15Sep 2026 by catbird
Apple Star Lanterns

Apple Star Lanterns

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project
I can still remember the first time my mom showed me the star the seeds make in the center of an apple when you cut it crosswise, and it was magical. I still love to cut apples open to see the star inside. Sometimes people call the Autumn Equinox the apple harvest and that makes sense to me because it's the start or peak apple season where I live. I have struggled to think of some good apple crafts to mark this holiday because I feel quite strongly that food is for eating. I don't like to use food for things that render them inedible (like making apple prints.) I will occasionally make exceptions, but I am generally of the the opinion that there are too many people in the…
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30Sep 2024 by catbird
Autumn Simmer Pots

Autumn Simmer Pots

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Samhain, Simmer Pot
Autumn is when simmer pot season really starts in earnest around our house. A simmer pot is basically a homemade air freshener made by simmering fragrant pieces of fruits, herbs, and other spices in water. You throw some nice smelling things into a pot and let it just simmer on the stove all day. It makes the house smell amazing and cozy. It's a great way to make use of apple peels and core from fall baking. I went ahead and used teh cut outs from our jack-o-lanterns too! I went beyond the usual apples and spices in the harvest simmer pot, using some common fall garden plants and weeds. Sweet autumn clematis is terribly invasive in my area so I don't feel at all and about yanking it. It also…
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21Sep 2024 by catbird
What is Autumn Equinox?

What is Autumn Equinox?

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Folklore, Learning
The Fall or Autumnal Equinox is the midpoint between the Summer and Winter Solstices. Day and night are of equal length in nearly all parts of the world. The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the Autumn Equinox the Earth’s tilt is at zero relative to the sun, meaning it is not tilting towards or away from the light, it is in balance. The Equinox is the astronomical first day of fall, traditionally starting the fall season. Darkness and night increase, we move within our homes and ourselves and begin to prepare ourselves for the coming winter. This is the time of year when farmers would know how well their summer crops did, and whether they would have enough food for…
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04Sep 2023 by catbird
The Simplest Autumn Lanterns

The Simplest Autumn Lanterns

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Play
It's no secret that we love lanterns, this site is full of various lantern designs of varying complexity. (falling leaves lantern, star lanterns, harvest moon lanterns, frost lanterns) But when my kids were toddlers this was the go to lantern craft. It's super easy for little hands and can be upgraded in any number of ways. The supplies and simple and easy to manipulate. Fall is lantern time for me. The nights are darker and longer and a lantern brings a cozy flickering light. A number of traditional celebrations and festivals include lanterns this time of year and it's the perfect time for a lantern walk. Easiest Tissue Paper Jar Lanterns In their simplest form these lanterns consist of a recycled glass or plastic jar, tissues paper, glue, and some…
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