Author: Crystle

Maker, doer, and nomad.

Autumn Love

~ Crystle ~ 12 Comments
Fall has finally arrived and I foresee a great many things to come:

 I foresee the need for bigger pots and a valence. My succulents are growing fantastically. We’ll need to prepare them for winter soon.

 I anticipate pot roast. With these farmer’s market ingredients, Todd’s recipes are unstoppable. I’ll contribute by making my almost famous butternut squash lasagna rolls.

 I expect greatness. Exacted by the tunes that come from my record player. May the music set the mood.

My cool weather prayers have been answered. Let it snow.

 Cool nights out on the town with buddies, cheers to that. And many more.

 Love, love, love. All you need is love.

Creativity; let the autumn be filled with it! I’m so excited that fall is here once again. The summer was one of the harshest I can remember which makes me all the more grateful for the cooler weather. We’ve already had some lovely rain, cloudy skies, and brisk nights. May those continue through the end of the year. Cheers to another wonderful cool weather season!

Happy Autumn!

Nostalgic for Nature

~ Crystle ~ 6 Comments

 Hey Everyone!

We’ve been back from our Colorado trip for a month now and I’m already feeling nostalgic for nature.

I’d like to share some facts about one of my favorite organisms of the Rockies, Populus tremuloides. Or, the Quaking Aspen. They get their name from the manner in which their leaves move in the wind.

These are one of the most fascinating organisms I have ever heard of. Here’s why: many of these trees are actually one organism known as a clonal colony. They grow roots that jump up through the surface and grow into genetically identical trees.

There is one Aspen in Utah named Pando that has been estimated to be a clonal colony of 47,000 trees at an astounding age of 10,000 years old. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around that. 

 
 

Here is one of the tiny runner roots from a neighboring tree. These little guys are everywhere.

On the other side of the mountain, the same organism could possibly grow. Considering they’ve been growing for thousands of years, what else can they do but expand?

I’m glad my botany educated, soon to be husband was there to teach me the wonder of our surroundings. I learned so much about botany this trip, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite nerd hobbies.

I hope my fascination with this amazing organism is shared!

Oklahoma Saturdays

~ Crystle ~ 6 Comments

Happy Saturday Folks!

Today my friend Jordan and I went out and did what we do best. We found cool stuff to do. This weekend was the Dustbowl Arts Market so we stopped off there first. It was hot, but seeing everyone’s hand made goodies was worth it. I can’t believe how creative some people are!

This was one of my favorite booths. The lady running it, presumably Dana Joy Scott said she’d post all her unsold items on etsy. I will definitely be picking up one of her pieces soon.

I love the complimentary pistachio bags with her business info. What a brilliant idea! And so cute.

Then we stopped by the 4-H Horse Show at the local fair grounds. We saw it in the newspaper and decided to take a look around. I used to show horses (Western, not English) so I felt a bit of nostalgia while watching the kiddos nervously enter the arena.

I remember how much work it took to prep the horses for show day. The night prior, all horses are washed and blanketed to keep them clean. You must also wrap any white socks the horses may have near their hooves to keep the white looking brilliant. I respect these kids, because horses are a major responsibility.

We also stopped by the adjacent farmers market. How fortuitous! Remember my tree succulent? I had no idea what it was called. Now I know it’s called the Mother of Thousands. The grower told me all about them as I purchased another one. He showed me his book to care for them and showed me some of his other succulents. Many of his plants shed plantlets, and the Mother of Thousands that I got today has the planlets of other species growing in it’s pot. Bonus!

He has an amazing collection, I couldn’t stop drooling. I’ll have to re-visit him and get a few more before winter.

The best peaches in the world, ladies and gentlemen, are currently at the Norman, OK farmers market. I can’t articulate how delicious they were. I’m going back next weekend for a full basket!

We also made stops to a few shops down town. I fortunately came home only $8 poorer. And for all the things we saw, and for all the people we talked to, I feel quite satisfied. Thanks, Norman. You’ve done it again!