ā This year, December snuck in before I knew itāa soft, quiet shift that reminded me how much joy can hide in the smallest everyday moments. This past month has been full of tiny surprises in my little Florida backyard, and Iām grateful I slowed down enough to actually see them. I hope a few small moments have found you, too. š
šæNature Right Now
Our little Ruby-throated Hummingbird is still hereāsurprising both me and my husband, since we were so sure sheād be long gone by now. Sheās even taken a special liking to our little window feeder lately, letting us admire her from just a few feet away. While many hummingbirds migrate farther south for winter, a smaller number stay in Florida year-roundāand this tiny visitor seems perfectly happy doing just that.
āØReflections of Wonder
One thing I love about watching nature closely is realizing how often the smallest creatures create the biggest changes.
My cucumbers have been growing beautifully since I started them from seed. But after last seasonāwhen the vines looked amazing yet never produced a single cucumberāI was a little hesitant to believe things would be different this time. Even when the plant was covered in flowers, only one female flower had been pollinated. A familiar little doubt crept in. š
Then I started seeing himāa tiny metallic green bee spending a surprising amount of time hopping from flower to flower. At first, I wasnāt sure whether he was a friendly helper or a tiny foe up to mischief. But as the days went on, cucumbers started appearing everywhere!
A little research revealed the truth: heās one of the best pollinators you can hope for.
Meet the little green garden hero behind all my cucumbers.
Between that little bee and our lingering hummingbird, this month has felt like a soft reminder that the smallest things often carry the most wonder.
šBehind the Binoculars
One of my favorite moments this month happened completely by accident. We had the kitchen blinds opened all the wayānothing hiding us from viewāand my husband and I were standing right there behind the glass. And still, our little hummingbird friend stopped by!
She perched at the window feeder for over five minutes, sipping calmly, totally unbothered by us watching her in full view. For such a tiny bird to feel that comfortable was incredibly special. After thinking sheād surely left for the season, moments like that feel like a gift.
Our unexpected December guest at the window feeder.
If youāre curious, this is the window feeder sheās become so fond of: š Hummingbird Window Feederā
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šļøUntil Next Time
I hope you discover a tiny moment this week that makes you pause, just for a second, and feel a little spark of wonder. Theyāre easy to missābut so lovely to catch.
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