Toad pool

Every summer, we get quite a few toads in our garden beds.

In the middle of summer, if you go on a night walk in my neighborhood, you can find a bunch of toads hopping about the sidewalks and in the grass.

You actually have to watch where you step sometimes because you could accidentally step on a toad! 🐸

A toad we found hopping in the grass near our garden.

Toads help the garden

I always love it when I find toads in the garden because they help keep some of the pests away.

So far, I’ve counted five toads living in our garden—three in the front garden and two in the back patio garden.

Sometimes I will find a toad hiding near one of my fairy houses with its body halfway snug in a little mound of dirt.

Can you find the toad hiding? 🐸😄

Collecting rainwater

We keep a five-gallon bucket in the garden to collect rainwater. I like to water the garden with the stored rainwater, especially on really hot days.

It’s not much, but at least it’s a little something for the plants when it’s time to water them again.

Here is Mr. Toad! 🐸 Camouflaged next to the pink fairy house and blue VW hippie van. ✌🏾❤️🌼

Mr. Toad swimming in the rain bucket 🐸💦

Mj (24) found one of the toads swimming in our rainwater bucket.

It was such a funny surprise. At first, we thought the toad was in distress, but he was perfectly fine. 🐸😆

Although I do think maybe it was hard for the toad to hop out since the bucket was a little deep for him.

But then again, I don’t know if toads can jump that high. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I gently scooped the toad out of the rain bucket and safely placed him back in the garden.

We’ve named the toad Snake because his patterns remind us of a snake. 🐸😂🐍

Making a toad pool

So, Zaya (5) had an idea to make the toads a toad pool in the garden.

We repurposed a small, clear storage box, and Zaya collected rocks, sticks, and leaves to put in the box. Then, she filled it up with a little water.

We haven’t seen any toads chilling in the toad pool yet 😂, but I did see a couple of Sparrows take some sips of water from the box. 🐦

I like to imagine maybe at night when we’re sleeping, a toad hops in the pool for a quick dip. 🐸😄

Next week, we’re supposed to have excessive heat in the high 90s. 🥵 Perhaps Zaya’s little toad pool can be helpful for our garden toads…and the birds.

💜 XO

Happy Friday

Three things to reflect on in honor of September 11th.

The Day the Wreath Finally Got Finished

I feel like I’m never going to make it to the post office to mail these gifts for the grandparents. Every time I try, I get busy with other commitments and errands.

There has just been so much to do to prepare for Christmas. Not to mention the weather has been challenging to navigate.

Yesterday, it was pretty warm out. I think the temps were in the 40s—warm enough for me to wear my denim jacket.

But this morning, I opened my front door to snow and cold, high winds.

Today, I worked on a homemade Christmas wreath for my Mom.

At Least I Finished the Christmas Wreath

Despite the busyness, I was able to finally finish making my mom’s Christmas wreath. Zephaniah (8) helped me piece it all together.

I bought the pine wreath at the farmers market a couple of weeks ago for only $10. Every year, I like to buy a real pine wreath at the market and decorate it myself.

This year, I thought I’d make a homemade wreath for my mom as a Christmas gift.

Ibused these cute felt ornaments to decorate the wreath.
Zephaniah loved helping me make Nana’s Christmas wreath. 🥹

Two Lessons Learned for Next Year (and Every Other Holiday and Special Occasion)

This holiday season has definitely taught me two important things.

When making homemade gifts, I need to plan ahead and start the creation process much sooner. Definitely not two weeks before Christmas! 🫣😂

I need to remember to take time to rest regularly, especially during a busy holiday season.

Tomorrow, I will try again to get to the post office to mail the grandparents’ gifts.

I have just a few more gifts to get for Travis and the kids. I’m dreading the long lines. I know it’s going to busy wherever I go.


All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!