I Walk In This World

Hi blog peeps.

I seem to have not taken photos of my Sunday eats (which were boring anyway), so all I have for food-wise so far is this morning’s smoothie.

• almond milk
• 4 ice cubes
• handful of NJ blueberries
• frozen mixed fruit
• half a small banana

The other day I went for a walk here at work, and snapped some pics of a wetland on the property.  So I’m going to make you all wetland ecologists today.  I promise it’s easy. 

A wetland is normally a lowland area that is saturated with moisture.  They are “wet” areas because they are located in lands where ground water is close to the ground surface and therefore creates pockets of wet soils.  Wetlands are special because they host specialized plants that are adapted to living in wet conditions.  And they offer special habitats for a variety of wildlife for eating, resting, etc.

This is called a forested wetland.  It’s a wetland that occurs within a forest.  It’s cool, right?!

This is called Japanese stilt grass.  It often grows in wetlands, and on the edges of wetlands where they transition into upland areas.

This is skunk cabbage.  Maybe you recognize it?  It is a definite plant indicator that you are in a wetland.  So if you’re out hiking, and you see them, you can now know you’re in a wetland area!

See all the skunk cabbages.

This is some kind of sedge.  Sedges Have Edges.  This little rhyme always helps me know I’m looking at a sedge.  If you run your fingers up the length of the stem, you will feel very definitive edges, kind of like the stem is a triangle, and you are feeling the triangle edges.  Sedges grow in wetlands, and are great indicators that you are in one!

This is a deer trail going through the wetland.  Can you see the little path the deer have made?

This is where the deer have bedded down.  Can you see the smushed down grasses?

This is a type of rush.  I’m not sure which one, without my wetland plant identification key, but it’s a rush because Rushes Are Round.  This is another little word trick.  Sedges Have Edges (their stem) and Rushes Are Round (also their stem).  These plants are also good indicators that you are in a wetland.

This is called sensitive fern and is a definite indicator that you’re in a wetland.  I love it’s broad fern leaves. 

So, now you’ve got some wetland tips and can all go out into the world as micro wetland ecologists…at least for today.  And if you do find yourself in a wetland, take pretty pictures, but please tread lightly.  These are sensitive special places.

♥,

Your treehugging blog friend Erin

Morning bloggie friends!

BIG question.  Does Erin have her beloved Civic back from the shop???

*ding ding ding*

YAY!

Goodbye Jeep, Hello my lovely.  Who’s a pretty gurl??!!

Din last night was a newbie in the house.  I didn’t like it.

The good part of dinner! 

• ginorm salad which was fabulous…holla goat cheese!
• crockpot ranch turkey + potatoes (packet of ranch, ff cream of celery, turkey, 2 potatoes)

Wayyyyyy too salty.  Blech.  I was not a fan.  Hubz loved it, of course.  IMO, it tasted like something I’d eat in a cheap diner.  A Today’s Special if you will.

Pause for a sec.

***ignores blogging to watch House Hunters International***

Unpause.

The International version is my fave.  I just NEED to know where people get their budgets for these places!

Exercise was a bit stupid on my part.  But as you’ll learn as you get to know me, I’m the world’s most impatient person.  Now that my ankle can at least bear weight, I have no more patience for resting and letting it heal.  I am sure this will prolong my recovery (who knew a sprain was such a pain in the ass).  But I am sick of lifting dumbells.  I.need.cardio.  I get antsy if too much time goes by w/o my cardio.  It’s my release at the end of the work day.  I needz it!

Work is crazy.  What else can I say.

Lunch was had, by myself, outside.  I very much enjoyed it!  I only got halfway thru it, tho, before dashing inside to escape the looming thunderheads.

• Wegman’s whole wheat bread + Applegate Farms ham + American chaqueasy + dijon
• babied carrot
• Dr. Krackers apple crisps (these are so tasty!)
• Musselman’s applesauce (I feel like an elementary school kid eating this)

Work.  Work.  Email my sister’s bridesmaids about wedding shower planning.  Work.  Work.

Breks = yum.

• banana smoothie + 5 slices peach with a dash of chocolate smoothie powder (don’t ask what’s in it)
• tiny bowl of Nature’s Path pumpkin raisin crunch + Kashi cinnamon squares + dried pomegranate + coconut + skim milk
• coffeezzz

Do you ever eat outside by yourself?