Recipes – Page 2 – Wineberry Woods

20Nov 2024 by catbird 1 Comment

Yule Hot Cocoa

This time of year I will happily drink pretty much any kind of hot chocolate, any time and so will my kids. It is the definition of cozy. Being cozy is practically a religion in my household. That said, it recently occurred to me that I have never made a special Winter Solstice cocoa and that simply won't do! So, to correct this oversight, I present to you my Yule hot cocoa. To make it extra Yule-y I added oranges to coax back the sun, cinnamon and cloves for luck, peace and protection (as well as holiday spice), and a little bit of spruce for the ultimate winter evergreen magic. Evergreens are remarkably citrus-y in flavor too. It’s all topped off with a sun shaped marshmallow dusted with turmeric and…

19Nov 2024 by catbird No Comments

“Owl Moon”

Craft Project, Picture Book Buds, Picture Book Hikes, Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Owl Moon Written by: Jane Yolen Illustrated by: John Schoenherr Owl Moon is a classic winter story about a young girl and her father going for a walk at night. They are hoping to see some owls and her excitement at staying up late like a big kid is palpable. I am also always struck by her desire to keep quiet so as not to scare off potential owls, that struggle for a young child to be quiet and observant is something so many parents will immediately recognize, and it's so beautifully detailed. This one is a classic…

13Nov 2024 by catbird 1 Comment

A Modern & Magical Mother’s Night

Craft Project, Mother's Night, Recipes, Winter Solstice

Mother’s Night or Mōdraniht is a lesser known holiday shrouded in mystery. Different people celebrate it on different dates. Some mark it as one of the twelve days of Yule, and there is some historical evidence that it was once celebrated this time of year, however there is only one direct mention of it in scholarship and it is exceedingly brief. It comes from the historian Bede who was an English monk and historian living in the early middle ages. Historians at that time did not, of course, remain impartial and his accounts, particularly of pagan customs, are often viewed through the lens of his occupation. All of that said, there is no reason to disbelieve his account of Mother’s Night, and there are some corroborating references that, while they…

13Nov 2024 by catbird 3 Comments

Candlelit Winter Solstice Fireplace Picnic

Recipes, Winter Solstice

Every Winter Solstice my family turns off all the lights in the evening, lights a fire in the fireplace, lights a million candles, spreads a blanket in front of the fireplace and has a special dinner on the living room floor. Not only is it a lovely way to celebrate the darkest night, but it’s also a great opportunity to turn off electronics and lights and just enjoy each other’s company. We do this every year, no matter what else we do (or don't do.) The kids think it’s hysterical to walk around the house with a lantern and it’s an incredibly relaxing night in a busy stressful season. We always have Swedish meatballs (which are referred to as ikea meatballs in my house... ) with mashed potatoes, green beans…

28Oct 2024 by catbird 11 Comments

2024 Winter Solstice Countdown Calendar

Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice

Countdown to the Winter Solstice with activities, recipes and crafts. Come back each day for a new surprise! The doors won’t open until the correct day (So 1 opens on December 1st, on December 5th you’ll be able to open 1-5, etc.) The calendar includes a new exclusive excerpt from my Winter Solstice book that will only be available through this calendar and only in December 2024. It also includes four guest blogs from other talented makers! This calendar is now closed. Look for a new calendar in November 2025!! Click Here for the materials list– there are some spoilers here, but I tried my best to give you the info you needed without giving away all the surprises! Click Here for the accompanying Picture Book Countdown. Happy Winter Solstice!

17Oct 2024 by catbird No Comments

“Chomp! The Truth About Sharks”

Craft Project, Free Printable, Learning, Picture Book Buds, Play, Recipes, STEAM

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Chomp! The Truth About Sharks Written by: Annette Whipple Chomp! The Truth About Sharks is a fun new nonfiction book about sharks. Having just spent some time hunting for fossil shark teeth this summer, my boys were all over it! It does a great job of breaking down all the info about sharks in a nice concise way: where they live, how they work, the parts of the body, different adaptations, and of course some blood and teeth. It's also peppered with fun unusual facts (called shark bites!) I definitely learned some cool shark factoids to impress…

12Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

“The Weeping Tide”

Craft Project, Folklore, Learning, Middle Grade Book Buds, Recipes, STEAM

Continuing with the middle grade book buds, I present the next book in the Wilderlore series, The Weeping Tide! I have been reading a ton of middle grade books lately, but would love to hear your suggestions for more book buds! Middle grade books are substantially longer, so I have broken the middle grade book buds into a lesson (called lore in honor of Wilderlore here), a craft or two, and a snack. All are driven by the themes and ideas in the respective book. These could be the jumping off point for a more in depth academic book study, or just a fun project to further immerse yourself in the worlds of your favorite books! The Weeping Tide (Wilderlore Series) Written by: Amanda Foody The Weeping Tide is a middle…

06Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

The Best Summer Solstice Party Ideas

Craft Project, Garden, Play, Recipes, Summer, Summer Solstice

We love to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the longest day! 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! t A Solar Luncheon Let the sun be your inspiration and your oven! Building a simple solar oven is easier than you think! You can find instructions in my summer solstice book, or a simpler pizza box version all over the internet, or you can buy a fancier version online. It is truly amazing to be able to cook with the sun (and not heat up the house) on a hot summer day. The Summer Solstice, being the longest day of all, is the perfect time to make a solar luncheon!…

06Sep 2024 by catbird 2 Comments

Summer Stream Craftbrunch

Craft Project, craftbrunch, Hike Ideas, Nature Art, Nature Art Materials, Nature Collection, Play, Recipes, Summer, Summer Solstice

Summer is miserably hot and swampy where I live and sometimes we struggle to get outside as much as we do the rest of the year. It’s theoretically a slower time of year, but it never feels that way to me. One minute the whole summer stretches in front of you and then suddenly it’s September. I started hosting “craftbrunches” years ago to slow down and connect with friends and family. The premise is simple, everyone brings a simple dish and works on a seasonal craft together while laughing and gossiping. It’s an afternoon event which feels easier to schedule between clubs, camps, and soccer games. Including a simple kids craft keeps the littles occupied while the grownups catch up. A Summer Solstice craftbrunch is a perfect respite from…

06Sep 2024 by catbird 2 Comments

Garden Fairy Toasts

Garden, Play, Recipes, Summer, Summer Solstice

Garden fairy toast is so simple yet so satisfying to make! It takes inspiration from the classic fairy toast- bread covered in sprinkles, and reinvents it as a healthier and more versatile snack. The premise is simple, you just collect a little bit of whatever looks good in the garden and then artfully arrange it on your toast. It's fun and easy for kids, and can be quite elegant for adults. It celebrates the garden harvest (even when that harvest is small!) and makes vegetables fun! Ok I always think vegetables are fun... but not everyone agrees with me. You can use cream cheese as your "glue", or get fancier by using goat cheese or ricotta, or by tinting your cream cheese like a do in my love bird toasts.…

Category: Recipes