Workbook – Page 25 – Phlox Architect

12Jun 2022 by catbird No Comments

Campfire Orange Cakes

I was completely obsessed with these as a child, and pretty much still am as an adult. I thought they were generally common knowledge until I served them at one of my kids birthday parties a few years back and no one had any idea what they were. I am now on a mission to spread the word of orange cakes. Not only do they take on some smokiness form the fire, but they pick up the oils from the fire and have the most amazing subtle orangey flavor. You can use any cake batter with any dietary needs for this recipe and this is one of the few times you'll see me recommend you just use a quality boxed mix. (Although you can absolutely use a homemade cake batter…

27Apr 2022 by catbird No Comments

Marshmallow Wands

Foraging, May Day, Play, Recipes

May Day or Beltane is the first day of May and the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. In some places it marks the beginning of summer, in others, mine included, it is the midpoint of spring. It’s still a bit chilly, but wildflowers are starting to bloom and those “spring” vegetables like radish and asparagus are just starting to come to life. In Japan, the relatively modern holiday of Greenery Day is celebrated just after May Day- and I like the idea of a day to celebrate spring, flowers, gardens and being outside. One of the most important parts of European May Day celebrations were bonfires. Livestock were driven between big bonfires to protect them for the summer. This was the time of year that…

19Apr 2022 by catbird 1 Comment

Vernal Pools & Spring Pond Dipping

Hike Ideas, Nature Collection, Nature Journaling, Play, Spring Equinox, Spring Portfolio

One of the most exciting signs of spring in my house is the hunt for tadpoles and the woodland jewels known as vernal pools. Vernal pools are ephemeral woodland ponds that only appear in the spring. They are usually full in the early spring as snow and ice melt, and dry completely (or at least mostly) by late summer or early fall. These pools serve a critical role in the lives of wildlife- frogs and salamanders lay their eggs in vernal ponds because they are free of fish who would eat them. (Fish can’t live in a body of water that isn’t constant) Many organisms with an aquatic stage in their life cycle have evolved to require the temporary but fish-free water of vernal pools. In the Northeast United States…

19Mar 2022 by catbird No Comments

Spring Eggshell Candles

Craft Project, Spring Equinox, Spring Portfolio

This is a simple craft that doesn't require many materials or a lot of time. Materials: Eggshells Beeswax (pellets, chunks or even old candles bits) Wicks (tealight size) Dried flowers (optional) Crushed mica (optional) Method:First prepare the eggs: I use eggshells from eggs I have eaten or baked with and don't do anything special when I crack them. If you know you are planning to make some, just think about making the crack closer to the skinny end, but as long as you have a solid half (ie don't crush it into a million pieces like my children do...) it should be fine. The fiddliest bit is that you need to pull the membrane out, if you do when they are fresh I can usually just yoink them out in…

16Feb 2022 by catbird No Comments

Snow Moon Simmer Pot

Full Moon, Snow Moon, Winter Portfolio

Tonight is the full snow moon and February is the snowiest month where I live. I keep making simmer pots for most of the winter because I live in an old house with radiator heat and it gets so dry. I shift away from citrus and holiday scents after December and focus more on cleaning the air. Lately I’ve started being intentional about the water I use- snow, ice rainwater. The spices are cinnamon cloves and thyme— all of which fight germs and bacteria when aerosolized (I read a fascinating study about this) and bay leaves with intentions written on them. I also included some sage for cleansing. Feels just right for a snowy full moon night.

15Feb 2022 by catbird No Comments

Sugar on Snow

Midwinter, Recipes, Snow Moon, Winter Portfolio

February is when tree sap starts to travel back up tree trunks, meaning that it's time to make maple syrup! The best days below freezing at night but warmer and sunny during the day. I live in the most southernly part of the US where you can still tap trees and make maple syrup. I tap both maple and black walnut most years and every so often we make some sugar on snow. We usually use store bought maple syrup for the sugar on snow- the syrup we make is too precious! The sugar in this case refers to the maple- it's just cooked until it's at softball stage and then allowed to set up quickly on the cold snow. Simple yet magical! A perfect way to celebrate Midwinter and…

30Jan 2022 by catbird No Comments

Midwinter Cleaning. Of Children.

Bath & Body, Craft Project, Midwinter, Play

Historians disagree on the origin of colloquialism “spring cleaning, '' but there is some evidence to support that it was originally a Midwinter tradition, not a spring one. The season’s association with the hearth and preparing for spring make sense. Many historical traditions reference cleaning out the old year at Midwinter. Consequently, this is a great time of year to craft cleaning products, soap and bath bombs. We naturally spend more time inside in the deep of winter, so it makes sense to turn our attention to cleaning out our physical spaces and ourselves. The kids and I try to make at least 1 new soap each year and they are much more inclined to use said soap because they make it and it's special. We also love to make…

27Jan 2022 by catbird 1 Comment

Making Butter with Kids

Midwinter, Play, Recipes

Midwinter is the time of year that ewes traditionally started lambing, so for Western Europeans in ancient times it was the return of milk to their diet. It’s hard for us to really understand that these days, but there is something very comforting about creamy, milky dishes this time of year. February is also usually the month that our hens start laying again which is always very exciting. As I’m writing this I’m thinking we should really plan some sort of mini celebration to mark the occasion! I don’t do lactose so I don’t really dive deeply into the milk and cream elements of this holiday, but my kids love to make butter. Mason Jar Butter Making Making butter in a mason jar is stupid easy and strangely satisfying. We…

19Jan 2022 by catbird No Comments

Marshmallow Root Marshmallows

Recipes, Winter Portfolio

Did you know that marshmallows used to be made with marshmallow root? Check out an article I wrote for Flora's Feast Botanicals that includes two historical recipes!

06Jan 2022 by catbird 5 Comments

Focaccia della Befana

Twelfth Night, Winter Portfolio

January 6th is Befana in Italy, also known as Epiphany, Twelfth Night or Three Kings day in various cultures. Befana is a winter witch who brings treats for children and sweeps away the old year. I kind of love that throughout christianization Italians have stubbornly held on to their winter witch. Like most holidays Befana/ Epiphany predates the current Christian celebration and marks the end of the liminal time between Christmas and New Years. I like having that end marked in some way, this always feels like such a weird time of year for me. Focaccia della Belfana Despite being called focaccia, this is an enriched bread with milk eggs and butter. It’s a little sweet, but not overly so. I use a gluten free brioche recipe, but you can…