Workbook – Page 3 – Wineberry Wood Press

13Nov 2024 by catbird 2 Comments

Jolabokaflod

A few years ago pinterest was flooded with adorable memes about Jolabokaflod, otherwise knwn as the Icelandic Book Flood. As we Americans tend to do, this beautiful tradition has been distilled down into a soundbite so dug in and spent some time researching what Jolabokaflod is all about. It is indeed a flood of books that are all published around the holidays, that people exchange with friends and family, but the rationale behind it is kind of beautiful. Icelandic is not a widely spoken language, so less books are printed in the language. As an english speaker, this isn't something I had ever really thought about before. Whole languages could disappear because they aren't profitable. So the publishing companies in Iceland decided to make the release of their new titles…

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…

13Nov 2024 by catbird No Comments

Magical Winter Solstice Rituals & Traditions

Folklore, Winter, Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is the day that the earth is tilted the furthest away from the sun and consequently has more hours of darkness and less hours of light than any other day of the year. Every day after the Winter Solstice there is gradually a little more light until the Summer Solstice. Ancient people thought that the sun was dying and being reborn on this day. The Winter Solstice most often falls on December 21st and has long been a day of celebration. In fact, it was a whole season of celebration in ancient times. The sun is at its lowest point in the sky on the Winter Solstice and shadows become stretched out and longer than usual. The word solstice comes from the Latin, sol means sun and stitium…

03Nov 2024 by catbird 1 Comment

2024 Winter Solstice Picture Book Countdown

Picture Book Buds, Winter, Winter Solstice

You might know that every year I make a Winter Solstice Countdown calendar full of crafts, activities, and recipes. This year I wanted to add picture books to each day to make things even more festive! These books correspond to the activities in the main countdown calendar, so you can read them along with the calendar or just read a book each day if that's more your speed. Happy Solstice! December 1, 2024 Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light by: Apryl Stott December 2, 2024 Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winterby: Jessica Kulekjian December 3, 2024 Wintercake: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids by Lynne Rae Perkins December 4, 2024 Grandmother Winterby: Phyllis Root December 5, 2024 A Cozy Winter Dayby: Eliza Wheeler December 6, 2024 Winter Is…

31Oct 2024 by catbird No Comments

What is Samhain?

Autumn, Folklore, Learning, Samhain

Samhain is a celebration halfway between the Autumn Equinox (the official start of fall) and the Winter Solstice (the official start of winter). It is observed on November 1st, although the technical astronomical midpoint varies slightly. It is what is known as a “cross quarter” day on the Wheel of the Year. These days are seasonal midpoints in between the “quarters” or solstices/ equinoxes. This celebration can be known as Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de la Muertos or Samhain. It is the end of the harvest season and begins the darker half of the Wheel of the Year. It is the last harvest of any remaining food before the killing frost sets in, but it’s also the time to harvest seed for next year. For our ancestors this time…

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! Click on the image below to go to the calendar!! (This will take you to a new window) Click once to open the door and click a second time to open the tutorial. 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…

22Oct 2024 by catbird No Comments

Samhain Simmer Pot

Autumn, Folklore, Samhain, Simmer Pot

Where I live Samhain is when the cold really starts to set in. Simmer pots become more than just a way to make the house smell nice, they add much needed moisture and warmth to the air in my drafty old house. Samhain is more of a time for quiet reflection than other fall holidays, thinking about those who are no longer with us and the cycle of life. Consequently, this recipe has a different vibe. It's not all apples and pumpkin spice it's more about memory. If there is a plant or scent you associate with a particular loved one, that would be a perfect thing to add as well. Use this recipe as a start and add anything else that speaks to you– you might just really like…

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…

30Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

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…

21Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

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…