them than just a person – children look up to their parents like we are God. It is a reminder to me to treat them with patience and respect as they learn by my example.

We still have some charming wood hooks to fill with goodies, as well as some objects to craft out of felt & wood, but I must say even I enjoy glancing at this simple homage to nature in the corner as I type this. Every morning, as we go out to explore, we bring back fresh flowers for the table. It is a wonderful and simple addition to our home & my two year old enjoys either admiring it or tending to the flowers. :)