I started this resource when I was homeschooling my “bigs” about 3 years ago. It got placed in the “someday” files as other things took (reasonable) priority over my creative outlets.
Not to say I have free time- but I am prioritizing time for things that bring me joy. One of those things is educating my children on the beauty and diversity this wonderful world can offer.
From that desire to celebrate uncommon knowledge, came the botanical alphabet project. I read a statistic that said something to the tune that children could name 100 logos before they can identify 5 plants.
I was so disappointed to realize that was also true for my family.
I searched for a resource that offered some facts but still felt kid-friendly.
That search came up short. You know when you have a very clear image in your head what you are looking for and you want to settle for nothing less than the manifestation of what you can’t yet figure out how to describe? Tell me it’s not just me.
I took to my trusty- quite literally- old ipad and mocked up a page for the letter A.
I had no idea what Amaranth was, until I visted Lovely Hollow Farm in Caldwell, Idaho a couple years ago. You know this is the place you want to spend your morning when it’s on “Chicken Dinner Road” amiright?? It was this dreamy little field full of sunshine and character. Every detail was intentional and you could feel joy in the air. Looking out, it almost felt like I had personally placed each seed- something about the beauty made me wish I could take ownership of such a serene location.
My sister and I quickly realized that we made a mistake choosing the mason jars- trust us, just splurge on the bucket.
As we began to fill the bucket we came across this row of perfectly coordinated autumn colored foliage. Thousands of tiny seeds, cascading down from tall, sturdy stalks. I might have actually squealed when I came across them. My sister- being the horticulture student and green thumb of the family- knew what it was and identified it for me. I was seriously stricken by it’s beauty. Struck. Strucketh. However you say it, I hope it sounds over the top because that’s what I mean. It gave a perfect texture and dramatic element to our bucket of flowers- whose intended purpose remained unknown. As I dreamed up this teachable resource, Amaranth was the perfect way to start us off.
My kids probably won’t be botanists- or maybe they will. Either way giving them a couple snippets of knowledge on the subject of mother nature doesn’t feel like something I’ll regret.
I hope you find this resource- a hand drawn labor of love- to be something you truly enjoy sharing with your family or even learning for yourself. Take a walk. Identify things. As questions. Feel textures. Dry flowers. Make the memories and bask in the warmth of the good ol’ days.
Hang Tight While I finalize the rest of the alphabet fact sheets. Until then- enjoy A, B, C, D and let me know what you think! What other botanical resources you would like to see, and who do you plan to share this with?
Your Personal Hype Girl 
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