13Aug 2023 by catbird No Comments
Solar Balloons

Solar Balloons

Craft Project, Learning, Play, Recycled Materials, Summer
We always struggle a bit with the dog days of summer-- its hot and humid and no one really wants to do anything. That coupled with the sinking "summer is ending soon" feeling that I always get this time of year always seems to make me cranky in august. So instead of sitting around we decided to break out some simple projects that benefit from sweltering heat- the first of which was this solar balloon. What is a solar balloon anyway? "A solar balloon is a balloon that gains buoyancy when the air inside is heated by solar radiation, usually with the help of black or dark balloon material. The heated air inside the solar balloon expands and has lower density than the surrounding air. As such, a solar balloon is similar to a hot air balloon. Usage…
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24Jul 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Corn Husk Candles

Corn Husk Candles

Craft Project, First Harvest, Green Corn Moon, Nature Art, Summer
The "corn' that most Western Europeans refer to around First Harvest (also called Lammas or Lughnasadh) is actually just old fashioned slang for "grain" and most often refers wheat. As a North American on the other hand, corn as in maize, is having its moment this time of year. Some Southeastern American Indian tribes celebrate a Green Corn Festival in early August to celebrate the corn harvest. “Green corn” is of course not corn that is the color green (although there is green colored corn), but simply sweet corn—that is, corn that is eaten fresh as opposed to mature corn that is dried and ground up. It’s the same reason we call green beans green– it’s not because they are the color green, but because they are eaten in an…
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23Jul 2023 by catbird No Comments
Bake Bread & Cook with Grains

Bake Bread & Cook with Grains

First Harvest, Garden, Summer
August 1st is known as First Harvest, Lammas or Lughnasadh in various traditions. First Harvest is midway between the Summer Solstice (the official start of summer) and the Autumnal Equinox (the official start of fall) You can see then why it is a time that straddles between summer and fall. I think of it as peak summer- everything is ripening in the garden and there is almost more to harvest than there is time. There are berries and mushrooms to forage in the wood and a general sense of abundance. At the same time we are creeping closer to fall and I start to notice subtle little cues here and there. Historically, in Celtic tradition First Harvest marks the start of the harvest season. Ritual games took place and there…
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23Jul 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Tomato Harvest

Tomato Harvest

First Harvest, Garden, Summer
First Harvest (also known as Lammas or Lughnasadh) is frequently associated with grain and grain harvests. For me, early August is prime tomato harvest season though! This is the time of year that tomatoes taste their best, fresh from the vine and warm from the sun. No need for a recipe because they don't need much of anything to taste delicious. So go harvest some tomatoes-- either from your garden or from the farmer's market and just enjoy!
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23Jul 2023 by catbird 3 Comments
Wild Mushroom Hike

Wild Mushroom Hike

First Harvest, Foraging, Hike Ideas, Recipes, Summer
We absolutely always enjoy searching for mushrooms while hiking, in fact I have promised my children badges for all the different types of mushrooms they've spotted on multiple occasions (and still not delivered...) but perhaps my favorite time to go is at the end of July right before First Harvest. This is when we (knock on wood) always find delicious chanterelles. I like added chanterelles to the list of things we harvest this time of year! Whether or not you want to forage mushrooms to harvest and eat, this is a fun hike to take with kids. (And I find they are often superior at spotting mushrooms!) Bring a magnifying glass, a mesh bag if you plan to collect anything and a guidebook. A nature journal is also a great…
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23Jul 2023 by catbird No Comments
Wildcrafting Tea

Wildcrafting Tea

First Harvest, Foraging, Garden, Play, Recipes, Summer
The first harvest is all about, well, harvesting. Many people associate this day with grains and bread, but there are lots of other things that are at their peak and ripe for harvesting this time of year too. One of our favorites that you might not immediately think about is herbal tea. We harvest wild plants and plants from our garden, dry them and make a new tea blend each year. (Naming them is obviously part of the fun...) Past names have included "summer thunderstorm tea" and "firefly tea." Herbs to Harvest for Tea Try collecting a variety of herbs and then let children smell them and decide which ones they like together. Wash and dry everything and then crush them up in a mortar and pestle. (This step is…
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23Jul 2023 by catbird No Comments
Strawberry Moon Cake

Strawberry Moon Cake

Full Moon, Recipes, Strawberry Moon, Summer
In many places June is the transition into summer. In much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, it’s high strawberry season, and this traditional name is shared among the Dakota, Chippewa, and Ojibwe peoples. Similarly, the Haida call this the Berries Ripen Moon, the Lakota refer to the When Berries Are Good Moon, and the Mohawk have Ripening Time Moon. For many, this is the start of summer abundance. Picking and eating strawberries is the perfect way to celebrate! Strawberry, Rose & Mint Garden Cake I recently learned that garden centers in the UK often have cafes and serve cake and tea and it kind of blew my mind. There seems to be a general association between cake and gardens there that just doesn't exist in the US– but I fully…
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19Sep 2022 by catbird 2 Comments
Mushroom Foraging Badges!

Mushroom Foraging Badges!

Autumn, Craft Project, First Harvest, Free Printable, Nature Art, Nature Journaling, Play, Summer
I have been promising my kids that I would make them "badges" for each new mushroom they find while out hiking, this is not all of them, but it's a start! Print them on cardstock and cut them out, or if you are feeling adventurous print them onto fabric and sew them onto felt circles. Check out my mushroom foraging hike if you need suggestions for this fun activity! Click on the image above for the PDF!
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