I’m thrilled to share that in addition to my role as the Old-Growth Forest Lehigh County Coordinator, I’m now an education volunteer for the Audubon Society at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in Audubon, PA!

With a century of conservation history, the National Audubon Society strives to conserve and restore the habitats we share with all wildlife, focusing on the needs of birds. The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove is situated on a historic 18th-century site, the first and only remaining home of John James Audubon, an ornithologist, naturalist, and painter.

Check out my video tour of the center’s museum!

WHAT I’M LEARNING:
I’m a lifelong learner and this year I’ve having fun exploring new worlds like these …

Learning about birds with the Cornell Lab Merlin Bird ID app
Discovering plants and trees on my walks with the PictureThis app
Having fun with learning languages—French and Italian on Duolingo
Finding peace and energy healing with YoQi—a blend of yoga and qigong (the “qi” is pronounced “chee”)

WALKS WITH DONNA:

With learning about birds and botany on my nature walks, I’m now recording short, fun videos of my experiences on my YouTube channel and author Facebook page. You can subscribe and follow me there for more adventures in nature!

Check out one of my videos where my husband, Mike, pops in!

HIKING DAY

I love to hike through the Natural Lands preserves and that’s just what my husband, Mike, and I did on an idyllic breezy fall day at Bryn Coed preserve in Chester County, PA. We hiked six miles and immersed ourselves in autumn colors!

BOOKS I’M READING:
LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES

I’m super excited to have Cathy Carr’s new middle-grade book in hand, LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES! I adored her debut novel, 365 DAYS TO ALASKA, and love that I can now read this one.

Here’s what LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES  is all about:

Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski never lets anyone know how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago—any more than she talks about the unaccountable things Mom did while she was still in the picture. Life with Nana is safe and secure, and Franny’s innovative art projects fill in any lonesome times.

But when Nana has an accident and Franny’s estranged uncle comes home to help out for a while, some long-guarded family secrets come to light. Franny has to use all of her courage, as well as all of her creativity, to come to terms with the discoveries she makes about her mother—and herself.

This is a heartfelt middle-grade story that deftly blends the topic of mental illness, the transformative power of art, and the ever-evolving challenges and comforts of family life.

If you love other heartfelt adventures, then be sure to check out Cathy’s books.

ONE YEAR PASSED AND ONE MORE DAY

I can’t believe it was a year ago that my dad passed away. It’s been a turbulent and transformative year for many reasons. I wish you were here Dad for one more good day. We’d walk the beach down to the pier, drink Red Oak beer, eat oyster po’boys, dance to a good tune, and play one more game of hearts by the fire. I’d even let you shoot the moon.

FALL RECIPE
Time for one of my favorite fall comfort food recipes! This is perfect alongside Thanksgiving dinner or with pork.

Apple-squash bake

2 large acorn squash (organic is good or local farm for a tasty squash)
Approximately 5-7 apples based on size (use a juicy, sweet apple of choice)
Several pats of butter
1-2 tablespoons of real maple syrup (depending on your sweet tooth) or brown sugar
Hearty shakes of cinnamon and nutmeg
1/3 cup pecans well-chopped

Instructions:

·       Cook the acorn squash. Poke holes in each and microwave separately until done or slice in half and bake in the oven (takes much longer).
·       Let squash cool then scoop seeds out and scoop squash in a butter greased glass baking casserole dish.
·       When squash is cool and in dish, peel apples and dice.
·       Add apples on top of squash.
·       Add butter pats, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg.
·       Place glass top on casserole dish or cover tightly with foil.
·       Back at 425 for about 1 hour.
·       Check to ensure apples are fully cooked and soft.
·       Mix up apple-squash mixture with a spoon until fully blended.
·       Top with chopped pecans.
·       Serve warm with turkey or pork. Delish!

I’ll leave you with a photo of Gregory warming by the fire. 🙂