It is getting cool enough in the morning to take a walk in the urban parks around my Arlington, VA apartment before work. This past week as I strolled through the park named for Grace Murray Hopper, I noticed a wide variety of berries, blooms, acorns and other natural adornments to the landscape

A naturetaiment idea arose from this little seasonal surprise. Next time I have guests, I'm going to create a little guide of the natural wonders just a few steps from our home. No need to rush first thing on the metro with a zillion other tourists when we've got some pretty cool stuff to see at hand.

If there are kids visiting, it could be like a scavenger hunt. For the adults, I'll point them to some of the interestingly landscaped homes in the adjacent neighborhood as well as the more natural attributes of the area parks. And I'll leave it up to them to find the three Starbucks within 1/2 square mile.

Bubbling with inspiration

A few days in California Wine Country and I'm once again ready to naturetain. Vineyards are a perfect inspiration for the concept of combining nature with entertaining.

Several ideas are "bubbling" in my head, especially after visiting the Chandon Winery in Napa. But the easiest for any to execute is the simple act of sharing some stories, insights, or history with your guests as you serve a particular food item.

What meaning does this dish hold for you? Where did you first learn to prepare it? Did you pick the fruit fresh from the farm yourself? Delight your guests by serving personal favorites, and let them know why they mean so much to you.

Next time I serve a Napa Valley Sparkling Wine...I've got a story!

Bringing Nature Home

When traveling, Jim and I like to pocket any little treasures of nature that might help us bring the outdoors in when we return home without violating some Park Service rule. Interestingly, he usually picks up big things while I seek out the small, but that's perhaps chalked up to gender differences.

This little vase of natural treasures includes rocks from South Beach - not in Florida but the San Juan Islands, WA. Yes, Jim picked up the big ones and the smaller pebbles were my souvenir. On top are pine cones we found at the top of Skyline Drive in Virginia. Next time we are in the Florida Keys, I will pick up a little sand for the bottom.

It may not be an arrangement worthy of Southern Living, but we enjoy looking at it and remembering two very beautiful spots.

Thumbing Through Nature

I’m back from Alaska and, as I hoped, after several glorious days in the great outdoors I am recommitted to finding ways to bring nature into our everyday life and entertaining.

Since returning, I’ve spent hours playing with the photos and videos we took (go to www.thismoment.com and search on my name.) I can almost smell the scent of a pine tree or the salt air when I look at photos of places we've traveled. (For more of our travel photos, see Jim's Webshots.)

So, my new trick is to strategically place a few books on nature like the book pictured here which follows the Lewis and Clark Trail. Put one or two on the living room end table or by your bedside. Not only are the covers visually pleasing, but taking a few minutes at the end of a stressful day to thumb through the pictures is very relaxing.

Naturetaining Revival

It's been two years since my husband I went to Alaska and the concept for Naturetainment was born. This week, we return to our new favorite vacation spot and I plan to use the ocassion to inject new life in this old blog.

My other inspiration is a new shipment of wine from the Wall Street Journal Wine Club. We broke open our first bottle this weekend - a 2008 Pinot Grigio from Italy. The Vina Baccana was a nice pairing for the spicy tuna Jim grilled. Easy on the palette. Not incredibly memorable, but refreshing.

Yes, urban apartment living has made naturetaining a bit of a challenge. But I look forwaad to sharing our vino and some new naturtaining ideas with friends when we return.