The Not-so-Itsy-Bitsy Spider

I'm not going to lie, guys. I had to keep my feet up in the chair while editing these photos because I get the "heebie jeebies" just looking at this spider and remembering how close I was to it and how large it was. I just knew it was going to jump up on my face, crawl down my hair and into my shirt. And just as I got it in focus my hair blew in the wind and lightly brushed against my neck and I threw in the towel. I'm pretty sure I'll have spider nightmares forever now. Admittedly, I found it trapped in the dog bowl and it wasn't likely to escape. I set it free after our photo shoot and hoped to never see it again...especially in my house. Eeeeegh.

If you can't beat 'em.....Eat 'em!

These aren't the best photos of a dandelion I've ever seen, but I can't help giving them a little glory anyways. I love taking photos of nature and this particular plant is special to me. I will always have a fondness for dandelions. A good friend once taught me what more could come from this seemingly ordinary weed. One day she took me outside with a bag in one hand, a butterknife in the other and she taught me how to harvest dandelion greens. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but I was open to trying new things. We gathered as many as we could find until she thought we had enough and back into the house we went. She washed them, prepared them and later that night we sat down to a glass of wine and a wonderfully tasty meal with one of the sides being dandelion greens. It was a great experience and not the last time I ate weeds for dinner. Now every time I see them growing anywhere I smile, think of a great friend...and get a little hungry.