Backwoods MamaJosée

How to Make a Nature Ice Wreath

How to Make a Nature Ice Wreath

Brrrrr.... it's cold outside! An arctic outflow has blanketed our town with chilly weather. It's been so cold outside that our time in nature has been limited, especially with the baby. Despite the deep freeze my children and I have been embracing this cold weather...

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Magical Winter Picture Books for Children

Magical Winter Picture Books for Children

In our home, winter mornings are slow. After filling our bellies with warm oatmeal we snuggle together on the couch and slowly wake up to stories share aloud. Even as my children get older we still hold onto our winter morning ritual. Below are some of our favourite...

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A Delicious Traditional Winter Fruit Cake Recipe

A Delicious Traditional Winter Fruit Cake Recipe

For the longest time, I would do everything possible to avoid eating winter fruit cake. I found the cloyingly sweet cake with its fluorescent candied fruit strange and unpalatable. To be fair, I never had the opportunity to eat a traditional winter fruit cake until...

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How to Decorate an Outdoor Tree with Treats for Wildlife

How to Decorate an Outdoor Tree with Treats for Wildlife

Decorating an outdoor tree with healthy treats for local wildlife is a wonderful winter tradition that gives back to nature. It's a tradition that my children look forward to every winter. We often decorate a tree close to the Winter Solstice or Christmas Day but...

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How to Make Tree Ornament Seed Bombs (+ Free Printable)

How to Make Tree Ornament Seed Bombs (+ Free Printable)

When it comes to giving gifts during the holiday season, I'm all about hand-made earth friendly gifts. If I had the time to make all of my family and friends something handmade I would. However, it seems that time accelerates during the holiday season. Or maybe time...

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7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Saint Nicholas Day with Kids

7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Saint Nicholas Day with Kids

My children believe in Santa Claus. Not the fairy tale version of Santa Clause with his red suit, rotund belly, jolly laugh and flying reindeer but the man that inspired the legend: Saint Nicholas. Our family has been celebrating Saint Nicholas Day since my kids were...

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A Unique Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Kids

A Unique Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Kids

Encouraging kids to spend time outside is one of the best gifts they can receive. With that in mind, this gift guide was carefully curated to encourage kids to get outdoors. Each item is something that my own children enjoy using, or would enjoy, or it's something...

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How to Make a Fall Leaf Mason Jar Lantern

How to Make a Fall Leaf Mason Jar Lantern

As autumn unfolds and the days get shorter, all the cozy and comforting things call my name: a cup a hot tea, a fuzzy blanket, a good book, and the soft glow of candles. Throughout the cold dark months of late autumn and winter, my kids and I love create beautiful and...

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Fall Outside: 30 Prompts for Exploring Nature with Children

Fall Outside: 30 Prompts for Exploring Nature with Children

Fall Outside: 30 Prompts for Exploring Fall with Children is an eBook offers parents and educators thirty fun prompts for inviting children to explore the season of fall outdoors. The prompts can be used as a 30-day challenge or they can be used randomly throughout...

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How to Help Children Overcome Their Fear of Bugs

How to Help Children Overcome Their Fear of Bugs

"Mama, there's a wasp in my room!" "I think there's a tick in my hair! Get it out! GET IT OUT!!!!" "Help! There's a spider on the door!" Fear of bugs, even among the most nature loving children, is extremely common. It's so common that it pops up regularly in online...

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Naturally Dyed Dandelion Play Dough Recipe

Naturally Dyed Dandelion Play Dough Recipe

Dandelions are a telltale sign that spring has truly arrived. This common "weed" is one of nature's wonderful gifts to pollinators and insects in the spring. In fact, it's only been recent that dandelions have been viewed as weeds. For the longest time they were a...

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