Lights for the Darkness
Now that Thanksgiving is past (just barely!) the lights are coming up in our neighborhood, and all over the US, and all over the Northern hemisphere! Though many Christian cultures connect this with Christmas, and it is a wonderful part of Christmas tradition,...
Easy, beautiful watercolor lanterns for fall
These beautiful watercolor lanterns are easy to make (for anyone about 4 and up). The are pretty on your front porch with LED tea lights next to your fall pumpkins, or on the table. Last year I made them with a few school groups, and the little ones loved carrying...
Demeter at the End of Summer
We've had our first cool week in Portland in a long time. My youngest daughter started kindergarten a couple weeks ago. I feel like Demeter at the end of summer, and I saw that same look in other mom's eyes too. And we talk about it. We wear big sunglasses on the...
Summer Road Trips: An American Tradition
The summer road trip is an American folk tradition. My family is feeling extremely classic. We are going to Yellowstone, driving from Oregon, later in June. There are tons of folk tales about the American road trip, and of course, it's a common trope in American...
That Bossy, Vain Rooster
My daughter loves Chinese Zodiac signs and when she meets a new friend, she likes to find out what animal she is – a goat, a pig, a rat? She was born in the year of the pig, which she loves, because in China, many people try to have babies that year. Pigs are often...
The Spring 2015 Folklore in a Box – So Much to Celebrate!
The Spring 2015 Folklore in a Box is Ready! Every box is a beautiful surprise! Just go to SHOP on the menu bar to purchase yours. Our artfully curated activity boxes come with a booklet telling you all about the folklore of the season and highlighting particular...
New Year’s Traditions: What Is Meaningful to You?
I have never really celebrated the new year on New Year’s Day, but instead like to do it later in January, or February, more at the time of the Chinese New Year, or Imbolc, at the first breath of spring. Also, though I do make lists of things I want to do or...
Winter fun (and so much to explore) for kids! The Winter Box is Ready!
The Winter 2014-15 Folklore in a Box is full of winter fun (and so much to learn) for kids. A super cool gift or great school activity, our box takes you and your kids on a tour of the beauty and meaning of winter in different cultures around the world. Four...
Why We Decorate with Red and Green
The tradition of decorating for wintertime with evergreens (that sometimes have red berries) can be found in many northern European and North American cultures. It is common in places where it gets cold and dark as we approach winter solstice, and where there are...
Mrs. Sharp and Some Autumn Traditions
I recently came across the first book written by Sarah Ban Breathnach, who you might remember later wrote the bestseller, Simple Abundance. Her first book is quirky, but I kind of love it. It’s called Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of...