Books & Resources

10 Simple Ways to Weave Holiday Traditions Into Everyday Life

Here at the Yankee Homestead, we love getting into the spirit for holidays and seasonal celebrations.   We don’t do anything too elaborate, certainly nothing that would land on anyone’s Pinterest board. 🙂 Children love to celebrate, and I find that holidays make a great jumping off point for learning about all sorts of things–culture, history,…

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A Wee Bit o’ Irish Culture

Tales from Old Ireland So I’m about 1/4 Irish.   (And 1/4 Mexican + 1/2 German.  Amish-German, to be exact.  But that’s definitely a story for another day…)  Mr. Native Texan also boasts some UK heritage.  Not from Ireland exactly, but close enough to make the Emerald Isle dear to his heart. Even without familiar…

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Children's Books for St. Patrick's Day | Roots & Boots

Children’s Books for St. Patrick’s Day

Looking for the best Children’s Books for St. Patrick’s Day ?  

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Winter Nature Walk on the W&OD Trail (& excellent nature biography for kids)

Background Info: Older Brother and I just finished reading this awesome book, The Flower Hunter, about William Bartram, America’s first naturalist.  His father, John Bartram, was America’s first botanist.  So, so fun to read about their explorations as they studied and gathered plants. As a botanist, John Bartram taught his son William to observe nature…

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Favorite Books for Valentine's Day

Favorite Valentine’s Day Books for Children

Happy February!  It’s the month of love.  Want to know which books we enjoy reading during the first half of February, in honor of Valentine’s Day?  You’re in luck!  Our top picks are listed below.

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Happy Winter: this year’s favorite winter book

Happy Winter by Karen Gundersheimer is our new favorite children’s book for winter. (Last year, it was Red Fox Running by Eve Bunting, of which I can still recite the first four lines: Red fox running, /  Running through the snow, / White sky above / And white earth below. / ). We discovered Happy…

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Take a Winter Nature Walk

Exploring Nature with Kids: Winter Nature Walk

The boys and I enjoyed (for the most part) a Winter Nature Walk with some friends yesterday.  Read more about our nature buddies here: 5 Tips for a Successful Nature Walk with Kids: {#1 Find a Buddy}. We hit a trail near our friends’ home–not really a destination per se, but a convenient location for us.…

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Homemade Chicken Broth

Homemade Chicken Broth, What That “Free Range” Label Really Means, and My Complicated Relationship with Sally Fallon

I have sort of a love/hate relationship with Sally Fallon. Have you heard of her?  She’s like the Martha Stewart of “Real Food World”. When you need tips or a recipe, she’s the one you turn to.  But you simultaneously resent her high standards and image of perfection. I do own  Nourishing Traditions, and find…

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Our Favorite Winter Poem

In certain circles, I am known for having a song or poem for any and every occasion. It’s a handy trait, I must say, especially when there are young children living in your home. The snowflake picture frame (shown above) was a random gift to us, just perfect for displaying our favorite winter poem. We…

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32 Favorite Christmas Books for Kids | Roots & Boots

32 Favorite Christmas Books for Children

I may have a slight addiction to wonderful Christmas books for children. 

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