25Jan 2024 by catbird 2 Comments
Snow Cream

Snow Cream

Full Moon, Play, Recipes, Snow Moon, Winter
I didn’t realize until adulthood that snow cream is a peculiarity of the Mid-Atlantic states-- we aren’t quite in sugar on snow territory-- but we still get a fair amount of snow. The recipe is a loose guideline at best-- get some snow, add something creamy and sweet to it and eat it quickly before it melts. When I was a kid it was always chocolate syrup, as an adult I like the creaminess of the condensed milk and vanilla. I almost never make this quantity, instead we fill individual bowls up with snow and add the condensed milk to taste with extremely imprecise measurements. However if you want to use up a whole can of condensed milk, this is how you do it. Ingredients: 8 ish cups of clean…
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25Jan 2024 by catbird No Comments
Paper Snowflakes for the Snow Moon

Paper Snowflakes for the Snow Moon

Craft Project, Full Moon, Play, Snow Moon, Winter
One of the simplest ways to celebrate this snowy full moon (aside from just going outside and playing in the snow!) is to make paper snowflakes. The trick in making lovely paper snowflakes is in the way you fold the paper-- even toddler made snowflakes look fancier when folded like this. You can also use coffee filters if you prefer for a similar result. Folding Paper Snowflakes If you are starting with a rectangular piece of paper, fold the left corner down diagonally so it makes a triangle and is flush with the opposite edge. Trim off the skinny rectangle that falls below your folded triangle. (If you start with a square, just fold your paper in half diagonally.) Next, fold your triangle in half diagonally again. Now the trickiest…
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22Jan 2024 by catbird 2 Comments
Love Bird Tea

Love Bird Tea

Play, Recipes, Valentine's Day, Winter
I have always found Valentine’s Day to be kind of a weird holiday (full disclosure, its also my birthday.) Recently I have shifted my thinking about it somewhat by diving into nature and winter birds and the start of nest making season. In fact, there is scholarship that suggests that this holiday initially came about way back when because it is when birds would pair off and start building nests. it's one of those important signs that spring will eventually be here-- the birds know! After making a variety of bird feeders, nesting material holders and other treats for winter birds we decided that we needed some treats too! What better way to celebrate lovebirds and Valentine's Day then with these easy and delicious lovebird toasts! We drank hot chocolate…
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27Dec 2023 by catbird 2 Comments
New Year Family Bucket List Countdown Printable -Updated for 2026

New Year Family Bucket List Countdown Printable -Updated for 2026

Free Printable, Nature Journaling, New Year's Eve, Play, Winter
Every year we fill out a bucket list as a family so this year I decided to make one of my own! I made it black and white so it's easier to print out. You can color it if you'd like or leave it as is! The plants I used to decorate the bubbles are all ones I associate with the winter and the new year. Bay, juniper, pine, mistletoe, sage, rosemary, fir and snowdrops. The first 16 have prompts to get you thinking and the last four are blank so you can write in your own! Wishing you the happiest of new years! (Click on the image below to download!) download
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23Dec 2023 by catbird 3 Comments
The Sunniest Sun Bread

The Sunniest Sun Bread

Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
Sun Bread is a sweet book by Elisa Kleven that doesn't specifically mention the Winter Solstice, but revolves around bringing the sun back after a period of cold gray weather, so it's a perfect fit. Making your own sun bread is a popular activity this time of year and there is even a recipe in the back of the book. That recipe contains wheat, which I am allergic to however, and some other things that may not work for your family. So what to do? I struggled with this a lot when I first found out I was a celiac, especially around the holidays. There are so many fun traditional breads-- and finding gluten free versions of them was nearly impossible. But then I figured out the secret. Good base recipes.…
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11Dec 2023 by catbird No Comments
Winter Tree Weaving

Winter Tree Weaving

Craft Project, Foraging, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice
This is another great simple craft for littles to do as a part of my Winter Walk party or just for a fun afternoon! This pretty decoration is easier for little hands to make than a wreath, but just as pretty! My kiddos aren't that little anymore, but they were both very excited to make these as well. A grown up or older friend can put together the frame and then younger friends can collect pieces of evergreen and herbs to weave in. We used evergreens, holly and some sage and rosemary that are still going strong in the garden. You don't need a proper weaving technique here, just wiggle the pieces in enough to hold things in place. This look awesome on a winter nature table, or equally lovely…
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04Dec 2023 by catbird No Comments
The Best Winter Solstice Party Ideas

The Best Winter Solstice Party Ideas

Craft Project, Nature Collection, Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
We love to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the longest night! Looking for some fun and easy ways to celebrate with friends and family? Check out some of our favorite parties and celebrations! Fun for all ages! Winter Solstice Bonfire Party A warm bonfire is always welcome on a cold winter day and the perfect way to have fun with friends outside for the Winter Solstice. Ancient people traditionally burned huge bonfires on the Solstice to welcome back the sun. So invite some friends over to welcome back the sun and keep toasty warm while celebrating! Make sure you have plenty of chairs and warm blankets to keep everyone cozy. Hot chocolate is always a good choice this time of year, you can even make it over the…
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23Nov 2023 by catbird 2 Comments
Crystalizing Frost Paint for the Frost Moon

Crystalizing Frost Paint for the Frost Moon

Craft Project, Frost Moon, Full Moon, Learning, Nature Art, Play, Winter
November is the time that the really frosty mornings start for us. The Assiniboine and Creek people call this moon the Frost Moon, the Anishnaabeg and Passamaquoddy call it the Freezing Moon, and the Algonquin tribes call it the Much White Frost on Grass Moon. The Abenaki refer to the Freezing River Maker Moon, and the Arapaho people call it the When the Rivers Start to Freeze Moon. This is a great time to explore outside and look for different types of frost. I always seem to find myself taking pictures of leaves that look like they are dusted with icing sugar. If you have old wondows like us you'll start to see beautiful feathers of frost form on them in the morning. There are even "frost flowers" that is…
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