Monday, November 24, 2014

Winter Nature Nook



As days grow shorter and the chilly air blows us home, it's nice to bring some of the outdoors in to admire by the warmth of the fire. The kids and I created a space in our cabin where we can study this season's beauty in the comfort of hearth and home.  We wanted our winter nature nook to delight all five senses.  There are cinnamon sticks and dried orange disks to smell and touch, warming candlelight, bright red Christmas Berries to look at, Paper Whites and Amaryllis bulbs to watch grow each day.




To make dried orange disks, simply slice 2 oranges as thin as you can, toss disks in 1/2 cup sugar, and dry in the oven or dehydrator at 200ยบ for 2 1/2 hours.  We tried making a batch without sugar and what we got are brown disks pictured below (the brightness of the other disk was preserved by using sugar).




It felt good to step away from the business this season can bring, take a deep breath, and collect treasures from creation with the kids.  Their creativity was activated and a peace entered the house as everyone crafted elements of the nature nook.  We love how it all came together, and checking the bulbs' growth progress each morning has become a before-breakfast ritual.  I do think we have started a new family tradition.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Katie, I was wondering if you ment to make the video private?

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  2. Oops! It is supposed to be public. Just fixed it. Thanks for the heads up!

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  3. You're welcome. So glad you are blogging again. Diana from My Humble Kitchen and I were giddy when we started chating about the fact that you had posted something new. ;)

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  4. Lovely, Katie! We also love to have the bulbs around our house. I think we are going to try doing the orange slices this year! Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  5. I'm inspired! Now to find an empty nook ...

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  6. I'll second the giddiness. :)

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  7. Aww, thank you so much, ladies! You know how to make a girl feel happy. :)

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  8. I have been following your blog and Facebook & Instagram .. But this was sweet. All the kids helping out, yet creating their own beautiful nature masterpieces. Out done yourself Katie - such an inspiration!

    Thank you
    Susan

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  9. Wow, thank you so much! We had a lot of fun filming and making it. :)

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