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…
Read More
Giving Back Seed Bombs for Foraging

Giving Back Seed Bombs for Foraging

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Foraging
We love to forage as a family, One of the most important things about foraging is remembering to give back-- to leaves some for the animals, to thank the plants and to cultivate gratitude. When kids are invlved I like to do something concrete to help them think about giving back. Recently we have been making seed bombs with native plants to throw along the trail and very literally give back. So many natural areas are completely overrun with non-native invasive plants that I hope this small action helps native plants regain their foothold and makes more food for the woodland critters. It's really REALLY important that you use seeds for plants that are native to your area and will thrive in the conditions that you are distributing them. Sun?…
Read More
Harvest Moon Sun Catcher

Harvest Moon Sun Catcher

Autumn, Craft Project, Folklore, Foraging, Full Moon, Harvest Moon, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play
I know, I know, it should really be a moon catcher, but those aren't a thing and not all littles can stay up late enough to see the full moon! The Harvest Moon is what the September full moon is called in Europe and parts of North America. In most of Asia it is the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and while I don't live in Asia, I find this celebration and it's related folktales super inspiring. I am also always interested in similarity of celebrations across cultures, and you will find some sort of harvest celebration in just about every place with a temperate climate this time of year, many with similar traditions. The Mid Autumn Festival is connected to the folktale of Chang'e and the Moon Rabbit. It's a lovely…
Read More